pics of my PSK

W

Will

Joined
Jan 4, 2003
Messages
659
This is what I usually have on my person when out in the bush. I spend a great deal of time working in the backcountry, and my free time backpacking or doing other outdoor things so I carry this set up a lot. I find it perfect. I definitely could not carry more in my pockets. I always have the right things in my pack, but the idea of my PSK set up is to keep me going should I become separated from my pack.

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From left to right:

Becker Necker: around my neck

PSK box: in my left cargo pocket or slash/hand pocket: its rounded shape makes it surprisingly comfortable to carry this way, even for a full day of backpacking, I don’t get any chafing. (the full box weights about 8-10 oz.)

LM Charge Ti: (used to be the old Wave) on my belt, RHS

Petzl Zipka: 3 LED headlamp with spare batterys, on my belt, LHS

Bandana, mini Bic lighter, and lip balm: RH pocket

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Wrapped around the green box, from top to bottom:

(on the top)
Black 100 mph tape
Wire
First-aid tape

(on the bottom)
30’ of 2mm accessory cord, with 3 ranger bands (cut bike inner tube) holding it in place

The contents of the green box (from top left to bottom right):

Survival cards: 5 double sided plastic cards with survival tips

3 sheets of 3x5 right in the rain paper

Package of 2 4x4 12 layer gauze pads

1 non-stick 3x4 gauze pad

3 Elastoplast Band-Aids

piece of moleskin (doesn't show up in pic)

5’x8’ reflective Mylar blanket (I like the orange side for high visibility): Has survival tips printed on it

2 Micropure water purification tablets

sewing needle with large eye and a whole lot of dental floss wrapped around it

Uncle Bill’s Tweezers

4 safety pins: 2 med, 2 small

a lot of 17 lbs fishing line with 3 hooks, 4 split shots and 2 swivels

a bit of flagging tape

birthday cake candle

pencil

spark-lite

mini Bic lighter

Acme Tornado whistle

6 extra strength Advil (in foil)

3 Imodium

2 Gravol

4 Spark-lie tinder tabs


For the most part, it should be clear what everything is for, but if not, please ask.

The wire, fishing gear, and needle with dental floss are not really the most crucial items to have in my pockets, but since they fit in the kit, they are there. The fishing gear comes out in winter or desert, or wherever it has little use.

I have reflective stickers on the top and bottom on the box as well to aid in signaling.

Often I will add to this as the situation calls for. In the summer or anytime in bug season I add a 1 oz bottle of bug repellant cream. If the sun is threat, I add a 1 oz tube of sun block. 1 liter platypus bag with the zip bottom: I have not carried it in my pocket yet, but if I felt the need I could.

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Platypus, bug repellant cream, sun block - with Charge as scale

I forgot to add it to the pics, but I always wear a Suunto Observer on my wrist. Besides being a watch, it is a superb altimeter/barometer, and has a surpizingly accurate digital compass with declination adjustment.

If there are any comments or suggestions, I would love to here them.

Will

PS: It may take me a few tries to get the pics to work.
 
if you aren't carrrying the platypus, you have nothing to use as a container for water. i'd add a gallon ziplock freezer bag or some other container and more water tabs than just 2.
maybe a small signal mirror as well. i've seen 2" by 3" versions.
 
grobe said:
if you aren't carrrying the platypus, you have nothing to use as a container for water. i'd add a gallon ziplock freezer bag or some other container and more water tabs than just 2.
maybe a small signal mirror as well. i've seen 2" by 3" versions.
Click to expand...

If the Platypus isn't in my pocket, it is in my pack, along with either a full 1 liter Nalgene bottle, or a 2 liter Camelbak. I have a compass with a mirror on it, and I usually have a small signal mirror in my pack as well. It is all a matter or prioritizing. There is a limit as to what can fit in my pockets, and the rest goes in the pack. It is very unlikely I get separated from my pack anyway.

In general, I would rank the water container above several of the items, like the needle/thread, fishing stuff, wire, but those things are so small, they fit in the box without adding bulk. They do add a bit of weight to my pocket though.

Will
 
I would add at least 2 more Micropure water purification tablets.

Overall pretty darn good kit you have there.
 
Great kit!!! I would add a non-lube condom for additional water capacity or if something happened to your primary water carrier.
 
Good start.

Seems a little bulky for pant pocket EDC. A small EDC kit is designed to be worn during waking hrs maximizing the chances you will have it with you when needed.

You need a water container as mentioned in the kit as there is a high likelyhood of not having a container on you when needed. I like unlubed condoms as was mentioned. Gerber seal and go breast milk bags work well too but are a bit more bulky. More micro pur as mentioned I carry 6 in my tin.

I would swap out your fishing line for a role of 60lb test spider wire, more uses.

Other than the bulk and a couple issues its a good start.

SKam
 
I work in the NWT, where there is more water than land, but I do think I should carry the Platypus in my pocket, or add hte condom to the kit. I havn't tried it, but it seems the condom would be rather difficult to use as a water carrier, and to drink from. The platypus isn't much heavier or bulkier and vastly superior.

I rate the Micropure tabs toward the bottom of the list of priority. Two give me something to work with for a short period of time, which is all the kit is designed for anyway. Most of the places I go, the water is potable without treatment anyway. Certainly up in the NWT I drink it straight out of the lake without any treatment, and we test the water regularly. As easy as it is to add a couple more, I would rather add more tinder tabs for the same bulk. To me they would be far more useful.

I like the suggestions, it keeps me thinking, and I have been altering the contents of my kits for 15 years! The places I go, and the intended purpose/use of the kit keeps changing. Most of what I do would not separate me from my pack. I usually just keep everything in the pack, until a day when the possiblity might arise (in a boat, taking off my pack to pass it up cliffs where it might be dropped), then fill my pockets. (I really like cargo pants. :D)

Will
 
Nice looking kit.

Those days, I'm more like a "back to basics" kinda guy. I shed the gadgets, and pick grossly simple and efficient stuff, keeping the priorities in mind.

- poncho
- wool hat
- wool shirt (à la Swandri)
- fire (x3 means of creating, plus tinder)
- big blade
- small blade
- water containers
- bandana(s)
- chlorine dioxide pills (micropur MP1)
- map & compass
- some chinese noodles, bouillon cubes, and chocolate
- a lightweight pot or quart (metal)
- small FAK (hypafix, soap, pain killers, smallest SAK with scalpel, scissors, file, toothpick and tweezers, hemostats, that's it).
- cord
- duct tape
- headlamp (petzl tikka with new batts)
- signaling methods (whistle, sightable mirror and cell phone).
- small foam pad rectangle (about back size, folded in two in the backpack)

No, it doesn't fit in my pockets. Especially not in cold weather, since I add a warm synthetic sleeping bag. I think all the gadgets in the world are useless when you're huddling under a cold, pouring, shivering in front of your extinguished fire ;)

That weighs around 10 pounds (12-13 with the sleeping bag). Anyone here is able to carry that in the bush, or else they need to stay home anyways.

Cheers,

David
 
:o
Will said:
I rate the Micropure tabs toward the bottom of the list of priority. Two give me something to work with for a short period of time, which is all the kit is designed for anyway. Most of the places I go, the water is potable without treatment anyway. Certainly up in the NWT I drink it straight out of the lake without any treatment, and we test the water regularly. As easy as it is to add a couple more, I would rather add more tinder tabs for the same bulk. To me they would be far more useful.
Click to expand...

Condoms take some practice (no pun) but work nicely.

All it takes is a rotting Elk carcass upstream of your drinking source and you will wish death upon yourself for drinking bacteria ladened water.
Got that t-shirt twice, never again!

For their space more MP tabs are a no brainer IMHO.

Skam
 
Your "green box" is made by Coghlan's, right? Are they still available
in Canada?
 
gorm said:
Your "green box" is made by Coghlan's, right? Are they still available
in Canada?
Click to expand...

Not sure if mine is the Coghlans one, but Coghlans certainly make one. I got mine from Campmor, but I am sure they are availble somewhere in Canada. I know they sell pre-packed kits in them here.

Will
 
cardimon said:
If someone's looking to buy this item, the real name is Uncle Bill's Sliver Grippers
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying. They are cheaper at Campmor but the free shipping makes it a better deal at your place if you only want 1 item.

I picked up a couple last year and noticed they were not a pointy and precise as the first ones I got around 8 years ago. I fixed them up with a file and shaprpening stone making them as good.

Will
 
not for anything, but i tipicaly carry the Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak. That thing is loaded with tons of valuable stuff and it fits into your pocket. fortunatley i have never had to seriously use it, but i think that for its size and weight, it would serve more than adequate. if you dont have one you should seriouslt consider picking one up. i got mine at dicks
 
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