PSK I put together for family trip (Slightly pic heavy)

[RogueBowie]

In a couple of weeks I am taking my girlfriend and daughter to Yosemite for some camping and long day hikes. I wanted a decent little survival kit to throw in my day hiking bag (Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon-II). This is what I have so far. Helpful advice is welcome.

Everything laid out:

In the ranger banded small altoids tin- My mini fire kit, 5 storm proof matches with plastic wrapped striker (plastic wrapped so they don't accidentally strike inside the tin while jostled around and burst into flames on my back) as well as a bunch of fatwood shavings:

In the little first aid kit- Some antiseptic and alcohol wipes, surgical sponges, bandages, gauze, safety pins, zip ties (these are just awesome to have around for lots of stuff), a snake bite kit, and a small lighter (as emergency fire starting, kept in the ziploc bag to keep dry):

The rest of the items in kit- Small roll of duct tape, jetscream whistle, signalling mirror, folded up trash bag, Spyderco Dragonfly2 (Want to replace this with a Salt version), Leatherman Micra, about 20 feet of two colors of paracord (I like having 2 colors, so I can color code tasks if needed), ceramic sharpening rod, Iodine tablets for water purification, the mini-fire kit, and a fresh, virgin fire steel (thinking about taking this out, already have two other ways to start fire in kit, but I like to know I have a fire steel on me!):

Where's my striker for my firesteel? Oh, here it is:

(The spyderhole actually works really well with a ferro rod, has anyone else tried it? I've used this dragonfly to start a fire before with a ferro rod!)

Everything packed back up:

I know there is no flashlight, but when we go camping I plan on taking the Streamlight Nanolight off of my keychain and throwing it into this kit. I also already will have a 4Sevens Mini 123 in my pocket and I slide a LifeGear glowstick into the MOLLE webbing on the back of my pack. Also, I know there is no fishing/snare kit. Truth is, I know so little about fishing/snares that either would be pretty much useless in my hands. That is something I am working on, but in the meantime it makes no sense to bring equipment that I don't have skills to match with. Hopefully I have enough signalling equipment and enough food in my pack already that this kit would still prove helpful/useful in a rescue situation.

Thanks for taking the time to check out my PSK.

 

[Shotgun]

Definitely bring the ferro rod. Why not? A couple things I think worth adding off the top of my head would be a small compass, an emergency blanket(I like the AMK ones) and a mini pack towel. The pack towel is great for drying off if you get drenched. It allows you to squeeze out almost as much water as it absorbs so you dry off, squeeze, repeat. Works well. The duct tape IMO should be used instead of the mole skin and surgical tape. Multi use gear cuts down on weight and the amount of things you have to keep track of. Plus, IME it works better then both. Otherwise it's close to the kit I have. A few differences here and there but your bases are all covered.

 

[shockjockey24]

I would replace the leatherman with a full size model, but I seem to need the pliers everyday I always wondered about the spyderhole/ferro rod idea, thanks goodness one of us tried it! Looks like a good kit other than that, but you might want to add some PJ cotton balls for no-brainer fire lighting.

 

[RogueBowie]

I would replace the leatherman with a full size model, but I seem to need the pliers everyday I always wondered about the spyderhole/ferro rod idea, thanks goodness one of us tried it! Looks like a good kit other than that, but you might want to add some PJ cotton balls for no-brainer fire lighting.

I agree on the pliers, I actually carry a Leatherman Juise S2 in my pocket at all times and plan on keeping it in my pocket or sheath pouch on my knife while camping, but in my small kit I like the micra for the usefulness of primary scissors and the tweezers in first aid situations.

I do need some PJC straws, maybe I could make really small ones that would still fit in my small fire kit with the fatwood shavings and matches...

 

[jw2n]

Never thought of trying the spydie hole as a striker.

 

[RogueBowie]

Never thought of trying the spydie hole as a striker.

It works surprisingly well, like it was made for it. The edges of the spyderhole are purosefully rough as you know, so it catches on your finger/glove. This translates to lots of friction with the ferro rod!

 

[mtwarden]

have your bases pretty well covered- few suggestions- looks like you'd have room for a AMK heatsheet, very compact and flat- worth having in a PSK if there is room, I'd also add a little more tinder- a wetfire cube or two, maybe a couple of tinder tabs- these are small, light easily and burn in the wet, add a pack or two of steri-strips to your fak- take up very little room and probably one of the best methods for closing a wound (like the kind you might get from a knife )

thanks for the tip on spydie hole- I'm going to give that a go!

 

[Joe Real]

I have used the spider hole as a striker before precisely in my Dragonfly.
Just one suggestion, do it with the knife closed. Once I was practicing this with a friend that is not a knife person and while trying it he manage to cut his weak hand at the knuckle, nothing big but a potential issue in a serious situation. In his defense we were using a much smaller ferro rod with no handle.
I also use close my Opinel or my Case Sodbuster when using them as scrapers for y rods.
Hope this helps

 

[RogueBowie]

I have used the spider hole as a striker before precisely in my Dragonfly.
Just one suggestion, do it with the knife closed. Once I was practicing this with a friend that is not a knife person and while trying it he manage to cut his weak hand at the knuckle, nothing big but a potential issue in a serious situation. In his defense we were using a much smaller ferro rod with no handle.
I also use close my Opinel or my Case Sodbuster when using them as scrapers for y rods.
Hope this helps

I usually do it with the knife closed, the pic was just to illustrate that it was my Dragonfly2. BUT...the exception would be really wet/windy conditions where I just need a crap load of sparks, because you can definitely put a lot more zing into it with the leverage of a full handle grip with the blade open. Caution does need to be exercised for sure though.

 

[RogueBowie]

have your bases pretty well covered- few suggestions- looks like you'd have room for a AMK heatsheet, very compact and flat- worth having in a PSK if there is room, I'd also add a little more tinder- a wetfire cube or two, maybe a couple of tinder tabs- these are small, light easily and burn in the wet, add a pack or two of steri-strips to your fak- take up very little room and probably one of the best methods for closing a wound (like the kind you might get from a knife )

thanks for the tip on spydie hole- I'm going to give that a go!

I really do need to throw in a heat sheat I'm thinking. And no prob! Thanks for your input as well.

 

[kilroy.45]

Pretty much just need to add some sort of cover and a way to collect and purify water. 1qt freezer bags and small bottle of 2% tincture of iodine?

 

[RogueBowie]

Pretty much just need to add some sort of cover and a way to collect and purify water. 1qt freezer bags and small bottle of 2% tincture of iodine?

I have a small bottle of iodine tablets in the kit, they can be seen in a couple of the pictures in OP. Also a folded up trash bag is last ditch shelter building material (though definitely very non ideal). I know it takes away from the kit as an all encompassing PSK but I also keep a 16oz Klean Kanteen in one of the bottle holsters on my Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon II for water collecting/boiling. Here's a pic of my daypack:

PSK goes in the outer compartment of the pack.

 

[swonut]

I'd suggest some needles, a roll of waxed dental floss (pull it out of the plastic case) and an un-opened tube of crazyglue (the kind in a little plastic case like a tube of chapstick). Great repair capability that helps you survive the inevitable digs, rips, tears and breaks.

I'd also cram in more cloth bandaids. With my kids, the bandaid has a great calming effect and in the outdoors seems to need replacing more than I'd usually think. A good pair of tweezers has also often saved the day in removing a splinter.

And when you are out there, don't hesitate to use some of the stuff as show and tell. Who knows, you my be the person requiring assistance.

 

[RogueBowie]

I'd suggest some needles, a roll of waxed dental floss (pull it out of the plastic case) and an un-opened tube of crazyglue (the kind in a little plastic case like a tube of chapstick). Great repair capability that helps you survive the inevitable digs, rips, tears and breaks.

I'd also cram in more cloth bandaids. With my kids, the bandaid has a great calming effect and in the outdoors seems to need replacing more than I'd usually think. A good pair of tweezers has also often saved the day in removing a splinter.

And when you are out there, don't hesitate to use some of the stuff as show and tell. Who knows, you my be the person requiring assistance.

The LM Mica includes tweezers, but you're so right about the crazyglue! I used to have a bunch of those single use little squeeze tubes of the stuff but they have all been used up (a testament to keeping them handy!) I have used crazyglue to seal up cuts before, mend clothes if they rip and I need them to keep functioning but I'm in a huge rush, etc etc. It is an awesome multi-use item. I better pick some up soon, I'll put it in the FAK.