Question(s) about PSKs...

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KennyB

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Jan 19, 2010
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I've seen a lot of posts about personal survival kits, but for the most part it seems like it generally boils down to just an inventory listing of what people have in theirs. A lot of the time I wonder what can even be done with some of the equipment people put in theirs; not to say that it's not useful, but sometimes it is something that one must be a little creative to understand, or at least a little knowledgeable on the subject. I'm not really all that much of a "survivalist" or a "nature" guy. I mean, I like to camp and hike, but I'm probably more along the lines of one of the dummies that just wanders into the bush and then gets lost in 15 steps. I'm trying to learn though. :P

Anyway, so how do you guys actually know how to use the items in the kits? Books you've read, training you've had, just little ideas that you had you could use for something? Do you have something like an instructional kit inside? I mean, let's say I was camping with you, and you took a serious blow to the noggin and you told me to get your kit, would I know how to use it?

I've just been wondering these kinds of things every time I see the contents of a kit listed. I mean, it took me a while to figure out what the slip rings on an Izula survival kit were for, and a good amount of time when I see things like fishing line and paracord I go, "Hmm, I wonder what crazy survivalist trick they can do with that," and it turns out they're just using it for rope and fishing line.
 
A great way to start off learning is by getting some really good books on the subject and go through them. After that go out on a Sat or weekend for a little camp out and start learning to apply the knowledge you learned in the books into a practical skill base. That's the most important thing, all the knowledge in the world will do you NO good if you don't know how to apply it out in the real world. Get on the internet and search for some survival skill classes around you in the area, land navigation classes are great ones to look into. The main thing is don't get frustrated, it takes time and with practice your skills will build and build in no time. With survival kits some is personal preference, everyone has their own way of doing it. I'd recommend buying a first rate kit and adding whatever else you'd like to it, that way it's built around a solid platform. ESEE has a GREAT kit they sell on their web site called the Basic Survival Kit that you could add a small flashlight or whatever and that be about all you need. The main thing is practice, practice, practice. Here's a list of some GREAT books that I recommend you try reading to get you on your way and I hope I could help you a little:

The SAS Survival Guide (John "Lofty" Wiseman) * The best book around, around 800 pgs. long*
Build the Perfect Survival Kit (John D. McCann) *Owns, www.bepreparedtosurvive.com
The US Army Survival Field Manual
Ray Mears Essential Bushcraft (Ray Mears)
 
KennyB said:
I've seen a lot of posts about personal survival kits, but for the most part it seems like it generally boils down to just an inventory listing of what people have in theirs. A lot of the time I wonder what can even be done with some of the equipment people put in theirs; not to say that it's not useful, but sometimes it is something that one must be a little creative to understand, or at least a little knowledgeable on the subject. I'm not really all that much of a "survivalist" or a "nature" guy. I mean, I like to camp and hike, but I'm probably more along the lines of one of the dummies that just wanders into the bush and then gets lost in 15 steps. I'm trying to learn though. :P

Anyway, so how do you guys actually know how to use the items in the kits? Books you've read, training you've had, just little ideas that you had you could use for something? Do you have something like an instructional kit inside? I mean, let's say I was camping with you, and you took a serious blow to the noggin and you told me to get your kit, would I know how to use it?

I've just been wondering these kinds of things every time I see the contents of a kit listed. I mean, it took me a while to figure out what the slip rings on an Izula survival kit were for, and a good amount of time when I see things like fishing line and paracord I go, "Hmm, I wonder what crazy survivalist trick they can do with that," and it turns out they're just using it for rope and fishing line.
Click to expand...




Kenny B, some very wise words & advice from 333rm. Being I am pushing the great 60's pretty soon, I got to experience & go thru the "scare" of the 80's survivalist "world is ending" thinking & the Mel Tappan saga. 333rm listed some great books, especially John McCann's (have a copy & have ordered a lot of items from he & Denise, super people to deal with).
Only other advice I can offer is when you get some new item, take it out in your backyard, or some place where you can "play" with it. If for some reason it does not work, you can go inside & crawl into your nice warm bed & try again in the morning instead of suffering thru a miserable night somewhere. My son & I had a gazillion campout's in the backyard before I even thought about taking him on an actual camping trip.
And look at the bright side, you get to buy some new toys and go play with them like the rest of us... :)
Be safe.
 
One piece of advise I've heard is that when you buy anything for your psk, buy two. One to put in your psk, and one to take outside and practice with.
 
One of the best pieces of advise I've gotten is that almost every item in your PSK shoud have multiple uses. Keep this idea in mind when selecting items. For example , Lip Balm or Vaseline. It can be used for your lips, firestarting, knife and gun lube, grease, first aid, etc. I base almost all my items on this principle.
:)
 
In a PSK there are always the basics that vary from person to person. Generally I want a knife, fire, whistle, and some type of shelter capability. From there the sky is the limit. First aid, water purification/filter, etc, etc.

Some of the oddball stuff you see can have lots of uses and it isn't always "here is what I can do with this item" but more discovering a lot of new uses for things as you need them. Cordage for example, has many uses other than tying knots.

Get some of the books recommended, read around on the net, learn new skills then go try some of them in a comfortable setting.

One thing I will say is I don't quite agree with the "buy 2, put one in your kit, use one" theory, at least on some items. I test the actual item that is going in my kit. For example I have one of the older ESEE fire kits in there with the misch rod. I have more than 1 but you can bet your biscuits I tried the one that is in my kit before it went in there.

As an example, I have used hacksaw blades as strikers for ferro rods in the past. Recently I had a blade that was worn enough I thought it would be turfed to ferro rod duty. I cut them to length and started to put them away with my other supplies. But I hesitated and tried them....DIDN'T work! Test your gear.
 
I think there are two different types of "PSKs." Based on size. Maybe there are three or four, I don't know if I want to split them up and categorize them that much. Basically, I have some pocket-sized kits like tins and other containers and then shoulder bag sized kits. In a shoulder bag / messenger bag / day pack sized kit, you can get a good sized tarp in there and a bivy bag of some type and some other things that make cold weather outdoors problems much easier to handle than a pocket-sized kit.

I'm not "condemning" pocket sized kits at all, I'm just saying that it's easier to make it through a very cold night with a couple extra things.

Or...one hell of a big fire! It's worked for me in the past! :D
 
I prefer a medium size psk, just a tad larger that a altoid tin....otter box 2000 size is great, for me altoid hold only fishing kit and fire making stuff . in my area creeks,stream,pond,lakes are everywhere so not to have a fishing kit of some sort is silly.
 
I know some people basically think fishing sub-kits are stupid. I guess they don't live near any water with fish in it or they just stay too drunk to fish. :D
 
KennyB said:
A lot of the time I wonder what can even be done with some of the equipment people put in theirs; not to say that it's not useful, but sometimes it is something that one must be a little creative to understand, or at least a little knowledgeable on the subject.
Click to expand...

a sample list or two with the things you don't know the use for highlighted would be nice.

not so we can poke fun at you for what you don't know, but so someone can explain what it's used for and why.
 
One way to know what to do with the stuff.. is to practice with it before you NEED to use it. Best way to know what you are and aren't capable of doing with a certain item.
 
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