SAS survival tin. What are the essentials ?

Edwood7

Edwood7

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Mar 31, 2010
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I’m thinking about making a mini survival tin like the ones the SAS carry, just wanted to see if any of you have made one like these? If so what would you recommend I carry in it?

I have seen some kits that have like 3 methods of making fire and others that have more than 4 blades in them. What are the basic that you all have found to work in this type of kit?

I’m going for something small, (like an Altoids tin) so I can always carry it.
I have seen some of the youtube videos and read some of the SAS books. But I want to hear from you guys what has worked for you.

Thanks and be safe out there.
 
I would go to Bestglide.com and look at their Adventurer survival kit, it is on the lines of the SAS Tin in the SAS survival manual.
 
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Here are a few pictures of the metal cigarette case I want to use for this little project, I think it’s small and thin enough for carrying it daily. And sturdy enough to withstand most abuse.








I want to have something small enough to EDC so as to always have it on me, I think this cigarette case is about right.
 
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Here is the content list for the Bestglide.com kit. What would you all take away or add to it?
I think it’s a bit too large for carrying it daily


(1) Weather Resistant Tin Container Includes Rubber Seal
(1) Adventurer Button Compass NATO/U.S. Military Issue
(10) All Weather Survival Matches NATO/U.S. Military Issue ----------------fire starting tool.
(1) Derma Safe Razor Knife U.S. Military Approved
(1) Sewing Kit w/6 Safety Pins Assembled in USA
(6) MP1 Water Purification Tablets U.S. Military Issue
(1) Adventurer Survival Whistle SOLAS/NATO Approved
(1) Mini Survival Fishing Kit Assembled in USA----------------------------------I don’t think I might need this one, but I could be wrong.
(1) Vinyl Tape Waterproof Kit Seal
(1) Type 1A Utility Cord U.S. Military Approved
(1) Brass Snare Wire Trapping and Equipment Repair
(1) Emergency Signal Mirror Daytime Emergency Signaling
(2) Beeswax Candles Made in USA
(1) Compact Flint Fire Starter w/Striker Adventurer Series ----------------fire starting tool.
(3) Fire Starter Tinder Tabs Adventurer Series
(1) Adventurer Fresnel Lens Fire Starter Adventurer Series (green version) ----------------fire starting tool.
(6) Band Aids/Butterfly Bandages
(1) Pocket Wire Saw Made in USA
(2) Industrial Grade Tie Wraps --------------------Any idea what this could be use for ?
(1) Water Collection Bag
(1) Survival Instructions Made in USA
(1) Pencil
(1) Silica Gel Desiccant Moisture Absorbent ----------This is interesting never thought about it.
(1) Heavy Duty Laminate Packaging
 
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I miss the classic band-aid tins. Those things were huge compared to the altoids that are popular now.
 
ron_m80 said:
I miss the classic band-aid tins. Those things were huge compared to the altoids that are popular now.
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That’s exactly what I imagined when they said tin in the SAS handbook, it would be perfect.
 
Well that list aint fitting in that tin thats for sure, theres also an advantage in having a bigger tin to boil small amounts of water in. The fishing kit is key for food procurement, obviously a biggie for survival. The lens is a keeper for fire and signaling. Tie wraps can repair your pack, tent, clothing, etc.
 
mtwarden had an excellent supplies selection with his knife kit....assuming you have a serious trauma kit...and in your line of work...
MRE hot beverage bag for water transport
ClO2 water purification tabs.
electrolyte replacement tabs
Immodium AD
aspirin tabs for heart attack/stroke
flat whistle and signal mirror
quality button compass
mini Bic (see the Ranger Rick modification to turn it into a sparklighter)
mini firesteel rod
alcohol wipe for tinder
tweezers/sewing needle/large safety pins taped to section of hacksaw blade
mono fish line for thread/cordage
high quality commndo wire saw and razor knife or Victorinox Farmer or Leatherman Squirt PS4....
couple of feet of duct tape on a flat card
section of grease pencil
photon style micro light

that should just about fill an altoids tin
 
It was this one I remembered...

5289374649bfab240c7.jpg
 
Edwood7 said:
Have any of you ever added one of the Swiss Cards to your kits ?
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I had one in mine for a while. they don't take up much room, but some of the tools may be of limited use (eg scissors) and the blades are not that sturdy.
however, there's a company called tool logic who make a survival-orientated version of the same principle, and SOG, Spyderco and a few other companies have made credit-card sized folders and fixed blades.

personally I would go for a nice slim conventional folder. somthing along the lines of Gerber's LST or STL, spyderco's ladybug or the boker plus subcom series. even somthing like the CRKT KISS might be worth a look.

I would defineately go for a folder, since you get more blade length in the same space.
 
It’s a movie prop reproduction of a cigarette tin from a Tarantino movie. A fictional cigarette brand. They can be seen in Pulp Fiction, From Dusk Till Dawn, Four Rooms, Kill Bill: Volume 1, Grindhouse's Planet Terror, Inglourious Basterds and a scene in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.

I bought it on ebay.


 
Yeah I know that, Im a huge fan of Tarentinos stuff....My sons named Quentin. Just saw the red apples and I now must find one.:D
 
I used to put a Leatherman Micra in my PSKs but I started using SAK Esquires. They take up less room and have about all you'll need in a last resort back up knife.

Chad
 
I've been thinking about whether I need a PSK or not and if I make one then what do I put in it. I'm not sure I need a knife of any kind because I EDC a SAK & LM Wave so I'm pretty well equipped for knives/scissors/tools.
I suppose a small FAK + Fire starting kit + water purification kit would make some sense.
I have a small FAK in the storage of my motor scooter and I EDC a peanut lighter so I guess I'll look at what I am short of and see what I can add.

For a good knife that fits in a tin - how about a Victorinox Alox Cadet? Or a Leatherman Squirt S4? These would provide a few useful tools as well as a knife. Neither are overly big, so they would definitely be able to fit in a tin.
 



I found this other tin in my junk box, it’s a bit larger than the Altoids tin, but a lot thinner, which makes it much easier to carry it in your pocket.
Thinking about it more, I think more of an urban survival tin is what I’m looking to build, since it is mostly where I work.

So far I have added the following.

A Swiss card light which adds the fooling tools to the kit.
• Letter opener (blade)
• Scissors
• Straight pin
• Pressurized ball point pen
• Tweezers
• Magnifying glass
• Screwdriver 3mm
• Screwdriver 5mm
• Phillips screwdriver #00-0
• Phillips screwdriver #1-2
• LED mini white light
• Ruler (in)
• Ruler (cm)
Sewing kit includes six threads, 3 safety pins, 2 sewing pin, 2 buttons
Alcohol wipes
Assorted bandages
Small Bic lighter
2 Imodium tablets ( I haven’t seen any kits that include these, I think they could be lifesaver and can probe useful every now and then)
1 razor blade.
Hand cuff key (my personal need)
Length of wire
2 cotton swabs
2 zip ties
 
The SAK I use in my PSK is the type usually put on key rings. It is small and thin and the blade is very short but it has good sissors and tweezers. I think of the PSK of being my last resort. Hopefully I'll have my other knives and fire starters and other things I need but if I don't then I should have my Altoids tin. Since the SAK smaller than a Micra it's means more room for other items.

Chad
 
Edwood7 said:
2 Imodium tablets ( I haven’t seen any kits that include these, I think they could be lifesaver and can probe useful every now and then)
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I carry Imodium tablets and I also take Benadryl capsules. You can break them apart a make a poultice to cover an insect sting

Chad
 
ChadHahn said:
I carry Imodium tablets and I also take Benadryl capsules. You can break them apart a make a poultice to cover an insect sting

Chad
Click to expand...

Now that’s something I did not know. That’s exactly the type of stuff I wanted to learn whit this post.
 
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