Smallest Survival Kit YOU'D take with you

David E

David E

Joined
Nov 10, 2005
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I just read the Field and Stream "Survival kit overview" article that lists 5 different compact kits.

The one for $100 has a SAK Classic knife in it......another, no knife at all.......another has a seriously shrunken Spyderco Delica knock-off that's probably crap. These last two are in the $50 range. :eek:

And in response to the earlier thread about not liking small survival kits, it got me to thinking......what's the smallest kit YOU'D feel comfortable with?

IE; if you lost all but this kit, what would you want it to have? Let's keep the size around 7x2x4 inches (or close to it) and no more than 1.5 pounds.

I'm hoping for specifics, like brand and model. Also, I'm looking for "minimalist," but enough to survive 1 or 2 unexpected nights afield.

.
 
I was thinking about scanning those two pages and posting them. If you beat me to it though, I'll stand down. :D
 
Because I EDC the Victorinox SAK, hotspark and compass topped match safe in the BSA compass pouch pictured with them, this would be the smallest kit that I would have with me. There were 2 small treble hooks, a few more shot and a couple more pieces of the tinder quick added after the photo was taken.

P1030491.jpg


P1030493.jpg
 
Mine is small enough to carry in the front pouch of my knife. So I've got:
1. The knife - 4"-5" blade
2. FireSteel Rod (attached to the sheath)
3. Water purification tabs (5)
4. 12ft of nylon cord (for fishing, lashing, etc.)
5. 2 fish hooks and 2 sinkers
6. small compass (it's about the size of a nickel)
7. DMT sharpener
8. Safety pin
9. Dry tinder (which is 3 cotton pads)
Numbers 3-9 are in a tin that I made from flashing that is 3 7/8" long x 7/8" deep x 1 7/8" wide.
 
Sorry to be vague but it has got to depend on your location and time of the year etc !!!
 
assuming im properly dressed, I feel safe with my wetterlings LHA, a folder or small fixed blade and a firesteel.
 
I've been leaning toward Peter Kummerfeldt's philosophy (outdoorsafe.com) ...

The kit has to be very lightweight and compact - so much so that you WILL have it with you when you need it. It just has to support you for one or two nights until help arrives - you're not homesteading. Of course this all assumes that you told someone where you're going and when you should be back. This is critical.

-large plastic trash bag - preferably 2 - preferably brightly colored - for shelter
-butane lighter, high quality waterproof matches (REI) in a waterproof container, or ferro rod w/ vaseline-impregnated cotton balls (or both). I prefer two or more of these and the cotton balls.
-loud whistle w/ lanyard
-signal mirror w/ lanyard

... and of course, dress for the weather - under the assumption you might need to spend a night outside.

I first started learning about survival after meeting a SAR team at the local county fair, and was advised that kids should at least carry a plastic bag and a whistle (Hug a tree?!). Great advice.

You don't need to hunt/fish for food since (hopefully) help will come within 48-72 hours. Building natural shelters takes critical energy that is best preserved. Water is a secondary concern, though still a concern.

The plastic bags and signal mirror are tough for me while at work. I already carry a BSA Hot Spark, Fox 40 whistle, and a mini-Rittergrip in my pockets. In the field this is easy enough to carry in a tiny fanny pack. I'd add a bandanna too since it can be used for lots of things including soaking up dew, filtering nasty water, swatting bugs, ...
 
Depends where I am, but I wouldn't worry to much if I had a Fallkniven F1/A1 with me and a firesteel, wouldn't take to long to walk out in most places in N. america.
 
David E said:
what's the smallest kit YOU'D feel comfortable with? .
Click to expand...

Comfortable with? It will fill a trailer. Need? That's a different story. Hopefully, the clothes on my back and all the things nature provides, depending on the time of year. Never put it to the test, though.

So to answer the spirit of the question,:
ForPhotobucket2.jpg


ForPhotobucket3.jpg


Packaged like this:
ForPhotobucket1.jpg


Oh, and, of course, I almost forgot this.

Doc
 
My smallest kit:
SAK Outrider (like Trekker with scissors)
Lanyard with:
Silva match case compass (and matches)
Firesteel
SAK Classic
ACR whistle
Inova LED micro light
Spy capsule with Tinder Quick tabs

This is pocketable stuff. The next step up is a kit with a space blanket bivy, water treatment, duct tape, fishing gear and snare wire, first aid-- and the essentials listed by all the outdoor organizations. It really is the minimum for day hiking.
 
pitdog said:
Sorry to be vague but it has got to depend on your location and time of the year etc !!!
Click to expand...

YOUR location, THIS time of year.

We'll presume appropriate clothing, since having a parka in your "mini survival kit" takes it out of the "mini survival kit" category !!!

.
 
My minimal kit is a whistle, a LED light and a fire steel on my key ring and a Fallkniven U2 in my pocket. Usually I bring lots more than that anyway.
 
David E said:
YOUR location, THIS time of year.

We'll presume appropriate clothing, since having a parka in your "mini survival kit" takes it out of the "mini survival kit" category !!!

.
Click to expand...

The nearest "mini-wilderness"/provincial park to me is at least 300 km from here... not much to get lost in around here, mostly just farmland. :D
 
Here's mine:

Container is a Otterbox 2000. I just added a sachet of SPF 40 suncream to it, which I was given as a hand-out, as we are headed into summer here.

My knife - large folder or small fixed blade - is on my person always.

The blue sachets in the box are for water purification.

P1010017_1.jpg
 
Heres whats in my pockets, when going out. I usually carry the trekker in a belt sheath. I think that what I carry could easily fit into 7x2x2. I think I could even have better stuff, and more stuff and still fit into the requirements. I usually have other stuff too. :) But anyway, here's what I had with my last weekend deer hunting.

-2- six foot pieces of 550 cord.
-AMK heat shield blanket/ space blanket thing
-Mini bic wrapped in waterproff pouch thing of wax paper and duct tape. Cut open, and light wax paper/ ductape pouch to get fire going.
-AMK doug ritter survival kit- fits in pocket nicely.
-Silva compass/thermometer/whistle thing around neck.
-AMK pocket medical kit.
-Dozier/Kabar hunter point 3 inch blade roller lock knife. model 4062
-Vict. Trekker in belt sheath

I think that's it.

Take care,
Scottman
 
Scottman said:
Thanks guyon for the scanned pages. I really should renew my prescription to F&S.:)
Click to expand...

Hunting/fishing magazines have been devoting more pages to wilderness survival. Guess there's a market for it. In the same issue as the survival kit article, there's a four-page piece on building different kinds of fires.
 
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