Surival kit in an altoids tin

M

mountainbiker

Joined
May 19, 2006
Messages
74
Hi all,

I ran across the following while catching up on some lifehacker (www.lifehacker.com) posts from days past:

http://www.lifehacker.com/software/altoids/diy-make-an-altoids-tin-survival-kit-196660.php

The lifehacker post actually points to the Field and Stream article found here:

http://www.fieldandstream.com/fieldstream/photogallery/article/0,13355,1225788,00.html

Although this survival kit is probably not as good as the one suggested by Doug Ritter in his site and sold by aeromedix, it may be a good starting point for the DIYs out there.
 
People new to these forums may not have seen this but Altoids kits have been floating around the internet for years. A search on this forum alone for "altoids" returned 269 posts.
 
There are quite a few sites showing how to pack a "minimal" survival kit.
Fire, fishhooks, compass, 2 bandaids, and a comb. :D
Well, of course, nix the comb, that was a joke.

If absolute space and weight are your "Primary" issue, then, yes, the kit the size of an Altoids tin is pretty much as small as you'll get and maintain the barest of minimal needed items.

I can't do it, that is, contemplate using something that small.

No Shelter, No Water, no Food. It does have Fire, that's it for the 4 biggies of survival. (Shelter Fire Water Food)

if we look for something maybe the next size up, then you will get into having a space blanket, some string or paracord, then there is Shelter and Fire in the kit. % of surviving just went up.
Hopefully we have all figured out either how to get water, or made provisions to carry it as a separate, but important item. Again, now we have Shlewter, Fire, Water so, % get even higher that we will survive and for a longer period of time.

I am thinking the 72 hour timeframe is the first goal to shoot for when packing a kit, having what you'll need for 72 hours, or having what you'll need to procure what you'll need for 72 hours.

What timeframe does eveyone else think would be the minimum you should be prepped for, in a survival "Come rescue me" or "gotta find my way out" scenario?
 
My take on Altoids tin sized kits is that I generally carry most of what is included on my person as part of my EDC already anyway... so the next logical step up is a SAS tin sized kit, something that you can carry on your belt or cargo pocket, although the actual container does not have to be a tin.
 
Back when I was a boy scout, I read an article (Popular Mechanics or Field & Stream) about how make a survival kit in a metal flip-top bandaids box...about the size of a pack of cigarettes (I don't think you can find them anymore outside of an antique shop) So I made one, all the usual stuff and then some. Amazing how much you can pack into a small box like that.
 
Coldwood said:
Back when I was a boy scout, I read an article (Popular Mechanics or Field & Stream) about how make a survival kit in a metal flip-top bandaids box...about the size of a pack of cigarettes (I don't think you can find them anymore outside of an antique shop) So I made one, all the usual stuff and then some. Amazing how much you can pack into a small box like that.
Click to expand...

I remember that bandaid box kit. In the early 60s, my dad helped me to put together a small kit in one of his small pipe tobacco tins. It had fishing stuff, fire stuff, water purification pills, a long length of surveyors line, etc. and I stuffed it into my BSA pack, which at the time was a cotton canvas WWII shoulder bag.
 
longbow....back in the early 50s and 60s, a lot of us boy scouts were using WWII surplus gear because it was cheap and available everywhere: "pup tent" shelter halves, back packs, canteens and mess kits. My dad taught me how to roll up a horseshoe pack with a shelter half, tent poles and blankets. And then I had to team with another scout who had the other half of the pup tent.
 
Coldwood said:
Back when I was a boy scout, I read an article (Popular Mechanics or Field & Stream) about how make a survival kit in a metal flip-top bandaids box...about the size of a pack of cigarettes (I don't think you can find them anymore outside of an antique shop) So I made one, all the usual stuff and then some. Amazing how much you can pack into a small box like that.
Click to expand...

If your up for the bandaids box, k-mart , wal-mart would be a good place to check, bandaid brand brought out an anniversary edition metal tin. I seen them at the wal-mart here in the spring.
 
Wayne, those are worth buying just for the box. And then I get bandaids for the next time I spike my hand.
 
I bought a Ritter kit today and was very impressed and watched the video on his site. I am adding two folders Spyderco's DragonFly or Delica and Ladybug.

S/F,
CEYA!
 
i dont even tell you where i get the tins or plastic boxes i use for my kits: my gf makeup..... some come in metal tins and the ones in plastic float even when packed and full of water. Those pencils they use for the eyes are great to write on everything even if wet, they are like the scuba grease pencils.
 
I use a 3 step/size system.

1; survival kit, fixes knife and space blanket all inside my knife sheath (BK7)
2; folding knife, paracord, aluminium pan, Esbit stove, poncho, some dry food, larger first aid stuff and other small equipment all inside a small belt size pouch.
3; my backpack with everything ells I need while hiking.

This way I can survive whit only my belt gear. So when I lose my backpack I stand a chance. The 3-stap system I a bit of every thing some from the SAS survival manual, some from other books/sites and my one thinking.
 
You know those really flat 5 x 5-1/2 tins that AOL sends out with a CD inside? Anybody found a good use for those?
 
Coldwood said:
You know those really flat 5 x 5-1/2 tins that AOL sends out with a CD inside? Anybody found a good use for those?
Click to expand...

I know folks in the past have attempted a kit using those tins. My limited experience is they work best for band-aids, gauze dressings, etc. Even then it is not enough. Polished up it should make a decent signal device though.
 
Coldwood said:
Back when I was a boy scout, I read an article (Popular Mechanics or Field & Stream) about how make a survival kit in a metal flip-top bandaids box...about the size of a pack of cigarettes (I don't think you can find them anymore outside of an antique shop) So I made one, all the usual stuff and then some. Amazing how much you can pack into a small box like that.
Click to expand...

Cool idea, Coldwood. Other 'tins' can be had from Fossil watches (the brand), at least they used to come in tins, the older AOL tins the discs used to come in, some cigarettes come in metal ltd ed tins (if you smoke), or you can drop by a store called The Container Store and find a bunch of different tins and containers (plastic & metal). A really nice, small, rather water resistant container I found was at Target in the 'tupperware' isle. It was approx 4"x4"x2" - rectangular, clear tough plastic, with a locking top. It's probably for sandwiches or the like, but would be an excellent choice for a mini survival or first aid kit.
 
I got the AOL tins free. But I like that size for tupper ware plastic, will look for it.
 
Eyegor, I think you're on to something. Has anybody ever thought about just using the useless CD disk for a signalling device? Very lightweight.
 
Coldwood said:
Eyegor, I think you're on to something. Has anybody ever thought about just using the useless CD disk for a signalling device? Very lightweight.
Click to expand...

You would need to keep the CD disk protected until you use it because they don't stand up to outdoor weather well.

I tried to use CDs as reflectors on my rural mailbox, but the shiny coating cracked and flaked off after just a few months.
 
You know you're an addict when you buy something you don't need just for it's container. Mac
 
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