Survival Gear... How Well Prepared Am I?

Guyon

Guyon

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Since 9-11, my wife and I have become more aware of our state of readiness should we need to leave our home suddenly. To that end, we've prepared a BOB along with a tub of food stuffs and water. In raising my awareness, I've also taken stock of the gear in my hunting/camping backpack and initially, at least, I found it woefully lacking. I've been adding to it over the past few weeks, and I'd like some opinions as far as additions or omissions I should make.

Now, I fully understand that gear is not a substitute for attitude, will to live, and survival skills. Here, I'm just asking you to evaluate my gear and see if there are any gaping holes. Most everything, aside from the tools, fit into two small watertight tins that I simply put in the bottom of my backpack.

--------------------------------------------------
First Tin:
Basic First Aid Kit, including...
Band-aids, various
Gauze
Tape
Scissors
Tweezers
Razor Blade
Small container of alcohol
Alcohol wipes
Aspirin and Tylenol
Pepto tablets
Immodium tablets
Neosporin

Second Tin:
Emergency Wire Saw
Signal Mirror
Signal Whistle
Space Blanket
Compass
Potable Water Purification Tablets
Magnesium Bar
Swedish firesteel
Large Needle
6 feet of aluminum foil in ziplock
Film Canister with Waterproof Matches
Film Canister with Miniature fishing kit
(includes 30 ft. of 20-lb. test, popping bugs, assorted hooks, 2 plastic worms, float, sinkers)
Film Canister with: Vaseline saturated cotton balls (tinder)

Tools/Other Stuff:
Streamlight Scorpion flashlight and spare set of batteries
Leatherman Wave
Swiss Army Knife, Rucksack model
Gerber Sport Saw (2 blades, course and fine)
Spyderco Moran (fixed blade skinner)
Schrade Blade Runner (backup knife)
100 feet Para Cord
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Several things here have sheaths and can actually be carried on my belt, including either knife, the Leatherman, the Streamlight, and even the Gerber saw.

I realize there are some redundancies (knives, saws, fire starters), and if weight becomes an issue, a few backups could go. Just looking over the list now (typing it all out helps), I see the following possible additions:

Bullion cubes
Collapsible shovel
Bic lighter

What else? I've been reading the Army Survival Manual and have even considered keeping it in the pack inside a quart-sized ziplock.

I'm especially interested in the First Aid kit and its completeness. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
 
Remember to keep things simple and easy-to-use.

Get a couple of Bic Lighters. They'll serve you alot more than any fancy gadgets. Magnesium bars are nice but they are a bitch to use under field conditions, compared to lighting a piece of trioxane or tinder with a lighter.

Get a regular MiniMag-Light flashlight along with xtra AA's, a Streamlight is nice but doesn't last long, and they're too bright to use for simple tasks like reading a map, etc.

Don't forget that shelter is normally your highest priority.

Get some G.I. rain ponchos and some contractor grade trash bags, along with some twine and paracord. A cheap rainsuit for each family member is a good idea if in an urban environment.

I prefer provodine-iodine as a disinfectant as it penetrates well and stays put. It's the stuff they use in surgery on you that looks orange. Betadine is the brand name most often used. Navy SEAL approved :D .

Ibuprofin, IMO is better overall than acetometaphin or aspirin, as it helps with inflammation and swelling. Motrin is the brand most often used here.

Tampons. Obvious uses here, but they make great trauma dressings too.

Most of all, get out for a weekend and use your kit. Trial and error is the best way to learn. It's much better to suffer under controlled training conditions than in a real emergency. Nothing beats real world experience.
 
G,

You're off to a real good start. A few things I'd add:

Benedryl (for allergic reaction management),
Sting Kill Wipes,
CPR Mask,
USGI Combat Dressing(s),
Cravat or Bandanas,
USGI Poncho(s) and liner(s),
Maybe a tarp or contractors trash bags,
A disposable butane lighter (Gillette Cricket Electronic is awesome),
Some longer lasting light source like a Photon or CMG Infinity (the Scorpion is only good for about an hour - a red Photon will last around 100hrs - the CMG around 40hrs.)

I think lightening up on the bladeware might be a good idea. Maybe add a good sturdy trowel for digging catholes, firepits, etc. Adding FM21-76 or Greg Davenport's book is also a great idea.

In as far as other first aid gear - stay with what you're trained to use.

Wool watch cap and work gloves are real handy items to consider.

I have a food packet in my BOB ... to each his/her own. Mine is merely comfort items in case I can't hunt or fish and spices in case I do successfully hunt/fish. You might want a few feet of snare wire to increase your game chances. Also, you might want some lighter tackle to supplement the gear you already have ... maybe in the 8lb test range for panfish and trout.

Next suggestion ... Hoods Woods videos are a great learning tool and either FM21-76 or Greg Davenport's book provide great reminders. Then, as stated before ... take your BOB out on an overnighter to test it under controlled conditions. You'll soon find out for yourownself just where you're weak and where you're strong and where you can lighten up. After my recent experience, I'm doing everything I can to get my gear down to 25lbs.

Good Luck,

Mike

PS ... Here's a link to my BOB contents: http://www.jungletraining.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60

There's been a few minor changes, which I'll edit asap.

M
 
Thanks for the replies. Excellent advice so far. Keep the input coming.

I should point out here, however, that my BOB bag and my hunting/camping backpack are two different things. The BOB bag is actually a duffel, and I have more stuff in it (like a full sized first aid kit, a camp axe, toilet paper, battery powered radio, a few essential tools, etc.) I have some of the same stuff in both bags.

The backpack I list above is mainly what I carry out in the woods for deer or turkey hunting. I also use it for camping and hiking. The idea is to keep most of the essentials compactly in a couple of small tins in the bottom. Since I hunt with it, the pack does contain a compressed camo rain jacket and a camo hat. I probably do need another small poncho in case I'm with someone else though.

The thought about lightening the bladeware is a good one. However, when hunting, I usually wear the Leatherman as well as the Spyderco Moran on my belt. Both are fairly light, especially the Moran. The SAK could go (no corkscrew though!), but the Gerber saw with the fine-toothed blade is might handy for field dressing, and the other saw blade will take down small trees. Both blades can be resharpened with the file in the Leatherman.

I keep the extra fixed blade knife in the bag when I'm in the field hunting because it's a nice skinner with a gut hook, and I can turn to it if my other blade gets dull. But I could certainly get by without it. That reminds me though... Who carries a sharpening stone? What kind do you like?

Great comments about a longer lasting light that isn't quite so brilliant. I already have a mini-mag, and I've just ordered a Photon II for my key chain. I ordered white though. What's the advantage of the red? Those two lights should do the trick.

There are a few trashbags tucked in the front pocket now that I think about it, but they're crappy kitchen bags. I'll pick up heavy duty bags soon. Need to get some for all the darn leaves in my front yard anyway.

Thanks for all the ideas on the medicinal front. I think I might print out the list and then write in the additions, so I'll know what to pick up next time I'm at Wal-Mart.

Thanks guys.
 
You are prety much there. I like the way you have parcelled things together. One parcel that I really hate to leave home without is a brew kit.

I know its bulky and not absolutely necessary, but a hot drink is a massive morale boost at anytime. With a hot brew in ones hand, one can get ones head around some serious problems - its time you can think. Others around in shock respond well.

Brew kit:
Mini gas burner and gas can.
Steel Mug and Water Canteen.
Tea bags,
Coffee,
Hot Chockolate,
Instant Soup sachets, or cubes.
Powdered milk,
Sachets of sugar.

To work it should be instant, which is the reason for a burner. A hot drink works in hot countries too.
I think the whole British Army's stress management strategy system is based on the Brew Kit MkT.:D

One item I didn't see on your list was a cooking pot. A set of Mess Tins would do.

(Warning, don't give liquid to those with stomach/abdominal wounds).
 
With the hunting/hiking backpack I'm starting to think more about economy. So while a cooking pot (great suggestion but kind of bulky and heavy) would go better in the bug-out bag, I probably do at least need a steel mug tacked on to the backpack list. You can boil water, eat noodles, drink tea, etc. with it. I keep some items in old Crown Royal bags. They're handy and have nice draw strings. A steel mug would just fit inside a bag. Then I could place a little tea, hot chocolate, instant soup, bullion cubes in a ziplock and stuff them inside the steel mug. Could keep me going until I could catch fish or trap game.

The tea bags and hot chocolate packs are nice suggestions too. Compact and light weight, and you're right about a flavored, hot drink clearing the head a little bit. Tea anyone?

Great comments guys. Keep 'em coming.
 
My brew kit consists of the canteen cup on the bottom of my canteen, a couple of Trioxane fuel bars, and a few packets of instant coffee or teabags along with sugar. Almost no space or weight worth considering.

On the photon lights, I prefer white as it's easier to ID things, but red lasts longer. Lighter and smaller than a minimaglight. Thanks for eminding me! I keep one on my keychain, and another as my zipper pull on my coat.

The best reference book I've found is the mini SAS survival manual by Lofty Wiseman, from Brigade Quartermaster. Fits in a small pocket, too.

www.actiongear.com
 
G,

Thanks for the link.

As for the red Photon, not only does it last longer, it preserves your night vision (if that could be a critical factor for you) and it typically is more recognizeable as a distress signal. I converted my red photon to 6v power (by installing 2 CR2016 batteries which allows it to produce a little more light) and put a spare CR2032 in my minikit as a replacement. This gives me bright shorter lasting initial light, backed up by lesser powered long term light.

Mike
 
Cooking gear, especially for just one person, doesn't need to be terribly large or bulky. I have a canteen cup (with my canteen), a Sierra cup (in a vest pocket), and a GI mess kit, the kind that has a lid divided into 2 sections, plus the bottom has a long handle and can be used as a frying pan. I keep a set of backpaker's silverware and some bullion cubes inside the mess kit so that it isn't wasted space. Those 3 items don't weigh much, take up very little space, and allow me to do all the cooking required on the trail. For 2 people, you'd want each of you to have a canteen cup and Sierra cup, and a larger pot/fry pan for cooking larger portions. And the brew kit is indeed essential. Hot liquids could save your life, and definitely your sanity.
 
Campmor just started carrying a new cup. It weight about 7 oz (as I recall), which makes it a bit lighter than a canteen cup. It holds about 16 oz (like the large sierra cup). Best of all, it fits over the bottom of a quart nalgene bottles. I've been saying that someone ought to make one of these, now I guess I'll have to put my money where my mouth is! Weak point seems to be the handle - it's folding, but doesn't appear as sturdy as the canteen cup handle.

I'm planning on replacing the canteen and canteen cup in my BOB with one of these cups and an esbit stove and windscreen.

Patrick
 
Having a hot drink or a cup of soup is a pleasure that I often indulge in while on a long hike. Yes Greenjacket, hot drinks do work in hot countries.

I have a small sno-peak stove(3oz) and a titanium 1 quart pot that I just bought. I got a coupon for 30% off and went for it. I picked up two double wall titanium cups too. The stove and fuel canister with the pot and cup weigh about 1.5 lbs. It is quick and super easy to get a hot meal out of it. They all fit inside the pot with room to spare for soups and drink packets.

I'm not surprized that other people take pleasure in this small luxury.
 
Most everyone agrees on the value of good trashbags for shelter improvisation. A significant upgrade to this are the 55 gallon drum liners. These are the ultimate garbage bags - very durable and very large. I found them at the local X-Mart so they should be accessable most places. Add some industial strength duct tape and a little cordage and you have very convenient shelter that can be used in a hurry and/or under stress. Actually, all your items must be useable when your fine motor skills are hampered due to stress (cold, shaking, injured, tired, dehydrated, etc...). Small complcated things get fumbled when your hands are numb and shaking.

Tampons - great source of cotton tinder as well. Compressed and dry.

Search this forum and you will probably find a whole encyclopedia's worth of tried and tested information.

FYI:
Another twist on the meds can be found in "Paco" Kelly's article about survival. Very pragmatic. Scroll down to the subheading - SMALL BELT SURVIVAL PACK.....

http://www.sixgunner.com/paco/survival.htm
 
That guy has got it down!

though I wouldn't follow his advice on antibiotics.


I think I might add a 22. to my kit. I think that is the one thing I over looked

thanks
 
Hey thanks for the link merwin. That was a good article.
 
Great article!

I think it's interesting that, although I've never read this before, I've came up with a very similar kit. Goes to show that you can't do anything that someone hasn't done before.

A person's experiences in life often play a very big part in their future planning, for better or worse.
 
Guyon,
sounds like all the other guys here know a lot more about this than I do, but one thing I might suggest for the 1st aid kit is a SAM splint. Small, about the size of rolled up pair of socks, and good for field setting breaks, or bad sprains. Should be able to get them through medical supply stores. Just a thought.
Lagarto
 
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