Survival gear overload?

ilbruche

ilbruche

Joined
Jun 19, 2007
Messages
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I was just wondering with all the focus on small PSK sized kits and bug out bags how much essential gear suffers from too much downsizing. I always had my "Ten Essentials" kit in my backpack as well as a first aid kit. When I was guiding the first aid kit was large enough for a group. How many people carry a useful first aid kit and not just the three band aids and aspirin in the PSK?

My ten essentials bag carried my compass, firestarting stuff, repair kit, signal mirror, survival blanket, paracord, etc. It also had a keychain biner with a Leatherman Micra, Fox 40 whistle, P38, capsule and one of those thermometer compass thingies. I'd also toss in a pair of nylon glove liners and lord knows what else.

Do any of you find that you carry a PSK and leave your good compass at home leaving you to rely on a small button compass? With all the super micro gear out there it is easy to have a flashlight that is 10 times smaller than what was available 10 years ago. This innovation lets you pack smaller more varied kits, but has any of your gear suffered due to this downsizing? Any examples appreciated.
 
Interesting post!

I for one have downsized my flashlight to a single cell AA LED that is WAY brighter than my old light, swapped out my rope for 500lb test braided fishing line (1/2mm thick) and i can carry WAY more of it. My old tent has been kicked out now i use an ultralight, ultra small thin tyvek tarp that weighs nothing.
 
ilbruche I hear you, I'm big on the pocket kit right now because it's a new concept to me, and it's alot of fun putting one together.
However, I don't go anywhere, not day hikes, not walks in my local AO without the 10 basics(sometimes trimmed to 8 due to proximity of house)
And I carry a first aid kit that can cover most bases. My wife is a nurse and I'm active duty so we both understand teh benefit of a good FAK.
In my FAK right now is your standard bo-bo kit stuff, and then trauma, cinch-tights, foreceps, suture kit, abdominal pads, waterjel, cravats(triangle bandages) tweezers, saline solution, triple antibiotic ointment. and...that's what I can remember off the top of my head. Oh! sharpies!! no kit is complete without a sharpie

so to answer your question, no I don't think I've sacrificed any quality outdoor gear by making/carrying a PSK(pocket) because I try to not let myself make foolish mistakes.

and for flashlights I carry Surefire or Petzl headlamps only at least 2 sources.
I live by the 2 is 1 is none rule
 
My PSK is a PERSONAL survival kit, rather than a POCKET survival kit. Including the bag, it weighs about 4 1/2 lbs. I have a similiar school of thought, which says that if I will need it, it becomes an EDC, and if I don't feel comfortable w/ my EDC, my PSK will go with me. Because of that, I don't have to downsize anything that is important. Full size FAK, saw, tarp/poncho, etc., along w/ any required backups.

The main reason I set things up like this is because I did not like how ineffectual things became as they got increasingly smaller. This way, when I need something, I have a tool that will get the job done, rather than simply haveing a security blanket.
 
Not really. I don't have any sort of mini psk kit but the stuff I do carry like that is actually better and more than 20y ago.
 
I carry a pretty substantial FAK - and I'm always trying to jam more stuff in there. I found out it is good to have redudancy in the FAK, otherwise you run out of stuff when you use it in the field :)
 
kgd said:
I carry a pretty substantial FAK - and I'm always trying to jam more stuff in there. I found out it is good to have redudancy in the FAK, otherwise you run out of stuff when you use it in the field :)
Click to expand...

Exactly...redndancy is the key. I carry a pretty full kit. I bought one of the 25 person office kits and I take bits and pieces from it and throw them in a pack to carry. I also supplement the 'important' stuff: Immodium AD, aspirin, triple anti-biotic, etc...
 
I really hate most of the ultra-tiny survival gear that floats around. I keep usable, full-size pieces of gear only. I have very complete first aid kit, a full nylon poncho, etc.

Some things you can skimp on and get away with it, like the poncho for example. On other things you may or may not get away with it, like with a first aid kit.

I stay away from the argument altogether by just keeping user-friendly sized pieces of gear with me.
 
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