Survival Kit Assembling Q: Prioritizing Your Criteria

[X-Head]

I know that most of us here are the type who prefer to select & procure the individual components to assemble our own kits rather than just buy a pre-assembled kit from a survival kit company. That said, we all usually have the same criteria in mind when choosing the right components, such as (in no particular order) weight, performance, reliability, ease of use, multiple uses (adaptability), cost, and size/volume/displacement.

Here's the question. How do each of you rank these criteria IN ORDER OF PRIORITY when selecting the components of your kit, with "1" being the top priority? (There may be other criteria that you have for your gear other than what I listed; if so, list it also). For example, for a pocket survival kit it might be:

AT-WORK/OFFICE POCKET KIT CRITERIA:
1. size
2. weight
3. multiple uses
4. reliability
5. etc.

If you have more than one size of kit, or if you're working in kits of various sizes & purposes, please make a separate list of criteria in order of priority for each kit and note the size and intended purpose of the kit at the top of each list. This should be interesting.

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Molon Labe

[This message has been edited by X-Head (edited 05-25-2001).]

 

[sgtmike88]

I believe "ease of use" might be another criteria to add. Having been without the use of my right (strong) arm for several months following shoulder surgery a while back, having items that worked one handed was a big requirement.

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It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.

 

[Plainsman]

I usually try to think of needs to prioritize kits.

FIRE is usually #1. That means at least one reliable firestarter.

Water is pretty important too, and the smallest think I have found that works is a sheet of aluminum foil and a condom. The foil can be used as a bowl to boil the water if necessary.

A small cutting implement usually comes next, even though I normally have at least two knives on me anyhow.

Shelter in a pocket kit is usually difficult, but I have added a commando wire saw. This would help to build if nothing else.

Food is the last priority, but easiest to supplement the kit with tools for. I tend to have fishline, hooks, sinkers, and snare wire for food procurement. These can also be used for other things.

Navigation comes next if I decide I have to travel. For this I carry a small button compass to give me general directions.

Finally miscellaneous kit items with multiple uses.
Medical tape for taping cuts, etc.
Safety pins.
Sewing needles/awls.


The smaller the kit, the less items and most useful to your area. Up here in the winter, fire and shelter are the most important. Who cares if you have water, normally you have so much snow around you that it isn't necessary. But that fire and shelter can keep you from freezing to death.


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Plainsman
primitiveguy@hotmail.com
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Plainsman's Cabin</A>