Survival Kit, knives and other things...

I just finished making a couple of PSK's. I figured out a pretty sweet spacesaver. I had a small glass container of iodine tablets that took up a ton of space. To save space, I split apart one of my contact lens cases and filed the end to be one small round case...I put the iodine tablets in the bottom with a little bit of cotton over the top....I was also able to perfectly fit my small button compass right on top of the cotton then as well...three usefull items in one small package....It saved a ton of space in my PSK for other items...I also found out that they sell contact cases that have magnifying glass built in to the top....that might be next...that could be 4 usefull items in one small package!
 
jackncoke said:
I just finished making a couple of PSK's. I figured out a pretty sweet spacesaver. I had a small glass container of iodine tablets that took up a ton of space. To save space, I split apart one of my contact lens cases and filed the end to be one small round case...I put the iodine tablets in the bottom with a little bit of cotton over the top....I was also able to perfectly fit my small button compass right on top of the cotton then as well...three usefull items in one small package....It saved a ton of space in my PSK for other items...I also found out that they sell contact cases that have magnifying glass built in to the top....that might be next...that could be 4 usefull items in one small package!
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You need to get that compass out of there RIGHT NOW. Iodine will corrode everything in no time at all. I did this already. It actually ate through my braided line I had in a little PSK.

Anything plastic turn VERY brittle and was orange. Iodine HAS to be in glass only with a steel lid, and then covered with wax or it will ruin everything in your kit. I tried it with a plastic cap and it was so brittle after a few months that when I screwed it back on and started to tighten it, the cap broke into many pieces. Heck, even my asiprins in a seperate container were orange. The whole thing was a loss. My needles were completely rusted and useless. I could go on, but I think you get the idea here.

Also, do not use that plastic case again. Throw it out.
 
Wow!...I did not know that...scratch my great idea...unfortunately I'm away for work for 3 days...I hope the cotton separating the compass will hold up for a couple of days...if not...do you know of a good place online to buy button compasses, or a better way to store the tablets other than in glass containers? They just take up so much space. I think they sell them in small packets too...I'll look into that. Or maybe I should look into one of those aquamira water purifiers....Thanks for the tip Big Bunker...better to find out now than when I'm in the field and need to rely on the kit!
 
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jackncoke said:
Wow!...I did not know that...scratch my great idea...unfortunately I'm away for work for 3 days...I hope the cotton separating the compass will hold up for a couple of days...if not...do you know of a good place online to buy button compasses, or a better way to store the tablets other than in glass containers? They just take up so much space. I think they sell them in small packets too...I'll look into that. Or maybe I should look into one of those aquamira water purifiers....Thanks for the tip Big Bunker...better to find out now than when I'm in the field and need to rely on the kit!
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Well I don't think a couple more days will matter much, but the bigger question is why isn't your kit with you? ;)
 
I like the idea of the Ten Essentials as the basis for a general purpose PSK, and particularly the Dallas Siera Club's updates "Ten Essential Groups" idea. Using that as a framework and plugging it what you have, you can see where you may be coming up short:

1. MEDICAL
Little first-aid kit

Good.

2. SHELTER
50ft+ of 550 cord, Space blanket

I think some sort of rain protection is important, unless perhaps you are traveling in the desert. I like the multi-purpose usefulness of a poncho (raingear, ground cloth, shelter) but a rain suit or even just a large size garbage bag in a pinch is better than being wet.

3. FIRE
Tinder kit, with flint, and striker

The traditional set up is nice, but I see no reason not to include some matches and a lighter or two in addition. If you need to light a fire in survival conditions, you should take every advantage you can.

4. HYDRATION
Canteen with stove and water purifiers

I don't think a stove really has a place in a survival kit, except perhaps a large, group kit. I'd drop it to save weight. I also prefer water purification tablets to water filter/purification units in a PSK. Much smaller and lighter.

5. COMMUNICATIONS
Mirror, whistle

I also include my cell phone in this group, as many eastern "wilderness" areas have cell phone coverage these days.

6. NAVIGATION
compass,

Compass does you only limited good without a map to go with it! ;)

7. NUTRITION
A small 4 square tackle box, with hooks, classic sd, line, little alien fish things(look like bugs with hooks on them.
And maybe some food like energy bar or vitamins and stuff...

No maybe about carrying some easy to eat food! Energy bars, granola bars, beef jerky of some other durable, non-perishable food items are a must. You can't count on being able to gather/catch wild food in an emergency.

8. INSULATION

Even on summer hikes in the south, I usually bring at least a hat and light pair of gloves in case I get caught out on a cool night. Perhaps a long sleeve shirt of some kind, too. In winter even more.

9. SUN PROTECTION

Even in winter, protection in the form of sun glasses is important. In summer or at high altitudes sun screen is important, too. In hot weather a sun hat's not a bad idea, either.

10. TOOLS
Light my fire spork and knife utensil
SAK Traveler, Bladetech ULU, BK11...

I'd drop the "spork and knife utensil". If you have a SAK or other folding knife you don't need a dedicated eating knife and a spork is a luxury item is a PSK. One of the more basic SAKs is my choice for a bladed tool to include in a PSK. Something like the Victorinox Climber or Farmer, for example.

Hope that helps!
 
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lots of good info, no need to repeat but I agree that a small fishing kit should be had for morale and trapping or writing messages with lead sinkers. Trotlines and set hooks unattended I have not tried as its illegal unless an emergency and a zealous rookie Conservation Officer has the right to take your truck and gear. But I have ran trapline as a kid legally with the old man so I know snares etc are VERY EFFECTIVE

I have caught trout and crappie experimenting with my kits 50 ft of line with a trimmed and smoothed stick tied to the line and baited hook or fly. Don't bother packing a bobber. Cut a small notch in a light 8 ft pole and tie the line twice so it does not slip like a reel knot. Lob the rig out with the pole forward in the water with the loops in your left hand . When you set the hook just walk back quick or handline fast or you will lose them with no drag. Got one just over 2lb that way once, all the others have been under 14 inch but fun to challenge yourself and show off to friends when it works or take the ribbing when it does not( it's been 50/50)

Sling shot rubber or surgical tubing has so many uses. I carry slingshot rubbers with the leather attatched. You can make slingshot but a different twist is a spear launcher.Tie the rubbers together and you can set a light long spear in the leather, hold the knot and set the spear in the grip hand like a pole que with finger wrapped around. Your only shooting a few feet but it is fast and probable the only likely way you would spear a fish as they bolt when you move to strike. In an ocean environment this would be ideal in pools or freediving and shooting them against the coral etc. I have practiced a little and can hit what I aim 5 to 10 ft away but here in the North with clear water and trout it is hard to find a willing target except mabye small streams but I fish lakes mostly.
If you cut a piece of the rubber it makes a great fire aid once lit
Many first aid(bleeding control/tourniquet) and campcraft applications for the surgical tubing
you can also cut one off the leather and use it as a drinking tube for shallow pools etc
 
mdauben said:
I like the idea of the Ten Essentials as the basis for a general purpose PSK, and particularly the Dallas Siera Club's updates "Ten Essential Groups" idea. Using that as a framework and plugging it what you have, you can see where you may be coming up short:

1. MEDICAL
Little first-aid kit

Good.

2. SHELTER
50ft+ of 550 cord, Space blanket

I think some sort of rain protection is important, unless perhaps you are traveling in the desert. I like the multi-purpose usefulness of a poncho (raingear, ground cloth, shelter) but a rain suit or even just a large size garbage bag in a pinch is better than being wet.

3. FIRE
Tinder kit, with flint, and striker

The traditional set up is nice, but I see no reason not to include some matches and a lighter or two in addition. If you need to light a fire in survival conditions, you should take every advantage you can.

4. HYDRATION
Canteen with stove and water purifiers

I don't think a stove really has a place in a survival kit, except perhaps a large, group kit. I'd drop it to save weight. I also prefer water purification tablets to water filter/purification units in a PSK. Much smaller and lighter.

5. COMMUNICATIONS
Mirror, whistle

I also include my cell phone in this group, as many eastern "wilderness" areas have cell phone coverage these days.

6. NAVIGATION
compass,

Compass does you only limited good without a map to go with it! ;)

7. NUTRITION
A small 4 square tackle box, with hooks, classic sd, line, little alien fish things(look like bugs with hooks on them.
And maybe some food like energy bar or vitamins and stuff...

No maybe about carrying some easy to eat food! Energy bars, granola bars, beef jerky of some other durable, non-perishable food items are a must. You can't count on being able to gather/catch wild food in an emergency.

8. INSULATION

Even on summer hikes in the south, I usually bring at least a hat and light pair of gloves in case I get caught out on a cool night. Perhaps a long sleeve shirt of some kind, too. In winter even more.

9. SUN PROTECTION

Even in winter, protection in the form of sun glasses is important. In summer or at high altitudes sun screen is important, too. In hot weather a sun hat's not a bad idea, either.

10. TOOLS
Light my fire spork and knife utensil
SAK Traveler, Bladetech ULU, BK11...

I'd drop the "spork and knife utensil". If you have a SAK or other folding knife you don't need a dedicated eating knife and a spork is a luxury item is a PSK. One of the more basic SAKs is my choice for a bladed tool to include in a PSK. Something like the Victorinox Climber or Farmer, for example.

Hope that helps!
Click to expand...

Good Ideas, I bring rainwear, just not in my ditch psk.
 
I think a poncho is a great piece of kit to have in there.

In regards to the fishing kit. It really depends on your location. Where I live in CT, sunfish are an easy target as they are agressive feeders. They are found in about every pond or lake I come across. My kit is tailored for them. I never tried for them with my kit through the ice in the winter, but I have been sucessful the other 3 seasons.
Taylor your kit to your area and practice, practice, practice.
 
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