The unskilled survival kit

I don't know about all dedicated signal mirrors, but...

I usually start with a Ritter Pocket Survival Kit when making a new kit. It has lots of good stuff for a good price. The decated signal mirror in that kit has a sighting hole, so you don't have to use your other hand to aim it. That may make a difference if, say, you have one arm in a sling. It also has instructions for use on the back of the mirror.

If you use a CD your signal mirror is free. Print instructions for two handed use.

I think a real signal mirror with a sighting hole and instructions on the back is a better choice, and you don't need a card full of instuctions.
 
Nolan raborn, thus far people have thought that their girlfriend or an unskilled person wouldn't be able to figure out how to close it after they opened it. That and the SAK has more functions.
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I've seen people unable to figure out how to unlock knives. Especally liner locks. So add knife unlock instructions to the appropriate card.

If you go with the SAK, I suggest one of the larger ones, with longer saw blades.

It's true you can harvest branches for a fire or shelter with a club or by wedging the branch between two fixed points and bending it. You can save work by gradually feeding long sticks into your fire, instead of cutting them into small sticks.

But anybody can figure out a saw, and longer is better. The saw seems like a good reason to use a SAK, since I don't see one elsewhere in the kit.

If you choose a locking SAK, add lock/unlock instructions.
 
While some could, say, clean their teeth with a Buck 110 in perfect safety, I wouldn't want an inexperienced person trying to trim away loose skin with my Buck 110. They could be losing parts fairly quickly. The SAK scissors do just fine and far more safely in the hands of the people we are dealing with in this thread.

The saw can cut a 2" pole readily, and that's big enough for shelter and fire. Saws are safer than impact tools.

mindwhip, this kit is for people who, by definition, are less likely to swim vs. sink. So they need more than the prepared folks.

Ah, mirrors. I tend to forget mirrors 'cause the wilderness here is so closed in with trees. Good get.

Hmmmm. There is probably something better, but how about: "Extend you arm and make a "V" with your fingers. Move the "V" until the target you want to signal is in the bottom of the "V" - like sighting a weapon. Use the mirror to pass a beam of light side-to-aide/back and forth across the fingers making the "V" and the target in the "V." The target in the "V" will see a flashing light."

Instructions on water bottles, traps, ect. are GOOD. Instructions on paper are tinder.
 
Raymond1000 said:
Trioxane is bomb proof as long as its packaging is intact. That's why it is packaged in heavy duty wrapping. One pin hole and the stuff will dissolve into uselessness. Someone serious about survival skills will check that his trioxane packages are intact. But a novice?

Trioxane is so good in every other way that I hate to bad mouth it. But you need to be sure that it will be there for the person who needs it. If the SHTF and she finds her trioxane bar is dead, what happens then?
(snip)
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Does Esbit hexamine fuel react the same way? If not, it would be a better alternative to trioxane.
 
Well after reading Thomas's link word for word, Im still thinking trioxane comes out the winner. Funny that they have that bit about the japanese fuel in there. I was stationed in Japan for years and every camper I ran across prefered trioxane. You can buy it everywhere in Japan. Any outdoor store will have a section with trioxane on sale.

That said, Im open to different opinions, if people feel there is a better choice, Ill edit it in to the list.
 
Probably mentioned but a really small bottle of lighter fluid would be pretty much foolproof, like an eye drop bottle. That and a mini bic and you are all set.
 
Great post. I still think that 5 chocolate bars is a little odd. If I ate 5 chocolate bars I'd be about ready to vomit. Why not 1-2 choc bars, 1-2 powerbars/granola bars, and some small candies?
 
The Unskilled Survival Pack is a fanny pack sized kit that includes the following items, numbered in order of use, in clear zip bags:


A laminated instruction card that states:"DO NOT AIMLESSLY WALK IN CIRCLES. THINK ABOUT THE LAST PERSON YOU TOLD ABOUT YOUR TRIP PLAN. THINK ABOUT THE TIME LINE THAT THEY WILL DETERMINE THAT SOMETHING HAS GONE WRONG AND WHO THEY WOULD CALL FOR HELP. STAY PUT AND BUILD A BASE CAMP. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE KIT AND USE THEM IN ORDER."

Signals group:
laminated instruction card for signaling stating: .

"Blow the whistle consistantly at whatever rate is comfortable without becoming winded or tiring yourself out. Listen for replys. If you hear something increase the amount."

"Make your camp easy to find. Use your trailmarker tape. Tie multiple long flags of tape where they can be seen from every direction. Attach long strips on a branch (eye level) They will attract more attention when they blow in the breeze. Mark your campsite in a big circle 100 steps out."

"To use your mirror for signaling:
1)Face the sun. 2)Hold mirror by edges, near your eye, looking over the top. 3)Extend your other arm in front of you(palm facing out), just below your intended target. 4) Place refelection on the back of your extended hand, and then adjust so that it only touches the top of your middle finger."

Signal mirror
Whistle
Trailmarker tape


Hypothermia prevention group:
instruction card for preventing hypothermia
a heavy duty hooded space blanket
a space bag
a watch cap and mittens.
chem heating pads


Fire making group:
card with fire making instructions including pictures.
large candle
a bic lighter
2 or 3 trioxane bars
sterno can

Hydration and Energy Group:
laminated card with instructions
a bottle of water, full
a flashlight to last the night
2 chocolate bars, 2 granola bars
hot chocolate mix/ tea bag and tin cup to go with the sterno can.

Tools Group:
laminated card with instructions
swiss army knife
waterproof marker
paracord.
twine

small first aid kit
 
Well, we might as well throw in a tea bag as it is something that also tastes good hot to go along with the hot chocolate.
 
We are down to minor points now aren't we? That's ok. If we are talking about tea bags I think that means we have done a good job with the big stuff. Ok editing in a tea bag!
 
shipwreck said:
We are down to minor points now aren't we? That's ok. If we are talking about tea bags I think that means we have done a good job with the big stuff. Ok editing in a tea bag!
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Alright!!! Now to choose which hot tea flavor :p.
 
Would two or three little fishing hooks be of much use? If the 'user' is going to a water source for extra water, they might get the urge to fish too. It is the easiest way to catch and eat something "wild." Just a side thought, let me know what you think, J.
 
The "fishing" method that requires the least skill is a gill net - a method so effective that it's illegal for most of us in all states. A gill net wads up into the size of a tennis ball and weighs less that that.

But Isn't long-term survival also beyond the brief for this thread? The food included is more for morale than trying to solve the Food priority.

(We should investigate anyone who wants less chocolate. :D)
 
Thomas Linton said:
(We should investigate anyone who wants less chocolate. :D)
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I knew someone would come after me for that! I agree that boosting moral is uber-important. But for me personally, not being sick to my stomach would be a big moral booster. I might throw in some jerky as well or something like that.

This has been a great read.
 
Whatever you choose to include in a first aid kit, add to it instructions for using all the components. Do not trust a frightened and wounded beginner to remember the obvious.

I believe somebody mentioned toilet paper already. That should really be on the list. Roll some into a Ziploc bag. Add instructions for digging a cat hole, and for possible use as tinder.
 
I've seen lots of "first aid" bandanas that might work well. I've seen some what are more designed towards people who are first responders, but some that might work well for complete "noobs". I agree that first aid should maybe be more detailed.
 
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