The unskilled survival kit

Raymond1000 said:
I like that Skammer. Yours has better details for the unschooled than mine did.
Click to expand...

One thing I learned is when teaching lamen keep it reeeeeeal simple and dont complicate it. Thus we tell people to just blow the dam whistle no rules to remember. Simple.

Skam
 
Sometimes the U.S. Military adopts some brilliant foolproof ideas. What I am remembering is the medical kit in my jeep. I doubt these are still used nowdays but it was as near foolproof as it gets. GOing from old memory, the gasketed metal box was about five inches wide, three inches deep, and eight inches long. In it was a series of cardboard boxes arranged in a single row. Printing on the box tops identified the contents of the individual boxes. Fronts and backs were printed with instructions. It made it easy to select the right box and figure out how to properly use the contents.

Yeah, I know... too big and clumsy for our discussion , but the idea is sound. How about a sealed pouch with zip-loc re-closure like a modern Kraft cheese package. Inside are a series of packets also sealed with zip-loc, each has an instruction card identifying contents and instructions for use. That way the user doesn't wind up with a pile of mixed up items dumped on the ground scattered and lost. The master package has a master card with brief concise instructions written to a low education level. Say fifth grade. Packets could be divided as:

Shelter (tube tent or space blanket or space bag)
Signal (survey tape and small marker, whistle, orange bandanna, button compass)
Water (sanitation and collection means)
food (small snack for mind control)
first aid (very basic)
Slim version of SAK & cording for shelter etc.
Fire kit (sparking and tender with instructions and small squeeze light)

All these packets could fit in a packet the size of a pair of cigarette packs and be placed in a nylon pouch with a belt loop. Cost is a factor in everything, so these would be cheap enough to be handouts. Having to tear open the top of the main pack prevents pilferage and loss before needed.

Codger
 
My kit would be a nalgene filled with a medium sak, tube tent, large garbage bag, water tablets, fox40, bic, tinder (drier lint, etc), protien bars X2, heavy tinfoil, tea bags or hot chocolate, 30 feet 550 cord, and various instructions for fire an signaling and such.
The nalgene would be in one of those carrying bags with a strap, and the contents could go into that and the nalgene could be filled with water.
I think it would be worth the time to teach the little lady the basics of wilderness survival as well, have her watch you make fires and have her try sometime.
 
I agree with Liam Ryan, it would be very helpful to teach your GF the basics or even just have her around you when you are doing outdoor type things. When a person is pushed to their limits, they will recall that memory in a heartbeat if they are in that much of need. So it wouldn't hurt to just show her at least once or twice, even if she doesn't seem interested, she'll remember in her time of need.
 
skammer said:
Sorry guys been busy.

About the water boiling. It is on the net just bringing it to a boil but cant bother to look for it. I teach it in my courses. A friend of mine (also a SAR type) is a Phd in micro biology and he confirmed that ALL DNA is detroyed below the boiling point. As we all know every living thing is made of DNA so nothing will survive bringing water to a rolling boil.
Click to expand...
While certain spores can survive in boiling water, the lil' buggers that cause disease perish long before that, as reflected in public health codes. Many references on the Net. One example from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FS077:

"Sanitization

It is important to differentiate and define certain terminology:

Sterilize refers to the statistical destruction and removal of all living organisms.

Disinfect refers to inanimate objects and the destruction of all vegetative cells (not spores).

Sanitize refers to the reduction of microorganisms to levels considered safe from a public health viewpoint.
. . .
Hot Water
Hot-water sanitizing--through immersion (small parts, knives, etc.), spray (dishwashers), or circulating systems--is commonly used. The time required is determined by the temperature of the water. Typical regulatory requirements (Food Code 1995) for use of hot water in dishwashing and utensil sanitizing applications specify: immersion for at least 30 sec. at 77°C (170°F) for manual operations; a final rinse temperature of 74°C (165°F) in single tank, single temperature machines and 82°C (180°F) for other machines.
Many state regulations require a utensil surface temperature of 71°C (160°F) as measured by an irreversibly registering temperature indicator in warewashing machines. Recommendations andrequirements for hot-water sanitizing in food processing may vary. The Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance specifies a minimum of 77°C (170°F) for 5 min. Other recommendations for processing operations are: 85°C (185°F) for 15 min., or 80°C (176°F) for 20 min.

Here's an article from another science journal: http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/CID/journal/issues/v34n3/010954/010954.web.pdf

Check out the table on page 3.
 
batosai117 said:
. . . When a person is pushed to their limits, they will recall that memory in a heartbeat if they are in that much of need.
. . . he'll remember in her time of need.
Click to expand...

One can hope and the narrowest of chances to improve the odds justifies the investiment of the time. However, there are many experiences to the contrary - well-trained personnel forgetting the most simple, often-practiced tasks when under pressure.
 
Thanks for the pdf link, it was a good one. There are some thermophilic microorganisms in Domain Archaea that flourish at temperatures above the boiling point, but to my knowledge (not that I'm a doctor or have a microbiology degree) none of these are generally pathogenic and they're found only under some pretty specific conditions. Spores are generally more of a problem if you're canning food rather than just looking for a safe drink. Botulinum spores, for example, can stay viable beyond the boiling point so to get rid of them water would have to be heated past the boiling point under pressure. That said, they aren't really a drinking water issue as far as I can tell. The nice thing about the boiling point is you can tell when you've reached it. Of course it changes with elevation, but that's not so much of a worry for me.
 
gadgetgeek said:
A question, why do people pack money in a SK? I can see having enough cash stashed to fill up the car, in case of the plastic not working, but while out in the woods, it seems a little odd to me.
Click to expand...

If she gets out of the woods, she can call a cab and head somewhere warm and dry, and then call you to pick her up. Or get a bowl of soup and a cup of coffee. Or a fresh gitch. Or any other thing she wants when she gets out.

I don't see a gun on anyone's list. How about a small pistol? Bersa Thunder .380 and a box of 50 rounds, that would work for me.
 
For bare bones first aid I like H and H cinch tight bandages. They are vacuum compacted and multipurpose. Gauze pad, elastic bandage, triangular bandage. You can tighten them as a pressure bandage—or even a tourniquet—working single handed.

Would it work for the inexperienced? I’m not sure. You’d need good instructions if you include one.
 
Guns don't belong in a survival kit, IMO. If you don't already know how to use one, when you are lost in the woods is not a time to be learning. If you DO, you should be carrying one anyway.

In Canada handguns are not allowed in the bush without a special permit, so including one here is not practical anyway.
 
The contractor bag could be replaced with one of those large orange "jack-o-lantern" leaf bags, larger, packed individually, and orange to boot.

A phrase I have remembered since a kid,and use when teaching fire skills is,
"a fire is like a baby, you feed it as it grows"
IIRC was from A Professional Guides Manual by Herter, or maybe the Boy Scout manual. It sums it up simply.
 
If you run out of things to do, lamininating the instruction cards at Office Depot (or elsewhere) might be helpful.
 
Ok I've let this thread run for a few days, without commenting on it, just trying to again look for consensus of opinion.

At this point I think we have developed a very good kit that can actually fit into a large fanny pack. Even though this has gone on for a few days, Im not seeing major changes suggested.

With regard to Ray Floro's signal item, the price is staggering and there seems to be issues about availabilty. So as ideal an item as it appears, it is unlikely to be included in many kits.

The question of weight has been raised so in light of that Im going to suggest two versions of this kit and concept. The first version will be the full version and be a large fanny pack size.

The other version is more minimum and why dont we call it "the survival purse" ? this is would be a purse sized survival kit, that an inexperienced woman would feel very natural carrying with her.

Ok full sized version:The Unskilled Survival Pack is a fanny pack sized kit that includes the following items in numbered and labeled 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. 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."
A Whistle
Trailmarker tape


Hypothermia prevention group:
instruction card for preventing hypothermia
a heavy duty hooded space blanket. : http://www.highmtns.com/store/product166.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=399
a space bag: http://www.highmtns.com/store/product166.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=398&Category_ID=23
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
five chocolate bars
hot chocolate mix 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

Ok guys looks very good and realistic to me. If we can get our survivor to carry it, that person will be in good shape I think. Below will be my idea for a "survival purse" for a lighter kit but one that your girlfriend will be more likely to carry.
 


Into a shoulder purse size container goes:

Signal Group: small laminated card with instructions for signaling with whistle.
A whistle.

Hypothermia Prevention:
Small laminated card with instructions for preventing hypothermia
Space Bag
Chemical heat pads

Fire making group
Small card with fire making instructions
Bic lighter
trioxane bars



Hydration Group:
Instruction card with instructions for hydration.
Purified water ration: http://www.safetycentral.com/mainpurdrinw.html
Collapsible water bottle: http://www.safetycentral.com/nalwatbotcan.html
Water purification tablets

Small First Aid Kit

Tool group
Swiss Army knife, pink
 
codger_64 i do have one of those First Aid kits in the metal box. No im not that old but an old friend of my gave me one a while ago. Everything is still in great condition ready to be used.
Shipwreck i do think the kit is great. I do wonder how much this kit does weight??? What would be a good weight for a kit this size??? My ex GF learned how to use the fire steel in less then 5min. She walked around picking up things and light them up. I ended up taking it away from her before she would set malibu on fire.... But no worry someone else done it a few days ago.

sasha
 
skammer said:
The accepted fact now is you only need to bring water to a rolling boil no longer as DNA breaks down well before the boiling point. You make it no safer boiling it longer than 10 seconds. It has to be a full rolling boil though just to make sure.

Chemicals can be faster for some if you count the fire prep and lighting time, conditions and skill level and thats assuming they have a metal vessel which most dont carry etc...

Skam
Click to expand...

Not true. Depending on the type of microbe, it can be ten minutes of rolling boil or longer before all microbes are dead. For example, endospores are a type of heat resistant, thick walled, differentiated structure produced by certain gram-positive bacteria. Bacillus and Clostridium are two well-known endospore bacteria. Source: Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 11th edition.
 
Sasha, I dont think the weight is too prohibitive. In any event that is why I put up the post about the "Survival Purse" kit. Because I want to build these kits around the concept of minimal skills, expedience and core needs.

As Gadgetgeek pointed out before, one of the concepts of this kit is the teaching/instruction component, this means not only instructing the individual survivor through an imdediate crisis but by having a system and gear with the potential to help a qualified instructor train students. Once the survivor grasps these concepts, he or she can make ajustments to the kit to reduce the weight considerably or pack an even more comprehensive kit. But the essential point is have a core gear list that adresses all basic survival needs by using the most fool proof and expedient gear items.

I would say the core concepts of this kit are:

Adress all basic survival needs, including signaling
Use expedient gear
Use gear that requires minimal skill to utilize
Include instruction
 
Something interesting that I bought today is the "Coughlan's Survival Kit in a Can" It consists of 38 items which can provide warmth, shelter, and energy in life threatening situations from the desert to the arctic. That was a quote from the package. It was $10.00 usd at Academy sports and outdoors. Really neat actually.

Here is the link to it:

http://www.equipped.com/kiackit.htm#contents

Just scroll down, it's very interesting, and only a little bit bigger than a sardine can. Something useful just to add to the entire fanny pack all on it's own. Hope this helps, J.
 
batosai117 I dont see shelter at all. To be honest this is the kind of kit that I am somewhat oppossed to. The gear requires skill, it lacks instructions, it doesn't cover all basic survival needs and does not use the most expedient gear. It is tempting to go small, and it has been argued that such kits do fill a certain edc niche and are usefull for more skilled survivors. But it is almost the opposite of what Im trying to do in this thread. In my opinion, once we make size a key concept then we open the door to critical omissions of crucial gear.
 
Oh, I didn't mean that this was to replace anything in your list, just something that I thought was small enough to add to the list. I figured it was a small, last ditch effort sort of kit that would be nice to leave at the bottom of the kit that you are making.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top