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This article was written by me, and posted originally over at Razor's Redoubt.
I thought I'd post a copy here, as some may be interested.
The Urban Survival Mini-Kit: One Approach (v.2.0)
by Ron Wu /"guncollector" on Bladeforums.com
In our day-to-day lives disasters big and small lurk around every corner. They range in size from "small disasters" like a dreaded dent on your parked car, to the horrific and tragic example of our most recent terrorist attacks of "9/11". Filling the range in between, you have earthquakes, tornados, floods, riots, power-grid failures (whether blackouts or brownouts), etc. The list is nearly endless.
While generally speaking, our society at large has "emergency systems" in place for disasters; experience has shown that quite often there is insufficient material support and/or services. The inability to rely on government emergency services and the unpredictable nature of events, both natural and man-made, therefore requires the prudent person to be prepared for himself!
These required preparations, like the disasters themselves, will come in range of sizes. The larger preparations may be akin to stocking your home with food, water, and medical supplies. Intermediate preparations, for example, may take the form of a "Bugout Bag" in your home and office, or in the car.
This article is about a "small" preparation, with "big" potential for comfort in times of duress--maybe even lifesaving potential.
I term it The Urban Survival Mini-Kit (USMK) . The USMK measures a scant 3.5"x2.4"x0.9" (96mmx60mmx21mm), and weights only 4.5 ozs. It can easily be slipped into a breifcase, pocket, or purse, and remain there nearly unnoticed until time of need.
Besides being inexpensive, the USMK is also very simple to to assemble. This makes is practical--mandatory--to make one for every member of the family, friends, and/or relatives. What better way to say "I care", than to provide them with this condensed form of preparedness. If you shop carefully, the entire kit itself can be assembled for less than $40.00--the cost of one night out to dinner for family of 3. Making multiple kits, as most families should, will lower the per unit cost even more.
The container itself is an Altoids Mints tin--which you most certainly can find at any convenience market or grocery store. Undoubtedly, there are other suitable "tins", but this one seems to me to be the perfect size to carry with you everywhere--a nice byproduct of Altoid's packaging and marketing research dollars. Most of the contents you may already have around the house, or are available to you at the local sundries store. Some of the space-saving wonders, like the Photon Micro-light II LED light will require a small investment of time and money to procure.
So, without further ado, let's examine the contents:
- 2 Anti-bacterial wipes
- 1 Large Bandaid
- 4 Standard size Bandaids
- 8 Ibuprofen, 200mg
- 1 Pencil stub
- 4 Sheets, Notepaper (waterproof), cut down to 2"x2" ("Rite in the Rain" brand)
- 1 Cheatsheat on notepaper (with important tel, acct, and Calling Card numbers)
- 1 Lighter, butane (Bic mini)
- 12 Matches & Striker (waterproof)
- 12 Safety Pins, assorted
- 12 ft. Light twine (orange safety color)
- 1 Compass, watchband-size (Brunton)
- 1 Jig Saw blade, serrated, metal-cutting
- 1 Jig Saw blade, non-serrated, leather/plastic-cutting
- 1 Swiss Army Knife, keychain-size
- 1 Photon Micro-light II LED light
- 2 Candles, birthday (relighting)
- 1 Sewing kit, 6 needles & thread
- 8 Water Purification Tablets (enough for 8 qt. of water)
- 1 Condom (for water storage)
- 1 Moleskin, 1"x2" patch
- 2 ft.L x 1/2"W Duct tape (not shown), taped to perimeter of tin
- 2 Rubberband (cutdown inner tube, securing tin shut)
Unbelievably, all these items fit into the aforementioned tin. Also, you may note that I personally included a listing of the contents pasted to the cover of the USMK. This keeps me from having to remember or guess what's inside six months after I packed it; and from having to take everything out to do an inventory.
Packing all the above is a bit tricky, but after a few attempts you will see that it is not impossible. All the flat items are at the bottom of the tin. Everything else is put in "where it fits".
Also, as picture above, I use the Ranger Rubberbands to generally secure the tin shut. I also will wrap a strip of either electrical tape or more duct tape around the perimeter of the tin to waterproof the entire USMK.
With this USMK in tow, I have much potential in a tiny package.
In an emergency with it alone, I have my important telephone numbers and account information at my fingertips--including the all-important calling card # and passcode. I have access to waterproof paper to make notes to myself, or leave notes for others (using also a strip of the duct tape). In the case of an auto breakdown, I can orient myself (and possibly rescuers on a cellphone) in bad weather and unfamiliar areas with the use of the mini-compass. I can administer some minor first aid for cuts and bruises, and even have some painkiller handy. I can start a fire, if necessary, for heat, signalling, or to simply light a cigarette to calm nerves. I can store and treat water using the enclosed condom and water purification tablets. I can cut an endless array of objects using either the mini-Swiss Army Knife or enclosed jig saw blades. The light twine can assist in building shelter, or securing objects.
One thing to keep in mind, this kit is oriented to "Urban" (even "Surburban" or "Rural") scenarios, BUT it DOES NOT contain the same items were I to trek into the true wilderness.
You can, of course, substitute items in your own USMK to suit your specific climate or geography. What I have listed should simply serve as a guideline for you.
Don't forget to slip in a few folded $20 dollar bills! They might just get your out of a fiduciary jam.
One final note, this USMK is not intended to supplant your need to prepare a "Bugout Bag" or make other disaster preparations. It is simply a "hedge" to provide oneself some means of support in an emergency when separated from other supplies and/or support. It's small size and light weight makes carrying it everywhere simple. After all, we know not around which corner disaster lurks.
I thought I'd post a copy here, as some may be interested.
The Urban Survival Mini-Kit: One Approach (v.2.0)
by Ron Wu /"guncollector" on Bladeforums.com
In our day-to-day lives disasters big and small lurk around every corner. They range in size from "small disasters" like a dreaded dent on your parked car, to the horrific and tragic example of our most recent terrorist attacks of "9/11". Filling the range in between, you have earthquakes, tornados, floods, riots, power-grid failures (whether blackouts or brownouts), etc. The list is nearly endless.
While generally speaking, our society at large has "emergency systems" in place for disasters; experience has shown that quite often there is insufficient material support and/or services. The inability to rely on government emergency services and the unpredictable nature of events, both natural and man-made, therefore requires the prudent person to be prepared for himself!
These required preparations, like the disasters themselves, will come in range of sizes. The larger preparations may be akin to stocking your home with food, water, and medical supplies. Intermediate preparations, for example, may take the form of a "Bugout Bag" in your home and office, or in the car.
This article is about a "small" preparation, with "big" potential for comfort in times of duress--maybe even lifesaving potential.
I term it The Urban Survival Mini-Kit (USMK) . The USMK measures a scant 3.5"x2.4"x0.9" (96mmx60mmx21mm), and weights only 4.5 ozs. It can easily be slipped into a breifcase, pocket, or purse, and remain there nearly unnoticed until time of need.
Besides being inexpensive, the USMK is also very simple to to assemble. This makes is practical--mandatory--to make one for every member of the family, friends, and/or relatives. What better way to say "I care", than to provide them with this condensed form of preparedness. If you shop carefully, the entire kit itself can be assembled for less than $40.00--the cost of one night out to dinner for family of 3. Making multiple kits, as most families should, will lower the per unit cost even more.
The container itself is an Altoids Mints tin--which you most certainly can find at any convenience market or grocery store. Undoubtedly, there are other suitable "tins", but this one seems to me to be the perfect size to carry with you everywhere--a nice byproduct of Altoid's packaging and marketing research dollars. Most of the contents you may already have around the house, or are available to you at the local sundries store. Some of the space-saving wonders, like the Photon Micro-light II LED light will require a small investment of time and money to procure.
So, without further ado, let's examine the contents:
- 2 Anti-bacterial wipes
- 1 Large Bandaid
- 4 Standard size Bandaids
- 8 Ibuprofen, 200mg
- 1 Pencil stub
- 4 Sheets, Notepaper (waterproof), cut down to 2"x2" ("Rite in the Rain" brand)
- 1 Cheatsheat on notepaper (with important tel, acct, and Calling Card numbers)
- 1 Lighter, butane (Bic mini)
- 12 Matches & Striker (waterproof)
- 12 Safety Pins, assorted
- 12 ft. Light twine (orange safety color)
- 1 Compass, watchband-size (Brunton)
- 1 Jig Saw blade, serrated, metal-cutting
- 1 Jig Saw blade, non-serrated, leather/plastic-cutting
- 1 Swiss Army Knife, keychain-size
- 1 Photon Micro-light II LED light
- 2 Candles, birthday (relighting)
- 1 Sewing kit, 6 needles & thread
- 8 Water Purification Tablets (enough for 8 qt. of water)
- 1 Condom (for water storage)
- 1 Moleskin, 1"x2" patch
- 2 ft.L x 1/2"W Duct tape (not shown), taped to perimeter of tin
- 2 Rubberband (cutdown inner tube, securing tin shut)
Unbelievably, all these items fit into the aforementioned tin. Also, you may note that I personally included a listing of the contents pasted to the cover of the USMK. This keeps me from having to remember or guess what's inside six months after I packed it; and from having to take everything out to do an inventory.
Packing all the above is a bit tricky, but after a few attempts you will see that it is not impossible. All the flat items are at the bottom of the tin. Everything else is put in "where it fits".
Also, as picture above, I use the Ranger Rubberbands to generally secure the tin shut. I also will wrap a strip of either electrical tape or more duct tape around the perimeter of the tin to waterproof the entire USMK.
With this USMK in tow, I have much potential in a tiny package.
In an emergency with it alone, I have my important telephone numbers and account information at my fingertips--including the all-important calling card # and passcode. I have access to waterproof paper to make notes to myself, or leave notes for others (using also a strip of the duct tape). In the case of an auto breakdown, I can orient myself (and possibly rescuers on a cellphone) in bad weather and unfamiliar areas with the use of the mini-compass. I can administer some minor first aid for cuts and bruises, and even have some painkiller handy. I can start a fire, if necessary, for heat, signalling, or to simply light a cigarette to calm nerves. I can store and treat water using the enclosed condom and water purification tablets. I can cut an endless array of objects using either the mini-Swiss Army Knife or enclosed jig saw blades. The light twine can assist in building shelter, or securing objects.
One thing to keep in mind, this kit is oriented to "Urban" (even "Surburban" or "Rural") scenarios, BUT it DOES NOT contain the same items were I to trek into the true wilderness.
You can, of course, substitute items in your own USMK to suit your specific climate or geography. What I have listed should simply serve as a guideline for you.
Don't forget to slip in a few folded $20 dollar bills! They might just get your out of a fiduciary jam.
One final note, this USMK is not intended to supplant your need to prepare a "Bugout Bag" or make other disaster preparations. It is simply a "hedge" to provide oneself some means of support in an emergency when separated from other supplies and/or support. It's small size and light weight makes carrying it everywhere simple. After all, we know not around which corner disaster lurks.
