usgi canteen based kit what's missing

S

skaterboy

Joined
Dec 29, 2006
Messages
96
here is a list of the things I have for the kit:
usgi 1qt flexible canteen/cup/stove/cover
heavy duty black trashbag
pj imp.cotton balls
potable aqua tabs
35mm film container water filter
duck tape
10 ft 550 paracord
10 safty pins
orienteering compass
Fresnel Lens Magnifier
small pocket knife I found in a closet
still waiting for my bsa hotspark to arrive
I plan on making a sholder strap for it soon
is there any thing missing?
 
How does it all fit in the canteen cover?

I agree with troutfisher13111 that another fire starter would be good. I would also add an energy bar. Food may not be an immediate priority, but it would certainly boost morale.
 
I always carry a bic and zippo
I sew a medium sized posket next to to the one on the cover that holds the hotspark/magnifyer/water filter
the other pocket holds the potable aqua/pj cotton balls
the trashbag is stuffed in the bottom
the compass is on the side of the canteen in the cover
the tape is wraped around the canteen
the pra-cord is threaded through the hole in the bottom of the cover and is hanging on the outside of the cover
the safty pins and knife are pinned to the outside of the cover
it is a tight fit but it fits
keep the help coming thanks guys
 
A small sewing kit. I think they are more of a personal preference item than a necessity, but some people like them and they can be handy. I have one in my kit. It contains 2 HD needles, 2 sewing machine needles, and about 50 feet of HD nylon thread.
 
LED flashlight for when it gets dark and you need to walk around without injuring yourself

Some first aid items in case you do injure yourself

A whistle to signal for help when you are too injured to move

Sunscreen

More paracord

Toilet paper is nicer than leaves

I'm assuming you're putting together a PSK to backup all the other necessary items you usually carry and/or wear like proper wet weather clothing, hat, extra socks, a map, perhaps a tarp for shelter, etc.

or just check out this thread for an really well-done PSK: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=461423
 
I don't know about the tp not enough room but I could throw a flatened role in a cargo pocket
thanks a micro led light and
 
I don't know about the tp not enough room but I could throw a flatened role in a cargo pocket
thanks a micro led light and wistle could clip to the outside easly
what else you got
 
A few garbage bags are nice. One or two for shelter and one or two to make an improvised bivvy or leaf sleeping pad and bag. Other uses, poncho, improvised canteen, line a hole to use as a catchment for water purification. You get the picture. In a tracking/survival course I had, we brainstormed and came up with well over 100 uses in a few minutes.

Don't buy a strap. Use 550 cord (woven?). You could add a small pouch or two on the strap if the stuff isn't fitting inside the extra space of the canteen cover.
 
I heard some were on this forum that could hurt your shoulder in about five minites of hiking
but I don't know for shure
 
skaterboy said:
here is a list of the things I have for the kit:
usgi 1qt flexible canteen/cup/stove/cover
...
still waiting for my bsa hotspark to arrive
...
Click to expand...

I agree with others, that you need an additional method
for fire making.

IMO, the more important point is that a fire steel or hotspark,
by itself, is not even one method to start fire[/B].
You need something that will catch the spark, i.e. some
small amount of tinder. Carry at least 1 small tinder pack with you.
Search these forums for "tinder" and "firesteel" etc.
Possibilities are 2-inch piece of plastic straw (loaded with vasoline-soaked
cotton), char-cloth (very tricky), mil-type alcohol tabs (esbit).

Consider, a small lighter could start 1/4 inch sticks burning, under
optimal conditions, but a firesteel could not even start 1/8 inch sticks.
Though I have not tried this experiment, I think you will understand
the larger concept.
 
defininitely in agreement about an additional fire starter....more paracord as well I like a small fishing kit as well, Are you carrying an additional knife??
 
Sewing machine needles are generally larger and tougher than stock hand sewing needles. You can find big tough hand sewing needles if you look for them.

You will want to carry strong thread in your kit. Strong nylon thread is larger diameter.
 
Drill two small holes near the top and opposite from each other in the canteen cup so you can hang it over a fire. Should add at right angles from the handle.Some brass wire would come in handy -Snares
Pre-made fishing line set up
Extra hooks- can catch critters besides fish
Heavy Duty aluminum Foil –used for cooking ,signal reflector, cup cover to bring water to a faster boil saving wood gathering, Animal /fish lure.
Sparklite one handed ferro rod lighter in case you One handed.:p
Very Bright Signal Vest or bandanna.{if you want to be found}:)
 
fnc said:
I agree with others, that you need an additional method
for fire making.

IMO, the more important point is that a fire steel or hotspark,
by itself, is not even one method to start fire[/B].
You need something that will catch the spark, i.e. some
small amount of tinder. Carry at least 1 small tinder pack with you.
Search these forums for "tinder" and "firesteel" etc.
Possibilities are 2-inch piece of plastic straw (loaded with vasoline-soaked
cotton), char-cloth (very tricky), mil-type alcohol tabs (esbit).

Consider, a small lighter could start 1/4 inch sticks burning, under
optimal conditions, but a firesteel could not even start 1/8 inch sticks.
Though I have not tried this experiment, I think you will understand
the larger concept.
Click to expand...

I have 5 pj cotton balls in a small ziplock bag n one of the pockets
I have a generic multi tool
and plan on geting a small mora for the kit
 
Skaterboy I'm curious about the 35mm water filter. I've not heard of taht before. Can you explain it to me?
 
You don't have any signalling equipment.

You need a loud whistle, perhaps even two in case one breaks. I've just been reading about the Boy Scout lost in N. Carolina, who heard rescuers calls and shouted back but was not heard by them. An ear piercing whistle is absolutely crucial.

Second, you need a signal mirror, for signalling searchers both on land and in the air.

What you should really do is break the components down into groups, and then make sure you have all the bases in each group covered. So, for example, in the signalling group you need audible signals and visual signals, covered by the whistle and mirror. These are the most basic audible and visual signals, but you may need others (trail tape, flares, EPIRB etc.) depending on where you're going.

When you put the components into groups like this, you can ensure that you have both a primary means and a backup means of achieving the desired goal. All my kit is arranged into primary devices and backup devices, and in some cases I have a second backup (though this usually emerges from multiple use items). For example, for procuring clean water, my primary device is a filter, my secondary device is purification tablets, and my third device is boiling (a capability which arises out of my firemaking tools). I thus have the option of using just one of these methods, or some combination of them depending on circumstances.

I divide the basic groups like this:

Shelter
Fire
Water
Signalling
Navigation
Food
 
fnc said:
Why sewing machine needles? Do you use them in a special way?
What special value do they have over regular needles?
Click to expand...

I use them like a small awl, the eye hole is at the bottom of the point. Makes sewing through tough fabrics easier
 
skaterboy said:
I heard some were on this forum that could hurt your shoulder in about five minites of hiking
but I don't know for shure
Click to expand...

Weave it so it isn't biting into your shoulder. Or pad it with a bit of sleeping pad foam or pipe cover insulation and 100 mph/duct tape. You could take the duct tape, insulation (as insulation or fire starter), and 550 cord later if needed. A few passes of duct tape around the canteen cup or around any handles you might have (my knife sharpener, fire steel etc.) allows you to carry a small supply without really taking up any additional space.
 
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