What are you thoughts on my friends survival kit?

peripatew

peripatew

Joined
Jul 31, 2007
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Here is a link to his pack list, with his "Survival Kit" on the right hand side.

What thoughts/feedback do you have for his kit? He is obviously a gram counter, so no need for pointing that out. His main goal is to have his mini-kit with him at all times, and I think we can all appreciate that. He's in the medical profession, and so that influences some of his choices as well.

As a side note, Leukotape is AMAZING. Way better than moleskin, and better than duct tape in some instances.

My initial thoughts:

  • He doesn't have anything to boil water in, so his water supply would last him about 2 days depending on where he is at.
  • Adding a space blanket would add shelter and signaling.
  • Ditch the mechanical pencil for a mini-sharpie.
  • He could downsize his firesteel into something custom, or go to a peanut lighter, or something else. He also doesn't have any tinder (firestraws would be a nice light weight addition).
  • I'd probably simplify the wound care, and stick with either only the Leukotape or duct tape, ditching the bandaids, steristrips, and tegaderm.
  • I'd add a second sandwich bag for irrigation, as I wouldn't want to put a hole in my only water container if I really needed to pressure flush a wound.
  • And his knife could be something more substantial, a SAK is better than nothing, but a mini fixed blade would be much better.

What do you think?
 
My first thought is this guy must be clumbsy (sp?) he sure packs a lot of bandages. He may get more milage out of some gauze squares and a roll of medical tape as it can be customized to whatever size wound and will weigh less.

That being said (other than the items you listed) I think he would do good to add an energy bar and a bic lighter to his survival kit.

Hope this helps
David
 
I tend to go a bit heavier on the cutting tools, but I guess that is the burden I choose to carry.

It is interesting to me (hiking novice) to see the detailed list of gear that he takes along for the adventure. I will try to find some time to document some gear I plan to use in about a month.
 
I would go with a bigger and stronger knife, like perhaps a gerber mini paraframe since has main blade is gerber.
 
An enameled coffee mug would fit most of his survival kit and solve the boiling and cooking problem.
Or an international coffee tin with the plastic lid. Dad and I have been using them for 30 yrs or so but only good for a few uses but that should do for a survival kit.
As mentioned a mini bic, should be in every kit you own.
 
Good to see you around, Pete! Nice lightweight packing list. He lists it as a 3 season list, but his sleeping bag (25o) and zero-insulation pad combination seems limited to summer, even in the relatively temperate Northwest. Specific comments below.

Knife - As others have said, the Vic Classic is less knife than I'm comfortable with going to the mailbox, let alone backpacking. It is sufficient for likely tasks such as cutting open plastic food bags or trimming toenails, but if things go south, he is pretty limited.

Medications - I would suggest adding Benedryl and Immodium to his meds. Both can be purchased in blister packs that can be trimmed down to individual pill sizes.

Flashlight - I would add a 1AA LED flashlight with pocket clip, such as the Fenix LD10 for front pocket carry. (Granted, he has a headlamp, but I like a good light on my person as well.) The Photon and the whistle should go on a lanyard around his neck.

Tarp - Adding an AMK Heat Sheet to his mini kit would provide an emergency shelter if he is seperated from his main gear. These can be refolded to fit whatever container or pocket they will be carried in.

Map - I didn't see it listed, but given his inexperience in the backcountry, I thought I'd reinforce how important it is to carry a topo map of the area.

Boiling Vessel - As far as a boiling vessel, he already has a pot as part of his cooking system. There really isn't a suitable lightweight/ultralight solution that is an "on person" option, except maybe a stainless bottle worn on a bandoleer or on a dropper under the pack's hip belt. That said, the Platy bladder and MicroPur tabs are a workable alternative.
 
I would add a multitool. I find my leatherman wave worth the weight for the usefullness of its tools. the mechanical pencil can fail better to go with a carpenters pencil or one you cut in half. I also always carry at least three ways of making fire.
 
with any 'survival' kit, you have to cover the basics. Ability to start a fire, food, water and comfort/security.

Past that, putting a kit together is pretty much an idiosyncratic exercise. Hard to critique someone else's, not knowing his world view, level of experience, expectations or needs.
 
Yes. I'd add at least one more firemaking device, a better knife(not necessarily a fb, but at least a multitool or bigger locking blade folder) and something to boil in, as well as something for shelter.

I'd do it in that order too, if he wouldn't add all of them.
 
Looks good to me. Perhaps a spaceblanket or garbage bag, plus a mini bic would be a good addition. But it seems like it'd make a nice small kit that would actually stay on his person, unlike some of the 1lb drop pouches I see. I really can't imagine walking for 10+hrs with one of them on.
 
he's got good taste in packs :)

< Exos 46 user

"survival kit" is this in his pack? if it is, not really a survival kit- just more gear to add to the list

when your backpacking, your carrying everything (or should be) you need to survive- shelter, water, food, first aid, etc

the problem can come when you get separated from your pack- fording a stream, getting lost from your camp, severe storm while exploring, etc- that's why you need a "survival kit" that is on your person- you don't have to duplicate everything you already have in your pack- it just needs to be available

at a minimum- knife, fire starting, small light, whistle, cordage
 
+1 on a bic, and a little tinder like a couple of PJCB straws and a foot of jute twine.

Except for maybe a poly pro pair of liner socks, a couple pair of good merino wool socks would work well instead of synthetic. I like mid-weight merino wool long johns also, not much weight and good for beating an evening chill.

A signal mirror even if it's just a small one from the lid of a make up case.
 
mtwarden said:
he's got good taste in packs :)

< Exos 46 user

"survival kit" is this in his pack? if it is, not really a survival kit- just more gear to add to the list

when your backpacking, your carrying everything (or should be) you need to survive- shelter, water, food, first aid, etc

the problem can come when you get separated from your pack- fording a stream, getting lost from your camp, severe storm while exploring, etc- that's why you need a "survival kit" that is on your person- you don't have to duplicate everything you already have in your pack- it just needs to be available

at a minimum- knife, fire starting, small light, whistle, cordage
Click to expand...

MT, he did say that it would be in a pouch on his person.
 
A small fixed blade with at least a 3" blade, like that one BRKT, mini bravo I think it was called? Izula is 2.9" and very light so that would work too. Maybe a mora #1 if he can fit one in there.

Somthing for fishing, hooks with plenty on line, maybe a couple jigs or those mini bobbers. All could fit in an altoid tin.

A LMF firesteel or a Doal mag bar.

10'-20' of 550 cord or tethering cord

That's all I can think of.
 
I would suggest a mini bic and firestraws. I'd also suggest dropping the platypus in favor for a Dasani 1 liter bottle or similar. Lightweight and a lot more durable then the platypus.
 
Overall it looks like a great and very well thought out kit:thumbup:. Here are my first impressions:

+1 on tinder. The oregon coast is a very wet place and natural dry tinder can be extremely difficult/ timely to produce. A mini-Bic would be nice as well.

Not sure about the bug bite wipes. I have never found them to be very effective. Maybe I tried the cheap stuff. I would just stick with the repellant.

The only knife he is carrying is a Vic Classic? An Opinel or a Mora is cheap, light, and effective -I'd add one for sure. At least an Opinel #8 and why not make it stainless.

^Since he wears glasses, maybe opt for a Victorinox Rucksack for his knife and buy the little screw driver that fits in the corkscrew. I have saved my friend's glasses enough to know how useful that driver can be;). If it all boils down to weight, then just add a mini-screw driver to his kit.

If he finds himself having wet feet from hiking Oregon's muddy trails/ streams, "Xtra Tuf" rain boots are nice to have, although not the best for long-term comfort. Maybe something from REI that is purpose built. (just a thought) It really depends on where you are in Oregon and what time of year.
 
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