what process do you use to build a PSK

texastonydobbs

texastonydobbs

Joined
May 25, 2007
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what are your top 5 Basic Survival skills & how do you plan your PSK
1. Fire-I carry atleast3 different types with me
2.Shelter-I keep a 6x8 ripstop tarp in my BOB
3.Signaling- whistle & signal mirror
4.Food&Water(this one varies) if your lost for less than a week or so food is not a priority.Water is & having a way to purify it.... I keep MP1 tabs and a bandanna as a basic
5.First aid- basic kit at least,waterproof tape & pads with a tube of neosporin . motrin & benedryl

What are your thoughts
some people opt for Direction over shelter....not a tin PSK a bug out bag per say
 
I'm usually not too remote, so getting lost isn't so much a concern as just spending more time in the woods than I planned. I usually keep a compass or two around. Mostly just to maintain a straight line for the twenty miles at most I'd need to hike straghtline to get to a road or river. Fire is usually also in there with more flashlights than ever needed. Gotta thank you for the tip on microstreams, I've got them all over gear now.

I carry in more water than I assume I'd need. I risk most of the local water if pressed. Really not a good idea, but I haven't died yet. Looking into various filters and straws.

The other situation I see stranding me out is injury. Keep a basic fak on me, and a few signaling methods. Whistles, radios to base camp, and cell phones.

On the few occassions I got lost, or mistimed it and got caught in the dark, it wasn't such an OMG situtation, just a slight change of plans.
 
1. 3 ways to make fire
2. bandanna, coffee filters, water purification tablets for water
3. signal mirror
4. basic first aid kit
5. at least two to three knives
6. granola bars or trail mix
7. Springfield xd 9mm sub compact
 
I usually have one main small kit that I can throw in a bag and build around it with whatever else I need. I am a big fan of the Spec-Ops Pack Rat (haha):D. I usually keep the following in that organizer:
- 3 types of fire starting with tinder
- Small first aid kit
- Water purification tablets and a bandana – although I’m looking into straws as well
- LED flashlight with extra set of batteries
- Small folding saw
- Folding pocket knife
I don’t worry too much about navigation with my daily kit because I’m going to work. I’ve lived in this area all my life and I know almost everything in a 30 mile radius, so I wont be lost for long. If I’m going hiking somewhere, then I will add things like a compass or GPS and snacks.
 
My kit sounds virtually identical to ss2211. I usually have a button compas if needed, but much more focused on shelter and fire, with ability to make both, than direction.
 
I did my post on my EDC/PSK kit I made out of the Maxped EDC organizer.

Honestly, my big 3 are: knife, fire and whistle. Redundency of gear is never bad and fire is where I definitely double up.

You can do a lot with these 3 items.

I also like the Microstream (thanks TTD), carry some paracord, compass, bandana, zipper bag, trash bag, small FAK, etc. Then I go from there based on how big the pack I'm putting it all in is.
 
Here's my process...

1. Research. I look at articles, read what others have posted on several forums and watch Youtube videos about PSK's.

2. Build. After I make a list from what I've researched I put one or two together.

3. Field Test. I say "test" in the sense that I go out and use them to see what I actually need, what I can leave out and what I need to add.

4. Discuss. Usually post pictures and contents on a couple different forums and see what others have to say.

5. Modify/Refine. This stage can last as long as it needs. My PSK is always changing, but that's half the fun!

6. More field use. Because at the end of the day, I never know how good or complete it is until I use it.

I have one main kit I use for my fire, first aid and emergency goods. It all fits very well in a Maxped FR-1 (for now ;)).
 
My big three are Knife, fire and water.
-Between my bag and what I'm wearing I usually have 4 knives so that's never an issue.
-Lighter and LED light on my key chain.
-Stainless steel Kleen Kanteen in my bag and purification tablets in my first aid kit.
-I usually have a raincoat in my bag or car trunk also but have thought about putting one of those mylar emergency shelters in my bag.

I carry lots more but those are my most important I think.
 
This is what I carry in my daypack whenever walking out of sight of the trailhead. This is tailored to my south-eastern US hiking areas. I am seldom more than a couple miles from a road, true cold is very rare, and rather than getting lost for days on end, the most likely emergency is being stuck out overnight due to an injury or failing to watch the time. I used the Texas Sierra Club's variation of the famous "10 Essentials" which they call the "Ten Essential Groups" to come up with my own PSK.

1. Communications
  • Apple iPhone
  • AMK Rescue Flash signal mirror
  • AMK Rescue Howler whistle
2. Fire
  • Bic Lighter
  • Swedish Fire Steel
  • Petroleum jelly-soaked cotton balls
3. Food
  • Cliff Bars
  • Jerky
  • GU Energy Gel
4. Hydration -
  • 100 oz Water bladder
  • Aquamira Chlorine Dioxide tablets
5. Insulation
  • Acrylic sweater
  • knit hat
  • gloves
  • extra socks
6. Medical
  • AMK Trail first aid kit
  • Off Insect Repelent
  • Roll TP
7. Navigation
  • Compass,
  • USGS Map
8. Shelter
  • nylon poncho,
  • 550 paracord, 50 ft.
  • AMK Heatsheet
9. Sun Protection
  • sun screen
  • Outdoor Research Sombriolet
  • Polarized sun glasses
10. Tools
  • Victorinox Outrider,
  • LED Headlamp
I will also usually be carrying a large folder or small fixed blade, match safe, and a few other odds and ends on my person.
 
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because I tend to roll a bit on the un-orgainzed side, I have some wilderness stuff in my EDC pack (heatsheet, izula, firesteel, tinder, mirror, 550cord, MR1 tabs etc) all in a small mesh zipper bag. I also carry a pretty big first aid kit, which can split between urban/wild pretty easily. I also have a pocket organizer with a mini-mag LED, mini-mag solitare, helios lighter, and other urban stuff, sharpie, pens, safety pins, zip ties, note paper, and the like. All this rides in a 40L pack with lots of other random goodies for EDC comfort.
I also carry a silnylon pack liner for the bag, just in case.

Basically that's the base, and then things get added in depending on the day (ie. cold weather stuff in winter) Every so often I dump the mess and remove what hasn't been touched since it was put in, save the wilderness stuff. not that I get many chances, but I never want to feel like a can't take an impromptu hike due to lack of gear.

Top five skills
1. first aid, the one I get most practice with, and the one I'm most likely to need
2. mobility, includes navigation, but also route finding and is related to first aid, how to move and keep moving
3. shelter, if mobility isn't possible or smart (snow storm)
4. fire, I think we get this.
5. food, in cold weather, I'll freeze to death from lack of heat long before dehydration becomes a factor. however, in the summer or warmer climates, water will come first.

I don't believe in super small kits, but then I rarely wander alone, and so often the gear is as much, if not more for, the group. but that's just me.
 
Situation and combined deductions of threat and need dictate my kit.
When hunting or woods bumming, it’s the rule of three’s with a few luxury items to make life easier.
Trekking, Hiking, Climbing- It all about mobility, I keep my kit light and to the point, little room for misjudgment.
Urban Exploring, more attention is paid to traversing; ways of getting in, out and around structures.
My first responder kit consists of gear to aid; in most cases victims of vehicle crashes. Living where I do, the cold can be brutal, so within this kit protecting the victim from the elements tell others can arrive is critical. I also have started carrying a FatMax F.U.B.A.R. as an extraction or entre tool. This kit also doubles as my own PSK vehicle kit.
 
I have all my gear in a camelbak motherload I keep the 100oz bladder fool I have my kit set up for the desert so not much cold weather shelter. I have another nalgene filled I keep a woodland Bdu jacket/shirt so I can have camouflage once I get to thenforest (my bug out location number one) I keep a glock field knife on the out side a crkt bearclaw on the shoulderstrap. I have a few pair boxers a few wool socks matches and fire steel. Acu shirt thingy and pants a few t shirts a button up camo short sleeve for quick donning. I have a buff look it up a shemagh knife sharpener 400 feet parachute cord. A few small lights a big Swiss Rmy knife..... I love that thing cleaned my first to birds with it. Binos a area for my glock 34 and mags a camo cover for my bag. my med kit Has mostly gauze and also supergluw.

Last but not least I have my waterproof bible.

I am sertified in first aid
I have lived in the desert my whole life and know my environment
I shoot comp so know how to use my gun
I have actually used my bag.
 
Main ones would be and are always on or near me.
1. Folding Knife - Fixed blade in bag
2. Fire - I EDC a Zippo, but I also have Storm Proof Matches
3. Water - 1 Liter SIGG, and will take purification tablets if needed.
4. Cell Phone - Always on me
5. Torch - light + batteries

Then there are others like first aid, sunglasses, trail mix/bars, Vitamin C packets, Tazo tea packets, and others that stay in my bag. There's more but I can't think of it.

Canis
 
you guys are welcome on the Streamlight MicroStream, it is an excellent little LED flashlight to EDC, I carry one everywhere.. I have many around but the one I carry has been well used and abused and still rocking along !!!!!!!!
 
texastonydobbs said:
you guys are welcome on the Streamlight MicroStream, it is an excellent little LED flashlight to EDC, I carry one everywhere.. I have many around but the one I carry has been well used and abused and still rocking along !!!!!!!!
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I'm looking all over thier stylus line. I have the 2x aaa lights and the 4x aaaa look interesting. My girlfriend already stole one of the 2x for work. I've been tossing a micro in my pocket since I got them in, very useful. My only worry is how long the rubber button is going to last, but really, at 14 bucks who cares
?
 
Dizwolf said:
I'm looking all over thier stylus line. I have the 2x aaa lights and the 4x aaaa look interesting. My girlfriend already stole one of the 2x for work. I've been tossing a micro in my pocket since I got them in, very useful. My only worry is how long the rubber button is going to last, but really, at 14 bucks who cares
?
Click to expand...

I had a stylus I think it was took the 4aaaa batteries ,good light but I gave it to mr.S as a gift, I dont care for lights that take odd batteries...
 
Dizwolf said:
I'm looking all over thier stylus line. I have the 2x aaa lights and the 4x aaaa look interesting. My girlfriend already stole one of the 2x for work. I've been tossing a micro in my pocket since I got them in, very useful. My only worry is how long the rubber button is going to last, but really, at 14 bucks who cares
?
Click to expand...

I have EDC my microstream for almost 2 years now and minus the cosmetic wear, the button still clicks like new. Unless you got one of the ones that is a little tough at first, it will break in. I even used this for a night qualification shoot, not the best but I wanted to see if it would fit the bill in an emergency. Worked just fine out to 25 yds!:thumbup:
 
Mine is always geared to more than just me because of my wife and kids. The basics are..............


1- I always have a FAK of some sort, getting more comprehensive since getting the new pack with better organization ability. I keep advil and benadryl in both adults and children's forms also.

2- I keep redundant light sources on hand, some that require batteries others that do not...head lamp, flash light, light sticks, and a candle lantern that also creates heat.

3- I keep multiple cutting tools...SAK/MT/SFB in my kit and then I'll add a larger fixed blade if where I'm headed allows for it.

4- I usually have a poncho in my kit but always a couple of Heat Sheets and some cordage to turn them into improvised shelters with

5- Water is always a priority, I just bought a new s.s. guyot bottle and keep it with my kit so I'll have water and another way to boil it besides my cup if needs be.

6- I always have some food or snacks and some beverage powders...always good for morale.

7- A little cash.
 
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