w.t. anderson
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2007
- Messages
- 1,743
John asked if I'd be interested in starting a thread on survival kits, based on what I carried while on active duty with the Air Force and since (I still fly now and then with the military as a civilian observer). While I don't consider myself an expert, I have taught desert survival as well as first aid, have spent weeks alone in the wild (on purpose), and have a bit over 5,000 military flying hours as a crew member or evaluator. That being said, here's my thoughts:
The most important keys to survival are not what you carry in your pocket, but rather what you carry in your head: Knowledge, Inventiveness, and a Will to Survive. Add a sense of Humor, too
Second, what I carried (non-issue) on missions was not much different than what you should have in your car or any time you head out on foot.
Third, wherever you go, there you are, and what you have is what you've got.
(As I told John, what I carried on SAC flights and on alert [don't laugh how dated this is] was very minimal: a Victorinox Huntsman in my flight suit crotch pocket, a small Mag flashlight in my right leg pocket, a P-38 can opener on my dog tag chain, a Hohner Marine Band harmonica [more on that later] and in my helmet bag a can or two of tuna, a tin cup, a large plastic trash bag, and a cotton bandana, maybe a roll of duct tape. Today, I carry in my flightsuit [excuse the brand names, this is not meant to be product placement, just my personal choices] the following:
A small 3 to 3 1/2-inch fixed blade [a Busse Active Duty] and a two-setting LED flashlight [Surefire of one sort or another] in my right leg pocket;
A large folder with locking blades [a Victorinox Hunter XT-CS with a OH spearpoint blade, saw, curved serrated blade, and corkscrew] in my crotch pocket;
In my left shoulder pocket a smaller SAK folder with scissors, tweezers, screwdrivers, extra blades, awl, and again a corkscrew [usually a Victorinox Climber or Huntsman] with a small hank of paracord tied to it - about 3 feet.
In the remaining pockets:
A small flat magnifier for small print.
A small metal vial with a two-day supply of meds.
A Hohner Marine Band harmonica.
A red cotton bandana.
An Altoids tin with JK's tin knife, lighter, safety pins, firesteel, compass, flat magnifier card, extra meds.
And in the helmet bag (no helmet anymore, but handy):
A roll of duct tape, one or two large plastic trash bags [building contractor strength], more paracord in several lengths, a roll of TP in a plastic bag, a wool knit cap or beret, a tin cup, small battery/hand-crank radio with extra batteries, small mirror, extra bandana or two, a few quart-size storage bags, extra pair of glasses, a multi-tool with pliers [Victorinox Swisstool Spirit], and a couple cans of tuna.
And don't forget your cellphone!
What's the point of all this? Think function:
I want something I can cut with (both larger/rough and fine/precise).
I want to see (in the dark) and see clearly or up close.
I may need saw something (wood, metal, plastic, hopefully not bone).
I may want to cut something that binds up a plain edge (straps, rope, vines).
I may need to tie something together, tie some off, or attach something to something else.
I may need to seal something off (leaky hose, torn plastic, lacerated skin)
I want to stay dry (trash bag rainsuit or shelter) or keep something else dry (baggies)
I may want something with which to pry, bend, or squeeze.
I want to make a fire to keep warm or to heat/burn something else.
I may need something in which to contain or carry something.
I may want something in which to cook or to boil water (cup and empty tuna cans).
I want something to keep my head warm (roll up cap) or cool (wet bandana) as needed.
I may want some insulation/cushioning or to cover something (bandana, leaf-stuffed trashbags).
I may want some fast, ready-to-eat protein.
I want to stay healthy and well (if you take daily meds).
I want to keep informed and may want to signal someone (no, I LIKE it out here).
Oh, and the harmonica? Music to entertain the soul (plus the flat, squared, hardwood and brass-reinforced ends make a handy hammer and, if need be, a decent tactical striking weapon (I've carried one on commercial flights all over the world and never had a problem, except for the time in the Rome airport when the Carabinieri on the x-ray machine thought it was a 9mm machine gun clip. It also put me in good favor with some local caravan folk southeast of Marrakesh - long story).
Anyway, John, that's my take of the subject. I look forward to reading the opinions/experiences/lessons learned of the others who enjoy John's fine knives (I carry either his Viktim or one of his Kepharts when hiking/camping/messing around).
The most important keys to survival are not what you carry in your pocket, but rather what you carry in your head: Knowledge, Inventiveness, and a Will to Survive. Add a sense of Humor, too
Second, what I carried (non-issue) on missions was not much different than what you should have in your car or any time you head out on foot.
Third, wherever you go, there you are, and what you have is what you've got.
(As I told John, what I carried on SAC flights and on alert [don't laugh how dated this is] was very minimal: a Victorinox Huntsman in my flight suit crotch pocket, a small Mag flashlight in my right leg pocket, a P-38 can opener on my dog tag chain, a Hohner Marine Band harmonica [more on that later] and in my helmet bag a can or two of tuna, a tin cup, a large plastic trash bag, and a cotton bandana, maybe a roll of duct tape. Today, I carry in my flightsuit [excuse the brand names, this is not meant to be product placement, just my personal choices] the following:
A small 3 to 3 1/2-inch fixed blade [a Busse Active Duty] and a two-setting LED flashlight [Surefire of one sort or another] in my right leg pocket;
A large folder with locking blades [a Victorinox Hunter XT-CS with a OH spearpoint blade, saw, curved serrated blade, and corkscrew] in my crotch pocket;
In my left shoulder pocket a smaller SAK folder with scissors, tweezers, screwdrivers, extra blades, awl, and again a corkscrew [usually a Victorinox Climber or Huntsman] with a small hank of paracord tied to it - about 3 feet.
In the remaining pockets:
A small flat magnifier for small print.
A small metal vial with a two-day supply of meds.
A Hohner Marine Band harmonica.
A red cotton bandana.
An Altoids tin with JK's tin knife, lighter, safety pins, firesteel, compass, flat magnifier card, extra meds.
And in the helmet bag (no helmet anymore, but handy):
A roll of duct tape, one or two large plastic trash bags [building contractor strength], more paracord in several lengths, a roll of TP in a plastic bag, a wool knit cap or beret, a tin cup, small battery/hand-crank radio with extra batteries, small mirror, extra bandana or two, a few quart-size storage bags, extra pair of glasses, a multi-tool with pliers [Victorinox Swisstool Spirit], and a couple cans of tuna.
And don't forget your cellphone!
What's the point of all this? Think function:
I want something I can cut with (both larger/rough and fine/precise).
I want to see (in the dark) and see clearly or up close.
I may need saw something (wood, metal, plastic, hopefully not bone).
I may want to cut something that binds up a plain edge (straps, rope, vines).
I may need to tie something together, tie some off, or attach something to something else.
I may need to seal something off (leaky hose, torn plastic, lacerated skin)
I want to stay dry (trash bag rainsuit or shelter) or keep something else dry (baggies)
I may want something with which to pry, bend, or squeeze.
I want to make a fire to keep warm or to heat/burn something else.
I may need something in which to contain or carry something.
I may want something in which to cook or to boil water (cup and empty tuna cans).
I want something to keep my head warm (roll up cap) or cool (wet bandana) as needed.
I may want some insulation/cushioning or to cover something (bandana, leaf-stuffed trashbags).
I may want some fast, ready-to-eat protein.
I want to stay healthy and well (if you take daily meds).
I want to keep informed and may want to signal someone (no, I LIKE it out here).
Oh, and the harmonica? Music to entertain the soul (plus the flat, squared, hardwood and brass-reinforced ends make a handy hammer and, if need be, a decent tactical striking weapon (I've carried one on commercial flights all over the world and never had a problem, except for the time in the Rome airport when the Carabinieri on the x-ray machine thought it was a 9mm machine gun clip. It also put me in good favor with some local caravan folk southeast of Marrakesh - long story).
Anyway, John, that's my take of the subject. I look forward to reading the opinions/experiences/lessons learned of the others who enjoy John's fine knives (I carry either his Viktim or one of his Kepharts when hiking/camping/messing around).
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Key of D or C
