Survival Kit

[NousDefionsDoc]

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~daugirda/survival1.jpg

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~daugirda/survival2.jpg

A small metal tin-like an Atoids tin, but dedicated-not a repaint. It is coated with baked on OD Alumahyde, an extremely scratch and solvent resistant finish. Inside rides a microtool with pliers, blade, and two screwdrivers; a Maglite Solitare w/ battery, a Bic mini lighter, a liquid filled compass, a hacksaw blade, fishing kit, a selection of matches (3 kinds), a razor blade, a tinder cube, 8 ft of waxed cordage, 8 ft of brass wire, 3 safety pins, a ziplock water storage bag, and an iodine pad. Inside the tin is lined with rigger's tape or 100 mph tape. There are 2 types of strikers inside the lid, and the lid itself is polished enough to serve as a signal mirror (tested). The tin itself is held closed extra tight with a retaining band. Each is labled and serial numbered. Each one is built each one by hand, so special requests can be honored and substitutions made if possible.

[The Reaper]

I like it. Needs a whistle, and I would prefer a Photon III over the Solitaire. I like to have a couple of nylon sutures or a needle and some dental floss, and a survival saw.

You selling them, or is someone else?

I can see you with a crew of LBGs, assembling thousands of them in some Ecuadorian sweat shop.

I like this site:

http://www.equipped.com/

[Team Sergeant]

real survival requires

a real signal mirror.

a real knife.

Both could fit in that kit, forget the pliers and replace with a good Swiss army knife. I do not know of anything (besides demo) that I needed a set of pliers in the field.

[The Reaper]

My knife is usually in my pocket, along with a cravat, a Photon, and a lighter.

I would prefer the real signal mirror, and a pilot's signal scarf, which is one of the best kept secrets out there.

[brownapple]

Originally posted by SFG

a pilot's signal scarf, which is one of the best kept secrets out there.

Guess so, what is it?

[Psywar1-0]

I think he is taking about the aircrew signal panel. The one you stick in your filighsuit and never take out.

[NousDefionsDoc]

I'm not selling them, another guy is. I don't know him, but he seems ok on the internet. Since they are only 25, I'm thinking about giving some as Xmas gifts next year, lol.

I have one similar I built myself. I don't have the fishing kit, and mine's a little heavier on medic stuff. And a real signal mirror.

[The Reaper]

Originally posted by Greenhat
Guess so, what is it?

Good job, Luke!!

"Panel Marker, Survival, Aviation Personnel"

36"x36" Blaze Orange signal panel on a very fine silk or rayon type material, compresses down to about the size of a golf ball in its packaging. VERY visible, and VERY small when packed. Could probably fit in a film can or stow loose over everything else to minimize rattles.

Beats the heck out of a VS-17 Panel for personal survival use.

NDD, just kidding, and wondering where to get them and how much. But if you do start up the sweatshop idea, I want in!

"Built for Survival by People Practicing it Everyday!"

TR

[NousDefionsDoc]

This is the email for the guy that's making them:

rbkolkman@comcast.net

phone is 260-744-4594.

[The Reaper]

IRT a question about the uses of the signal panel, here is one of them (and the requisite "Glint Tape" to keep Spectre off your ass.

An excellent tip from the recon guys, and this panel breathes much better than the VS-17.

TR

[brownapple]

Pilots carry those?

Damn. Learn something new everyday. I carried one of those stuffed into a pocket sewn in the top of my PC for 8 years or so. Always thought it was a piece of panel from an orange parachute.

[The Reaper]

Originally posted by Greenhat
Always thought it was a piece of panel from an orange parachute.

Maybe yours was.

The Panel Marker, Survival, Aviation Personnel is stamped with the nomenclature. I had to dig one out to check after Psywar's post.

He was pretty close.

TR

[Psywar1-0]

Since Helos have changed from just a way to get to work to my work Ive picked up all kinds of neat info LOL.

Back in the old days my go to war bdu top had one of these pannels sewn on the inside back and the whole collar was lined with glint tape.

[Razor]

I pulled this over from www.geardo.com, where I had orignally posted it. Most of it is probably entry-level information for many of you, so please feel free to add your comments and teach all of us something new.

This piece is not a ‘how-to’ on building a personal survival kit. Rather, it’s a collection of ideas and basic concepts you can use when planning and assembling a survival kit that best meets your needs. There are few very good, very comprehensive resources listed at the end of this piece that a reader can use as references on not only survival kits, but on survival skills as well.

How a kit is carried determines the size of the kit and its contents. Obviously, a survival kit that’s kept in a pack, vehicle or structure can include many more items than a kit made to fit in your pocket.

It’s a good idea to make a habit of carrying some survival tools on you at all times, such as a knife, a fire-starter, a signaling device and some cordage. You can use these items to supplement the contents of your survival kit.

A small, pocket-sized survival kit should hold the bare minimum number of items you feel you need to survive; the smaller and lighter the kit, the more likely it is you’ll carry it all the time. Therefore, try to eliminate redundant items (i.e. carrying a lighter, matches and a sparking device, which are all used to start a fire), as this adds weight and bulk. You can add redundant items by building another, larger kit that is carried in a pack, vehicle or elsewhere.

You need to consider your operational environment when building a survival kit. The climate and tactical situation will influence the contents of your kit.

When deciding what items to include in a personal survival kit, try to include items with multiple uses to reduce the size and weight of the kit.

A survival kit should contain items that address:

First Aid
Water
Fire
Signaling
Food
Shelter

You should know how to use all of the items in your survival kit long before you need to use them, and practice using them to increase confidence in your ability (confidence helps reduce stress when you’re in an actual survival situation). This doesn’t mean you spend a weekend in the woods with nothing but your survival kit. You can practice using each item separately, as time permits, in your back yard, if need be, but you should make an effort to use each item in the same manner as you’ll probably use it in a survival situation.

The following list includes ideas for items contained in a small, personally carried kit; multi-use items are marked with asterisk:

First Aid—pain control medication (Ibuprofen/acetaminophen, prescription), bottle of P-I solution*, potassium permanganate*, petrolatum gauze*, small knife*, space blanket*, 100mph/electrical/medical tape*, Band-Aids, military pressure dressing, anti-diarrhea medication, antibiotics, 2x2 gauze sponges, utility knife blades*, cravat*, safety pins*, sunblock in foil packet, antimicrobial waterless hand lotion, magnifying glass*

Water—potassium permanganate*, P-I solution*, bottle of bleach, heavy duty plastic bag, baby bottle disposable liner, oven-safe baking bags

Fire—Bic lighter, magnesium block w/ flint and steel or other sparking device, petrolatum gauze*, cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, dryer lint, commercial tinder products, waterproof matches, potassium permanganate* & sugar*, candle*, magnifying glass*

Signaling—signal mirror, whistle, day-glow plastic tape, cravat*, small LED light*

Food—snare wire, small knife*, bullion cubes, hard candy, heat-resistant chocolate, fishing line, hooks/sinkers/swivels, 550 cord*, sugar packets*, tea bags, utility knife blades*

Shelter—small knife*, 550 cord*, space blanket*, cravat*, safety pins*, garbage bag*

Misc—button compass, small saw blade, 100mph/electrical/medical tape*, heavy-duty sewing needle, paper and pencil, small LED light*, candle*, wire saw, whetstone or other knife hone, aluminum foil, garbage bag*, magnifying glass*

Note: This list is neither a ‘required items’ listing, nor is it comprehensive. Rather, it is meant to stimulate ideas and give examples to follow when assembling a survival kit to meet your personal needs/capabilities. Items with a “shelf life” should be listed on the outside of the kit along with their expiration date, and replaced as needed.

Good survival resources

Tom Brown’s Field Guide to Wilderness Survival, by Tom Brown
Boy Scouts of America Handbook, Fieldbook and merit badge books on survival, first aid and pioneering
www.equipped.com
SAS Survival Guide, by John Wiseman
US Army Field Manual 21-76, Survival, June 1992

[The Reaper]

Excellent post, I had seen it on EggRoll's site.

Thanks!

TR

[CPTAUSRET]

Razor:

Great post:

Terry

[NousDefionsDoc]

Well done

[lrd]

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/

This site was recommended to me by a friend I hike with. The content is based on U.S. Army Field Manual 21-76.

In spite of the fact that they sell Ranger Rick's "Special Ops Survival Necklace," I've found the site to be a good resource.

[Razor]

Anyone have a good source for potassium permanganate crystals in quantities less than a quarter pound?

[NousDefionsDoc]

Originally posted by The Reaper
Good job, Luke!!

"Panel Marker, Survival, Aviation Personnel"

36"x36" Blaze Orange signal panel on a very fine silk or rayon type material, compresses down to about the size of a golf ball in its packaging. VERY visible, and VERY small when packed. Could probably fit in a film can or stow loose over everything else to minimize rattles.

Beats the heck out of a VS-17 Panel for personal survival use.

NDD, just kidding, and wondering where to get them and how much. But if you do start up the sweatshop idea, I want in!

"Built for Survival by People Practicing it Everyday!"

TR

If you any of guys run across a 10th Group guy that happens to leave one or two of these laying around...Feel free to confiscate unsecure equiment and send it this way for safe keeping.:D

[BadMuther]

Originally posted by Razor
Anyone have a good source for potassium permanganate crystals in quantities less than a quarter pound?

I was just in a store the other day that had a shitload.......I'll remember which one and get back to you!

[The Reaper]

Originally posted by NousDefionsDoc
If you any of guys run across a 10th Group guy that happens to leave one or two of these laying around...Feel free to confiscate unsecure equiment and send it this way for safe keeping.:D

Are you in need, my 754/756 brother?

TR

[NousDefionsDoc]

Always Boss. I just checked, their 550 cord and 100 MPH tape is local. Its 549 cord and 99 MPH tape. LOL

"Situation desperate, all surrounded, am attacking. Out"

[Razor]

New information for an old thread. It seems that Doug Ritter from www.equipped.com teamed up with the folks from Adventure Medical Kits to create a basic, pocket-sized survival kits that is commercially available. Its called the Pocket Survival Pack, and contains some very basic but essential items of very good quality. It supposedly weighs just under 4oz. and is contained in the same heavy-duty ziplock bag that AMK's pocket kits use. I've only found one source for it so far:

http://www.aeromedix.com/index.php?_siteid=aeromedix&action=sku&sku=amkpsp&_sessid=96d41372882da91abfb29bb49668c9e5

Alone, its a bare bones kit, but with some user-added items (meds, iodine tablets, matches, 550, maybe a better outer container) its the base for an excellent pocket survival kit. The price seems a bit high at first, but when you consider the cost of buying some of these items separately (Starflash mirror: $6, decent compass: $6, Fox40 whistle: probably $5, Spark-Lite: $8, Fresnel lens: $2), you can see that its a pretty good deal.

Just wanted to keep everyone updated.

[gagners]

I know it's a necro-post, but:

Panel, Marker (the silky aviation one, not VS-17)
NSN: 8345-00-140-4232
$3.60 each
Class 2
Expendable

Ordered through normal supply channels. It's a great item.

[The Reaper]

I know it's a necro-post, but:

NSN: 8345-00-140-4232
$3.60 each
Class 2
Expendable

Ordered through normal supply channels. It's a great item.


Panel Marker?

TR

[gagners]

Roger sir. Edited above post to add nomenclature.

[MAB32]

Razor,

You can get that item from your nearest household water purification store. It shouldn't be that hard to obtain from them and also should be a cheap item. Remember my experiments show around here that the temperature needs to be above 60+ degrees for the chain reaction to work.

[Monsoon65]

IRT a question about the uses of the signal panel, here is one of them (and the requisite "Glint Tape" to keep Spectre off your ass.

An excellent tip from the recon guys, and this panel breathes much better than the VS-17.

TR


That looks familiar! When I was on active duty and wore BDUs all the time, I had a piece of orange cloth sewn into my patrol cap when I was home on leave. Ain't moms great?

[Joe Hawkins]

This is the survival tin i use alongside one i made myself, im a keen fisherman and i find the fishing kits in survival kits poor to be honest , the hooks are blunt as coat hangers compared to a packet of chemically sharpened hooks bought from a fishing tackle shop, just my 2ps worth ;)

http://www.bestglide.com/milsurvtin_info.html

[Longstreet]

I am just in the final stages of putting together my survival kit and have a question with regards to snare wire. I have heard that 24 gauge is what is needed, but what material should it be made from? I have seen brass, copper, aluminum and even green nylon coated aluminum.

I know this may be just splitting hairs, but if I am depending on this trap for survival, I want to be certain that I am not using material that may actually detract any animals. Suggestions? Thanks.

[Blitzzz (RIP)]

Used WD-1 single strand commo wire. snared an Owl with a Rabbit's tail bait. when you defeather an Owl you don't have much left to eat. :boohoo.
Tried 550 cord but wouldn't close a loop fast enough but was fine with drop type traps. That's all of my advice. Blitzzz

[Longstreet]

Used WD-1 single strand commo wire. snared an Owl with a Rabbit's tail bait. when you defeather an Owl you don't have much left to eat. .
Tried 550 cord but wouldn't close a loop fast enough but was fine with drop type traps. That's all of my advice. Blitzzz

Thanks Blitzz, I never thought about using electrical wire and have only considered using what was recommended from various survival sites and books. Given this is a survival kit, do you think using electrical wire (similar to WD-1) would have an added benefit as it can be dissected to reveal more wire (like 550 cord)? Comments? Thanks.

[doctom54]

Here is a link to a very good no BS site. It is new but has a bunch of stuff from the old Buckshot trapping site which is no longer.
http://www.snare-trap-survive.com/

[perdurabo]

For what it's worth, you can polish the inside lid of the altoids tin into a mirror. I started with toothpaste and finished with a Hershey's bar. It's pretty damned reflective and mirror-like, and gives you a little extra space.

[Razor]

Unfortunately, you pretty much have to dump the kit to use the mirror, or pull the lid off. Plus, its a bit of a PITA to aim using the 2-handed 'V' targeting technique, as the polished tin lid doesn't have a sighting hole and retroreflective mesh screen. A truly functional mirror is a better choice, IMO, and not substantially heavy or excessively large (see the AMK PSK). Polishing the inside of a tin lid as a backup mirror surface makes sense, though.