Introduction: Survival Belt Kit

August, 1984:
I was on a convoy, between Larnaca and Nicosia, on the island of Cyprus. It was hot, and I'm talking middle east hot.
Our vehicle, a wheeled lightly-armoured personnel carrier, decided to pack it in halfway to Nicosia, and there we were: Skinny Bill, my co-driver, and Tommi Potx stuck on the side of the road with what we had in our pockets: some Greek Cypriot pounds, Turk Cypriot lira, smokes, a lighter, a compass, dogtags, and a wallet with a totally superfluous U.N. ID card. 
So, ever since that long, hot, thirsty afternoon, when on just about any task, I've carried a small pack or belt kit of some kind, with the items needed to see me through 24-48 hours, until the vehicle is recovered, or we  exfiltrated. Even now, after getting out of the army after 25 years of service, I find the Battle Belt (Belt Kit aka Man Purse or 'Murse') indispensable when camping, hiking or cycling, or when the apocalypse arrives...

Step 1: The Belt Kit Complete

 The key to almost all systems today is 'modularity'. Pieces are added or removed according to what you're up to. You'll end up with a belt kit  that  will get you throigh WWIII or the Zombie Apocalypse.

Step 2: The Base Component

This is an expensive rig, which took me three years to purchase and assemble. The components are made by Maxpedition and 5-11 Tactical, perhaps some of the finest, most bombproof tactical nylon equipment  I've ever used.
The base component, the butt pack, is a 1 liter capacity Octa Versipack by Maxpedition. The equipment they make has to be seen to be appreciated. It took me a full hour to explore all the nooks and crannies on this thing. Despite its appearance, this thing can hold a lot of stuff.

Step 3: External Additives: Tools, Fire and Comms

The Triad Admin pouch is a triple purpose waistpack, made by Maxpedition. I use the three compartments for a big Leatherman Juice, a small FRS radio and the center compartment for firestarters, whistles and other survival tools [a complete checklist is available  later in this Instructable]. Again, this thing is as sturdy as a house.

Step 4: External Additives: Power

This is a small M2 waist pack, from Maxpedition, and as always, built to take a beating. I use this as a battery and compass pouch; inside the pouch is a waterproof plastic REI phone case, full of 6 AA batteries. Next to that is Old Faithful, a Silva Ranger compass. There's tons of room left for yet more stuff, as well. As can be seen, pens fit into the external slots, but I've found they don't last long after a good thrashing. This pouch would also be suitable for a smartphone or smaller GPS unit.

Step 5: External Additives: Optics and Comms

This is a 5-11 Tactical Blackberry / Smartphone case. I found the Blackberry Curve fit so tightly, it was almost impossible to remove from the belt while wearing it; so, in its place goes a small Sony digital spy camera, which can be used to take pictures of the Zombies you take out.
I  went looking on purpose for a good Blackberry pouch, as it doesn't need beating up; I found an awesome SpecOps pouch with a padded front and a lid which totally covers the phone; this adds a further layer of protection for the cell phone, in addition to its Otterbox armoured case. This protects your comms device so you can call Mum, and text or email friends about the Zombies you've whupped.

Step 6: External Additives: Navigation

Mounted on top of the whole rig is a 5-11 Tactical M4 mag pouch; in it is stored a GPS76CsX Global Positioning System. It is mounted in such a way that when worn as a belt kit, the GPS is readily accessable, and can be lashed to the top of the pouch for hands free nav; the antenna lives in the battery pouch, with my compass.

Step 7: External Additives: Loss Prevention

I added two of these cool high end plastic biners, one on each side of the pack, which were designed for carrying ice screws; I like how they slot onto the outer webbing loops of the Octa pack, and don't slip and slide like an aluminum biner. I clip my GPS lanyard [made of Paracord!!] onto them.

Step 8: Assembling the External Additives: Slick Sticks

As the following pictures show, I've got gear attached in 3 or 4 different ways; this is the close up of a Slick Stick on the 5-11 Tactical line of gear.[Note all you servicemen, proper marking of kit ;)  ]

Step 9: Maxpedition TacTies

Here is the rear view of a Maxpedition TacTie on the Triad Admin pouch.

Step 10: Blackhawk Speed Clips

A rearview of the Blackhawk Speed Clip in action.

Step 11: ALICE Clips

I forget what ALICE stands for; despite their Vietnam era, they still are useful. {Note the beefy YKK Zippers on these products]

Step 12: Top Rigged GPS

The GPS is readily at hand when the pack is worn, with a lanyard to the Petzl Cari-biners. Slick Sticks are passed trhough a slot on the top of the Octapack; then the bungie cord further secures the case to the top of the pack.

Step 13: The Complete Rig

Here are some views of the belt kit after it is assembled. The waist strap is removeable and the waistpack can be lashed to a pack or vest with MOLLE attachment points.

Step 14: Checklist

I wouldn't be me if I didn't have a list.

Vector meal replacement bars [3]
Nuun hydration Tablets [tube of 12]
5 Hour Energy drink [1] Hopefully you’re sorted out within 5 hours, or save it until the chopper arrives.
Leatherman tool
Radio / cell phone
Digital Camera
GPS with external antenna
Swiss army knife
Magnesium fire starter bar
Fox Survival tool
Business card sized Survival guide.
Mini Maglite
Solid fuel hexamine fuel tablets [6]
Page of newspaper or dryer lint in a plastic bag= tinder
Bic lighter and matches in waterproof cylinder.
AA batteries [6] in waterproof container
Aquatabs-Water purifying tabs- 1 tab + 1 liter+ 30 minutes= drinking water
10’ paracord
6 zip ties
Rubber bands constructed from bicycle Inner tube
Emergency Space blanket
Expanding towels- add water and you have a moist towel.
Toilet paper
Dental floss and a big-eyed needle
Lip balm
'Scrape and scratch' first aid supplies
Sunscreen-good in winter too.
Bugjuice- seasonal
Small plastic meds bottle with Advil or Motrin 400mg [8]
Whistle
small drybag
Signal mirror
Survival book
Pen Flares and launcher.



Step 15: The Contents-up Close

Heres a couple of pictures of the contents of the kit; note addition of a paracord slingshot.
There is still room for a penflare launcher, penflares, signal mirror and small survival book within the Belt kit.
Inside the drybag is the 'scratches and scrapes' first aid kit, dental floss, towellettes, more H20 purifiers, lip balm, and
an emergency space blanket.

I realize a lot of cash went downrange for this one; however, if it's important to you, as it is to me, then it would seem justified. I didn't go out and get all this stuff all in one day; its a combination of three years of looking around, collecting the gear, and using all my experiences put into what is most likely to be required for a 24-48 hour period if you are stranded somewhere.
I hope that anyone building this never has the opportunity to use it. It is excellent for hiking or biking, and though weighty when loaded, rests comfortably over one hip, and is well worth the effort when looking after ones own well-being.