Disasters like Japan 2011 and Katrina, remind us. Our only Tools are our Survival Knowledge & whatever we have on us or within reach. While I normally carry a fanny pouch or backpack, I take an Altoids Survival Kit seriously. At a wedding where my major gear would be in the car, that Survival Tin's gear might be my only resources in a sudden emergency. There is no safe place on Earth. Be prepared the best you can.
What should You include in a miniature survival kit like the Altoids tin? And why?
For example, my wife is asthmatic, She would carry two spare inhalers and those are too big for for the standard Altoids container. She needs a "larger Survival Kit" yet small enough to fit in a purse, or back pocket.
Pick your gear wisely: Ounces Add Up To Pounds and Pounds Add Up To Pain!
What should You include in a miniature survival kit like the Altoids tin? And why?
For example, my wife is asthmatic, She would carry two spare inhalers and those are too big for for the standard Altoids container. She needs a "larger Survival Kit" yet small enough to fit in a purse, or back pocket.
Pick your gear wisely: Ounces Add Up To Pounds and Pounds Add Up To Pain!
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Signing UpStep 1: Survival Skills Knowledge & The need for small items
Your basic Survival needs are Shelter, Water, Food & Medical.
What do you carry on your body? I already 'wear' Paracord 550 bracelets (parachute cord = 550 lbs), a whistle, compass & aspirin.
I want each Item I pick for my Altoids Survival Kit to perform double duty if possible. The miniature lighter and matches may only give me fire BUT fire provides many other benefits: boiling water, cooking food, light and heat. It keeps predators away and more. Since most people can't 'make fire', lighters are easiest. Matches are your back up. ( *A magnesium striker with its scraper takes a little practice to make fire safely but lasts longer & is more reliable than a lighter. SEE photo)
What do you carry on your body? I already 'wear' Paracord 550 bracelets (parachute cord = 550 lbs), a whistle, compass & aspirin.
I want each Item I pick for my Altoids Survival Kit to perform double duty if possible. The miniature lighter and matches may only give me fire BUT fire provides many other benefits: boiling water, cooking food, light and heat. It keeps predators away and more. Since most people can't 'make fire', lighters are easiest. Matches are your back up. ( *A magnesium striker with its scraper takes a little practice to make fire safely but lasts longer & is more reliable than a lighter. SEE photo)
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Sling - broken or dislocated arm
Dental floss – food gets stuck in your teeth even in disasters / Pull out the internal strands and keep up your hygiene
Clothes Line – wet clothes are a danger in a survival scenario
Use the nylon core for emergency surgery (You do carry needles, don’t you?)
Tie straight sticks around a broken limb to make a splint.
Make a tourniquet to slow loss of blood. (WARNING: last resort only – IF you use a tourniquet, the limb below that point most likely will have to be amputated)
Make a stretcher by lacing paracord between two long ‘limbs’ or poles, or fashion a ‘branch drag’ to move an injured person.
Food & Water
Preparation Snares for small game in survival situation
Stringing up large game (to butcher and keep away from predators)
Use it to make a bow drill for fire starting to boil water, heat and protection ... (note: it takes a lot of practice to start a fire with a bow. Don't rely on this unless you've done it before!)
Make a slingshot to throw stones for protection and food.
Tie a bola for hunting large birds
Fishing line is available by cutting a length and pulling out the internal strands. There are seven of them, if you aren't catching really big fish. IF you are, tie them together.
Make a fish stringer. If you’ve just pulled the strings out to make fishing line, the remaining kernmantle (the colored sheath) would be plenty strong enough to hold fish. Otherwise just cut a length, and tie through the gills. Secure your boat or raft
Make a net for fishing (if you forgot your hammock) Defensive Trip Wires (you need to sleep but awaken if someone is coming your way)
Build a Sleep and Weather Shelter
Tie up a person
Suspend your food high up in a tree (sometimes called Bear Bags) Secure an animal to a tree or post, or make a leash
Use it for signaling by tying a mirror or colorful cloth to the top of a tree Lower yourself or an object very carefully down from a height. (Note: paracord is NOT climbing rope; do not expect it to protect you should you fall. For security double or triple the thickness if
Weapons from Paracord:
Bow and Arrow,
Garrote,
‘David & Goliath’ slingshot,
Atl-atl for throwing a spear further
Tie a heavy weight to one end for throw and retrieve system.
General Uses
Tie up a tarp or poncho to make an awning to keep off sun or rain
Tie yourself to your buddy so you can find each other if you get caught under snow, in dust storms, dense fog or torrential rains.
Emergency shoelaces
Equipment repair (Purse strap, clothing, back packs, etc.)
Improvised lashing (tie additional items to you, or .....)
Emergency belt or suspenders – easier for up and down)
to name only a FEW things that popped to my head!
(which I have) to fit in the survival tin.
Thanks again for the great ideas!
by cutting off the rest of the bottom for a smaller cheap whistle
i now that first-hand... it makes you vomit...
everyday worst case situations.But also, did you know that you could use
the cotton for bloody noses?My friend happened to be bleeding a lot
probably because of the heat,and i just happened to have my kit.So thanks
for the creative kit for worst case situations!
Well done
Thanks again!
NZ doesn't have Altoids? How very unBritish. Don't worry, Buster, the candy tin survival kit is a brain-exercise. Size doesn't matter. The fact that you are thinking about 'cleaver little items' to include is the point.
A wallet in one pocket, my 'tin' in the other, a knife on my hip and I'm ready for the world. Walk About Prepared™
In summer months, I rotate my food and water more frequently because of heat Alcohol swabs and other liquids should be checked frequently in desserts or prolonged extreme heat.