Reliable Survival Kit

Lately i've seen all these do it yourslef survival kits, and quite frankly they suck. As an experienced backpacker and wilderness enthusiest, any "survival kit" that fits into an altoids tin isnt adequate. I will show you the survival kit that i bring on any trek. In fact, besides a tarp and jacket, this is all i take for a week long trek.

Step 1 Water

Water is you biggest asset in the wild. So you want many ways to carry it.

A non breakable water bottle is the prefered way.

A foldable water container can supply extra storage while not taking up much space when not in use.

And believe it or not, a non- lubritcated condom can hold up to a gallon of water.

Comments

[lax0131]

With the paracord, you should instead make it into a few braclets so that it doesn't take up any space because you are wearing it. Nice kit!

[roundball4]

I have a paracord bracelet already. I just don't want the hassle of having to unbraid it every time I need some cordage.

[lax0131]

you should also put in a small bic lighter as a back up fire method, if you for some reason can't use the flint, or if you need immediate fire and don't have time for flint.

[roundball4]

There is one. You can see it in the fourth image.

[resol31]

Where do you get surveyors tape? will a crayon work, charcoal?

[B2BSurvivor]

Hopefully, by now someone has helped you find the tape you seek. It is often called flagging tape or hunter's call it trail marking tape. It is available at hardware stores, Walmart and home improvement stores. It comes in rolls of 50 feet, 100 feet and even longer. It is very thin, non adhesive and usually found in various colors such as orange, yellow, red or even purple and green.
Crayon and charcoal both tend to wear off too easily to be practical.
Good question, though.

[323maderas]

A good substitute could be a piece of bright red yard. Not as wide, but still should stand out if put in a conspicuous place, and can double use as cordage. Triple use-tie a 2" piece to your fish hook and fray it, and you have an instant lure when not much bait around. (I read that frogs will bite at bright red too)

[B2BSurvivor]

Nice Instructable ! I realize this has been out there for awhile, but I hadn"t noted it til this AM. I like your sensible title, no brag no "Ultimate" or "Best". Just a fact, a reliable survival kit.
My only comment other than how nicely you have done, is a comment regarding your intro remarks about the Altoids tin kits. The idea behind these is simple: often you find yourself without your preferred kit or gear.
Some of us, through misfortune and unexpected circumstance, have had the experience of finding ourselves with only what is in our pockets. Thus, the pocket kit is an idea which needed development. An Altoids tin is durable and about the right practical size for someone to carry EVERY DAY. Not just when we head out to the wilderness.
Even the best laid plans can go wrong. If your small plane encounters problems and is forced to land, and you discover "some incompetent" assistant did not put all the luggage on board, you may end up with only what's in your pockets, especially if the plane were to crash and burn. In which case the incompetent person is irrelevant, the bags all burned. Been there, done that !! There are dozens of scenarios where one might suddenly find themselves with only what's in their pockets and their wits to survive. That is the thinking behind the Altoids Tin Kit. Not perfect, but definitely usuable and survivalworthy, IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TRAINING. Everyone making these kits, as well as those reading about them, should go take a good survival course or two. Do not simply read about it.
Do indeed read, and more than one author, to get a variety of ideas and opinions. Which is why I said a good survival course or two, not the stuff they produce for entertainment on TV.

[jodend'hal ibarra]

Most of the illegals we run into are so poorly prepared for their trip that they end up needing medical attention, they have almost nothing in the way of hiking or survival gear. But trash bags are a staple supply. cheap, lightweight, I've taken to carrying several in my bag. Thankfully, one of their main uses is to pick up their garbage and carry as they go, so the desert is not as littered as it was. You will find large bags stuffed full of garbage and weighted down or tucked in rocks. This is to keep from being followed. Worst case scenario, if you are in need of a bug our back for apocalypse, consider always collecting your garbage and bagging it so it is more difficult to be followed. I carry them because we often find things that need to be pulled out of the area and turned over to Federal or County law enforcement, and it becomes an instant disposible backpack to the work truck. I've also used my spare bags when I have found large caches of loose garabge, so I could pick it up and haul it out.

[jodend'hal ibarra]

I always have my bandanas with me, I have a camo one as well as a super bright collection. The dirtier you get in nature, the harder it is to be seen, so if you want to be seen, or you need to mark something, a bright bandana works, and still is available as a washcloth, an emergency foot wear, tie several together and you could even have an emergency short for sun protection. They cover the neck from sun, they cover the face and eyes from dust, or cold wind.

If you are over hot, wet and roll and make a neck tie. Lay in the shade and a a larger cloth of wet bandanas can act as an evap cooler, dip in water and hang to drip dry in the breeze and sit on the other side.Tear off strips to tie trail marks on the trees. I have seen that a lot of illegals walking the desert use them as makeshift carry alls, the way that they are tied makes them into bottle carriers and other bags within bags.

[jodend'hal ibarra]

I take the tape off the roll by either making a new flat roll, or by taping around containers. You can take it back off a water bottle or some such as needed, and you don't have to make space for the roll.

[jnichols4]

unless those are the extra batteries (which you should have) you can save space by puting a piece of tape on both ends of the batteries and placing them in the flash light.

[KittyF]

If you might need a wool Cap, you might want to add gloves and a spare pair of socks.

[KittyF]

I wouldn't have any idea how to use it.

[KittyF]

And don't forget a small container or several packets of pain reliever. Mine would also contain allergy meds and decongestants, and almost every emergency Kit should contain some Benadryl, just in case of bee stings, or contact with an allergy producing plant.

[Hallmar]

Why do you need a Bandana in a survival situation?

[roundball4]

You can use it as a bandage, to collect water, sun protection, and all kinds of other stuff.

[Hallmar]

Kay i agree with you.

[Bigrr63]

I'd also recommend learning how to use it... At least stop a few times and check which direction your heading so you can backtrack if needed. Also to properly use a compass you should have a map....
Very practical kit...good job

[baconrocks]

Is electrical tape similar to surveyors tape? I've never seen surveyor tape before but your picture looks similar to electrical tape.

[roundball4]

No. Its is a non adhesive plastic film that you often see ties to the tops of steaks near constructions sites.

[baconrocks]

Oh!! I think i've seen some of that before. Calling it tape seems kind of mislesding :)

[flamesami]

this kit is actually ..surprisingly good... there are too many kits that say " I've seen loads of rubbish kits, this one is better," and are then complete s**t
just a few ideas to make your kit even better:
-keep the lighter in a waterproof thingy as well, they can get f**ked up by a dunking in water as well as matches
-maybe add a tough clear-ish plastis tarp - a painters tarp perhaps
-an easy way to carry it - it's no good if it's at home and your lost...
-good pockets- if you fall and stuff comes out of your pockets, it is now useles to you, unless you saw it fall and picked it up
p.s.-i'm not knocking your kit, it's good

[Mattonater]

id add some dryer lint it takes a spart very nicely

[metalman1138]

especially with Dryer sheets being used, extra fuel.