Urban Altoids Survival Kit

To date, I've seen lots of Altoids-tin survival kits, some of them composed by a few of nature's most imaginative weirdos.  Sadly, I've discovered that an overlooked feature of such kits is day-to-day usability.  Yes, we're all waiting for the zombie apocalypse to occur so we can break out our little fishing hooks and tinfoil and what have you, but until then we may as well use such kits to our advantage, right?

This article seeks to expose for you a kit I've designed (and continue to work on) that compromises some worst-case scenario type needs with needs I actually have RIGHT NOW.  I still don't use it very often, but when I do, I'm very glad to have it.

Step 1 Exterior

WOW.  Look--a small box of mints!  Note the "ranger rubber bands" used to keep this monstrous little suitcase full of useful crap closed, but which can also serve other binding needs when necessary.

Comments

[reikimaster5555]

often wondered what to do with all those tins that you just can't throw out. Now I know and will get going on a few for my husband and kids.Always just kept sewing items in them-handy, yes, but I just love the survival aspect of it all. Where have i been? Every one seems to be doing this.

[mistyp]

Thanks for posting! I loved the humor, and this gave me some great ideas for my kit. I'm making mini altoids toolboxes for the guys for Father's day, and mini "feminine" ones for the moms.

[kelli_enkeli]

Great idea! I agree with needing to be functional.

[Achan20]

cool. id take out the little blade dispenser and put in a small Swiss army knife. also put in about 3 ft of thread and a needle. that helped me when i had to go to school and my pants ripped as i got out of my car. :(

[greeneprojects]

Not sure that bit about the super glue is correct. I have heard that for years as well but it looks as if it was kinda made up. The tissue glue part came later.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate

[afreed]

Super glue isn't ideal because of the cyanide. However, it works so much better than proper surgical glue. Surgical glue takes forever to set. krazy glue sets like a champ and holds. Just accept that you may be poisoning yourself a tiny bit. The utility is worth it.

[KwartzKitten]

Hahaa, this is hilarious! And useful. I'm saving a link to this'n.

[KwartzKitten]

I'm gonna look for that tiny matchbook now.

[KittyF]

thanks you had some good ideas here. I've never put together a formal survival kit, though I do carry a lot of this stuff, in the woman's urban survival kit, THE PURSE!!! LOL

I'm thinking with a little sanding and painting, all my altoids boxes are going to find a new purpose, as gag gifts for the family next Christmas.

[dkop1]

Very nice instructable.
I can't think of much this kit is missing, for being contained by an Altoids tin anyways. I would however, if you can fit it, add a dog treat or two, as you never know when you'll have to distract some dogs, or recruit them to aid you in your defense against the zombies.

[vyrus724]

...or inadvertently attract dogs because you have treats in your kit. :P

I've been meaning to add a little duct tape rolled up and a little tin-foil (to stop the CIA transmissions).

[dkop1]

Duct tape is made pretty convenient by wrapping it around an old credit card or gift card. if the card you have doesn't fit the tin, you can cut that down too. If you want a thinner duct tape, go with cheapo-dollar store type tape, if you have room for some a bit thicker, than regular duct tape, or even gorilla-duct tape is far better.(In my opinion.)



You probably already knew this or could figure this out...but I thought i'd tell you anyway.

[Poffertje]

I see no one has commented on your instructable and felt a need to correct this unjustice. Eventhough it is another altoids survival kit, I actually read every word you wrote. Maybe you should do a "how to make an instructable"- instructable.... or write a book.. something about zombies and survival kits.. Id read it.

[vyrus724]

lol..thanks Poffertje. It's worrying sometimes when one writes humor off the cuff, knowing people may take your unprocessed internal thoughts badly, or at least unenthusiastically. But there's already a book or two (and a zillion websites) out there about surviving the onrush of our future zombie overlords, and I think you might already be aware of them. :)

If anybody actually wanted a 'how to make an instructable' instrucatable I'd write one, of course, but since this was my very first I'm not sure my experience level deigns me the most suitable author.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I'll keep writing.