Introduction: Bare Minimums Emergency Kit

I define an emergency kit as something very small and portable that I might keep in my pocket or attached to my belt at all times. It contains the absolute minimum for sustaining life in a worse case scenario. Everything in my kit will provide either food, shelter, warmth, or medical care. May be sufficient to get me through a few days to a week or more.

I am going to assume that the kind of emergency I face will be one in which there probably won't be anyone around to help. I may be isolated and alone in an area with probably no way of walking out. It may be several days to a week or more before help comes.

This is a kit I carry with me wherever I go. I keep it in my car most of the time. It is in a compact camera case I picked up at the thrift store for fifty cents. It can be carried on my shoulder or attached to my belt

Step 1: Bare Minimums Contents

* two compressed aluminum foil squares( maybe a yard each) - can be folded to make a cup for water, for heating soup, tea or broth. Can be used as a reflection device to signal for help. Can be used to make a hat or sun visor, all sorts of uses....

* I have a folding magnifying glass that folds flat to 1/2 inch. It can be used for starting a fire, for seeing well enough to get splinters out, etc.

* I have a flint and striker with tinder. What do you do when your four matches are used up? Ever tried lighting a fire in the rain? This thing works for 1,000 strikes.

*I have a heavy darning needle as an awl. Use for punching holes so you can tie things down, etc. Can be used for digging grubs out of bark, etc. Can also be used with fishing line to "sew" things together. It is wrapped with a yard of duct tape. Can be used for bandages or holding things together.

*compact emergency blanket - reflective foil. One side reflects sun other side absorbs heat. Can be used either to wrap up in or as a lean-to shelter.

*heat packets - open and massage to generate chemical heat in pouch. Put in pocket or under clothes for warmth.

* emergency food - bulgur (cracked wheat) good source of protein, can be soaked and eaten cold or heated like grits. Add foraged greens for more nutrients if available. There are other useful food choices, but this is filling and satisfying and for its weight is highly nutritious.

*water purification tablets

* first aid - foil packed tylenol & foil packs of antibiotic ointment

*good strong knife - used as a tool for making tinder sticks, cutting small branches for shelter or burning, weapon, and whatever else needed.

* fishing kit

Step 2:

I I have an assortment of small fishhooks on leaders stored in a tiny magnetic sewing needle box.

Step 3: Fishing Tackle

Most of my tackle is stored in a tiny one inch x two inch plastic zip bag.

This includes sufficient fishing line wrapped around a knitting bobbin for convince and ease of use. Enough to make a trot line or do hand fishing. It’s strong enough to use to help hold lean-to together.

Lures, flies, and weights in case I can't find any suitable live bait