Not Your Average Survival Tin

I was going through the instructable community last night and was hit with a sudden realization. Everyone has a survival tin. While this may be helpful to me it is limited by its size and the fact that it is not waterproof. That's when it struck me..... why not use a Mason jar.

Step 1:

First we must find our jar. As we all know they range from tiny to full on monsters that grandma uses for canning each year. I used a larger one that was left over from last year's vegetable harvest. Use which ever size will best fit your needa

Step 2: How Will You Survive

Next we want to hunt down the things we find most important. Since I went with a larger jar I wanted to go all out. I made a rechargeable solar light from a tictac container and a solar light so that went in.next since I had a rechargeable battery option I added steel wool for fire starting. I had some water filters for a sprinkler system so I added them in for good measure to help kind of pre filter the water I find. I also added your standard first aid items: bandages, cleaning pads,gauze, tape and a guide on common first aid practices. I had a old poncho and emergency blanket laying around so I threw them in as well along with a multitool, candles and matches.

Step 3: Teach a Man to Fish.....

I took two fishing hooks and some spyder wire (my preferred brand of fishing line) and wrapped the hooks with it. I spun approximately 6 foot of line onto each and fed the loose end back through the hooks eye so that later there is no cutting required to use them. After the line was wrapped I added them to a small zip bag to keep them secure and to keep from receiving a nasty prick in the field.

Step 4: Stuff It All In

Really bad pictures here but it's self explanatory just put your survival goodies into the jar and seal it up. Easy as pie.

Step 5: Cordage

Every good kit needs cordage. it can mean the difference between life and death. I took 15 ft of 550 cord and wrapped the top half of the jar. any form of wrapping will be sufficient. I wanted to be able to hang mine from a sack so I wrapped the jar then fed the cord back through to the top triple knotted it and added a carabiner. There you have it simple survival jar ready to go in 15 minutes.

Comments

[jella1]

Great item to put in your car trunk! This would make a nice gift for those you love.

[johng652]

I like the idea...any ideas on how to keep it from breaking an spilling all your precious supplies from going every where? Maybe have two or three cord wraps? I mean you now have a good drinking container that even can withstand heat, but if it breaks... Obvious you put a lot of thought into this, I just wonder about how to keep the glass from breaking.

[Razz37]

Try using a nalgene bottle (http://goo.gl/KiIUKg), they are almost unbreakable (I tested ;), plus that one glowes in the dark so its easy to find.

[kinghappymeal]

my original intention was to double wrap the entire jar with 550 but I only had 15 ft on hand. I have been trying to think of a useful item for padding but short of the bandana comment I can't come up with any. well not anu that wouldn't be useless once exposed to the elements. I originally thought of doing a ace bandage under the 550 cord but who wants to use that once it's muddy or just gross from being exposed.

[kinghappymeal]

perhaps a couple of tube socks. who doesn't need multiple pairs of sock in that situation.

[ashleyjlong]

If it were me, I'd tie a bandana or scarf around the jar too. Might provide a little bit (enough for a short fall to the ground) of soft protection for the glass, plus either would be a versatile piece of cloth to have around. Just a thought.

[tomatoskins]

This is great! I have never thought to use a mason jar either.

[kinghappymeal]

Thanks glad you like it!