After the positive feedback for my Pocket Survival Kit Deluxe Instructable I decided to revisit a project I made a few months ago. Those of you who watch the video and read the following steps will notice some differences. Since I made the video I replaced and exchanged a number of items such as the water purification tablets, swapping the regular matches with storm proof ones etc.

Due to their compact size Altoids Peppermint tins are perfect to use as containers for mini survival kits. It is however amazing how many items can be fit into such a small container. In this case I decided to try and be as comprehensive as possible given the small container.

This is not a kit that will sustain you indefinitely but it will help you with some basic needs and assist you in getting out of a survival situation where you might be lost in the woods. Therefore it is not aimed at survival in an urban setting or some dystopian scenario.

The tin is sealed with electrical tape which should make it decently water proof but not watertight. Its small dimension will allow it to be carried in most pockets without much discomfort.

When packing the kit you will notice that it is a tight fit. It will all depend on the way you pack it. I usually start with the flat items on the bottom (e.g. money, plastic bag, band-aids etc.) and continue in layers with the largest items on top. Tiny items such as swivels and water purification tablets are used to occupy gaps. If you want to eliminate rattling I recommend to use cotton balls (which can also be used as tinder) in the free spaces.

The following steps display the contents in the various categories (e.g. Fire, Water etc.).

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Take care & stay safe

Step 1: Fire

Making a fire will provide you with warmth, the ability to boil water and food as well as keeping away critters and signalling for help.

This kit provides you with a number of items that will help you to start a fire under almost all circumstances.

Small Ferrocerium Rod - This small rod will create sparks when struck by a steel striker. With the sparks you will be able to ignite tinder for a fire.
Hacksaw blade - Use this as a striker for the ferro rod. As a secondary use it can cut through metal.
Candle - Use to transport a small flame or help you getting a fire started.
Petroleum Jelly/Cotton ball fire starter - This fire starter can be ignited with a few sparks from the ferro rod and burn hot for a few minutes which should get most fires started easily.
2 Storm-proof matches - Use these only as a last resort when all other methods fail.
Striker surface for matches - ignite those matches
Lens - with this little glass lens you should be able to harness to power of the sun to ignite your tinder.
Pencil sharpener - This little tool will help you create lots of tinder quickly when used to shave off small twigs.

Step 2: Water

Without water you will die extremely fast. Depending on the environmental conditions and your activities this might happen as quickly as two to three days.

This kit provides you with the items to filter and purify small quantities of water until you are back in civilization or have found other water supplies.

Indicator/litmus paper to test water for its acidity
5 Water purification tablets - Katadyn Micropur MC 1T (Each for one liter of water)
- Silver Chloride (3.3mg/g)
- Not sure if you can see it on the picture but the tabs are still in their blisters. I removed them from the larger blister pack with a 9mm hole punch that left the individual blisters intact.
Tea bag to help you build a particle filter
Small plastic bag (Approx. 1 Liter) to transport water.

Step 3: First Aid

A small cut can lead to infection quickly in the wilderness when not treated quickly.

This kit provides you with some basic items for first aid.

5 wound closure strips to close medium sized cuts & gashes
2 band-aids for smaller cuts and injuries
1 Alcohol prep pad to sterilize small wounds and injuries
1 Sterile surgical blade
1 Imodium tablet against diarrhea
1 Charcoal tablet against diarrhea
2 Ibuprofen (200mg) against pain and as a fever relief

Step 4: Signalling

The ability to signal an aircraft, ship or other people if you are in an emergency situation might make the difference between life and death.

This kit provides you with these basic tools to signal when in distress:

Laser - Light combination - powered by a single AAA battery this little tool is visible up to 3Km (depending on the environmental conditions) and features a Class 2 red laser and a white LED. (Note that in most countries it is illegal to intentionally point a laser at an aircraft and will result in fines or even jail time. Never do this out of malice or without being in an emergency situation)
Signal Mirror - Can be used during the day to reflect sunlight towards an aircraft, ship etc.
Signal Whistle - Use to acoustically signal for help
Snap light - Small chemical light stick that will provide you with some light for 5-8 hours.

Step 5: Fishing & Trapping

Being able to fish or trap small animals are ways to gather food without burning too much energy.

This Kit provides you with the following:

4 braided steel leaders with swivels and loops that can be used for fishing predatory fish such as pike or as snare wire for small game such as squirrels.
1 Nylon leader with medium sized hook that can be attached to your fishing line.
4 small spare hooks
3 swivels for fishing or trapping
4 split lead weights that can be used as weights for fishing.
30m (100Ft) braided fishing line (15Kg/30Lbs) on a spool.
2 small carabiners for fishing or trapping.

Step 6: Tools

A few small tools will make survival easier and help you conserve energy.

This kit provides you with the following tools:

Victorinox Swiss Army knife with two blades. I removed the handle scales to save space.
4 small nails for various uses.
Jigsaw wood blade for tool and weapon making.
2 Safety pins for various uses.
1 Paper clip for various uses.
3 small zip ties for various uses.
3mm wood drill bit for weapon and tool making.

Taped to the inside of the lid are:

Assorted needles (For various uses e.g. repairing clothes, improvising a compass etc.)
- 1 curved upholsterers needle
- 1 Leather Needle
- 1 Sail & Tent Needle
- 1 Carpet Needle
2 Utility Knife blades
- 1 Straight general purpose blade
- 1 Hooked blade

Step 7: Miscellaneous

The Survival Kit also contains a number of items that don't fit into any of the previous categories. Most of the items may have multiple uses:

$100 Emergency money
30cm x 30cm (1sq. Ft.) tin foil that can be used as a reflector for signallingFold able as a water container and for boiling water when place near a fire or can be used with a battery to start a fire
1m duct tape There is probably no other single item in this kit that has more uses
1m clear plastic tape
1 Small piece of hot-melt adhesive (Glue from a hot-glue gun)
Survival Compass to help you Navigate