So I've seen a lot of Altoids survival tins, but I felt a ton were lacking. I decided I would take mine apart and make a fun little instructible to maybe help a few people out. Enjoy!

Step 1: Get a Tin

Altoids can be purchased at any convenience store, super market, etc. for around $1.70. Not only do they make a good survival tin, but the mints are very good.

Step 2: Find Your Goodies

Here is a list of all my goodies inside my kit. I tried to have every item have at least 2 uses, unless it was crucial.

In top of tin under tape:
Needle sm. and lg.
Blade
Razor
3 hooks
Swivel
Sm razor
(I did this to waterproof these, considering metal <3 rust)

Above tape:
2 strikers
1 pen insert

From bottom up:
12 in x 12 in aluminum foil
Anti itch hydrocortisone cream
3x antibiotic ointment
Lg. Bandaid
2 blister bandaids
3 butterfly bandaids
1 Imodium
2 tylenol
3 waterproof matches
28 paper matches in waterproof baggie
20 feet of 30 lb test line
Plastic grub
3 ball sinkers
1 safety pin
3 birthday candles
1 mini LED
1 cotton pad
1 larger waterproof LED
1 Claritin
1 cotton ball w/ vaseline
2 wax soaked cotton pads (burn time 7 minutes)
1 multitool (Pliers, blade, screwdriver, file)
1 alcohol swab

Step 3: Load Them Into Tin

I like to start with flat items first.
I move upwards leaving the largest on top. This also helps if it were windy so your gear doesn't go flying everywhere. I actually have a bit of space left to stick whatever items I feel like, such as a small ferro rod (which I can't find mine at the moment)

Also, I suggest putting the items you use the most on top. That way you don't have to redo your kit every time you try to get your pliers.

Here is what mine looks like fully packed.

On my other tin, I sanded off the paint from the bottom of the tin to make it so I can boil water without worrying about burning paint.

I suggest water proofing the tin by adding tape around the lip or a wide rubber band. This should also cause it to float.

Step 4: What Do I Get?

Im no expert, but the 5 C's of survival seem to work for me (my version)

Cooking - Food is important right? I throw water into here too. The aluminum foil and tin let me cook and boil water/melt snow. Boiling water for 30 minutes can remove pathogens. The fire stuffs can get that fire going. Also, my fishing kit will hopefully provide me with meat, which is the easiest way to gain back calories.

Combustion - Fire. Heat, cooking, protection, warmth, and a morale booster. The cotton, matches, candles, and fire starters help with this.

Cutting - Something to cut with, process material, hunt, defend, make cordage, make a shelter, etc. so a blade or knife. I keep a few razors and usually have a knife. Unfortunately, my knife broke and this Christmas I am getting a new one.

Cover - A shelter. This is difficult to fit into an Altoids tin. For this reason, I keep a survival blanket in my other pocket. This can even include you clothing too.

Comb - Because you gotta stay sexy for the crazy ladies who roam the wilderness. No, just kidding,
Cordage - One of the hardest items to replicate in a survival situation. Wrapping 550 para cord or wearing a para cord bracelet will help. I have a para cord bracelet.

Now these things will be entirely useless with out knowledge and mentality. If you give up, you die. If you have no idea what you are doing, you die. And don't let yourself get bored, or you die. (Maybe a little extreme, but s#!t happens)

Also, I suggest adding a light source in case you happen to get caught in a sticky situation at night, and a few medications if you have room. Even bandaids can be made out of cotton/clothes/duct tape. They aren't essential, but I figure it is easier to pack a few tylenol then to have to have a headache on top of being trapped alone in the wilderness.

Even something like a family photo or charm, something that will just make it easier for you.