Post by hawkeye on Oct 5, 2007 18:14:28 GMT -5
I built a small survival kit that I carry in a coffee can, which can be used to cook and to carry water. Most of the items in it I bought in the sportings goods section of box stores.
In it I carry a space blanket, still in it's wrapper. Once you take one out of it's original packaging they won't fold up as compact. It's true these things aren't all they are advertised as, but if you get wet, like Earl talked about in an earlier thread, they will do to wrap up in while your clothes are drying.
Having a disposable lighter is obvious, but fatal if that is your only fire source. I also have some wooden matches in a plastic water proof container and some fire starter cubes and a candle. I have looked at a magnesium fire starter and I will probably buy one, they cost around $10.00, but look like they could be worth it.
Also in the can is two packages of freeze dried dinners, one spaghetti and one meat loaf. These are from Mountain House Foods and are made for back packers. They are a little on the expensive side. A friend of my brothers works there and that's where I got mine. I also have a package of dehydrated split pea soup. If you don't want to spend the money for the freeze dried meals you can find a variety of 'just add water' food at any supermarket. Potatoes, gravy, soups, to name a few. I have a couple of tea bags. Any hot beverage when you are wet and cold will taste good.
I have some water purification tablets. I have thought about a filtration system, but efficient ones are big, and expensive. I think boiling the water and useing the tablets will be okay.
I have a coil of about 50' of light cotton cord and about 10 feet of wire, which is wrapped around the cord.
There is an Altoids can with fish hooks, a couple of wooly worm flies, a red and white spoon, some sinkers and a coil of monofilament.
There is a small tin cup, a small Swiss Army knife, and a combination whistle, compass, and magnifying glass. I wouldn't trust the compass very far, but the whistle and magnifying glass justify the space and weight this item takes up. I always have a multi tool on my belt, but the Swiss Army knife is a good backup. By the way, a multi tool is handy, but it is NOT a survival tool.
I glued a small mirror to the inside lid of the coffee can. There is a reason for that. You guys that were in the miltary are familiar with signal mirrors and the either notch or hole that is used to aim from the sun to your target. In an emergency I will cut a hole in the plastic lid and use it to aim the mirror flash.
All of this fits in the can and doesn't weigh a lot. It can be easily carried if I ever had to hike out.
I'm sure there are items that you people can think of to add, so post them.
In it I carry a space blanket, still in it's wrapper. Once you take one out of it's original packaging they won't fold up as compact. It's true these things aren't all they are advertised as, but if you get wet, like Earl talked about in an earlier thread, they will do to wrap up in while your clothes are drying.
Having a disposable lighter is obvious, but fatal if that is your only fire source. I also have some wooden matches in a plastic water proof container and some fire starter cubes and a candle. I have looked at a magnesium fire starter and I will probably buy one, they cost around $10.00, but look like they could be worth it.
Also in the can is two packages of freeze dried dinners, one spaghetti and one meat loaf. These are from Mountain House Foods and are made for back packers. They are a little on the expensive side. A friend of my brothers works there and that's where I got mine. I also have a package of dehydrated split pea soup. If you don't want to spend the money for the freeze dried meals you can find a variety of 'just add water' food at any supermarket. Potatoes, gravy, soups, to name a few. I have a couple of tea bags. Any hot beverage when you are wet and cold will taste good.
I have some water purification tablets. I have thought about a filtration system, but efficient ones are big, and expensive. I think boiling the water and useing the tablets will be okay.
I have a coil of about 50' of light cotton cord and about 10 feet of wire, which is wrapped around the cord.
There is an Altoids can with fish hooks, a couple of wooly worm flies, a red and white spoon, some sinkers and a coil of monofilament.
There is a small tin cup, a small Swiss Army knife, and a combination whistle, compass, and magnifying glass. I wouldn't trust the compass very far, but the whistle and magnifying glass justify the space and weight this item takes up. I always have a multi tool on my belt, but the Swiss Army knife is a good backup. By the way, a multi tool is handy, but it is NOT a survival tool.
I glued a small mirror to the inside lid of the coffee can. There is a reason for that. You guys that were in the miltary are familiar with signal mirrors and the either notch or hole that is used to aim from the sun to your target. In an emergency I will cut a hole in the plastic lid and use it to aim the mirror flash.
All of this fits in the can and doesn't weigh a lot. It can be easily carried if I ever had to hike out.
I'm sure there are items that you people can think of to add, so post them.