Miniature Survival Kits

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You can think of a million things but those are a pretty good start for a small kit, the only thing I might change is a Zippo match. Its a tiny stainless steel container that holds lighter fluid and a permanent steel match you strike on the side of the container. I bought one at a gun show for 3 bucks and with lighter fluid I think I could start a fire in about any conditions.
 
Always keep in mind that the best survival kit in the world is the gray matter between your ears and a good knife.
Over the years, I have seen so many different styles and sizes of survival kits it is beyond belief. You cannot have one kit to get you through everything...it depends on many factors. Most of the time, you have to make due with what you have on hand.
Some of the commercial kits you find (such as those in a sardine can) will work in a pinch. I have seen decent ones that could fit in a military M-16 magazine pouch. I would include several mylar space blankets (about $3 at Wally World) as well as a canteen for water with a Katadyn drinking straw filter.
Intro is an excellent site that will answer most if not all your questions.
 
MY KIT GETS BIGGER AND BIGGER got the big one for the car and a small one for hiking anything you have will help like the man above me said clean water is very important
 
I guess the first rule of a survival kit is, Have a knife; Have a life. I just made that up. Let's see if it gets picked up on the Net. :D

But it's basically true. Other essentials include a means to drink purified water and a way to make fire. I liked The Last Standing Knight's comment on Mylar blankets, too.
 
The Adventure Medical Kits variation of a space blanket is more useful than most, but they - like a small poncho - stretch the concept of miniature.

I always liked the AMK pocket kit designed by Doug Ritter. The deluxe version adds a water bag, matches, Katadyn water tabs and a knife.

I live near water, so I like to have fish hooks and line, a needle and thread, matches, and cord as a start.
 
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I prefer to piece-meal my various kits together as I've found I can include better quality items (than the prepackaged kits) and tailor each to specific needs.

The basics: Knife/multi-tool; fire starter; first aid/medication; space blanket/mylar ponchos; dried food (nuts/jerky/etc.); water filter/purification tabs; compass; light source; work gloves; duct tape; money.

The extras (as space permits): solar radio; handgun/ammo; flares; clothing; bottled water; tomahawk/hatchet; spare batteries (as needed) ...

There are so many items to consider, the list of options is endless.
 
mc5aw said:
I prefer to piece-meal my various kits together as I've found I can include better quality items (than the prepackaged kits) and tailor each to specific needs.

The basics: Knife/multi-tool; fire starter; first aid/medication; space blanket/mylar ponchos; dried food (nuts/jerky/etc.); water filter/purification tabs; compass; light source; work gloves; duct tape; money.

The extras (as space permits): solar radio; handgun/ammo; flares; clothing; bottled water; tomahawk/hatchet; spare batteries (as needed) ...

There are so many items to consider, the list of options is endless.
Click to expand...

Which hatchet do you favor? I have a Buck and a Gerber, also sold under the Fiskars name, for the parent company. Some Finn (not Sasu) posted here awhile back that his Fiskars axe perfomed well in extreme cold, which reassured me, as I was afraid that cold might make the hollow synthetic handle brittle. I do know that a former importer had some returned with split or cracked handles. But perhaps it happens seldom, for the brand sells very well.

I like the way that both Buck and Fiskars mold the handles over the axe heads, avoiding the possibility that the head mght fly off of the handle. With my luck, had I lived long ago, my axe head would probably get loose as Vikings raided my village...Well, some of my ancestors probably WERE Vikings, as the Normans were descended from Vikings, not from Celts. (I'm of mixed blood, both Norman and Saxon, over the centuries. 1066 and all that, you know...;)

But having a good axe or hatchet today remains an important matter.
 
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I have an Altoids kit with a 2 1/4" folding knife, 3 birthday candles, lighter, flint and steel, mini flashlight with spare aaa battery, fish hooks and 25 feet of 40 lb test, folded 12"x 18" aluminum foil and wrapped around the outside with gorilla tape.
 
Fire starting, water, and first aid. I also like a knife and the space blanket.
I don't get the chewing gum and incense. I am not incensed by the incense, I just don't get it.
 
I had a small kit, based on a metal band-aide box. I had built several over the years, and found one last summer in a pile of my stuff in the barn. It had sat unused so long, the medicine expired in 1994. The Solitaire AAA single cell flashlight had a Energizer battery in it that expired in 95... It still worked! (I use lithium now) For fire I like Bic lighters or Life raft matches. A small Swiss Army Knife, A 10' hank of cotton string. Water purification pills. Mylar blanket. First aid kit (3 or 4 band-aids, 1.5" sq. of mole skin, 2 pack of Tylenol). Sewing kit (2 large safety pins & thread and needle) 4 quarters & $10 bill. I have taken to adding a plastic survival whistle that has a compass, magnifying glass, flint striker and match safe on it. Some kits have a wire saw, some don't.
A couple years ago I saw Cabala's selling kits based on a Qt. water bottle, and have made a number of this type, but the smaller size are left in a coat pocket permanently.
On hatchets; I've gone to used hatchet heads (from yard sales), sharpened and re-handle with a California framer handle (straight) and the butt tapered, they throw like a tomahawk and pound like a hammer. This runs about $15 and 1 hour. Sometimes I make a leather cover that a belt will work with.
 
Thanks for all the great ideas =]

Going make another mini kit this weekend. Will update thread with pics one I am done.

Keep the good info coming!
 
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