Since the new thread opened up on survival kits I must admit that I've always heard good things about Doug Ritter's survival kits. Then when his web page was posted I did some research. Here's my conclusion:
First, the airplane survival kit was great...until I hit the price! Over $2400 is way outta the ballpark for me, and I know that I could put something together for a lot less.
Second, his folder/survival knife was also overpriced. Now, focusing on the two personal size kits.
Third, the compass is a P.O.S.! Some reviewers on Amazon claim it didn't even work when they got the kit!
Fourth, Doug packs nylon cord in the kit, not 550 cord! I guess this is so he can keep the sizing down.
Fifth, The little knife blade in the low-end kit looks pretty dangerous to me. The little "neck knife" in the bigger kit looks too small to be much good.
Let's face it folks, the idea of survival kits seems to have come from Yuppies with their little "downsizing" ideas! Somebody, somewhere seems to think that it has to fit in a pocket to be a personal SK!
At least 50' of 550 cord is needed, a 55 gallon trash bag or two, a compass with marks no less than two degrees apart, and the rest is up to you. One statement that was given was that it would cost you more to buy these things separately than to buy the kit. Then this question: "How much is your life worth?" Great question! My life is certainly worth more than worrying about the higher cost of better quality items! If you go to a sporting goods store to buy your compass you can check it out there; before you pay for it.
Anytime I get one of those itty-bitty compasses I check to make sure there's no Cracker Jacks stuck to them. I have three types of "Survival Compasses." A Silva Ranger, A Victorinox Swiss Army brand "card Compass," and a military type Lensatic compass. I also own several books describing how to use either one. My other survival items are also redundant and of high quality. I have 50 & 100 foot lengths of 550 cord stashed everywhere. I have several of the MPI "Sportsman's Blankets" as well. I could go on and on but you get the idea. I will always advocate making your own kit along with taking it out in the field and testing it in the field. Just as important is the knowledge of the outdoors that also needs to be available. It does no one any good at all to have the world's greatest survival kit if they don't know beans about the outdoors.
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