Survival kits info.

I have several supplemental kits that tend to change depending on what I am heading out to do, how long I plan to do it, how many folks are going with me, what season, etc. Below is my basic, grab-and-go kit that is the bare minimum I'll step into the wild with.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...1&d=1217260856

1. metal signal mirror wrapped in cardstock & double-layers of electrical tape
The paper prevents scratching and provides a durable writing surface if needed. The top layer of tape peels off like it was coming off the roll and provides water-resistant binding.

2. plastic hooded poncho

3. mylar emergency blanket

4. US Mil Small Arms Ammo pouch (2 ALICE clips on the back) wrapped in roughly 20' of paracord.
I added the paracord primarily to tie back those annoying grenade flaps that stick out from the sides of the pouch. Well, and I'll wrap just about anything in paracord if I can.

5. wire saw (rings removed)

6. LED pen light w/ AAA battery
The battery is reversed in the light so that it doesn't accidentally drain out.

7. Magnesium fire starter

8. Small multi-tool. pliers, scissors, file, knife blade, screw tips

9. Combo whistle, compass, thermometer w/ 3' paracord lanyard

10. Aspirin bottle w/ iodine tablets, benadryl, tylenol, tylenol PM, & immodium
Each type of pill wrapped in a small baggy so they don't mix. That also helps muffle the rattling.

11. Altoids tin with: sewing kit, fishing kit, 50' of 6# test fishing line, loose gauze (tinder/reduce rattling), packaged tea bag, wiresaw rings & safety pins
The tea is critical. You get bonus points if you can come up with why.

12. First Aid kit: gauze, adhesive bandages, 2 full lighters.
Don't know if you can see it or not, but I wrap the lighters in about 30 or so feet of 6 lb. test fishing line.


Items not shown:

1.5 oz of Germ-X. Sits nicely under the flap.
half a pencil
Leatherman multi-tool worn on my belt next to the kit. The one in the kit is a cheaper, smaller tool.
canteen w/ metal cup worn opposite the kit. What I carry my water in depends on why, when, and where I'm out.

Greetings guys & gals! Caio from sunny Italy!

Yea I know it's been awhile since I posted anything here. And so I thought I'd drop in to say "hello" and to let ya all know that my Ranger Digest website (www.***************.com) has been revised and updated since July 7th 2008.

Though it's not yet completely done, I'm still working on it, but most of the important stuff that I wanted to post has been put up online.

In particular, come check out these new topics & tips (below) that I am sure most of you will find interesting.

Survival Kits
Survival Weapons
Fish Kit Tips
S.A.R. Aircraft
Signaling for Help
Zips & Sparks
Staying-A-Float

So I hope you will take me up on my offer and com'on by and check'em out, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Wish I had more time to spend chatting on forums, but I have numerous projects that I am working on as well as teaching some basic survival classes here in Italy.

I will try my best to log on here from time to time, but if I can't....don't worry eventually I will. Or if you want to contact me to ask me a question about my new tips, try contacting me through my website.

Enjoy my new tips, take care for now.

"Army Ranger Rick" Tscherne

US Army, Retired (1972-93)
Author, The Ranger Digest Series (I-IX)
Developer, SOS Survival Kits
Owner, The Ranger Digest.Com

Aren't tea bags a type of pain reliever. Also I believe you can put them over your eyes to remove baggy eyes. I guess it's great if you think you might meet the amazon women and want to impress them. :)

Hey there Army Ranger Rick. You really should contact the administrator of this site and inquire about advertising rates on here.

Hey guys, I'm gonna be heading out to Colorado in about two weeks and I am in the middle of assembling a small survival kit. I received an Army ROTC scholarship to attend CU-Boulder, so I'll be in mountains quite a bit. Hiking, Mountaineering, Skiing, etc. I want a small kit with the comfortable essentials.

As a base kit, I went with the Doug Ritter-designed Adventure Medical Pocket Survival Pack.

Contents, as copied from Adventure Medical Kits website.
1..... Signal Mirror, Rescue Flash™
1..... Spark-Lite™ Fire Starter
4..... Tinder Quick™ Firestarter
1..... Whistle, Rescue Howler™
1..... Waterproof Survival Instructions
1..... Duct Tape, 2" x 26"
1..... Scalpel with Handle, Sterile, Disposable, #22 Blade
1..... Compass, Button, Liquid Filled
1..... Aluminum Foil, Heavy Duty, 3 Sq. Ft.
1..... Waterproof Paper
1..... Fresnel Magnifier
1..... Safety Wire, Stainless Steel, (6 ft of 0.020")
1..... Sewing Thread, Bobbin #69, Nylon
1..... Nylon Cord, #18, Braided, (10 ft. 100lb test)
1..... Sewing Needle, #18, Chenille
4..... Fish Hook, #10
2..... Split Shot, Lead B
1..... Snap Swivel, Size 12
1..... Pencil
1..... Pocket Survival Pak Contents List
4..... Safety Pins

I decided to group and re-package the components though. The kit broke down into three, thin 3"x5" resealable ziplock bags.

I also added a small medical kit to the survival kit. The contents are stored in another resealable 3"x5" ziplock bag.
4 Advil Caplets
2 Hart Triple Antibiotic Ointment Packets
2 Histaprin Antihistamine Caplets
4 Hart Sterile 2"x2" Gauze pads
3 PDI Sting Relief Medicated pads
2 Butterfly Closures

In addition, I added 20 Katadyn Micropur MP-1 water purification tablets to the kit. Those are stored in a 3"x5" ziplock bag too.

It's all stashed in a grey water-resistant, 3.25"x5"x2" camera/iPod/electronics pouch. The pouch has a nylon Velcro secured loop on the back in order to attach it to belts or other gear.

My question is, how can I improve this kit?

First - welcome to the forum. Second - congratulations on your ROTC scholarship. Is the kit you listed to supplement other gear while you're hiking or skiing?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MickToren

My question is, how can I improve this kit?

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Learn how to use it.

Also visit my Blogs: "Pop Quiz Part II", "For the Newbys",
& the book review on "98.6 Degrees: The Art Of Keeping Your A$$ Alive." Then read through the "Sticky" on "Survival kits" found right here on this forum.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ead.php?t=1256

Hope that helps.:cool: (Anybody out there notice how well I kept my cool? Rick will be proud.)

So what's your next question? What kind of knife should you buy perhaps?:rolleyes:

Now, now Sarge.:D

I'd carry a Bic lighter and a Visine bottle filled with alcohol. The alcohol can be used as a fire starter or to clean minor abrasions.

Get you several feet of 550 cord. You never know when you'll want to tie some down.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sarge47

Learn how to use it.

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Sarge you communicate so well.

My first life/survival/bushcraft instructor (Grandpa) said "If it's in your kit and you don't know how to use it. It's useless"

I use that saying to this day. Hence my forum signature.

Welcome, at a first glance of your list, I would replace the Spark-Lite Fire Starter with a Swedish firesteel, which RobertRogers can point you in that direction. Next, Sam is correct, get rid of the Nylon Cord, #18, Braided, (10 ft. 100lb test) and get yourself a 50' hank of Mil Spec 550 paracord which has 7 strands of cord inside it, lots of uses. I would also get a box of wet-tinder ask Rick he can point you in the right direction. More later...

Ok, I've removed Ranger Rick's illeagal URL from his post. I've also redirected Mick Toren's "Survival Kit" post here as well. He's only posted the single post & has not come back on since, although I know for a fact he's been reading the answers to his thread. "Rules is Rules" & if he's truley going into the ROTC he's going to have to get used to following them.:cool:

Here are a couple of pic's showing my kit and the contents. I am not soliciting suggestions for improving it. This is my kit and it works for me. I just thought I'd share what after several years of exploring Alaska I've come to value and carry on my person. I have other equipment that I carry in my pack or on my ATV but this is what I keep on my body when I step off the pavement. This kit lives in my truck so it is always with me.:D

This kit covers
Fire
Water
Shelter
Protection
Direction
Detection
Signaling
Sanitation
First aid

Since you're not soliciting suggestions, I'll just say - I like it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crashdive123

Since you're not soliciting suggestions, I'll just say - I like it.

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Master Chief, I can except constructive suggestions from the likes of you, Rick, Sarge, Beo, Trax, Coot, The ladies, Hope, Chuck and all the other serious minded student of the outdoors. I just wanted to scare off any "wannabe". :D:D:D

By the way, I am very intimidated by your avatar. I feel like its looking right through me. All you people with wolf avatars are evil or something and the fact that your avatar is looking right through me has nothing to do with my paranoia.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by klkak

Master Chief, I can except constructive suggestions from the likes of you, Rick, Sarge, Beo, Trax, Coot, The ladies, Hope, Chuck and all the other serious minded student of the outdoors. I just wanted to scare off any "wannabe". :D:D:D

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Well in that case - I still like it. As far as the avatar goes - it's harmless, just feeds on owls.:eek::D

In all seriousness though....You've got a kit that you've been using and tweaking for quite awhile to get to where it meets your needs. That's something that we should all strive to do. It's kind of like your signature...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crashdive123

Well in that case - I still like it. As far as the avatar goes - it's harmless, just feeds on owls.:eek::D

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Get your blood thirsty eyes off my owl!