Looking for some input from forum members

This past weekend, I had a great overnight away with my 14 year old son. While we hanging out by the fire (he, on the ENO, and I in a camp chair), my son mentioned he would like to have a "survival bag". Intrigued, I asked what he was talking about. He said he wanted a bag with some items in it that could be used in case of an emergency. We talked through some of the things he might need, and I wanted to run it by the forum to get your thoughts.

This will be for a Christmas gift this year: Total Budget - $100-150

Bag/backpack - thinking of a medium size bag. Something he could use for a night or two

Knife - He's a Boy Scout, so no fixed blades. Do you know of a reasonably priced folder? Maybe a decent locking carbon steel? (he has access to a fixed blade Mora that I use).

Hatchet - He said he wants a hatchet. I have little experience with these.

Fire - water proof matches, lighter, ferro rod (he wants to make the paraffin/cotton fire starter with the egg carton)

Light - he has a new headlamp we got him for his birthday this month / emergency candle

Shelter - emergency blanket, tarp?

Water - Purification tablets, filtered drinking straw, platypus type water container

Navigation - button compass

Signaling - Bright orange bandanna (he already has one from Boy Scouts), signal mirror

First Aid - I suggested we could build a kit together. What types of things should we include.

I picture this as a bag he can take when we go in the woods, or when he goes camping with Scouts (I may or may not be on those trips).

I appreciate any feedback and I am looking forward to this process of helping him enjoy the outdoors with his (not so) old man.

Here are some pics of our recent outing:
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps530d7922.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psd0c9bb05.jpg

Eating some silver turtles (i.e. put a bunch of stuff in a foil packet and throw on the fire)

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps5e5b2a1a.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psb03f5955.jpg

Replied in red.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aurelius95

Bag/backpack - thinking of a medium size bag. Something he could use for a night or two
From what I've seen, Wal-Mart has some decent ones for around $13. I've been impressed with this one: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fieldline-...-Camo/26376284

Knife - He's a Boy Scout, so no fixed blades. Do you know of a reasonably priced folder? Maybe a decent locking carbon steel? (he has access to a fixed blade Mora that I use).
Opinel No. 8 at $13 on Amazon

Hatchet - He said he wants a hatchet. I have little experience with these.
Not a hatchet but I've been impressed with the Trail Hawk. The sheath for it is kinda lame though. Together for about $30 on Amazon or make your own sheath for a little less.

Fire - water proof matches, lighter, ferro rod (he wants to make the paraffin/cotton fire starter with the egg carton)
I'm not a real big fan of matches but yes on the lighter and ferro rod. For his pack, I would stick with pjcb to save room/weight. Maybe a tea light or two?

Light - he has a new headlamp we got him for his birthday this month / emergency candle
A couple of chem-lights to hang around his camp for the night and can be used for signaling. With Haloween around the corner you should be able to get some deals on them.

Shelter - emergency blanket, tarp?
I like tarps. Sportman's Guide had some decent ones for $15 but seem to be out of stock. I wish they had tabs every quarter-length though instead of third-length. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/produ...=DODX&i=235313 Don't forget about some cordage to hang one up.

Water - Purification tablets, filtered drinking straw, platypus type water container
LifeStraw is fairly small and easy to use. On Amazon for $20.
Sawyer Mini Water filter is small and easy to use as well. Can also be threaded on to standard bottles. On Amazon for $19.

Navigation - button compass

Signaling - Bright orange bandanna (he already has one from Boy Scouts), signal mirror
Add a whistle. The silver mylar blankets, headlamp, chem-lights, and bright colored cordage can be used for signaling.

First Aid - I suggested we could build a kit together. What types of things should we include.
Bandaids, alcohol swabs, sterile pads, gauze, gloves, burn ointment, neosporin, Ibuprofen, Pepto-bismuth, quickclot, show how to make tourniquet and sling from the bandana, WHEN and HOW to use them.

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All of this will certainly be less that $150.

Thanks Ranger! Good things to think about. I do like the Wally World pack you listed. Thanks for the reply.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aurelius95

This past weekend, I had a great overnight away with my 14 year old son. While we hanging out by the fire (he, on the ENO, and I in a camp chair), my son mentioned he would like to have a "survival bag". Intrigued, I asked what he was talking about. He said he wanted a bag with some items in it that could be used in case of an emergency. We talked through some of the things he might need, and I wanted to run it by the forum to get your thoughts.

This will be for a Christmas gift this year: Total Budget - $100-150

Bag/backpack - thinking of a medium size bag. Something he could use for a night or two

I like Rx's idea - Walmart has some decent, inexpensive day packs to choose from.

Knife - He's a Boy Scout, so no fixed blades. Do you know of a reasonably priced folder? Maybe a decent locking carbon steel? (he has access to a fixed blade Mora that I use).

Gerber and Buck have a lot of inexpensive choices that are of decent quality

Hatchet - He said he wants a hatchet. I have little experience with these.

Fire - water proof matches, lighter, ferro rod (he wants to make the paraffin/cotton fire starter with the egg carton)

Don't for get the simple BIC

Light - he has a new headlamp we got him for his birthday this month / emergency candle

I spent many a night with a UCO candle lantern lighting my way http://www.industrialrev.com/candle-lanterns/

Shelter - emergency blanket, tarp?

IMO a poncho that can be used as a tarp would be better than an emergency blanket. If you do go the emergency blanket route - spend a little more for a good one instead of the thin mylar types.

Water - Purification tablets, filtered drinking straw, platypus type water container

Good choices. Maybe a metal canteen cup if boiling is needed?

Navigation - button compass

Great for general direction, but if more accuracy is needed there are a lot of inexpensive choices.

Signaling - Bright orange bandanna (he already has one from Boy Scouts), signal mirror

Don't forget the headlight he is carrying. Add a whistle too.

First Aid - I suggested we could build a kit together. What types of things should we include.

Keep it reasonably simple and not beyond his skill level (you can always add later). Maybe take a first aid class together?

I picture this as a bag he can take when we go in the woods, or when he goes camping with Scouts (I may or may not be on those trips).

I appreciate any feedback and I am looking forward to this process of helping him enjoy the outdoors with his (not so) old man.

Here are some pics of our recent outing:
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps530d7922.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psd0c9bb05.jpg

Eating some silver turtles (i.e. put a bunch of stuff in a foil packet and throw on the fire)

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps5e5b2a1a.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psb03f5955.jpg

---

Looks like you two had a good time.

What a cool way to bond with your son! I'm glad to hear that he's a Boy Scout. As for a survival bag Wal-Mart has some cool inexpensive items in there camping section. Storm proof matches, mag blocks, Steel mirror I believe, and so on. Make it an adventure! For more ideas check out my 6 part survival blog over in the blog section on survival basics,(Learning the Basics: The Way of the Scout.) it came right out of a Boy Scout Fieldbook!

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...-Sarge47/page4 Start here. #6 has a list you can look at.

Make each item he needs an adventure between the two of you. Building the 1st aid kit, water container and purification, etc.! Then go out and teach him how to use it! I love it!...:sailor:

Day packs
Find something discreet. Especially if he is thinking GHB rather than just something for scouts.

Folding knife
I got nothing and staying within your budget on other things.

I have one of these for a camp hatchet
http://www.amazon.com/Rite-Edge-Guth.../dp/B000SDSNU8
It's little, light and well balanced. Holds a good edge. The sheath is great for the hatchet but sucks for securely holding the knife (ie it doesn't.) He'd probably be leaving that home anyway.

I agree on the e-blanket. There are dual layer types, silver on the inside, red on the outside. A little on the heavy/bulky side though. REI sells them but I bet you could find them cheaper. It stays in my truck. In my pack is a heavier vinyl version of the stuffable rain poncho. I keep a poncho in my various fishing kits and GHB too.

On the first aid kit, I don't think I would stop at skill level. If he doesn't have the skill, at least he would be prepared if someone with greater skill was there to help. I like to think that troop leaders are at least at First Responder level, and in the event of multiple persons being injured, the more stuff, the better off they all are.

Looks like they guys got it all covered. Send your son over to Malaysia for a week and he can join me and learn more too.

I think a small cook pot or mes kit is important for a survival bag

Quote:

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Originally Posted by anno lynke

I think a small cook pot or mes kit is important for a survival bag

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I was gonna suggest the Milsup GI style canteen and cup package.....can add the stove as well, but don't need to.
Water carry and cooking/water processing in one package.

If it's really for survival then what is he surviving? Figure out what he wants/needs to survive and what environment he will most likely be in. Then you can determine what kind of equipment he really needs. Is he trying to get home from school or worried about getting lost in the woods? Survival comes in all kinds of packages. Tornado? Hurricane (I don't know where in Georgia you live), industrial accident.....

I think he is really looking for a "woods" bag. I believe he is answering the question: "What stuff will I need/want to have in the woods (that I can carry in a backpack/bag) to keep me alive and help me have a good time?". I definitely want to get some of this for him as a gift, but look forward to personalizing it with him.

Then I agree with Hunter. It's compact and bomb proof. You can buy them surplus for next to nothing. I do like platypus tanks though.

It all sounds great but never heard anyone hinting on the food issue. If he is with a group it's pretty well covered but really I would throw in a couple freeze dried ice cream and some protein bars, Nice treat out in the woods. but if a real survival bag I would get some real food, freeze dried and condensed. true bug out bag I would have some bee pollen bars. they don't taste great but you can live awhile on just them.

ooh, yuck. If things are bad already I don't want yucky tasting food. I want comfort food. You know, shelf stable bacon and twinkies. That stuff will last forever. You might not survive but you'll go out with a smile on your face. Wait a minute. Twinkie bacon sammich. Ooh. Gotta go.

oh yea I love it, a back pack full of twinkles, the ultimate survival bag. bet you sell a million.

He don't sell em. He hoards em.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...e/IMG_0493.jpg

You told me you burned the negatives!

Pfft, you really think he'd get rid of anything that could either embarrass or he could use for blackmail? Buahahahahah

Anyhoo, whatever you put in there, make sure the whole thing is not too heavy for him to comfortably carry all day. It's easy to forget he's 14 and not you :)

For the shelter, consider a poncho. You are wanting it for an emergency shelter and a poncho can serve that need in a lot of configurations just like a tarp. Plus, it can still be used as a poncho, which is hard to do with a tarp. That's all I used for a very long time.

On the signalling, definitely a whistle.

I concur with Lowkey on the medical kit. As much as you can even if he doesn't know how to use it.....yet. Others around him might have the knowledge. Besides, many items can be used to improvise. A roll bandage can be used to tie splints in place or, if cotton, can be used as fire tinder. Just a couple of examples. Aurelius suggested taking a first aid class together and I think that's an outstanding idea. Check with your local hospital or Red Cross. They generally have first aid classes and they are pretty reasonably priced.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aurelius95

Knife - He's a Boy Scout, so no fixed blades. Do you know of a reasonably priced folder? Maybe a decent locking carbon steel? (he has access to a fixed blade Mora that I use).

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Put a Mora 511 in his pack and tell him to only take it out on BSA outings in an emergency. If he is with you, he can carry it on his belt. Other than that, I have two suggestions. The best IMHO is a Victorinox. Get the smallest one that has a saw and scissors. It will have other stuff, but I consider those two things, along with the blade, to be the most important. Obviously a Case is another good brand. I have found the brand "Ruko" to be decent. I bought this one for both of my sons. It has turned out to be perfect for them. I bought it for them when they were 8 for their birthdays. I want them to buy their own Victorinox (it instills a bigger sense of ownership). I also didn't want to spend the money on a nicer knife because I know they will be boys and break it. They haven't broken it yet... Of course, your son is 14, so he might be ready for the more expensive Victorinox.
http://www.amazon.com/13-Function-St...o+swiss+knives

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aurelius95

Hatchet - He said he wants a hatchet. I have little experience with these.

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Look at Cold Steel, or even Estwing at Home Depot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aurelius95

Shelter - emergency blanket, tarp?

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Walmart has a 5X7 nylon tarp that is less than $10.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aurelius95

Water - Purification tablets, filtered drinking straw, platypus type water container

---

Sawyer mini. $19 at wally world

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aurelius95

Navigation - button compass

---

I recommend a base plate navigation compass. He can use it for the orienteering merit badge. Look at Brunton or Suunto.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aurelius95

First Aid - I suggested we could build a kit together. What types of things should we include.

---

Definitely put one together with him. He has to do this for the First Aid merit badge anyways.

Oh yeah, for the Wilderness Survival merit badge, he has to put together a survival kit.... so he can use the whole kit for that as well.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I keep thinking of stuff I need to add to my bag, as well. I do have room for some more Twinkies. Maybe some bacon bits, too.

did he ever tell you where he got the idea to get a survival bag? not many kids to day i would,nt think talk about
stuff like that.

I made a bag back in sixth grade, and I made the mistake of making it way to heavy to carry. Now I'm a freshman and my bag has slimmed down a lot and become a ton more useful. I have a military surplus bag I got from a friend, and it can get about twice as big as I have it right now. I also have a tarp, hammock, sleeping bag, and poncho. I've got a customized med kit, and a food pouch. I've also got rope, tools, and mess kit that contains 4 methods of fire starting. The bag ways around 20 pounds, and it feel I can handle it for a while. Just don't overpack.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hayshaker

did he ever tell you where he got the idea to get a survival bag? not many kids to day i would,nt think talk about
stuff like that.

---

We used to watch 'Survivorman' and "Dual Survivor' quite a bit, so I imagine that's what he is thinking about. Also, he has to listen to me when we're in the car. I frequently ask questions like, "What would you do if ...". Usually, it involves staying put and calling me or his mom. As a Scout (he gets promoted to Scout First Class tonight), he goes on the outings with the kids. It's something we enjoy doing together, and it's a good father/son activity (IMO).

Congratulations on his promotion. Yes, I think it is a great father/son activity and I'm glad you both enjoy it.

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