Survival kits info.

[payne]

Scenario:
- Number: 2 persons
- Location: A forest in British Columbia (or Alberta?)
- Length: 20 days
- Time: May

Here's the whole equipment list:
• Mosquito net
• Snare wire
• Cordage
• Survival Knife
• Penknife
• Fry pan (and a cover for boiling water?)
• Water bottle
• Fishing line and hook(s)
• Bear spray
• Flint
• Flashlight + Batteries
• Cotton-ball tinder into a zip-lock bag
• First Aid Kit
• Poncho
• Small axe
• Backpack
• A canoe waterproof bag (for food storage in the trees)
• Minimal food rations
• Whistle
• Wild Edible Plants/Berries (book or notes)
• {Optional?} Straps and carabiners
• {Optional?} Earplugs
• {Optional?} Condoms
• {Optional?} Knife sharpener
• {Optional?} Large garbage bag (for tree stills)
• {Optional?} Working gloves
• {Optional?} Trail flags
• {Optional?} Plastic spoon
• {Optional?} Duct tape

Too huge? Unrealistic? Unfitting? Comment.
If you could give your advice on whether or not you consider the "{Optional?}" marked items as being optional, it'd be great.
And finally, what should the First Aid Kit contain?

EDIT: I realize I used the term "Survival Kit"... that's more of a list of equipment I'd bring to "live off the land". Please base your answers on this fact. =)

[Sarge47]

Scenario:
- Number: 2 persons
- Location: A forest in British Columbia (or Alberta?)
- Length: 20 days
- Time: May

Here's the whole equipment list:
• Mosquito net
• Snare wire
• Cordage
• Survival Knife
• Penknife
• Fry pan (and a cover for boiling water?)
• Water bottle
• Fishing line and hook(s)
• Bear spray
• Flint
• Flashlight + Batteries
• Cotton-ball tinder into a zip-lock bag
• First Aid Kit
• Poncho
• Small axe
• Backpack
• A canoe waterproof bag (for food storage in the trees)
• Minimal food rations
• Whistle
• Wild Edible Plants/Berries (book or notes)
• {Optional?} Straps and carabiners
• {Optional?} Earplugs
• {Optional?} Condoms
• {Optional?} Knife sharpener
• {Optional?} Large garbage bag (for tree stills)
• {Optional?} Working gloves
• {Optional?} Trail flags
• {Optional?} Plastic spoon
• {Optional?} Duct tape

Too huge? Unrealistic? Unfitting? Comment.
If you could give your advice on whether or not you consider the "{Optional?}" marked items as being optional, it'd be great.
And finally, what should the First Aid Kit contain?

EDIT: I realize I used the term "Survival Kit"... that's more of a list of equipment I'd bring to "live off the land". Please base your answers on this fact. =)

Well, 1st I noticed that you listed "condoms" which was plural; then I noticed that you listed TWO people...hmmm

Remember the 4 essentials of survival, they are...?

Next, group your items under those 4 categories.

Finally, your 1st aid kit should contain 1st aid items. For a more detailed list use the "search" function. Hope this helps.

[Winter]

Well, if your knife is not field sharpenable with a smooth stone, you are gonna need a knife sharpening device.

Boiling water in your frying pan makes terrible water. A stainless steel water bottle will boil water. Frying pan is useless without some grease/lard/oil.

Why a plastic spoon? Get metal so you can cook with it.

[RangerXanatos]

I'll only mention three things and then let others comment.

1. Glad you have a FAK listed. Many young people think their impervious to injury
2. How about a map and compass in case you get lost or need to know the fastest route back to civilization.
3. How much is "Minimal food rations?" You're going to go through a lot of calories on your trek and if you don't have the food available, you're going mighty hungry.

[payne]

Well, if your knife is not field sharpenable with a smooth stone, you are gonna need a knife sharpening device.

Boiling water in your frying pan makes terrible water. A stainless steel water bottle will boil water. Frying pan is useless without some grease/lard/oil.

Why a plastic spoon? Get metal so you can cook with it.

Why metal? I'll use a wood stick to cook. =P
And plastic weights less than metal.

I'll only mention three things and then let others comment.

1. Glad you have a FAK listed. Many young people think their impervious to injury
2. How about a map and compass in case you get lost or need to know the fastest route back to civilization.
3. How much is "Minimal food rations?" You're going to go through a lot of calories on your trek and if you don't have the food available, you're going mighty hungry.

1. For 20 days, it'd be really stupid. ;o
2. Humm... I'll ask my partner to have those I guess. I did not think about the "fastest route": I had in mind we'd only come back on our path. This will be taken in consideration based on the spot where we will go. Thanks. =)
3. This is meant to be a survival trip, not a simple trek. The minimal food will be used only if we -really- need it. It'll probably consist into "gruel" and something else with very high calories, proteins and carbohydrates.

Well, 1st I noticed that you listed "condoms" which was plural; then I noticed that you listed TWO people...hmmm

On a more serious note, condoms could be used to collect rainwater, transport water from a stream to the fire, or can also be used as gloves (I guess?).

And why should I group my items into "Fire/Shelter/Water/Food/Medical/Signal" ? =/
Anyways, many items can be used in many categories. =P

On 1st Aid Kit:

Most of it, minus sunscreen.
Makes sense? ;o

I'd give the responsibility of assembling the 1st Aid Kit to my partner since he's the one that knows the most about that stuff. =P

[LowKey]

Hunting license?
Definitely a map and compass.
Are you going on a planned hike or are you thinking you are going to live off the land under the radar for 20 days? Just be sure to tell someone when you will be back so they can send out the SAR when you don't come back.

[welderguy]

Thing's to consider swapping out.
The pen knife for a SAK
The frypan for a jet boil.
The plastic Spoon for a titanium Spork.
You don't need the waterproof canoe bag use a trash bag to hang.your food with
Duck tape is always a good thing to have. And a way to sharpen your knives is a good idea.

[crashdive123]

With that kit for 20 days in the forests of BC or Alberta, your skill level as well as your partner's had better be extremely high.

[payne]

Hunting license?
Definitely a map and compass.
Are you going on a planned hike or are you thinking you are going to live off the land under the radar for 20 days? Just be sure to tell someone when you will be back so they can send out the SAR when you don't come back.

Problem is, we aren't sure yet of the number of days we'll stay in there. As I see it right now, if we're really enjoying it like crazy little kids (I can still dream =P), we might stay longer.

Thing's to consider swapping out.
The pen knife for a SAK
The frypan for a jet boil.
The plastic Spoon for a titanium Spork.
You don't need the waterproof canoe bag use a trash bag to hang.your food with
Duck tape is always a good thing to have. And a way to sharpen your knives is a good idea.

Sorry for looking stupid, but what is a SAK? And why would it be better than a pen knife?
And also, what is a jet boil? XD
Keep in mind I'm not a native English talking person: I'm a French-canadian... so my vocabulary some times limit my comprehension. =P

A trash bag would get raped by squirrels and other small mammals, no? The canoe bag is robust.

And talking about sharpening knives. I remember Bear Grylls doing so with little rocks spread on a wood stick. Is this method valuable? Do you have other good "wild" methods?

EDIT: And what about a Field Repair Kit? I guess it could prove itself to be useful in many occasions. Or will duct tape always do the trick?

[gryffynklm]

SAK Knife
http://www.google.com/search?client=...b4304b4e24e04e

Jetboil
http://www.google.com/search?client=...b4304b4e24e04e

[welderguy]

Swiss army knife - SAK.
squirrels can eat thru just about anything , as can coons. Well yea grylls did it but he also drinks piss nuff said there.
A jetboil is a compact stove that packs up Into a cup
/ cooking pot. , google them you might like it.

[Rick]

My suggestion is that you take that kit as you have it laid out and spend the week-end with it. Determine what worked and what didn't and adjust accordingly. Then try your modified kit for the week-end. Determine what worked and what didn't and adjust accordingly. If you do that three, four or five times you should come out with a kit that is right for you. If you expect to put that kit together then go out and tackle your 20 days or whatever number you decide on it's going to be a pretty miserable experience.

[welderguy]

@rick, I've had the same bag for 6 years now and I still do that.

[payne]

Swiss army knife - SAK.
squirrels can eat thru just about anything , as can coons. Well yea grylls did it but he also drinks piss nuff said there.
A jetboil is a compact stove that packs up Into a cup
/ cooking pot. , google them you might like it.

Jetboil looks utterly useless: I'll use fires to boil my water... ;o
I thought "pen knife" where SAK. I was really talking about SAK, in fact. :P
But now, a new question arises: what kind of options/tools should the SAK have? There are so many different set-ups...

My suggestion is that you take that kit as you have it laid out and spend the week-end with it. Determine what worked and what didn't and adjust accordingly. Then try your modified kit for the week-end. Determine what worked and what didn't and adjust accordingly. If you do that three, four or five times you should come out with a kit that is right for you. If you expect to put that kit together then go out and tackle your 20 days or whatever number you decide on it's going to be a pretty miserable experience.

Problem being I will not have a single time to try it out until I must leave home once I finish school... and once I leave home, I'll have this whole equipment list with me, so there aren't much chances to change things.
I'll meet my partner weeks after I left, so if he ever he feels the need for it, he can test my list on his own.
I can personally only rely on the draft I'll have elaborated with you guys by the end of school session.
I'm pretty sure it's hard to "miss-use" that kind of basic equipment and I really don't see what could really turn bad with these items. =/

P.S. By "leaving home", I mean 5000+ Km of hitch-hike adventure. ;P

[hunter63]

I am really glad to see a 'list" of items........A whole lot more thought went into it, congrats.

Might want to check into fishing license...... easy way to gather protein, and you don't really have to be there.
Swiss Army Knife has been in my pocket for close to 50 years, and use it just about every day.
Basic knife, 2 blades, can opener/screw driver, bottle opener/screw driver, saw, awl, scissors, tooth pick, tweezers....and if your gonna bring condoms, maybe a cork screw for the fine wine........
I think I have the "Huntsman" in my pocket now.

[payne]

I am really glad to see a 'list" of items........A whole lot more thought went into it, congrats.

Told you guys I was under rush and would have time to work on the project after the exams.
Final exams are coming pretty fast, though... =/
Anyhow, I'm nearly done reading the 443 pages of Army's Survival Guide: I've reached the Appendixes, so it's not really like I can take much more notes out of it.
I soon should start trying to a fire going with only wood and cord (bow drill method). Anyone knows which type of fire produces the less smoke as possible?

[Sourdough]

Anyone knows which type of fire produces the less smoke as possible?

Propane...............

[finallyME]

For a SAK, just make sure it has a knife blade, saw, and scissors. A file is also good. You will use those more than anything else.

You will want to bring something to sharpen your knife. You can sharpen in the field, but that takes experience, which you will only gain by ruining a knife or two. Not something you want to risk outside of practice. Besides, there are some pretty small knife sharpeners out there.

You will also want something separate to boil water in, besides the fry pan. Someone mentioned a metal water bottle. Make sure it isn't aluminum. Stainless or titanium only. You can get a stainless one for $5, and a titanium one for $50.

[payne]

Propane...............

That would really kill the experience, in my honest opinion. =/

For a SAK, just make sure it has a knife blade, saw, and scissors. A file is also good. You will use those more than anything else.

You will want to bring something to sharpen your knife. You can sharpen in the field, but that takes experience, which you will only gain by ruining a knife or two. Not something you want to risk outside of practice. Besides, there are some pretty small knife sharpeners out there.

You will also want something separate to boil water in, besides the fry pan. Someone mentioned a metal water bottle. Make sure it isn't aluminum. Stainless or titanium only. You can get a stainless one for $5, and a titanium one for $50.

Ok, thanks. =)

[Sourdough]

That would really kill the experience, in my honest opinion.

What experience are you aspiring to achieve. And, Why that experience over another...?