Your thoughts on pre-made "survival kits"

[Pocomoonskyeyes3]

And as luck would have it...If you do carry it, won't need it...This time.....Leave it out and you are gonna need it for sure....LOL

BTW, has anyone actually got one of those survival blankets folded back up after unwrapping it? Meaning NOT a snot ball.

That's a great deal like putting popcorn back in the kernel.

See That's kind of what I'm talking about. For my "Survival Kit" that I would take on a hike or day trip, is actually a kind of "Fanny Pack"/Purse type of deal(It has a reinforced belt, shoulder strap, and a handle) On the Belt I also have a 1 qt. GI Canteen (Don't have a canteen cup....yet) PLENTY of Room for all kinds of stuff to put in it. Instead of the "Disposable" Space blankets I would actually prefer something like this.......

s7_510214_005_01.jpg
From Cabelas....
http://www.cabelas.com/outdoor-safet...blankets.shtml

More durable, reusable, multi use, Not some "Trashy" one use piece.

I think of my Survival Kit, as more like a Mountain Mans possible bag. It's NOT a "Pocket kit". Yet it DOES hold all my "Possibles".

[crashdive123]

By definition, these little survival kits are not for every day use, but rather..........wait for it...............survival. At the point at which these items are needed then re-storing them is not high on my list of concerns.

[hunter63]

By definition, these little survival kits are not for every day use, but rather..........wait for it...............survival. At the point at which these items are needed then re-storing them is not high on my list of concerns.

Yeah I know....but be warned to take avantage of trying out your gear....before you need it, it is advisible to buy at least two of everything that is considered a "one use item", as with the "space blanket" it will never be the same.
Carried one on the space blankets in my hunting pack....tried it out on very cold morning, and I was not impressed, I didn't die....but I couldn't see where it helped too much.
Made me want to take a different tack if I plan on staying out all day/nite for any length of time.

[Pocomoonskyeyes3]

By definition, these little survival kits are not for every day use, but rather..........wait for it...............survival. At the point at which these items are needed then re-storing them is not high on my list of concerns.

While what you say is true, IMO most of these "Survival kits" are like trying to put a band-aid on a sucking chest wound. Let's say you have to move because of some unforeseen condition, Weather or something making the place you are in not a good location any longer.

I agree with H63 on "Trying it out" too. The one I bought only had a couple of things worth keeping, and was not anything I would recommend anyone using for anything other than an over night "Survival" trip, when they KNOW they will be rescued by morning. Basically the only worthwhile items were the container it was packaged in,something to get a fire started IF the matches didn't run out (Supposedly "Waterproof" but in reality weren't even "Humidity proof") The Tiny fire starter cube, and the whistle.(which was little better than a cracker jack whistle) In reality I bought it Solely for the container it was all packed in. So wasn't too disappointed. IF someone had bought one of these for a real survival scenario..... well they would have been another sad case in the news IMO. A single firesteel was worth more than the entire contents of that "Pocket Survival Kit", in terms of real survival potential. I think this is what everyone is saying in terms of "a false sense of security". Some of these "Survival Kits" are sure to get you killed IF you don't have other items that are dependable.

[Sarge47]

Instead of the "Disposable" Space blankets I would actually prefer something like this.......

s7_510214_005_01.jpg
From Cabelas....
http://www.cabelas.com/outdoor-safet...blankets.shtml

More durable, reusable, multi use, Not some "Trashy" one use piece.

I think of my Survival Kit, as more like a Mountain Mans possible bag. It's NOT a "Pocket kit". Yet it DOES hold all my "Possibles".

I own several of the blankets shown here. Like you, Poco, my kit is more like the bag you mention.

[Pocomoonskyeyes3]

I own several of the blankets shown here. Like you, Poco, my kit is more like the bag you mention.

So what is your opinion of them?

[Rick]

My survival kit....

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[Pocomoonskyeyes3]

My survival kit....

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Yours is MUCH better than most of the prepackaged "Survival Kits" I've seen. Probably close to the ADK kit you showed earlier in price too, Probably within 20-30 dollars anyways.(Not knowing prices of the individual items you have shown) Add another pill bottle with fishing equipment, 20-50 ft of 550 cord and you are MILES ahead of the other kit IMO. Quite honestly if you had all that in a belt pouch(Cell phone size pouch or Camera size pouch) it would be a great seller. You could sub an Opinel for the Kershaw to reduce price/cost.

[BENESSE]

No first aid? Band aid at least?

[LowKey]

Like I said, first aid is where I start.
I have a few of those red blankets too. I like them cuz you can use them for other things besides keeping warm. Like lying on them in the snow to get the jammed spare tire down. Or wrapping up in off behind the guardrail when your truck breaks down in a snowstorm in the active breakdown lane of the highway and you can't stay in the vehicle. Or for, well, a general ground cover for those impromptu...uh...picnics...yeah...picnics......... .....

[huntermj]

I would only add that local environment is a big consideration. My summer kit is much different then my winter kit. And a winter kit in Texas would be different from a winter kit in Alaska. i think a store bought kit is a useful starting point both in materials at hand and a mental starting point. As in "what else should i have" for my area and my family. I would hope that people don't buy a kit and think all is covered. But sadly... well you know.

[Rick]

My stuff is pretty modular. I have a first aid kit that I take with me. I have a fire kit that I carry. But that is my survival kit. Besides, John Wayne didn't need no stinkin' band aid.

[hunter63]

What?...... no one carries band-aids in their wallet"

[hunter63]

My survival kit....

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I used to carry all that stuff on my keyring as well, kept pulling my pants down even with suspenders.
Ford dealer says I would wear out my ignition switch with all that stuff, so I cut back....slowing getting the stuff back again....LOL

[Sarge47]

My survival kit....

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Did you get that from Army Ranger Dick? No, wait, the quality of the items are too good.
Also no car and house keys on it. Hmmm...

[Rick]

You guys are sooooo cynical. Hunter, you are looking at that stuff right now thinking, "Well, a small compass won't hurt anything."

[hunter63]

No, the compass is on the wrist watch band..or pinned inside the jacket, or on the zipper pull.

If I were you I would add one of those boating floatation gizmos on that ring....You know, with all those canoe accidents and such.
I guess it would bother me to have everything on the same ring........Yeah, I know that isn't everything you carry.

[Pocomoonskyeyes3]

You guys are sooooo cynical. Hunter, you are looking at that stuff right now thinking, "Well, a small compass won't hurt anything."

That MAY be true Rick. However I would rather be somewhat cynical with something that IMO is NOT reliable 100% of the time. After all it is a "Life insurance policy" of sorts. I still think proper knowledge trumps "Maybe" equipment.(As in Maybe it will work, Maybe it won't)

This is the one I bought(Or pretty similar anyways) that I bought JUST for the box, and carabiner.
P7290004.jpgP7290005.jpg

Believe me, your "Keychain Survival kit" Is MUCH better than this sort which is all too prevalent in stores. Matter of fact I would take your keychain kit before I would take a hundred of these, with my life in the balance.

[Rick]

My cynical comment was to Hunter and Sarge. But, if you want.......you're cynical, too. Are you happy now?

If I were you I would add one of those boating floatation gizmos on that ring....You know, with all those canoe accidents and such.

Oh, snap! I have one of those, too. I won it at the WSF Jamboree last year! I gotta get me some bigger pockets.

[crashdive123]

You can only add so much to the keyring before it turns into.....

Overheard at WSF Camping trip # 5 -

PGV - So Rick, what is the trailer for?
Rick - Oh that? That's for my survival keyring.

I of course would never ask a question like that, but your gotta watch out for that Phil character.