Things to include in your kit -= DISCUSSION ONLY =-

Some bungee cords are always usefull Smile

_________________
It's not climbing the mountain to get to the top; it's climbing the mountain to enjoy the climb.

blankets and a small fishing kit Cool

_________________
I just heard something big crack�.. holy crap!-Les Stroud

I like to keep my survival kit, compact and lightweight. That way I'll actually carry it with me. And I make sure I have my survival kit on every hike, even if it's just a mile.

Mora Knife
Small leatherman
50 feet Parachute cord
Spark rod
lighter
strike anywhere matches in waterproof case
Cotton balls smeared in vasaline, stored in a film canister (for fire starting)
Whistle
Signal mirror
10 feet orange flagging tape
Poncho or polyethelene survival bag
very small small led light

The mora knife goes on a string around my neck so that I don't lose it. Besides the poncho, the whole kit fits inside a small bag that can go on my belt. It's usually in my pack but if I leave my pack I need an easy way to carry it.

This survival kit is ofcourse in addition to things I would already have in my pack such as a lightweight rain jacket, warm hat, and water. These are the basics of the kit but I change things a little bit depending on the trip, season and location.

For the winter months I carry a few things for fire. I'll carry some cut up pieces of rubber bike inner tube, some wax paper and extra matches. It's ironic how the more you need a fire, the harder it is to make one. You really need a fire when it's cold, wet, windy and your hands aren't working too well because you are cold. And all those conditions hinder your fire making ability!

If I was going to add anything it might be a metal cup or small cooking pot to heat up water. If I plan on camping out then I'll have my cooking pot. I don't bother carrying it for day hikes unless it is a real winter day hike and I am really worried about hypothermia.

I have found that the bigger and heavier my kit is, the less likely I will be to grab it for a short hike. It's quite often that I am driving and deside to explore an area on foot and I want to make sure I have my kit with me. If I am on an overnight trip where my pack is heavier, I may be setting my pack down to go get water or go climb a ridge. It's important to have the kit with me then too. It easily goes on my belt so I can keep my hands free for climbing over rocks. Also, if you are carrying it in your hand and you stop to take a break, you may forget to pick it up when you start walking again.

If cost is unimportant, I would add a personal locator beacon. (PLB) Unless you are in a narrow slot canyon, they are pretty reliable and it lets Search and Rescue know where you are and that you are in trouble.

Great list!

Compact and light weight is the most imporant. I recently reduce my kit size and weight because it was just too big! Its much better now

_________________
"There dosen't look like there's much shelter over in those mountains, but that's the only choice I got right now, this is gonna be a long week" - Les Stroud Arctic

After awhile you start to figure out what you " really " need in your pack.
I think everyone when starting out carrys everything. But you soon figure out the " Must haves " Cool

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
We are Known By The Tracks we Leave Behind
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

	Drummer Dave wrote:
	After awhile you start to figure out what you " really " need in your pack. I think everyone when starting out carrys everything. But you soon figure out the " Must haves "

True, but i still like to carry all my firestarters Cool

_________________
"There dosen't look like there's much shelter over in those mountains, but that's the only choice I got right now, this is gonna be a long week" - Les Stroud Arctic

TrooperMax wrote:

	Drummer Dave wrote:
	After awhile you start to figure out what you " really " need in your pack. I think everyone when starting out carrys everything. But you soon figure out the " Must haves "

True, but i still like to carry all my firestarters Cool

> Oh ya, tinder pouch is a must have one you all the time. That is 1 of the " must haves " lol

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
We are Known By The Tracks we Leave Behind
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

Great kits! You have some really good set ups there.

I don't carry duct tape, but I do carry black electricians tape. It is in a smaller roll, you can use it for the same things you use duct tape for like splints, bandages, holding supports for a shelter, but you can also twist it into cordage. It is compact in the roll and has a thousand uses.

I don't carry the standard butane lighter for fires anymore as butane has to evaporate to ignite. If it is really cold out, and your hands are cold, the butane won't vaporize and no fire. It is better to carry a Zippo or multiple fuel lighter that draws directly to a wick. Cold doesn't bother them.

I do notice that while you guys mention space blankets, you miss one of the best reasons for carrying one. They make great signal mirrors to summon help or to help airplanes locate you.
They also make great reflectors for a fire if you have a rock face you build your fire in front, put the blanket on a frame on the far side of the fire and it will reflect a lot more heat back to you. Being between the rock face and the space blanket, the heat from the fire is far more efficent that if it is in a more open setting. The more efficient the retention of heat, the smaller the fire, the less wood you need to gather. Your own personal energy is another resource to conserve.

_________________
All gave some, Some gave all.

^ Great point on the " Space blanket signal mirror " Smile

it would work well indeed

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
We are Known By The Tracks we Leave Behind
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

	Drummer Dave wrote:
	^ Great point on the " Space blanket signal mirror " it would work well indeed

I caryy a space blanket. My tarp is silver on one side, and brown on the other side. It would be good for being seen by any rescuers. For signaling I have a hard drive disc. Cool

_________________

I would recommend getting a glass signal mirror with a whole in the middle. They are a lot easier to use than a cd. It's a lot easier to hit your target, which really comes in handy when your target and the sun aren't lined up exactly the way you want them to be. Also, glass is much more reflective so you produce a bigger flash that is visible from a longer distance.

	Quote:
	I would recommend getting a glass signal mirror

How about polished stainless steel mirror? Simply for the non-breakability factor? And there might be something else that it would be useful for improvising with.

_________________
Chacun a son gout.

It's been a long time since I used one of those and I'm having trouble remembering how well it worked. I do know that the glass ones are pretty strong. I carry one in my pack and I've never had it break.

Mine are computer hard drive discs. I got the idea from somebody on one of these forums a while ago. Had an old computer so I got 4 discs out of it. They're tinted gold a little bit, not pure silver color. you wont break those. Cool

_________________

There are unbreakable mirrors out there if you want one for your pack, I think it's worth it

_________________
"There dosen't look like there's much shelter over in those mountains, but that's the only choice I got right now, this is gonna be a long week" - Les Stroud Arctic

Nurkerol, I just tried out a metal signal mirror today! I think it's stainless steel. It has a whole in the middle. It works pretty well but it's still harder to use than a glass mirror. It's easier to aim a glass one because you see a ball of light and you just put it on the target.

When it comes to a piece of survival gear, I want it to work really well and in as many different situations as possible. If I'm trying to signal a plane that is moving across the sky and it's at a funky angle, I want a mirror that is easier to aim. So whatever mirror you have, take it out and try to hit different targets in all directions. If you can do that quickly and easily with your mirror, then I guess it's a good think to have in your kit.

I saw some rescue show, and this guy got lost in the woods and only had a camera and a mirror. He ended up flashing it from inside the woods and a plane saw him from very far away. Well they didnt see him but noticed him because the mirror works very effecively. Its amazing how a little piece of reflective material can save your life

_________________
"There dosen't look like there's much shelter over in those mountains, but that's the only choice I got right now, this is gonna be a long week" - Les Stroud Arctic

	Drummer Dave wrote:
	After awhile you start to figure out what you " really " need in your pack. I think everyone when starting out carrys everything. But you soon figure out the " Must haves "

Too true.

Nice kit, J J. Very Happy

And for signaling, I have a small glass mirror & a whistle for my travels. Smile

_________________
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. - Prov. 27:17