One SF Soliders' Survival Kit

This survival kit is the product of many years spent in third world countries as both a soldier and contractor. I have carried, and used more then once, this kit in Central and South America, Africa, and Afghanistan. It fits nicely in a small pouch on my vest.

 

You should always carry at least three (3) ways to start a fire. I carry storm matches in an old travel size Tylenol bottle that I super glued the striker to and covered in duct tape. a mini Bic lighter, and a magnesium block with flint. I have "fire sticks" that I got at Wal-Mart years ago and tinder balls I made by soaking cotton balls in vasiline petrolium jelly. 

For lighting and signaling I carry a AAA duel beam LED flash light. It can produce a 125 lumen white light that has about a 75 ft range or a 30 lumen red light for tactical environments. Two (2) 9 hour emergency candles can be used for light, heat, or to help get a fire going and spare batteries for the flash light.

It seems that every survival kit has some kind of fishing kit in it and mine is no different. For years I carried regular monofilament line, in recent years stronger, more durable lines have come on the market. A few years ago I switched out monofilament for a braided line. I use a 50lb test line that has a diameter of standard 6lb monofilament line. I have an assortment of grubs, jig heads, and spinner baits as well as various hooks and weights. Snap swivels, barrel swivels, and plastic beads finish out the fishing kit.

I use 75lb test, black nylon coated, stainless fising wire for snare wires. You can get the wire at most Wal-Mart or K-Mart stores for under $3. I have used snares made from this wire to take game as large as racoons and most recently while teaching survival skills to my kids to take a prairie dog in our pasture.

I carry a small wire saw that has proven itself more then once for everything from making a shelter to cutting fire wood. The multi-tool has "locking" jaws like a pair of Vice-Grips, a lock blade knife that is on the outside of the frame so you don't have to open the tool to use it, wire cutters, a file, a saw blade that will cut metal, a bottle/can opener, and both philips and flat blade screw drivers. The little knife started life as a replacement blade for a utility knife. I will post an instructable on how I made it in the near future.

I have two (2) peices of heavy-duty aluminium foil. One is 12"x 2' and the other is 18"x4'. You can use the foil to make a pot to boil water in, cook in, or for signaling. There is 20' of 550 cord, 15' of duct tape, a sewing kit, and space blanket. A pencil and index cards or paper are a must have item as far as I am concerned. You can use them to leave a note for any one searching for you if you have to move or so you can write down your thoughts. You would be suprised how keeping a journal of sorts can help keep your mind in the right place in a survival situation. 

Zip-Lock bags are another must have in my book. You can use them to carry water, store edible plants, or to carry items that need to be dry. I carry 2 Zip-Locks, 1 qt size and 1 gal size.

Having tried the "bugs and rat diet" I decided two things, first I didn't want to have to rely on the bug and rat diet to survive again if I could help it, and second that I would pack a few "comfort items" in my kit. I added coffee, hot chocolate, creamer, sugar,  kool-aid, chicken noodle Cup-O-Soup, rice, candy, salt, and pepper.

I used to carry my kit in a hard plastic case that just barely fit in the pouch. Now I use a vacuum sealer bag to hold everything and have found that I have a little more room in the pouch so if I find something else I want to add I can. I am sure someone noticed that I don't have a compass in my kit. I carry a lensetic compass attached to my vest, an orienteering compass in my chest pocket, and a button compass sewed into my shirt. so I thought adding a compass to my survival kit would be a little overkill. My wife carries the same kit in her vest and hers does have a Brunton orienteering compass in it.


I hope you enjoyed this instructable and I look forward to seeing your comments and sugestions!


Train to survive!