The trouble with survival kits is that the more you think, the bigger the kit gets. My ideal survival kit would include some kind of firearm, if only a .22 handgun or takedown .22 rifle, but then it's too big to go everywhere you go. I suppose the idea is that it takes several days or even weeks to starve to death; if you can stay reasonably warm (fire), somewhat dry (space blanket), and hydrated (iodine tablets for the water) you should be able to stay alive until they come for you. It looks like the wilderness kit could do that, so it's a good kit. But just make room for a .22 kit gun and fifty rounds of ammo.

The problem with survival kits is that most people won't carry one unless they know they need it.....who knows when you need it. I would pay a million dollars for a fireproof match, a garbage bag and an iodine tablet if I needed them. Small is great if you know how to use the kit. Get this one or make one and put it in your billfold. You can always spend a week building a better one if you know you're going into a high risk situation.

While I like seeing all of the store bought and self-made survival kits, the best and most important things I have found is knowledge and experience. As an example, go outside right now and start a fire... without matches or a lighter. The "rubbing two sticks together" or bow-drill are not as easy as the sound.

All the kits seem put together well. I agree practice is important. I will have to put that advice to work. I need some practice andwould be great father son activity. As far as bein just enough in it to kill you I would have to respectfully disagree. You could take a suitcase of stuff with you and lack of experience would render it useless. I plan on practicing more.

When he takes the fishing line from that plastic bag he will, doubtless, spend much happy time untangling the mess. As for the snare wire, unless you are practiced in snaring technique, you will waste valuable energy. If you insist on trying, I recommend a couple of slightly larger swivels to go between the wire and the anchor. Your prey will be most uncooperative and trash the snare. From experience the X-Acto blades are next to useless unless you need to lance an infection or similar activity. Back-up for a knife?? WOW! Carry a spare knife. I never leave home with fewer than 3. Can iodine tabs be used for antisepsis? And forget the cable saw; another energy waste even with a green sapling bow; even if the saw stays together.

I agree that everyone should carry an emergengy survival kit, and they need to know how to use it. But I am unsure as to the firearm part. I think it would be best to know how to make hnting weapons. With firearms, you run the risk of it jamming up when you need it, forgeting to clean it, and rnning out of ammo for it. If you know how to make your own, even as a back-up, is probably the best thing you can do.

I think it is better to load your own survival kit that way you can pick what YOU want. The contents you pick are the ones you think you need most.

i would just take the altoids

Click on the last slide to read the text about the "component groups." Only then can you start to put a kit together that suits your worst conditions. Shelter and fire is always first. Learn how to use the stuff before you have to try it in the wind/rain/snow/cold/dark. We make a game out of the magnesium bar+striker rib to see who builds the quickest fire. 30 seconds isn't hard when you practice. I'll bet if I looked, there's 2 dozen disposable butane lighters scattered in my gear.

I took a water proof credicard holder and stuffed it with a knife cotton matches, parachute cord, a flashlight and a caribiner clip.

Nice kit, but not waterproof. I would recommend putting all that stuff in a ziplock, THEN putting it in the altoids box.

oddly enough, I don't know what half that stuff is for..

There are many good suggestions here on the comment board,but I am surprised that nobody has mentioned that many of the smaller items can all be easily put into a 35mm film canister or even an old medicine bottle which can be carried in nearly any pocket and resists water and can often float depending on which contents are in it.

Years ago Alabama passed a new hunter safety law and a buddy at work reported back from the classes. One of the teachers had fallen in a stream when a log broke and lay in the water with his leg twisted under him calculating the odds of survival. He had left most of his stuff in his truck. He now carries an extensive fanny pack BUT - the best kit is one you will carry with you. So the work buddy and I got into a small contest on making a pocket survival kit. I picked a big band-aid box that would barely fit my shirt pocket, but this little altoids tin kit looks like so much fun! Second point: In the eastern US, nobody stays lost for very long - 48 hours maybe?. Western US - different story. Different kit.

Its really helpfull to have if you lose your gun or just to have in case the unthinkable happens.

This is a great little kit. Does it contain every thing that person who is not use to being out in the enviroment or in incliment weather ? ( no ) However I believe that most everyone that I hunt,hike,or fish with including my three boys ages 10-17 could survive the elements for the first 72 hours with what is in this kit. Remember that if you are out in the woods hunting or hiking or even just taking pictures that you will have a minimal amount of equipment with you from firearms to even perhaps a shelter or maybe just a camera. If you use your imagination you can come up with some awsome ideals with a small amount of supplies. The number one key thing is confidence. You must have confidence that you can get through this tuff situation and will be O.K. So in my opinion this type of small kit is perfect for everyone, I have one that stays in my pack that I made from a plastic soap holder that can double as a digging tool or a drinking cup. the overall outcome is limit less with a good imagination.
God Bless

I would never carry that emergency pack. I don't see ANY GOOD reason to carry a small kit that won't keep you alive when you can just carry a backpack full of EVERYTHING you need.

The only good survival kit is one you bring with you and know how to use. I have mine in a fanny pack-- it has a small hatchet, 2 mag lites, and a spare set of batteries. I carry a bike flasher which can be seen for hundreds of yards especially if you climbed a tree and attached it up high. Put it on it's intermintent setting and it will flash for 200 hours-also usefull for dragging out your deer after dark. A sturdy space blanket and large orange garbage bag, first aid kit,signal mirror, some waterproof fire starter, a couple of lighters, a regular swiss army knife and a small water bottle are included. Throw in a few granola bars and a couple of juice boxes, 50' of parachute cord and you're good to go. Anyway this is my version. Yes it weighs a bit but it's got you covered for a day or 2 lost in the woods.

as for the finger saw/wire saw, I noticed someone said that they're useless. That depends on the one used. If you've had bad experiences with one before, it's probably because you bought the cheapest one wal-mart had to offer. One thing I've found is that you get what you pay for. If you're going to put in the time and effort to make a survival kit of any size or caliber, make sure you're using quality products. In the same respect, make sure what you use doesn't expire, or keep expiration dates in mind when putting it together. Even if you don't ever use it, set aside a little time once in a while to check the stuff inside: rust on a blade or wire will affect its performance when you need it most!

I'm new to this site, and appreciate the good ideas. I looked at an altiods tin a couple of years ago,too small for me.I have access to small ink tins, very thin and light, yet still rigid. Covers fit tightly and with electrical tape they are waterproof. They are 2/3 larger than altoids (3 3/8 dia x 1 1/8 thick). I have packed a lot of gear in mine; hack Saw blade,needles,fish line, hooks,magnesium fire starter,cotton balls with vicks,exacto blades,aspirin,q-tips,hone,wire, plastic tube,copper wire,wire saw,ss wire,safety pins,emory board,chalk,tooth picks, lense. Yes, it's packed,but will fit in my back pocket. My key ring also is a tool kit of sorts with boy scout sparker, exacto blades,hacksaw blade in a plastic tube with cotter pin, 4 1/2" steel tube cut on an angle hypodermic needle style the taped back together and drilled on one end to accomodate the saw blade and cotter pin. The tube is sharpened on the other end as a punch, with a pencil slid inside. My wallet contains a razor blade,a large needle and thread, silk to magnetize the needle for use as an emergency compass, and a p38. I also keep dental floss,knife,my gerber tool,and a zippo with extra flint inside. My dad,Boy Scouts,search and rescue, and a stint in the militia, have all helped make me aware that sometimes even with people around I may be on my own. Self reliance is our best reliance...Lars

Hey all,

I've been reading a lot of your comments. However, I think you are carrying too much stuff.

The essentials:

1) A well made compass. Suunto puts out a great compact floatable compass, that can double as a signal mirror.

2) Fire. Swedish firesteel. It Will light even if wet, in snow ect..

3) A good knife. Preferable single piece or one that can lock off.

4) A stainless steal container for storage. Why. So that you can cook in it and boil water to kill parasites.

5) Paracord and a carabiner. With a munters hitch and a couple figure eights (knots) you can repel off a cliff if you have to. Paracord can also be used for lashing together a shelter.

Really, everything else is unnecessary. You've covered water (boiling), fire (heat), shelter and obstacles (paracord).

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Note: You could use a piece of steel wool and your cell phone battery to light a fire. Which maybe a good back up for your fire stick.

I think this would make a great cheap christmas gifts. But the Altoids can isn't water proof. I found when I was fly fishing and had my flys in one.