Mini survival kit

A mini survival kit kept in a medium tin box

A mini survival kit is a small survival kit which consists of the most essential outdoor survival tools and supplies which are the hardest to improvise, craft on the spot, or replace. It is intended to be carried on one's person at all times, be appropriate to all environments, and be a comprehensive kit without being too large. Other personal gear will primarily offer additional serviceability and ease of use, but the mini survival kit should provide for the basic needs of a survival situation, followed by self rescue, assistance, or a return to normalcy in optimum situations.

Two philosophies surround the preparation of mini survival kits. Some people like to carry a few, relatively large items such as a knife, matches, whistle, emergency food, water bottle, etc. Others prefer a collection of smaller but more comprehensive items such as rubber bands, paper clips, fishing equipment, lashing material, razor blades, etc. The decision of which technique to subscribe to depends on one's physical condition, survival skills, wilderness knowledge, and other factors.

Container

The survival tools and supplies found in a mini survival kit are generally kept in a container that is small enough to fit in a pocket. Altoids tins are commonly used, but many other options exist, including specially purchased mini-survival kit tins, regular tobacco boxes, life capsules,[1] film canisters,[2] plastic bottles, tin cans or boxes. The popular Altoids-type tins measure approximately 9.3 centimetres (3.7 in) x 5.8 centimetres (2.3 in) x 2.1 centimetres (0.83 in).[3] Some kinds of containers benefit from waterproofing, which may be done with adhesive tape or dipping the closed container in paraffin wax.

An alternative approach is to carry mini-survival kit items in no container at all, but loose on a neck-chain,[4] or directly in a satchel, pouch or belt pouch. Additionally, it may also be included into the belt itself (as is done in money belts ).

Contents

Because each kit depends on the situation and environment the person is carrying it in, there isn't a "one size fits all" kit. Instead, the person creating the kit chooses items that they will need. Below are some examples of gear carried in a kit:

Food and water procurement

Shelter

First aid

Miscellaneous

Main Categories

Some of the historically most important items to have are:

In addition to the items marked above, the following items are also frequently found in many mini-survival kits (depending on the area the operator is expecting to be in, personal experience, multiple use considerations, serviceability, and durability).

In some kits, certain items marked above can also have been completely replaced by certain items below. Items and many of their uses are listed along with alternative uses and/or alternative items to perform the role in the kit.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Life capsules also employed in mini survival kits
  2. ↑ Wilderness Survival Kit at e-ScoutCraft.com
  3. ↑ "Inner dimensions of Altoids tins?". ladyada's tea party. Retrieved 2007-11-24.
  4. ↑ Mini-survival kit items also worn on neck-chain
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