Mini-kits for survival

[glostamon]

Cell Phone is a definate in my "Day Kit",My phone is Mil. spec rugged,but I take extra precautions to prevent water damage,and shock,I place the phone in its case in side a pair of clean rolled socks then place the socksw/phone in a pvc water proof pouch.This protects the phone & gives me a clean pair of dry socks option.
I make sure the unit is fully charged & carry a spare battery in my Camel Bak HYd. day pack.I havent used water filled condoms since my college days and only then as water balloons.
My phone has GPS aswell as e-mail & camera capabilities as does most everyones.Signal & service are quite good w/ my particular provider throughout New England.( the cell might not be as usful in major SHTF,wilderness areas on multi-day excursions,but were talkin' about a day hike possibliy a little longer due to minor SHTF i.e injury.lost etc..
Cells work great for signaling, far superior to a rape whistle or directing sunlight off of tin foil towards the armardas of serach aircraft.
I typically leave my hand line fishing tackle @ home on a day trip,landing the "big one" or snaring a chip munk is a long shot. A couple protein bars & an apple is fine.finally I NEVER leave home without a quality "Leather man" type multi-tool and waterproof matches.
But ultimately you need a "Kit" that works best for you & your needs.

p.s. Do not listen to me

 

[Mike-Mike]

Toss in a chlorine tablet (pool Supply) Great to shave off a piece to purify water.

 

[Mike-Mike]

I have fishing stuff... Several hooks.. These are good for catching Geese and ducks and small birds.

 

[xstickfightx]

Here's my general woodsbumming kit. By no means does it have everything, but it is small enough to go in my pocket, so it goes everywhere I go. It supplements other gear. This is not a 'the plane went down and I gotta survive' kit. It's used when hiking or walking in areas where I'd at most be lost for 72 hours. If I were backpacking, I'd add more.

While I'm no expert in survival, I have read a lot, studied and practiced skills.

1. string of 6 split shot sinkers - for fishing
2. balloon - for water transportation. There are better choices but this is compact.
3. two contractor trash bags - many uses, including improvised shelter, windbreak and waterproofing, signaling and water collection
4. baggie to hold kit (since replaced by a waterproof box that is a better cup)
5. 6 number 14 fishing hooks - fishing. emergency-only snaring of small game
6. small rolls of surgical tape - not quite duct tape but for binding and lashing, woun treatment though not sterile
7. 25 feet of 12 pound monofilament fishing line -fishing, binding, emergency-only bird snares
8. 10 feet of 24 gauge steel wire - binding and small game snares. You can improvise cordage in the wild, but it's easier just to pack this
9. compass/thermometer combination - compass is a backup
10. razor blade - small, sharp blade. Note that it is not sterilized
11. fresnel lens - magnifier and solar fire starter
12. rubber bands - keep everything tight
13. 25' nylon string - more cordage, tie downs for my trash-bag shelter, for lashing arrows or making snares
14. 12" square of aluminum foil - signaling, water collection and boiling
15. matches - go to fire starter. if wet or I cannot manage, go to the backups
16. cotton balls - tinder, wound treatment
17. Boy scout hot spark ferro rod & striker - backup fire kit, signaling
18. basic signaling pamphlet - home made reminde
19. whistle - signaling
20. swiss army knife - I always have a knife. Usually two.

I've always been fascinated by wilderness survival and survival kits. I carry a similar kit as yours when hiking (like you, it is for hiking, not end of the world bug out gear)
Without changing your ideas I would like to suggest replacing your nylon string with genuine 550 parachute chord. This is the stuff with a braided outer sheath and has 7 inner strands of finer string. Handy stuff.

As far as first aid goes, I have a small tube of super glue to close small gashes (obviously NOT for a severed limb or sucking chest wound) and a few benadryl tablets for those that are allergic to stuff.

 

[Coyote33]

Actually, the Benadryl is a good idea. Helps with rashes, stings, or other irritations. I wonder if they help with jellyfish stings. Need to get one of those cheap drug store/gas station sealed packs.

 

[glostamon]

Actually, the Benadryl is a good idea. Helps with rashes, stings, or other irritations. I wonder if they help with jellyfish stings. Need to get one of those cheap drug store/gas station sealed packs.

Urine works best on Jellyfish stings,whip it out & piss on it!

 

[Coyote33]

Urine works best on Jellyfish stings,whip it out & piss on it!

Yeah, I'm sure that will impress the kids and lifeguards.

 

[glostamon]

Yeah, I'm sure that will impress the kids and lifeguards

It will get rid off the sting,Oh..I forgot to mention if your on a busy public beach it might get you sex offender status.Hopefully there are no kids around & the lifeguard is "Baywatch" caliber & impressed?

 

[Jedhed]

Urine works best on Jellyfish stings,whip it out & piss on it!

I'm glad I'm a dude. For a sting above the waste, I think a girl would have to do a hand stand and let 'er rip...

The wine bag is an awesome idea.

For the kit, I'd also add a few pieces of beef jerky. A little extra food for you, and small bits could be used for bait for fish or birds.

 

[stixnstones]

Toss in a chlorine tablet (pool Supply) Great to shave off a piece to purify water.

Chlorine can be toxic, as can iodine if you get the proportions wrong. Boiling works for any amount of water to kill biologics. Of course, for chemicals & salts, neither works unless you can catch the boiled water vapor and condense it.

 

[stixnstones]

Urine works best on Jellyfish stings,whip it out & piss on it!

And also on sea urchin spike impalement. I know someone who has done this.

Common vinegar works too on jellyfish stings and is a standard first-aid treatment in areas where they're common.

 

[green_metalflake]

whip it out & piss on it!

That's quite a trick.

 

[RI_John]

And also on sea urchin spike impalement. I know someone who has done this.

Common vinegar works too on jellyfish stings and is a standard first-aid treatment in areas where they're common.

I got wrapped up with a Portuguese Man O' War once and it got wrapped around my upper arm! Unfortunately, I'm Irish and thus was not able to pee on it. Actually went to hospital where they put on vinegar, then shaving cream and then "shaved" my arm with a tongue depressor to get out all the mini-spikes. Left nasty welts!

 

[ShadeWPI]

Based on some what what you said, I'm going to add a few small items you might want to consider. Sewing Needle and Kevlar Thread - This can make emergency repairs to clothing and equipment as well as serve as a wound closure thread - Kevlar can be easily boiled in water to sterlize (handled upto 500F temps and non-absorbing) and is immune to breakdown by your body. I would add a couple of Immodum tablets. As was pointed out, hydration is key and immodum will help keep you hydrated by limiting water loss due. a 1qt zip lock bag and some iodine tablets. The 1 qt bag makes measuring the water easier for sterilization - you know how much water you have. If you can find tablets that are made for 1 pint or 1 quart per tablet, you're in very good shape. I also like to carry 2 or 3 pre-moisened anti-bacterial wipes in individual foil packs. Great for would cleaning or sterilization when you don't have time to boil water. - If you're bleeding bad, use one side to wipe the wound, fold it over and run the threaded needle between the layers of the wipe. Final thing would be a very small tube of super glue. I know that's going to seem odd, but it's easier and faster than stitches, makes a large number of fast repairs and is still very small and easy to carry.

 

[glostamon]

Based on some what what you said, I'm going to add a few small items you might want to consider. Sewing Needle and Kevlar Thread - This can make emergency repairs to clothing and equipment as well as serve as a wound closure thread - Kevlar can be easily boiled in water to sterlize (handled upto 500F temps and non-absorbing) and is immune to breakdown by your body. I would add a couple of Immodum tablets. As was pointed out, hydration is key and immodum will help keep you hydrated by limiting water loss due. a 1qt zip lock bag and some iodine tablets. The 1 qt bag makes measuring the water easier for sterilization - you know how much water you have. If you can find tablets that are made for 1 pint or 1 quart per tablet, you're in very good shape. I also like to carry 2 or 3 pre-moisened anti-bacterial wipes in individual foil packs. Great for would cleaning or sterilization when you don't have time to boil water. - If you're bleeding bad, use one side to wipe the wound, fold it over and run the threaded needle between the layers of the wipe. Final thing would be a very small tube of super glue. I know that's going to seem odd, but it's easier and faster than stitches, makes a large number of fast repairs and is still very small and easy to carry.

Don't forget TAMPEX TAMPONS for Bulletwounds & or your period.

 

[ShadeWPI]

Glostamon - You're much better off packing maxi-pads or "feminin napkins" over tampons. A maxi-pad is bascally a trauma pad and actually work quite well for significant wounds. During a hike, we had a guy take a fall down a talis slope (small, loose rock slope on the side of a cliff) and managed to drive a 3/4" stick through his thigh. two maxi-pads at the wound site (did NOT remove the stick, just cut it down to about 4" on either side of the leg) and duct tape from his knee to his hip. As the blood soaks into the pad, it expands, forming a compress directly on the wound. It took us almost 2 hours to hump him out of the woods and get him to the hospital. He needed a transfusion, but he lived.

 

[glostamon]

Glostamon - You're much better off packing maxi-pads or "feminin napkins" over tampons. A maxi-pad is bascally a trauma pad and actually work quite well for significant wounds. During a hike, we had a guy take a fall down a talis slope (small, loose rock slope on the side of a cliff) and managed to drive a 3/4" stick through his thigh. two maxi-pads at the wound site (did NOT remove the stick, just cut it down to about 4" on either side of the leg) and duct tape from his knee to his hip. As the blood soaks into the pad, it expands, forming a compress directly on the wound. It took us almost 2 hours to hump him out of the woods and get him to the hospital. He needed a transfusion, but he lived.

thread killer 13 up, 7 down
One who posts in a very popular thread on a message board, and then kills it. It will stay 'dead' from 20 minutes to a week, then the thread is fu*ked, and has no chance of become a great thread again. Just like a porn star that had testy cancer.

 

[ShadeWPI]

Certainly didn't mean to kill it. Any other suggestions for a small, portable, "day trip" survival pack?

 

[glostamon]

NUTS!