In this article, I am going to show you how to make The Ultimate Do It Yourself Survival Kit – Pocket Pack. I call it the pocket pack because it really needs to be big enough to fit in the cargo pocket of your pants. The idea of the survival kit is that it is small enough to carry easily when you are out and about.
It needs to be small and accessible so that if you have to get out in a hurry, you can grab it and go. This kit should enable you to survive for a day or three, and if you are skilled, for quite a while longer.
Why Does One Carry A Survival Kit
The reasons why you would need to carry a survival kit could be a lengthy article on its own. One could never cover all the circumstances that could lead to you needing a survival kit but if you just think of your favourite pastime you could come up with many such circumstances where a survival kit would be beneficial.
If you were on a mountain hike and someone got injured and had to stay on the trail overnight until help arrived, such a kit could be quite beneficial. Then there are the old natural disasters, civil unrest and a lot more that could require the need for a survival kit.
Commercial Survival Kits
There are dozens of commercial survival kits available, but these can be quite costly and not all of them are suitable for your circumstances. The other side of it is that most of the contents of these kits are available right in your home. This being the case, why would you want to pay out cash for one.
These kits range from the absolute basics to large gimmicky kits like:
- Paracord bracelets,
- Waterbottle kits
- Hiking stick kits
- cigar box kits,
But some are quite practical.
If the truth be told, the “kits are not true survival kits but survival toolkits. They have only tools to help you survive but, with a broken leg on a mountain trail, how would you survive if you do not have sufficient food just to keep you going until help arrives. Yes, you can survive weeks without food but when you are injured, the food certainly helps with the strength to keep you going.
The best kit is one that is purpose-built for the terrain and weather conditions that you are going to operate in. Although a kit can be suitable for a variety of conditions, they do not usually cover all conditions. So, when you want to assemble your own kit, there are a few things that you should consider.
The Region
Where are you going to be going? If you are going to the mountains, your dist would be different from a survival kit for the desert or a marshland. The season also plays a big role and must be taken into account.
Container
There are many options here, from fancy plastic or tin containers or just plain Ziploc bags. There are 3 things to consider here:-
- Size, the container must be big enough to carry all the components of the kit but must also be small enough to fit into your pocket.
- Ruggedness, it must be strong enough to survive the bumps and pressures that it will sustain without breaking. It must protect the contents from damage.
- Waterproof, This is a must. You cannot have your food or other supplies damaged by rain or water in river crossings.
You should consider which suits your needs. A Bicycle Saddlebag on your belt makes a good Survival Kit Container. If you are carrying your kit in the pocket of your trousers, you could probably get away with having the kit in a Ziploc bag which is placed within another Ziploc bag to give it strength and ensure water resistance.
Remember, the larger the kit, the more likely you are to take it out of your pocket and leave it while you just fetch water or firewood or watch that bird, and that is probably when you will need it most.
Fire
Fire gives warmth, gives mental encouragement and cook food, not to forget keeps pests away. With this in mind, ensure that you have two or three different ways of starting a fire and have extra lighters etc in your other pockets and bags. If you have a fire, you already feel a lot better, not forgetting that you can now signal others and heat water etc.
Water
This is the one thing that you never have enough of. Most people only carry 1 ltr of water and that does not last long, especially if you are physically active or are cleaning and treating a wound. While walking, running hiking etc, ensure that you fill your water bottle at every opportunity with water cleaned and boiled where necessary.
Even if you have not got enough water, if you are prepared, you can usually get water near you. don’t’ forget your plastic bag and water purification tablets.
Shelter & Warmth
This is a problem, especially if your movement is restricted, so ensure that you carry 1 or 2 “space blankets” to have shelter from the sun and rain and to keep yourself warm.
Medical
Can you ever have enough medical supplies to cover all eventualities? Not likely so you carry what is most helpful in most circumstances. Remember, you are limited by what you can fit in the container.
Food
Remember, you are not carrying full meals here. One or two sachets of a supplement, a cube or two of beef, chicken vegetable extract to make a warm broth etc is what you need. You want to keep alive, warm and in a good frame of mind. you will, however, be going hungry but you will be able to survive for quite a while.
This little bit of nourishment is more than you would have with just your commercial “survival (tool) Kit”.
Signaling
As I said earlier, you can use your fire to signal both day or night, large flames at night and smoke in the day. A piece of tin foil makes a good reflector for signalling during the day.
Cordage
A length of paracord is a good addition to your kit. This is a multipurpose item and can be used for building a shelter, making a tonequette, holding dressings in place, splinting limbs etc. I am sure you would find a lot of uses for this.
A Knife
A small pocket knife to help with cutting cordage, dressings, making a shelter, cutting small sticks to build a fire etc. It can also be used for killing and cleaning small game and birds for food.
It is Your Kit – Build it Yourself
I have taken you through some of the things that you should consider when deciding on a “Survival Kit”. Commercial Kits have some nice tools and could easily form part of your Survival Kit but never consider these kits to be complete.
This kit is not there to keep you in the lap of luxury. It is a survival kit and it is only meant to help you through a bad situation. don’t try to make it a home away from home. If it cannot fit in your pocket or it is uncomfortable in your pocket, this usually means that something is wrong with it, too bit, wrong container etc.
Your Survival kit must be small, light and comfortable enough to carry in your trouser pocket. The moment you take it out to do something is the moment you will probably end up needing it.
Something to consider is wearing a neck scarf while out walking etc. A neck scarf is an extension of your Survival kit. It can be used to make a sling, bandage, support injured limbs, head dressing, filter coarse dirt from water, Signaling and the list goes on.
Consider your circumstances carefully and take care assembling your Survival Kit. What you decide to put in it could be a life or death decision.
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“It is better to have prepared and never to need it than to be unprepared and be in desperate need of it”.
Be Aware. Be Safe. Be Prepared!