All over the internet, there are dozens of little ''how to'' articles on what are called 'Pocket Survival Kits' or PSKs. For newly converted 'preppers' and obsessive zombie survivalists, PSKs are a big deal. You and myself might ask why it is such a popular idea. A while back, I looked at many pre-made PSKs and DIY articles on these kits. And what I found was that MOST of those kits are almost useless. Why? They were created to serve a large number of viewers/buyers in many environments from cheap components and that were designed to be too compact to fit useful tools. However, I do think the idea has potential.
My Take on Them: The idea behind PSKs is to provide a compact, simplified survival kit, small enough to be carried on your person in case your other gear is separated from you. I emphasize the carried-on-person point- there is no reason to have a PSK along with your backpack full of gear because a backup kit is useless if it gets lost with the everything else! Another reason I feel that the cheap components in commercial kits are inadequate is not only because they provide the wrong tools needed, they don't even do the job the sellers intended! For example, in some 'paracord grenades' (another kind of PSK) the flint and tiny razor in the kit will not even produce sparks. Often, the blades provided are so small that any use for them cannot be accomplished. Need to sharpen a stick? Cut through a bone? Kill a caught animal? The blade is too small!
Now, I am not saying all PSKs are useless. They just need to include, include better, include more of, or remove certain items. To make them useful, they should be individually designed according to your expected environment when in need.
Every kit should include:
A blade-at least three inches long, durable, able to provide sparks with a flint
water purification- Oftentimes no items are provided for water purification/collecting in kits, because it costs a little more and is harder to obtain. Include iodine tablet packets and a lightweight water bag. Also, know how to use plant transpiration to obtain water, and how to remove salt from seawater by collecting water released into the air by boiling, especially if you have a metal kit container.
fire making source- matches, mini lighter or flint
repair- This is one area that I think is most overdone in many kits. Oftentimes, kits are filled with more safety pins, sewing needles, and thread than you could ever need. Sure it can be useful, but a rip in your clothes isn't that big a deal when you are starving to death. A small roll of ducttape wrapped around a credit card is sufficient. Ducttape can be used to secure a bandage wripped from your clothes, eliminating the need for countless bandaids. Also useful for making spears, repair, and more.
food gathering- The best gear for this aspect is your head. Knowledge of edible plants in your area and other possible sources of food is invaluable. Many kits include hooks for fishing, but no fishing line, thinking you can improvise- harder said than done. Add hooks, line, and sinkers. Bobbers can be improvised more easily if neccesary. Only put in lures/fake bait if fish in your area are attracted to such methods. Also, they put in wire for snares. Be aware, the flimsy, thin wire in those kits can only be used on small mammals (including squirrels, chipmunks, etc). Larger animals like coons, foxes and possums chew or break through it in minutes. Even with small animals a dispatching snare is recommended (animal triggers snare, sapling springs lifts it off ground, strangling it). Strong cord and a dispatching system is recommended for larger animals. And don't just expect to start catching animals right after you get lost in the woods- practice the methods at home.
Cooking- Most organisms can be cooked on a stick or rock beside a fire. For boiling wild edibles, cooking eggs and other options, a metal kit container is recommended, but not necessary. Aluminum foil also can be helpful.
Shelter- Many kits provide little in the way of shelter, an important component for cold environments. Even 40 degrees in jeans and a shirt can be detrimental without your warm bed and heating. In cold temperatures without shelter, very quickly your fingers and body go numb, leading to an inability to start fires, obtain food, and use other survival tools. Lightweight, compact ponchos can be purchased for a dollar or two for rain and wind protection, along with water collection and shelter buildinging. The heavy duty cord mentioned above (preferably paracord) can also be used to construct lean tos.
Other heat sources- Sometimes, a survival situation doesn't develop until it is too cold, to wet, or not quick enough to build a fire or shelter. Handwarmers can be a useful addition to warm numb extremities to be able to use them again.
Light- Depending on your situation, this may not be needed. The light of day may be sufficient for all survival acticities you will require. However, for some uses, like frog and fish gigging at night, need for more travel time, hunting animals that come out at night, supplementary light is necessary. Many kits provide tiny candles, but in most of these cases mentioned the light would not be sufficient. Find compact, bright flashlights for your kit. Be aware that the smaller and brighter you want, the more it costs. But that may be necessary.
Situational-dependent gear- Almost everybodies daily environment is differnet, and have different on-hand resources for use in conjunction with a kit. For example, in my original survival kit I also carried ammo for my deer and squirrel rifles because thats what I most often had on hand when my kit was with me. There are dozens of other options that are pertinent for your own situation.
Great Sites to visit on the topic include Building a Great Pocket Survival Kit at Teotwawki Blog.
If you are ready to build a pocket survival kit, thekeytosurvival.com has hundreds of kit items to build your pocket survival kit from the ground up, completely customized.
To Be Continued- I plan to add a narration of how my kit developed from a hunting gear kit to a full survival kit as the situation demanded. Also pictures of my own kits and examples of great kits put together by other people.
