Personal Survival Kit (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter NLXTACY
- Start date
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Bandana is hand-washable only! Instructions on bandana might transfer to skin if not used properly.
By the way, there's a whole bunch of people that subscribe to the notion of "ultra-light backpacking". Just google that term and you will find that people go on a 5-7 day backpacking trips with a pack that weights about 10 lbs and this includes the sleeping gear, shelter, first aid kit, stove, clothing, water filter, flashlight, uility knife, repair supplies, etc.
The only thing not included in this 10 lbs is the food, fuel, and water.
So, I think that you can survive for a few days with a small pack.
By the way, there's a whole bunch of people that subscribe to the notion of "ultra-light backpacking". Just google that term and you will find that people go on a 5-7 day backpacking trips with a pack that weights about 10 lbs and this includes the sleeping gear, shelter, first aid kit, stove, clothing, water filter, flashlight, uility knife, repair supplies, etc.
The only thing not included in this 10 lbs is the food, fuel, and water.
So, I think that you can survive for a few days with a small pack.
NLXTACY
Wits' End
- Thread starter
- #23
Yeah this kit is NOT intended for back-packing for days. This is a bag we each put on EVERY time we go for any kind of hike no matter how short. Heck I went out with Mark Algazy and DUSTY 66 for a really short trip and they were looking at me like I was nuts. Well hiking there in Saline valley with volcanic rock was tearing up DUSTY's dog's foot pads. Well I happen to have duct tape wrapped around my flashlight that we used to make booties for him. He was fine after that. This is purely a worse case scenario. If the sh!t hits the fan from what we thought was going to be a no big deal hike, I want to make sure we are going to be safe.
For short hikes, you should carry even less -- especially since you have an EMT's first aid kit in the 80!
By the way, if you carry hiking poles, these can be used in combination with space blanket (or tarp) and your parachute rope to create shelter from rain or sun.
Also, the hiking poles are very handy for crossing streams as you balance yourself on slippery rocks. They can be used to keep animals away and help you climb downhill.
There are ultra light compact poles that don't take much room in your pack and weight less than 12 ounces.
By the way, if you carry hiking poles, these can be used in combination with space blanket (or tarp) and your parachute rope to create shelter from rain or sun.
Also, the hiking poles are very handy for crossing streams as you balance yourself on slippery rocks. They can be used to keep animals away and help you climb downhill.
There are ultra light compact poles that don't take much room in your pack and weight less than 12 ounces.
Bogo
FOOF
Bogo
FOOF
And a fairly complete kit at that, although those wire saws don't work at allAnd I'd add a plastic bag for gathering water.... And maybe a thin poncho for rain protection, but pretty good
Good wire saws work. Many are cheap POS. As with any saw they need to draw them so the teeth have a chance to clear the saw dust out of them. Because they wrap around the wood you have to use a much longer stroke than a regular saw.I recommend using a length of strap looped through the rings to provide a better hold on them. That way you can pull harder on them.
The only wire saw that I've ever seen actually work was basicaly a chain saw blade with a sweet handle. Every one of the wire type that I've seen, tried, or read a reall review on don't even make saw dust....
MythBusters even did a segment on the...busted
I rely on my Leatherman saw that is good for up to 2" dia. Curious though why would you need to cut anything larger?
Yeah if you have a good knife you can limb about anything you'd want or need. And a small saw will do all of the fine work you would ever need to do ie snares and traps...
One thing to be careful with the trash bags, some of them are lined with either a fragrance or some sort of odor fighting film that could be fatal if accidentally mixed with anything you might be carrying in the bag.
One of the issued warnings where deer hunters used trash bags to hold their catch..ended up making them pretty sick. Wish I still had the news article, but that was a while ago...makes sense to me since many plastic bags are lined and not to mention all the chemicals that leech from the plastic that act like human hormones...nasty stuff.
There's a lot of duplicative stuff there. Why do you need a can opener if you have a knife? Especially when you are not taking anything in a can that requires an opener? I think you might enjoy some of your hikes a little bit more if you pare your pack down a little bit.
Start with things that you absolutely need:
knife (I prefer the Leatherman Wave)
water
hat (you want one when it's cold to keep you warm, and when it's hot to keep the sun off of your head)
compass and map (preferably of the area you are currently in)
Build from there based on the season:
lighter
space blanket and/or tarp
something to catch and/or hold water, such as a ziploc bag
sunscreen
just sort of thinking out loud here. things like gatorade are more of a luxury than a survival necessity. being able to get back to where you came from is huge, followed by being able to survive where you are for a little while (a few days) and being able to signal in some way for anybody who may be looking for you.
Start with things that you absolutely need:
knife (I prefer the Leatherman Wave)
water
hat (you want one when it's cold to keep you warm, and when it's hot to keep the sun off of your head)
compass and map (preferably of the area you are currently in)
Build from there based on the season:
lighter
space blanket and/or tarp
something to catch and/or hold water, such as a ziploc bag
sunscreen
just sort of thinking out loud here. things like gatorade are more of a luxury than a survival necessity. being able to get back to where you came from is huge, followed by being able to survive where you are for a little while (a few days) and being able to signal in some way for anybody who may be looking for you.
Isn't all the stuff we have listed a luxury to a degree? Lost people are usually found within a few day of missing. Aside from freezing to death you dont "need" anything for a few days. The one thing that has not been listed is the willingness to live and a strong mental attitude.
With that said I still carry a lot of stuff.
With that said I still carry a lot of stuff.
Yes of course. But, it all depends on what you're looking to accomplish. The OP stated that he took this pack on every single hike he took. I was just offering that he could cut some redundancy while not sacrificing utility or safety so that he could have a lighter pack and therefore a more enjoyable outing. What he has right now is a great bag to keep IN HIS TRUCK all the time so that he will have all of that stuff in an emergency situation. At some point, though, carrying a lot of stuff becomes an issue of diminishing returns. You don't want to be unnecessarily burdened.
Ultimately, it's all about what you're comfortable with.