Okay, I have been doing some work on a new kit like the one I ACTUALLY carry hiking, hunting, kayaking and even rock climbing. I say "actually" as this IS what I carry, not just a kit I put together to write about.

Normally I carry my gear in a large white plastic bulk pill container (shown right), which makes a water bottle when emptied. It's a pain to get everything packed in the bottle and even harder to get it out. Then the bottle goes into a tin can (I need that to boil water in) and all this into the neoprene carrier or into my hunting pack.

Then if I want to make a lightweight carry kit with just the Basic 4, I replace the bottle with a full water bottle. If I want to add to that, I add the compact Pocket Survival Kit. This will work, but it always bothers me as I hate the Pocket Kit's small sized gear.

To alter this, I will use 2 bottle carriers and still carry everything - which is how I've been doing it the last couple of years. But I knew there was a better combination.

So after years of experimenting..... here's the Tin Can Survival Kit!


Two Part Companion System

It's built and stored as a TWO PART SYSTEM with a WATER BOTTLE as a companion.

Main container is a 3-1/2" diameter Tin Can like one you buy green beans in. This contains all the necessary (not dated) items neatly stuffed into the can.

The second container is a round Altoids container. This carries all the perishable (dated) items to make it easy to replace them without having to unpack everything. This is carried on top of the other can.

I carry it in a neoprene bottle holder like the one shown. That's the same carrier I use for the Basic 4 kit, but this time I just carry my survival kit in it and not the water bottle. I carry the water bottle in a separate neoprene carrier.

This is a more USABLE kit than a Pocket Survival Kit and still smaller than a carrying a full sized survival kit, so I think it's better compromise between the two.


Why is this kit different?

Couple of things are different with this kit.

1) It approaches carry as a companion with a water bottle and is not a self contained kit.
2) It uses a USABLE metal container to boil water in and not the Pocket Kit's small Altoid can.
3) It is still small enough to be carried on the belt, but in a better container to more easily access your gear.
4) It separates the dated (perishable) items from the other gear so you don't have to keep repacking the kit when they expire.
5) Unlike the Budget Kit, this is the BEST gear I can buy with the space restriction. Most of this gear I have proven it's quality over time (and usage) to be some of the best I can find.

What's in the Kit?

Here's what I ACTUALLY carry with me and why I carry it.


PART ONE ( Tin Can):

1) Tin Can, 3" diameter with lid - I remove the lid with one of those "Safe edge" can openers so I can use the lid to go back on top of the can. The lid makes it quicker to bring to a boil. You could add a piece of tinfoil for this too. I drill 2 holes about an 1/8" in diameter about 1/2" down on each side of the can to hang it over a fire. (See coat hanger wire below.) You could also just punch the holes with a nail if you want. This is a Basic 4 item. Remember: Boil ALL ground water before you drink it!

2) 3" Pocket Knife, Schrade SP3 (Pictured) - This is my backup knife as I usually carry a larger one in my pocket too. (See Best Production Folding Knives) This is a good, lightweight knife that isn't fancy, but provides a good blade and a usable size to do most camp chores with. It is far superior to the ones to find in ANY pocket kit or micro-kit. A Gerber LST knife is very similar to the Schrade. This is a Basic 4 item. Price: $10

3) Gigli's Wire Saw, multi-strain 20" medical saw - this is not a cheapo wire saw like you buy at Walmart, it's a multistrain, stainless steel, medical grade Gigli. I don't pack the handles as I can improvise with some wooden pegs or as I prefer, to use paracord through the saw's loops and then wrap the cord several times around a palm size stick. The cord pads your hand as you use the saw. Price: $20

4) LED Flashlight, Streamline Key Mate (Pictured) - This is a great little light that runs on on 4 button type alkaline batteries. Package says it lasts for 96 hours of continuous use (I really don't know), but I know it's bright for the size and handy. This works better than a glow stick, candle or lighter as you can turn it off, use it without danger of starting a fire and it does not take from your precious fire starting gear. Price: $10

5) Whistle, round metal - Mine is round metal like a "dog whistle" that I've had for years. I think it came out of a cheap survival knife, but the whistle works and is compact. Since a whistle is the #1 survival signal device, get one into your kit - even if you can't find this one.

6) 1.25" Mirror, round - This is a cheapo mirror I found in a multi-sort bag of mirrors at a craft shop. A mirror is the #2 survival signaling device, so get the biggest you can fit into your kit. I taped it to my fishing line spool with a cardboard pad and placed it flush to the bottom of the can so it wouldn't get broken.

7) Fishing line, 100 yds (300 ft.) of 8 lb. test line - This is the size that best fits my can so I can get the whole spool into my tin can. I know that's not very scientific, but it's really the delimiting factor. Pound test of the line can be anything you want, but I prefer 8-12 lb test stuff as it's heavy enough to handle most fish without breaking and capable to be used as lashings for a shelter if I need to. If you can't find a spool that fits your can, then make one using an empty scotch tape roller.

8) 4x Split shot sinkers - I store them in the fishing line spool's cutouts with the fish hooks and bobber. Split shot is easy to reuse over and over again, so that makes them valuable. Using a sinker helps you fishing by getting your bait lowered from the surface of the water to where the fish are. You can't "dangle dinner" in front of the fish if you can't get it down to them. A couple of these are enough.

9) 10 x Fish Hooks (6x #6 Snelled, 4x #8 Plain BRASS) - Fish hooks in the #6 to #10 size range are best. Remember a large hook only catches big fish, but a small hook catches them all. What and how many is up to you, but I carry 10 in my kit. I use the "plain" hooks for traditional fishing and the "snelled" hooks for an easy trout line. Get the shiny BRASS hooks as fish will strike something shiny even without bait.

10) 1/2" Bobber, red & white plastic - Bobbers do not seem important and are often overlooked, but they vastly improve your chances to catch a fish. If you don't believe me, try it without one AND without a fishing rod! This one is not fancy, but it lets me time the setting of the hook when I get a nibble.

11) P-38 Can Opener - This may seem a little useless, but this little gadget is one of the US Army's most intelligent devices they EVER invented. This is the first "multi-tool" and it has dozens of uses outside opening cans. I primarily use it as a backup striker for my FireSteel and a screwdriver (both types), but there or other uses. (Maybe we can discuss those in a thread below.)

12) 6x Bandaids - Not many in my opinion like in the Budget Kit, so I use these sparingly. Yes I would carry more (and do) in my pocket as an add on when I think about it.

13) Soap, 1.5" x 2" x 3/4" bar of antibacterial - This is a bar I got from a hotel stay. It's a nice size to pack in my kit and gives me a way to really get any wounds clean so they don't get infected. Getting a cut clean is rule #1 in first aid.

14) 4x Safety Pins - a general "fix-it" item that has lots of uses, especially to replace a lost button.

15) 1x Needle - used with some of the inner strains from my 550 Paracord to repair clothing and such. I also use it to dig out the occasional splinter.

16) 2x Straight Pins - I like the ones with a round plastic head to help you hang on to them. I use these instead of my needle for splinters and if you wear glasses, these can be used to replace a missing screw.

17) Lighter, Bic - Primary firestarter and good for hundreds of lights. I use the full size Bic in this kit to save uses on my FireSteel. Even if the fluid runs out, you can still use the striker to start fires. This is a Basic 4 item.

18) Metal Match, FireSteel Scout model (red handle) with striker - This is hands down the BEST metal match on the market. These are reliable, burn hot and MUCH better than those magnesium block versions. EVERYONE should own at least one of these and they should be in EVERY kit. This thing is so good that I even break one to fit in my Pocket Survival Kit as even a short FireSteel is better than any other alternative metal match. I wrap a piece of athletic tape around the striker to keep a better grip on it when I'm using it. Price: $12 (Scout Model)

19) Compass, Wrist band type from BQM (Shown) - I bought one of these years ago from Brigade Quartermasters. It's one of the best button type compasses on the market and used in most reputable Pocket Kits. I did not keep the wrist band, but I usually put this on a neck chain with my FireSteel. I primarily use it to orientate myself back to my camp if I'm in unfamiliar country. A compass will tell you which direction is which, but YOU still need to know what direct you need to go. Price: $7

20) Trash Bag, 13 gal. white plastic (2' x 3') - This is used to collect rain water when it rains and to make solar stills in the desert, NOT for shelter.

21) 5x Wire Ties - These have lots of general "fix-it" uses, especially to repair eye glasses.

22) Candle, Tea Light - Sometimes it's easier to light a candle and then use it to start your fire than it is with a match or lighter. Also, a candle can provide you with a small heat source in your shelter without much risk of setting the place on fire. Under something like a plastic tarp or tube tent, these can very easily warm things up - just be careful under plastic with the open flame.

23) Mini Multi-tool (shown) - This a cheap version of a mini-Leatherman tool. Tools include an LED flashlight, knife, can opener, Phillips screwdriver, nail file and pliers. I use to carry nail clippers instead, but the pliers make removing fish hooks easier, so I switched. The flashlight makes a good backup to my Streamline and the nail file has been very useful. This is a "newer" item in my kit as I usually carry a larger multi-tool on my belt anyway, but putting this little gem in the kit makes it nice. It's about 2.5" long. Price: $7

24) 2x 4" pcs of Coat Hanger Wire - I use these to hold the Tin Can over a fire. You can use a stick or string and fix it any way you want. I prefer using one as a hook in the hole on one side of the can and the other to hook it to a stick. It's pretty simple and easy to use. Some might use one through the holes in the can instead. Whatever works for you, the point is that these make it easier to hold your can over the fire.

25) 20" Neck Chain - I like having some of the gear on me at ALL times when I'm out in the woods - it's just an old habit I have. I use this bead type neck chain or a piece of paracord to make a necklace. On this I will normally put my FireSteel metal match, Schrade pocket knife and the button compass. If something extreme happens that separates me from my camp and/or the rest of my gear, I CAN make it with just this stuff IF I have to. But I'd rather not.

26) 10' Snare Wire, stainless steel - I'm getting better at snares, but I'm still learning. Either way, the snare wire is a helpful item to have around. Funny thing is that I've used the wire to fix and lashing things, but I've never actually caught anything in one! I'll keep trying. It doesn't take up much space, so pack it even if you suck at making snares.

27) Dental Flosse, 5 yds - Use it for thread, lashing, fishing line or floss, it's just handy and takes up little space.

28) Knife Sharpener, 3" long Ceramic Rod - This is a must have item that is grossly overlooked. Keep a knife edge sharp makes chores easier. Knives WILL dull with use, so you're going to have to sharpen it. This rod is 3" long and 1/3" in diameter, so it's compact and does a good job of sharpening.

29) Cotton Tinder/Rattle muffler - Cotton balls help to muffle the rattle of everything, pad items so they don't get beat up with rough knocking about and can be used for tinder and bandage materials. I just stuff in a half dozen or so into pockets and the top of the can's lid as I see a need and leave it at that.

30) 35' Paracord (7 strain) - Wrapped around the outside of the can, this is the REAL stuff and not the cheap "stretchy" civilian stuff. It light weight and strong for all lashing tasks. It has 7 strains inside that can be used for thread. This is my primary cordage for lashing, so I'm not going to skimp on the cheap stuff. You could use a nylon/cotton twine if you want, but I'm taking the best I can find. Price: $8.00 for 100 ft.

31) Sunblock, waterproof (SPF30) - This is a new item for me to put in this kit. I was able to use a lotion sample (tube) and refill it with Sunblock. If you're a fair skin person like me, you know why this is an important item. I never have it when I need it, so this is a great add on as a result of using a two part component system! Yes it was a pain to get it in this container, but worth every drop. I doubt not much more than a single application for the arms, face and neck, but it beats getting sunburned.



PART TWO (Altoids Topper Can):
- PERISHABLE items.

NOTE: The food items in this kit are merely comfort items and NOT necessities for survival, but they make it so much less "rough".

1) Altoids Can, round - close it up with duct tape and mark the outside with a refresh date.

2) 2x Tea Bags - A little warm pick-me-up on a cold morning really helps warm your bones after a night on the cold ground. I prefer coffee, but tea bags pack better.

3) 2x Sweetener packs - Sweetener for the tea and just for taste. Originally I had Splenda packs, but you can use whatever you want.

4) 3x Bouillon Cubes - Come in Chicken and Beef flavors that will let you make a broth when added to water. Doesn't seem like much, but a cup of it will sure cheer you up on a cold day. Add just about any meat or wild edibles to it for a soup.

5) 6x Tylenol (500 mg Caplets) (analgesic) - General purpose pain killer and fever reducer that is easier on the stomach that regular aspirin. Lasts 4-6 hours on the average. I usually reserve them for fever and headaches.

6) 2x Imodium (antidiarrhea) - I doubt I need to explain what it's for, but having some can keep you from dehydrating to quickly if you have "problems". Most problems stem from not boiling your water, so be sure you boil your water in your Tin Can before you drink it.

7) 2x Benedryl (antihistamine) - This is a simple fix for any allergic reactions you may have to insect bites or other allergies. For some, especially those with asthma, this can be one of the most important items in your kit.

8) Personal Medications - If you take medicines for your heart, asthma, seizures or other condition, you will want to carry a few doses of your medication with you at all times. If you get caught out in a flash winter storm and have to spend the night, you don't what to be worried about getting your meds, or worst, having your condition debilitate you so you can't take care of yourself. It's just too simple to fix. Ask your doctor about some samples to give you a couple of doses for an emergency.


Finishing Touches:

To pack, I use duct tape to tape both lids on good and then put them in ziploc bags for waterproofing. Then everything goes into my neoprene carrier.


General Specs:

Tin Can - 3" (75 mm) in diameter & 4.5" (110 mm) tall

Altoids Can - 3" (75 mm) in diameter & 1" (23 mm) tall

Overall Weight (Packed): 1.5 lbs (.7 kgs)


Ironhand