Survival Kit for Non-Prepper

We're going on a family hike today. We're barely leaving the city but my son doesn't think Dad's LM Wave, Mag Solitaire and cell phone cut it in terms of preparedness. Neither of want to lug more than we have to so he set up a little kit for him. (For Dad, I mean.) He'll definitely need the water, cup, spork, bug spray and sunscreen. Everything else is just in case and will likely not be used.

It's made out of stuff we had around the house so didn't cost us a penny. It's packed into a sling pack, and contains:

-lined fleece jacket
-fixed blade knife
-mini Mag and extra set of batteries
-BIC lighter
-lip balm
-3 cotton balls
-dental floss
-garbage bag
-spork
-Naglene water bottle (full)
-old fashioned sierra-style cup
-MicroPUR tabs
-bug juice
-sunscreen
*we added a Fox 40 to one of the pack zips
*added emergency poncho and bandana
*added about 10 ft of duct tape (wrapped on a playing card)
*We're going to add some jerky on the way to the trail head


What would you pack for a non-prepper activity partner? We don't want anything too cumbersome or with too much stuff that won't get used.

Good kit Jac. My suggestions would be to add spare socks, a bandanna and first aid. It's alway good to carry your own Personal FAK. Perhaps an inexpensive leatherman knock off. I bought one here for $5.00 and it came with a sheath, tiny flashlight and tiny led light. Also I'd change out the chlorine dioxide tabs for a tiny filter like the Frontier model od iodine tabs. The four hour cure time is absurd and hard for many adults to endure, let alone an 8 year old who's learning the ropes. Good choice with the fixed blade over a folder. Just my personal opinons. Hope this helps

I agree with SD, a Leatherman would round out your kit nicely. Maybe add some disinfectant wipes.

more food..some sort of filling power bar and maybe a pack of dry soup that could be made in the cup.
maybe it's just because i'm a old guy but i think fire and food,lots of it,should be on the top of the list for these kits.

Somr food bars and chocolate? hard Candy and gum?

Great ideas guys. Thanks! More food, socks and FAK (including wipes) have been added. He's been working on fixing a leaky bathroom all weekend so wasn't up to a hike today, BUT... we snuck it into his truck for just in case. :-)

Agreed! He's an old guy too. Hates the cold and gets grumpy when he's hungry.

My son came down with the stomach flu shortly before lunch on our hike today so we took a long slow hike back out after I ate, he drank juice and I packed up. He said it's a good thing we didn't wait it out. I reminded him of the stuff we carry in our packs for shelter, fire, water and food and he said "Oh yeah. It's too bad we didn't wait it out." It would have been an overnighter for sure, and not a planned one. I think he much prefers being in his own bed with his Teddy and his barf bucket beside him.

Great suggestions,Snake. Thanks!

He edcs a Wave on his belt but I think you're right. A multi-tool would be a nice addition.

Great suggestions, Snake. thanks!

I should clarify that our son made this kit for hubby. I think you're right about the water tabs. He'd likely want to pre-filter and boil his water so I think we'll add an esbit or sterno stove.

As I recall, the 4 hour cure time for the chlorine dioxide tabs was only for the very worst case- cold murky water, with cryptosporidium cysts. Every other situation it takes less than 30 minutes:

http://image.magellans.com/mitcus/Images/pdf/fh323_manual.pdf

Hey Goatrider. The instructions on my package say four ours, in an opaque bottle and in subdued light. No mention of any conditions or infestations. Thanks for responding.

Great tips! I'm well overdue on updating my FAK.

Cheers!