I don't have the money to start on a larger emergency kit so I decided to work on what I have right now. My keychain. Right now I only have five items making up my key chain: a car key, a car alarm remote, a 1" split key ring, a caribiner, and a house key. With a few additions to my current key chain I should be able to meet the following emergency needs:

Flashlight
Fire Starting
Knife
Whistle
Waterproof Matches
Water Purification Tablets
Compass
Food

Here are the items that will make up my new keychain.


1. 1" Split Key Ring
1.1. Car Key
1.2. Car Alarm Remote
1.3. LED Mini-Flashlight

2. Hook and Loop Tie Wrap

3. 1" Split Key Ring
3.1. House Key
3.2. Mini Multi-Tool
3.3. Flint and Magnesium Rod
3.4. Metal Waterproof Capsule
3.4.1. Waterproof/Windproof Matches
3.4.2. Water Purification Tablets
3.4.3. Razor Hobby Knife Blade
3.4.4. Additional Capsule Items under consideration


Does anyone have any suggestions for an LED Mini-Flashlight, a Mini Multi-Tool (similar to the Leatherman Micra) or any additions?




1. 1" Split Key Ring
Uses: Linking items; Heavy guage wire;
Item Notes:

Model Name: NA
Manufacturer: NA
Weight: __oz
Size: 1" diameter
Color: Silver
Price: Free
Model Notes:


1.1. Car Key
Uses: Opening car; Starting car; Scrapper for flint;
Item Notes:

Model Name: NA
Manufacturer: NA
Weight: __oz
Size: __
Color: NA
Price: NA
Model Notes:


1.2. Car Alarm Remote
Uses: Arming and disarming car alarm; Back-up battery for LED Mini-Flashlight
Item Notes:

Model Name: NA
Manufacturer: NA
Weight: __oz
Size: __
Color: NA
Price: NA
Model Notes:


1.3. LED Mini-Flashlight
Uses: Lighting; Signaling; Silent long distance communicating; Scaring animals away; Blinding aggressors; Back-up battery for Car Alarm Remote;
Item Notes:

Model Name: Researching
Manufacturer: Researching
Weight: __oz
Size: __
Color: _____
Price: $__
Model Notes:


2. Hook and Loop (Velcro) Tie Wrap
Uses: Key chain link;
Item Notes: I chose a hook and loop tie wrap instead of a caribiner because it is lighter and has more uses.

Model Name: _____
Manufacturer: _____
Weight: __oz
Size: __
Color: Red
Price: $__
Model Notes:


3. 1" Split Key Ring
Uses: Linking items; Heavy guage wire;
Item Notes:

Model Name: NA
Manufacturer: NA
Weight: __oz
Size: 1" diameter
Color: Silver
Price: Free
Model Notes:


3.1. House Key
Uses: Locking and unlocking house; Scrapper for flint;
Item Notes: All metal, no plastic.

Model Name: NA
Manufacturer: NA
Weight: __oz
Size: __
Color: Silver
Price: NA
Model Notes:


3.2. Mini Multi-Tool (under consideration):
Uses: Too many to list
Item Notes:

Model Name: Researching
Manufacturer: Researching
Weight: __oz
Size: __
Color: Silver
Price: $__
Model Notes: Considering Leatherman Micra


3.3. Flint and Magnesium Rod
Uses: Fire starting;
Item Notes: Modified from a fullsized Coghlan's Magnesium Fire Starter. Sealed in plastic.

Model Name: Magnesium Fire Starter
Manufacturer: Coghlan's
Weight: __oz
Size: __
Color: Silver and black
Price: $__
Model Notes:


3.4. Metal Waterproof Capsule "Pill Container or Fob"
Uses: Container; Whistle; Scrapper for flint;
Item Notes:

Model Name: Researching
Manufacturer: Researching
Weight: __oz
Size: __
Color: __
Price: $__
Model Notes:


3.4.1. Waterproof/Windproof Matches
Uses: Firestarting;
Item Notes: Sealed in plastic. Stored inside Metal Waterproof Capsule.

Model Name: British Lifeboat Survival Matches
Manufacturer: ?
Weight: __oz
Size: __
Color: __
Price: $__
Model Notes:


3.4.2. Water Purification Tablets
Uses: Water Purification;
Item Notes: Sealed in plastic. Stored inside Metal Waterproof Capsule.

Model Name: Potable Aqua Tablets
Manufacturer: Potable Aqua
Weight: __oz
Size: __
Color: Silver
Price: $__
Model Notes:


3.4.3. Razor Hobby Knife Blade
Uses: Cutting; Piercing; Scrapper for flint; Possible compass;
Item Notes: Stored inside Metal Waterproof Capsule. Store blade down inside Metal Waterproof Container

Model Name: X221
Manufacturer: X-Acto
Weight: __oz
Size: __
Color: Silver
Price: $__
Model Notes:

Hello,
Here are some links to give you ideas:
This is a great keyfob kit
Here is another great article with a section about his fob kit. Go to 'module one'.
This site sells ready made 'survival keychains'. If you already have some of the pieces, want alternatives or the ready made ones are too expensive, there is a section where you can buy individual componants. Click on 'build you own keychain'.

Regarding your choices, most of them seem to be good. Don't forget a whistle. There are many good choices available: Fox 40, Acme tornado, a metal one sold by lifesystems in the UK and, I think bison in the US.

Also, you might want to think of smaller, lighter, more effective alternatives. There was a thread recently about possible choices. I personally use a small BCB flint and striker.

Hope these are helpful

I'm not sure what your budget is, but the Arc AAA LED light is excellent. It might be a bit more than a lot of the LED lights, but it has a lot of advantages.

1) It's bulletproof. This thing will take about anything you can thow at it and keep on working.
2) It's regulated. It runs at nearly the same output for a bit less than four hours, then goes into a "moon" mode for a lot longer. This lets you get the most out of your batteries w/o being left in the dark.
3) It's very waterpoof.
4) It uses command and cheap AAA batteries.
5) The form factor is handy and lends itself to being held in the mouth while you are working.
6) It isn't easy to accidentally activate.
7) It's pretty much a piece of art.

Arc Flashlight

These Images from the LEDmuseum's review of the Arc AAA LE. The current std edition is pretty much the same now. I included these since they give a sense of scale. It's pretty tiny.



Taken from Roy's tuntime plot on CPF:


Taken from Quickbeam's flashlight review site. This photos gives you and idea how nice the work is on this critter.

I have a Photon II Microlight and a Leatherman Squirt P4 on my keychain (along with a mini-Fox 40 whistle and my keys) and I swear by them both.

Neither are 'the perfect tool for any job' really, but when you add the qualifier that they must be the perfect KEYCHAIN tool for the job, there are none finer.

The Arc AAA is clearly a better light, but you have very little real estate on your keychain as it is...

-John

This is mine Keychain kit closed
I bought this little leather case to keep things quiet in my pocket.
The contents are shown here. Since I carry a wave on my belt I went with a non multi tool knife here, a Gerber Ridge Knife aka CRKT KISS. I removed the stud and clip to amke it thin enough to slide in the pocket behind the keys. This holds everything nice an tight to prevent the jingle walk and looks nice for an office environment.

Be carefull putting iodine tablets in a metal container. The tablets will react with aluminum.

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

ditchfield, thanks for the great links. Where is the thread you were talking about with the lighter, smaller, more effective alternative?

JohnN thanks for the tip about Arc flashlights. I'm starting to sway in the direction of buying the Arc AA.

blastjv, Leatherman Squirt series is definately the upgrade to the Micra that I am looking for. Thanks for the tip.

Eugene, you've given me something to think about with keeping the keychain from jiggling. I'd rather be silent as well.

I should have stated that I want out of my updated keychain.

I want it to be as small and as lightweight as possible while fulfilling as many of the emergency essentials as possible. As I stated earlier I don't have much of a budget so I plan to reduce the costs of all my gear including this keychain by using household items I already have, make items, buy used, buy in bulk and/or use suitable alternatives.
Example:
I'm going to use a Velcro tie-wrap instead of a caribiner, because it is lighter, costs less, and has more uses. And now that I think about it the Velcro tie-wrap is quieter than a caribiner.
Another Example:
I plan to use the Metal Capsule as a whistle as well as a container.

Waynesburg,
here is that thread.

Have you looked at this Bison whistle?

I haven't tried it myself, but it may fit your needs, depending on what you want to use the capsule for.

I bought one and replaced the Fox 40 on my keychain with it. It's not as loud as the Fox 40 but it wasn't a cheap toy whistle, either. I stuffed a couple of cotton balls inside the "secret compartment" and left it in a glass of water overnight. The next day I was able to ignite the cotton balls with a ferrocerium rod on the first attempt; they were bone dry.

Unfortunately, I left that set of keys at my sister's house in Toronto when I was on vacation back in August. But I wouldn't hesitate to buy another of those whistles if I see them again.

(Some of the colour did rub off but that's not a problem IMO.)

Wayneburg--

The Velcro may be quieter in that it doesn't clink or jingle, but it will be a darn sight noiser when you open it (r-r-r-i-i-i-p-p-p); don't know how important that may be to you.

If you just want to add capacity, you can get a bigger ring, add a second (or third) ring (seems to be your choice), or do both. If you want the 'biner (or Velcro) as a quick-detach device, why not simply interlink the two (or more) keyrings? They will still separate readily, but be held securely. I've used Velcro in this manner, & was dissattisfied with it on a long-term basis. Short term, field expedient use was OK, though.

I use a fairly strong ball-detent key ring separator to attach my Photon to my keyring. Along with its 3 inch lanyard, it gives enough length to use to light a keyhole, while still attached. If I need to detach it, it's but a thumb-sqeeze to do so, & it reattaches quickly, too.

I second either the Photon II or the ARC AAA. Already have several Photons, & have an ARC AAA on order.

Look at the SeberTech line of tools. They're made to attach to a keyring--& detach quickly, too--no split rings needed. The basic is the M2; the top of the line (i.e., most tools/functions, & most "Leatherman-like") is the M4. The M3 is the best compromise. They can be had for under $20, I think. They make the ones marketed by Sears under the Craftsman label. I have an M4 in my miniature toolkit at the office.

Good luck. Let us know your choices.

David

Waynegburg--


Have you actually tried getting a spark from your ferrocerium rod with your car/house key? Prompted by another thread on this forum, I did some testing with mine. I got a poor spark. I'm guesing that was probably because the keys are essentially brass. While it would beat nothing, it was in no way comparable to what I could generate using a piece of hacksaw blade, or a knife.

Try using your specific combination, & see what results you get.

Of course, you probably will have a blade in the mini-tool you seek, so that may solve that problem.

David

Don't forget to look at http://www.swisstechtools.com/ as well. I have carried their Micro-Plus for years and can recommend it highly.

I attached Big lighter to the kychain- it is much more convenient.
Regards,

Omega

How did you attach a BIC to a keychain?