Hi Guys:

I've been experimenting with a number of different sizes of Survival Kits. And rather than just lugging them around, I've been actually using a variety of contents during my hiking and hunting forays. And I'm quickly starting to develop a growing appreciation for the humble coffee can...

I know most PSK's are for the completely unexpected. However, there are times when I know I'm at significantly greater risk for being lost in the "big" woods. I regularly hunt in the Adirondacks, and once hunting is over, I'm typically a frequent snowmobiler. As a result, I'm often 10, 20, sometimes even 60 miles from the nearest road. Under these circumstances I've been carrying a larger PSK.

I've punched two small holes on opposite sides of a 1 lb coffee can (actually 13 ounces). The holes are very near to top of the can. I stuff all my survival gear in a large ziploc or two, and cram them into the coffee can, then snap the plastic lid on top. I've also added about 18 inches of bare copper #12 wire, coiled in the bottom of the can. I'm loving this simple can!

I find the assorted miscellaneous equipment is not rattling and shifting about. The can takes a bit of a beating, but protects the contents. And it makes a great little pot for boiling water and the like. Simply dump the contents (ziplocs keep it togther), thread each end of the wire through a hole and twist, add water (or snow/ice) and boil.

The typical PSK has nothing in which to cook or boil water. I'm finding this makeshift pot is seeing frequent use. A couple of tea bags take little space, and a cup or two of hot tea really helps warm me up. I can't help but feel that a hot drink reall helps ward off hypothermia and dehydration. And even if its warm enough to not need a fire or hot drink, the can is serving as an excellent catch all for everything from collecting berries to holding water while it purifies.

I know this bit of equipment is typically far too large for regular carry. However, there is now a coffee can kit (CCK) in each of my snowmobiles, as well as a another in my hunting day pack. Just don't forget a plastic bag wrap around the sooty can after a boil... It saves a mess...

Frozenny

Right back at you. Dig this: Coffee Can Emergency Kit.

I'm afraid the era of the thousand-and-one uses for the humble coffee can is coming to a close, though- they'e starting to promote plastic coffee "cans". Save the old steel ones while you can still find them.

I've only used them as a pot once or twice, but I've used them to make "hobo stoves" a half-dozen different ways.. closed at top/open at bottom, open at top/closed at bottom, suspended, air holes all around top and bottom, air holes on one side top and the other side bottom... all have similar drawbacks, but all work much better than an open fire.

Too bad they're going the way of all other non-plastic containers in the US.

It is completely impossible to have plastic coffee "can." Of course, good old metal trash cans went to plastic, too. Heavy sigh.

Cars too...

AFAIK, the earliest use of "can" as a noun (long before canning) referred to straight-sided pewter or silver mugs as used in public houses in the 17th and 18th centuries. Things do change.

There was a time we would have felt the same way about non-glass "bottles", but a few years ago I had a young lady absolutely refuse to believe me when I said that shampoo used to come in glass bottles. She couldn't understand why any company would consider that risk acceptable- and, from the point of view of this litigious age, it is a little hard to believe that we were once expected to take responsibility for our own safety.

It may not be too long before coffee cans are ebay items drawing large bids.

My whole childhood was spent filling 3lb coffee cans with stuff....marbles, teeth, bones, rocks, nails, rabbit chow....you name it.

I stopped using them as backpacking cookkits in the 70's but as an emergency kit container they would be great. If you look at the winter videos done by Les Stroud, he took a coffee can kit.

http://www.exn.ca//oneweekwild/oneWeekCold/video.asp

I hate to break it to you, but there's no "horn" in a car horn anymore, either <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

What!!!!!!! Be resposible for our own safety! Pa--lease don't get me started!

Au contraire! Mine has a pair of horns--small, but definitely horns...oh, wait, I drive a truck--maybe that's why!

<img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

David