So, I want to have a little kit to give friends, kids or hand to people at camp about to walk into the woods (or paddle across the lake). Simple basic kit and a limit of $5, though buying in bulk is allowed.

- the box/container is free as I have many of those
- Area is North America, likely Spring, Summer, Fall.
- Assume little to no knowledge

What to include?

I would consider the following:

Whistle like these: Whistle
Mirror like these: Mirror
Small flashlight like these: Flashlight
Some 550 cordage which you get a couple of hundred feet on Ebay or from one of the ETS sponsor companies and make 10-15ft bundles.

Pete

I'd cover the three basics of Protection, Rescue and Water and teach them Hug-a-Tree.

Emerg/disposable poncho: Protection from the elements and also signaling if you get a bright colour.

Whistle: Signalling

Small Flashlight: Signalling and piece of mind

Water bottle or juice box: Hydration

Bandana: Crude water filter, first aid, hat, etc....

I'd start with a lightweight "space" blanket. The cheapest ones are under $1 each.

Trying to keep within $5.

Photo copy an instruction Card with S.T.O.P. and other survival info particular to the area including simple map, emergency numbers, maybe simple first aid (lay person's ABC's)
Leave room for notes, messages.

Heavy duty large trash bag for raincoat or bivy. More durable and
wearable than a cheap space blanket. Can get them in orange or
bright blue or red.

Whistle $1.40
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/outdoor-sur...or-93150?item=1

Fauxton light (Check to make sure they function) $.50
https://www.dealextreme.com/p/black-flashlight-keychain-22000mcd-10-pack-1253

Compass (Check to make sure they function)$.46
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mini-compass-cube-5-pack-3295

Small Bottle of Gator-aide.

Short pencil with duct tape around it.


If they are adults, you could add

a lockback knife $!.99
http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/products/locking+knives/Maxam%C2%AE+Money+Clip+Knife+-+Assorted+Color+%28Our+Choice+Only%29/MAX94530.html

or

a firesteel $.99
http://firesteel.com/firesteel-miniature

to those already submitted..

petroleum jelly cotton ball in plastic straw to use with ferro rod and directions on sheet

single edged razor blade if knife is too expensive

2x2 non adherent pad... use with bandana or duct tape

duct tape on card...

heavy duty needle/ safety pins

1/2 hacksaw blade and split key ring...striker for ferro, and with a notched tip stick for handle a metal/wood saw

couple of pieces of hard candy

dental floss roll (from your friendly hygienist you visit often because you don't floss)

couple packets of iodized lite salt (for potassium)

water transport bag..I make mine from vacuum sealer material

Les - here is the link to the "11 Theoretical Dollars" post I did. The premise was I "gave" everyone 11 Theoretical Dollars ($10 + $1 tax) to spend at a dollar store. They were to see what they could do with it to build a survival kit. Look at Nicodemus' list. You should be able to work with that. http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.ph...true#Post177276

Nice. Nice! Keep going. These ideas are great. I'm going to steal this list to make a starter survival kit for my Beaver Scouts who are "swimming up" to Cub Scouts tomorrow. A shopping I shall go!!

Thanks gang!

MoBOB... I hate to admit it, but I've never been in a Dollar Store

Jackie... they would have some pride in ownership if they assembled the kits themselves, or even made things like the petroleum jelly cotton straws,

for most adults or trained Scouts, a Bic lighter... and some form of tinder if the fuel is expended, but striker still works, is probably the most practical

I'm gonna keep pushing the hacksaw blade till somebody agrees with me

Certainly not a bad idea. Wal-Mart sells some $1.00 ponchos that I always keep on hand. They're not all that sturdy, basically a single use item, but good enough to keep you dry for a short outing. A heavy garbage bag might be a little more versatile.




I've purchased three or four of those 10 packs, both in Black and Clear. IMOHO they're very good lights. The day I got them I accidentally left one in my pants pockets and ran thru the washer & dryer- and it still worked! I love that they have not just a squeeze momentary switch but also a sliding switch for constant on. The ones with a momentary switch only are almost completely useless to me.




I have ten or twelve of those tiny ones, as well as at least a dozen of them in different sizes. Absolutely fantastic 'steels! You can get a hacksaw blade for a couple bucks and cut it into small pieces with a tin snips or heavy shears and get many strikers (I have a 1" x 42" Kalamazoo grinder that I use to clean up the cut up blades but it's not strictly necessary).