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I made this kit inside a small tin meant for gift cards. They were three for a dollar at the dollar store after thne holidays. It measures roughly 4 1/4 long, a shade under 2 3/4 wide and 1/2 inch deep. I made it strictly with items I had on hand, I didn't buy a single thing specificly for this project other than the tin.
The photo was taken without the chlor floc tablets, striker strip and cotton balls to show the layout and contents more clearly.
The coil on top of the paper matches is the snare, not a wire saw as some have thought. The knife is one of my Altoids designs which a made from the blade of an old hand saw and which sadly did not meet my admittedly rigid expectations. It's buried on the bottom of the tin. The magnifier is a lens from a disposable camera and may or may not work as a fire starting device, but at the very least shows tiny cactus thorns embedded in the skin. There's no compass, whistle or signal mirror as I did not have any of these items at the time. I considered a strip of aluminum foil tape as a substitute signal mirror but the inside of the lid seem to throw just as much light. I'll probably carry it for a few months until I make the next, better, one then toss it in the box with the rest.
Any comments are welcome, as always.


COMPACT DISPOSABLE LIGHTER WITH BLUE DUCT TAPE WRAPPED AROUND IT
POOR MANS SPARKLITE
LARGE WOODEN STRIKE AMYWHERE MATCHES
SMALL WOODEN STRIKE AMYWHERE MATCHES
WATERPROOFED PAPER MATCHES WITH TWO STRIKER STRIPS ATTACHED
CANDLE
TINDER CUBES
COTTON BALLS
LARGE STRIKER STRIP

LONG FISHING MONOFILIMENT 15# TEST
FISH HOOKS ASSORTED SIZES
SINKERS SPLIT SHOT
PLASTIC LURES
SNARE

LONG STRONG NYLON STRING
DENTAL FLOSS
LARGE NEEDLE
SMALL NEEDLE WITH LONG THREAD
SAFETY PINS
ROLL OF RED DUCT TAPE

SINGLE EDGE RAZOR BLADE
FLAT SAWBACK KNIFE
SCALPLE BLADE
ALEVE PAIN RELIEVERS
BAND AIDS
BUTTERFLY CLOSURES

TWIST TIE
WATER BAG
CHLOR FLOC TABLETS
POTABLE AQUA TABS

RED MARKER TAPE

Awesome use of space!

Any chance we can see it spread out? If you don't feel like repacking it I understand though

Maybe. Can't show the knife as it's a private design. Can you see the pic? All I can see is the link.
Thanks for the reply.

Can't see the pic, just the link, but following it worked fine

Nice package - it is heavy on fire and food while there are some things (like a compass) that I would have expected - without knowing your location or possible uses hard to critique beyond that; different strokes for different folks etc.

I see you listed long nylon string. Is that string sufficient to frame a quick lean-to? Curious what you had in mind for it, since the other main 4, besides shelter, are fairly well-adressed.

I use a scalpel in my mini kits...very flat and can improvise handle from twig if needed. YMMV

Nice kit snake doctor, esp for putting it together with just what you had lying around. And + 1 on the packing job.

Any time I evaluate a kit (even my own) I compare it to the 5 immediate priorities: Medical, Shelter, Warmth, Water, and Signalling (I remember this with the saying Many Silly Water Willies Swim - silly I know but it works for my son and I). Looking at the list, you've got some basic Medical supplies (about as much as possible in a kit this size); Shelter is an obvious omission that jumped right out at me, but in all fairness it is often left out in a kit this size and can be easily added by folding a bandanna around a large garbage bag or two and putting that in another pocket or securing it to the outside of your tin; Warmth seems to be adequately covered, and though you do have some waterproofed paper matches, be sure the striker strips have a way to stay dry (they have a bad habit of disintegrating when they get wet); water looks to be covered as you have a way to store it with the water bag and a means to purify it with the aqua tabs and chlor floc (though I am wondering why you carry both of those); Signalling is another weak spot, esp with no whistle or signal mirror (you do have fire making capabilities which can be an effective signal, but as stated above be sure that ability will not be compromised).

The rest is gravy. You included some tools (assorted sharps), multipurpose and repair items (esp the sewing items and tape), and some items for food procurement (snare wire and fishing kit). One tool I would suggest adding is a small led light, and adding some aluminum foil wouldn't hurt either and would take up very little extra space (and space looks to be at a premium in your kit at the moment).

looks good. Similar in "cramming" to my altoid PSK.

How do they compare in size?

A compass is part of my standard carry in the bush. As i said I didn't have any on hand at the time. It was made of scrounged materials. Thanks for the reply red.

Thanks for the info burncycle.

Hey barbarian, The twine is very thin and very strong. I estimate about 16 feet of the stuff, and it's two strand so it can be split for twice as much. I meant it for shelter building, repairs, fishing etc. The floss could also serve several functions, as well as the fishing line. Living in the desert fishing is not a frequent possibility. But with my luck I'd end up by a lake or river if I had left it and tackle out. Thanks.

hi barbakane, Scalples are great, I included one for medical but it could be used if the primary and backup cutting tools were damaged or lost. Plus the knife was one of several I had experimented with and was just laying around so I threw it in. Thanks.

Hey mark. Thanks for the compliment and tips. There is a sheet of foil in there, it's under the water bag. Don't know how I omiited that from the list. Good catch there. No room for LED unfortunately, as you have noted the space restrictions. I was led to believe that chlor floc is stronger and had some in the way so I included two tablets to handle worse water, and the potable aqua, which I am more comfortable with, for less suspect water.
I'm already at work on an improved version in an identical tin. Thanks again.

Hey Dinana, havent seen you in a while. In size it's defeinently thinner, i would say a bit longer and perhaps a tiny bit wider.

It's good to have something in every pocket.

To me that looks a bit heavier and bulkier than I'd be comfortable with in a shirt pocket. I use mine for a bandanna. I find 21x21" silk ones are thin and light enough. In an office environment it's considered a handkerchief rather than survival gear.