Folks has anyone reviewed the coghlans survival kit in a bag?.

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

Leeman, I have been wondering about this kit also. Have looked at it many times in Walmart while perusing the camping and fishing gear. I bought one this morning to examine the contents, and share with the group.

Okay, we have a 7 X 10 inch heavy pvc bag with a rollover style velcro closure. This is similar to the dry bags we use when canoeing. The instructions suggest that you can use the bag to store water or food in a survival situation.

A plastic poncho (Coghlans brand), 50 X 80 inches, bright yellow in this case. I know they make orange also, I carry a bunch of these in my vehicles.

A silver mylar "space blanket", unmarked, looks like the Coghlans brand also.

A Coglans brand (on a roll here) 12 hour green chemlight. Mine is dated with an 11/05 expiration date.

A signal mirror, 7cm square (2 1/2 inches). Plastic, no sighting hole or means to attach a lanyard. It does have a protective film over the face.

Two firestarter/tinder sticks, about 5 inches long. These are the ones that look like beef jerky.

Candle, 4 1/2 inches long, red. Don't know how heat resistant this is, might melt in the summer.

One pack of Coghlans waterproof safety matches (45). Just tried one, lights easily.

An orange cheap plastic whistle with cork pea. The mark is "Official Whistle, Taiwan" It does have a split ring, 5/8 inch for attachment purposes.

Button style liquid filled compass, 1 inch wide, 3/8 inch tall.
The disc hangs up easily if not held level. It does have a groove around the circumference so that you could tie a string around for easier carrying.

A roll of blaze orange surveyors tape. Funny how this is active in another thread! The book suggests you can use this for trail marking, or to lash together a shelter.

A notepad, 3 X 4 inches, and a small golf style pencil (sharpened).

Gauze pad, 3 X 3 inches, one only. Hope you aren't bleeding much!

Bandaids (plasters), 4 standard size, 5 tiny ones, 1 large one.
What appears to be tape, plastic 4 inches by 1/4 inch, 4 pieces. I am a RN, and in all my years have never seen medical tape like this. It would, however, be just about enough to hold on the single gauze pad, not very well.

Alcohol wipes, 4.

Fishing line, 30 feet of monofilament on a plastic spool. Also includes 2 fish hooks and 2 brass beads for sinkers. The spool is really big, and you could save a lot of space by wrapping the line around something else in your kit.

Nylon rope, 12 feet of the soft braided white nylon type.

Nylon cord, dark green, 35 feet wrapped around a piece of cardboard.

Brass snare wire, 3 feet. Looks to be pretty good quality, though I have never caught anything with a snare.

Razor blades, 2 single edge style with the cardboard covers.

Safety pins, 1 is 1 1/2 inches, the other 2 inches.

Sewing needle, a little over 2 inches.

Thread, a small metal bobbin of brown nylon.

A ziplock style plastic baggie, 4 X 6 inches.

A paper packet of salt, like you get at fast food restaurants.

The "survival guide" pretty much is aimed at the northern climes, talks about snow caves, and not drinking glacier runoff. There is some good info, some that may not apply to your area, just as with all references.

For $13, you get what you pay for I guess, but someone just starting out or on a tight budget may use this to start their own kit, and upgrade as money is available.

JoeBob
Thanks for the info you paid 13 bux for yours! paid 17 for mine at sportsmans wearhouse.
I wonder why they have'nt reviewed it here.

Thanks tons
Lee <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

If you're talking about the same kit I bought about five years back, it's an excellent ( and reasonably priced ) starting point. Although I have yet to find an off the shelf kit that I would take straight to the field, this one covered a lot of necessities and didn't call for too many expensive upgrades. I replaced the compass, signal mirror, and flashlight, and added some soup packets, coffee/cream/sugar packets, and better ( read that larger, more hot weather resistant ) candles, along with some pre-made snares, a heavy mylar reflective blanket, and a good knife. It won't fit in your pocket, but I'm a lot more comfortable with it in my pack. That's all the changes I can remember right now, without digging it out, but if there's any more interest in it, I'll do just that, and list the original contents too.

Troy

I wouldn't mind hearing about the additions you made. Mine is probably going into a ammo can based car kit, along with some other items I already have.

I just bought one of these at a local Wal-Mart.

For those of you that know Atlanta, I found it at the Wal-Mart in Dunwoody. I was stunned! Survial? In Dunwoody? Their idea of a tough time is having to resort to a cappuccino instead of a latte! <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

OK, here goes,

The signal mirror was upgraded to a B.C.B. intl model that I picked up at a gun show, cost, I honestly don't remember (not more than a couple of dollars), it's in a sealed plastic case, and it floats. A couple more of the "tinder sticks" were added because they fit, they work, they're inexpensive, and they're clean. The compass was upgraded to a "Silva" model 10 with thermometer, it's small, dependable, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. A bottle of "Potable Aqua" tablets was included for water treatment (Thanks for encouraging me to go over the kit, it's time to replace them). The soup packets came off the grocery store shelf for a couple of bucks, and the survival blanket (heavier than the mylar space blanket) ran me about 10 dollars.
By the way, for those who are interested, the "pink" candles have withstood 100 degree days in my suburban (read that 120 degrees +) without any noticable melting/distortion.
That pretty well wraps it up, any suggestions or comments would be both welcome and appreciated.

Troy

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

Thanks for the info, especially about the candle melting point <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />, it can get pretty hot here in the South. Of course, as I type this, it is snowing in Little Rock. Go figure! <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Any time Joebob, I just like having a place to share what I know, and learn from others of a like (or not so like) mind. Have fun in that snow.

Troy