On Doug's new personal survival kit page, I note that the prescription meds have been re-packed by custom shrink-wrapping them. Doug - did you do this yourself (if so, how?) or did you have this done for you (if so, where and how much did it cost?). This is a great space-saving idea and I'd like to do the same for my kits.<br><br><br>

I do the same with my Tilia Foodsaver Plus. That thing is "funner" than jello wrastlin' on a saturday afternoon! I seal meds, clothes, paracord (makes it real small)... a space blanket all but dissappears.<br><br>

Thanks! Can you really vacuum pack something as small as a few pills? Is this a standard kitchen "seal-a-meal" style vacuum sealer? If so, easier than I thought!<br><br><br>

I use a kitchen sealer as well, for just about everything. matches, tinder, bandanas, meds, sewing kits, clothing, etc. I even prepackage a complete meal with pre-measured water to rehydrate sealed in a double bag, so far it hasn't leaked. <br><br>

Yes, i've sealed as little as 2 advil. In my limited opinion, Tilia makes the best. (the one from the infomercials) I've also seen them for sale in Sportsman's Guide and at Bass Pro Shops.<br><br>

You can also get one at Wal-Mart for about $99. I haven't sprung for one yet, but if I ever meet someone who has one, I'm making a new friend.<br><br>

That vacuum packing sounds like a great idea. On thing I'm curious about, though... How hard is it to get into the package after it's sealed, assuming you don't have a cutting edge handy? Can you tear it open easliy like a bag of potato chips? Are there any tricks to making the package easy to open or otherwise suitable for survival equipment?<br><br>

Without a knife, you can still get into them if you have to. It's easier still if you slit one side like prepackaged meds come anyway.<br><br>

I broke down and bought my Tilia food saver yesterday. This is a great toy. I think it's best use is to create a container for a really tiny survival kit, something about 1/3 the size of Doug's mini kit. Something with just the barest essentials and small enough to literally drop into a shirt pocket and not notice it's there ("micro-kit?"). Vacuum packaging is ideal for that because it eliminates the bulk and weight of a rigid container and the problem of finding one just the right size. It also keeps everything dry, clean and secure inside so it will be in good shape when you need it. And you get a good view of the contents. This would probably work just as well on larger kits in the size range of Doug's personal and mini kits.<br><br>

Acr whistle(flat)<br>suunto watchband compass with bezel<br>Photon microlight 2<br>Sparklite and 3 tenders<br>dental floss<br>3 hooks<br>neosporin plus, advil, bandaid<br>gerber micro LST<br><br><br>