I will be flying solo over mountains and deserts. I want to add a survival kit to my luggage. In reviewing the information I think the Master Pro Survival Kit would be my best choice rather than one of the aviation survival kits. What do you think? Second question...where can I buy the Master Pro Survival Kit? [color:"blue"] [/color]

Simply http://www.prosurvivalkit.com/
It definatly seems to be the best ready made kit going.

The Master Pro is an excellent kit, but has some compromises due to its relatively compact size. It is designed as a personal survival kit to be carried on a belt or in a pack. An aircraft survival kit can be somewhat larger and can include some components that there simply isn't room for in a smaller kit, such as more medical gear, some real rations, water and the like, as well as larger and more robust components. The Exploration Products deHavilland Kit is a good place to start, also generally very good quality, though I suggest upgrading the medical portion.

For that matter, either kit would be a good place to start, just depends how much effort and expense you want to put into upgrading and how complete a kit you are comfortable with, based on what gear you carry on your person and your skills level.

http://www.prosurvivalkit.com/masterprokit.html

http://www.explorationproducts.com/

It is surprising how much the Master Pro kits cost, but when the contents are taken individually it would probably cost even more to put it together. So therefore i think they are a good buy.
Personally i like to build my own kits, much more fun <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> But also by building your own you can make a much more complete kit with everything you need. But building your own can be time consuming too.
In the end it's your choice

I have read thoughtfully all the posts in this thread. I don't claim to be any kind of an expert, but it seems to me that there is a lot to be said for preparing one's own survival kit.

• The preparers of commercial kits don't know where you are going, so must compromise in favor of general application.
• Only you and the airport where you file your flight plan know where you are going, what season, and what weather you are likely to encounter.
• Only you know what is available in your area AND in your overflight area for clothing, supplies, and raw materials.
• Only you know what you know in terms of survival skills.

Better figure out all this while you're figuring out your flight plan! <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> As the old poem says, "It's better to fence the top of the cliff, than put an ambulance at the bottom"!

As one might imagine from my post, I tend to pack EVERYTHING unless I know where I'm going. (It drives my husband nuts!)

Have a great trip!

Tahirih

I see some good sound advice from Doug and others pertaining to the Master Pro kit from my company (Pro Survival Kit Co.). We have sold a lot of these kits to private pilots in the past, but they knew exactly what they needed and the Master Pro fit that need. We recently sold a Master Pro kit to a Captain with KLM airlines, for his use in a glider or ultra-light.

I agree that building your own kit can be fun and gives you exactly what you want in a kit. We make kits for people who don't have the time or resourses to build their own kit. Even if you are looking for a ready made kit, that doesn't mean one of our kits will best suit your needs. I've recommended Dougs upcoming kit with AMK at least a dozen times in the past few weeks to people who I don't feel need to dump a bunch of money into a kit. Chances are slim that you will ever find a kit built exactly as you want it; I recommend choosing the best fit for you and adding to it.

Our kits were basically designed for military special op's personnel, because that is my background. Our kits just happen to fit the needs of others as well. Truth be told, I'm not sure how much longer our kits will be available to the general public. We are currently able to keep up with our orders, but it looks like that may change in the future.

Good luck with your quest.

Semper Fi, George

I thank you all . It is great to be able to "talk" with knowledgable people willing to share their knowledge. I am going with the Master Pro and will add to it to customize it for my trip. And a Semper Fi to you too (USMCR 1947-51, 1st Division...only a corpsman and band member but a Marine!)
Allen