Just for fun I thought it would be interesting to post this review. [video:youtube]https://youtu.be/hcTr58e0h7o[/video]

He's not an expert he does a pretty thorough review of the kit contents.

Could not watch the whole thing... I can walk into my local REI blindfolded and come up with better gear (and cheaper!) than this ghastly assortment of rip off specials,,,

You are correct! I don't think highly of this minimalist, over priced junk.

I see an advantage to a few of the premade kits I have seen. The first is to be the grey man. When on foot, one needs a bag that does not call attention to its self. Likewise, there are home kits that can hide in plain sight. Meaning, it can be a part of modern decor and not alert people that it contains life-saving supplies. The second advantage to some kits is their uniformity. This is a psychological advantage, especially in a stressful situation. The third is, even if the manufacturer adds something bulky and heavy such as a folding shovel, the company reduces space and weight in other areas that are hard to duplicate outside of an R&D lab.


I hear this a lot. I would love for someone to shop anywhere except for Uncharted and build a kit that has ALL of the advantages that the SEVENTY2 has to offer for the suggested retail price or less.

Jeanette Isabelle

Well for one, let's start with the backpack. You adhere to the grey man (or woman) strategy. How dos carrying a branded survival pack help there?

I think the grey man stuff is excessive paranoia, anyway.

I can pick at least three of my current daypacks that are better built, with greater capacity, and comfort. They also have adequate hip belts, a crucial item.

Their multitool is highly suspect. Some no name knockoff leatherman. My EDC is a Skeletool and I have several Ltools on the shelf which are better.

Their canteen is a joke. I often use recycled energy drink containers with more capacity and greater capability, among others. The capacity of their canteen is inadequate for almost any purpose.

I was blown away at the audacity of including alkaline batteries (alkaleaks) especially in the well known deficient three AAA format. At least use primary lithium batteries, for heaven's sake!

Chintsy little flashlight. Your primary light should be a dependable headlamp, backed up with a decent flashlight (probably your EDC)

I can go on, but the bottom line is - establish your own emergency kit, aligned with your capabilities and situation. Do not depend on a one-size-fits-all solution with an eye of the bottom line.

When you are trying to stay warm and the wind is blowing, and the rain or snow is falling, the last thing that matters is the price you paid for your gear. Does it work or not, that is the question...

It helps if you are familiar with the items in your kit. That is why you begin with existing gear that you are familiar with and that you know. That's a considerable savings right there.

Another point. your emergency kit should not be put on a shelf, gathering dust. For several years (more than two decades) I kept a bag packed and ready to go as a member of a volunteer search and rescue unit. This bag was changed on a seasonal basis, as we contended with desert heat and sub zero conditions at different times of the year and a variety of circumstances - technical climbing terrain, caves, swift water, etc.

I know you favor this kit, but it is high priced garbage, believe me...

I have the SEVENTY2, not the pro. With what I have, the branding on the outside is not noticeable until you shine a light on it. The solution addresses conflicting problems. Grey or dull colors help a person to blend in but is in danger at night if they are unseen by motorists. Bright colors or reflective materials provide safety at night but draw unwanted attention during the day. Including reflective material that is the same color as the pack but can reflect light is the most well-balanced solution that I've seen yet.


I said ALL of the advantages. One of the advantages I mentioned that you have not included is uniformity. If you are going to claim that you can come up with something better than the SEVENTY2, then it needs to be better for your claim to hold water.

That said, there is a problem with all pre-made kits that you and I can agree with and that is their one-size-fits-most nature. That problem can be mitigated by making modifications, such as what I have done with my off-the-shelf medical kit.

Jeanette Isabelle

What do you mean by uniformity? And what are its supposed advantages? I prefer the criteria of suitability and dependability.

In that light, the inclusion of alkileak batteries is negligence, verging on criminal, especially in a kit that presumably will not be used or inspected frequently. the only possible reason is lower initial cost, paying no attention to the numerous disadvantages, primarily undependability and limited useful life.

How far would you carry this grey person routine? Let's say we are milling around in some sort of SHTF scenario and someone is in physical distress, obviously in need of first aid or better attention.

Would you emerge from your grey mode, open your pack, extract you FAK, (thereby revealing your prepared status-Gasp!) and render aid?

For the record, I have been rendering aid, both on the job, and as a volunteer, and have suffered no ill consequences.

I think the grey person mode is absolutely garbage, unjustified by real world experience. Bright colors will not get you in trouble, but dull colors at night will kill you.

When a person opens the kit and looks at the contents and the organizational system, how does it look? Does it appear as if someone grabbed random items and threw them into a bag or is everything clearly marked and organized with contents that are easy to find. This provides a psychological advantage. Moreover, it will inspire confidence in the user if the kit is presented as being well thought out. Whereas, even if a kit contains top-quality components, where's the confidence if it gives the impression that someone grabbed items off of an REI shelf and dropped them into a backpack?


Remember the topic of our discussion. You claimed that you can come up with something better by shopping at REI. For it to be better, it has to be at least as good as the SEVENTY2 in every aspect.


Would revealing your hand, proverbially speaking, make things worse for you? For the sake of discussion, it does. How bad is the injury? Is someone losing a lot of blood? If yes, the injury takes priority. If no, seek seclusion while still injured.


Let's stick to the subject. You claimed that you could come up with something better than the SEVENTY2.


I already addressed that in my previous post. "With what I have, the branding on the outside is not noticeable until you shine a light on it. The solution addresses conflicting problems. Grey or dull colors help a person to blend in but is in danger at night if they are unseen by motorists. Bright colors or reflective materials provide safety at night but draw unwanted attention during the day. Including reflective material that is the same color as the pack but can reflect light is the most well-balanced solution that I've seen yet."

Jeanette Isabelle

The problem is you are comparing apples to rotten tomatoes - decent or better quality items to junk that doesn't work/unreliable or a real FAK vs their booboo stuff

Interesting that you would stop for obvious bleeding, but nothing else, presumably fractures, concussion, or general unconsciousness - those can be pretty serious. Obviously, initial appearance is significant to you.

it will take a bit of time and some research, but I will come up with a list or two, probably one incorporating things at hand and the other all purchased from REI. probably some worthwhile additions as well.

I know that a person can buy better quality components than what's included but how is it possible to build a kit better if you do not include everything the SEVENTY2 has to offer?


Hikermore, you were not specific. Where is the fracture? Concussions and unconsciousness are outside the scope of the small FAK.


No actual building is required but I need to know how you would theoretically build it. How would you make a backpack double as a flotation device or carry water, be able to reflect light for nighttime safety, and still be able to blend in? How would you include the attachment for the flashlight? How would you attach the whistle? How would you organize the components and label the organizer? How would you make the organizer double as a backpack so that another person can use the shell for something else? How would you include the survival instructions? How would make the organizer backing be multi-purpose items including two splints? What would you use for an irrigation syringe without adding an irrigation syringe to it? What would you use for improvised tender in addition to the cotton ball in the match safe? How would you do all that while keeping the weight down to 11 pounds?

Jeanette Isabelle

I didn't post this just to stir the pot but because we had some good discussion of this kit a ways back. And I like the guy that reviewed the kit. Sadly I'm down to one good arm as I had shoulder surgery Friday so it's slow and laborious to post right now.