I did post a reply at yt, done before my surgery under my real name. Fairly lengthy. I feel there's a few good ideas but imoko it's a bit overpriced and I don't think all the priorities are right.

My main point is that addressing these commercial kits can bring the subjrvt inyo focus as we discuss the pros and cons.

Just off the top of my head for a few of your questions. Each person has their own individual backpack with their own gear in it, so they are independent if separated. And each pack is decent quality. Mrs. Hikermor has her own bag with good contents...

'be able to reflect light for nighttime safety and still be able to blend in" I don't get your meaning here. I am not in the least concerned with blending in. Finding splinting material is trivial and easily done, although I would prefer to use a SAM splint. If you are referring to the whistle attachment on the chest strap, these are commonly available accessories - I have several.

I think we are coming at this from different perspectives. You seem to be envisioning the somewhat mythical total societal collapse where everyone goes crazy and total chaos ensues.

I am more concerned with getting out of the woods and back to society, although societal upheaval is a possibility. Thus I am more concerned with high visibility. This is far more common circumstance.

This brings to mind that the kit omits a crucial item - a signal mirror - don't leave home without it.

More later - this is a fun project. Thank you, Phaedrus, for stirring up the ashes....

Yeah, it always leads to some good discussion.

Also posted some initial thoughts on the video 5 days ago..

"Pretty sure the manufacturers of the gear prefer to brand it, so seen as less competitive to other customers buying the same thing?

One problem I have is that apart from the Sawyer kit and bag, just looks like someone as browsed Alibaba and thrown it together. There is no evidence that they even took the kit out and tried it. Like the shovel just looked "cool" (and just few bucks) so it was added... it has an obvious latrine use, but how many times do you poop in 3 days on minimal calories.

The flashlight is instantly recognisable by flashlight enthusiasts, $3. No headlamps."

For you to build a better version of the SEVENTY2 than Uncharted, that kit that you built would have to be able to do everything that the Uncharted kit can do. If you can't do that, what are we to make of your claim?


To address your question, this is the third time that I'm having to say this, "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."


It does not matter if you are interested, you are the one who made that bold claim.


That does not matter. The kit in question has the material to make two improvised splints.


Good.


What perspective? You claimed you could make a better version of the kit in question.


What does that have to do with your claim? You can make a better version of that kit, right? Isn't that what you claimed? Guess what, that kit is grey.


You did say you can make it better. Adding a signal mirror would make it better.

Jeanette Isabelle

If it is more suitable and more dependable, it may already be better. Leaving something out may be an improvement.
BTW: To judge whether it is better, audience and requirements are crucial.



That may be a misconception. Grey or dull colors make it hard for motorist to notice you in the day time as well. That is dangerous. I observed a trend to wear HiVis in urban settings for that reason. People want to be seen. "Blending in" means to adapt to the environment. The grey pack with the logo will make you stick out to the hunter in many situations. Ask geocachers for reference.

Just added up my figures - came to a total of $432, subtracting REI's money back patronage dividend (typically 10%), the total expenditure would be under $400, substantially cheaper than the $562 quoted price tag.

I would add several items, notably a compass, signal mirror, and a headlamp. Another item of huge importance is a map or mapping capability - my preference is a reasonably up to date USGS based topographic map, like those issued by National Geographic.

Food is an interesting issue. As the reviewer correctly states, good meals are not an immediate concern. This is true if one is sedentary and not doing arduous travel. If hiking, better chow is a real good idea - at least some kind of caffeine for morale, if nothing else. I deleted food from my above calculations - that is a highly personal issue. I tend to grab GORP, a few energy bars, and a Tanka bar or three as I head out the door - many more calories, and actually nutritious...

In the real world, of course, you will not set down and order blindly from any catalog. Begin with things at hand, items with which you are familiar, and then add to the assemblage as you run across promising gadgets which will eventually be folded into the mix, based on trial and experience. Ultimately this will be cheaper, not that it matters. When your gear must perform, the last consideration is the cost of the item - does it work as expected?

And ideally, this equipment is used, demonstrating its capability, and not stowed away, awaiting a FIAT (Future Imaginary Apocalyptic Time) when society disintegrates and murderous mobs emerge. FIATs may occur, but erupting volcanoes are more common.

One further issue:

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

This shows the importance of training over mere gadgetry. Usually the most important issue -is there a fracture and where, precisely, is it? cannot be determined definitively in the field. you need a X-ray, at a minimum. But a properly trained first aider can recognize the potential signs of a fracture and tend to them, often without necessarily opening the FAK at all. Same deal with concussions and unconsciousness - you need the requisite training to recognize appropriate signs in a thorough patient survey and treat accordingly. A small FAK may indeed e useful. The critical element is the training and experience you bring to the situation, and not all the goodies in your FAK..(That also applies to life in general.)

Please spell my avatar correctly. Rant over and out.

You would have a different kit, not a better SEVENTY2.

Jeanette Isabelle

Talking of food, arduous travel and caffeine...

Recently discovered a company, www.SaltStick.com , selling electrolyte (salt) tablets, and capsules.

And as someone that occasionally suffers from cramp, especially when working in higher temps, thought might be useful addition.

Bought few packs (10 chewable tablets per packet in convenient resealable packaging) of their fastchews, to try out when gets hotter here.

Anyone else heard of them, or tried them?

You have not stated how you are going to make that kit do everything that the SEVENTY2 can do. If you can't make your kit do everything the SEVENTY2 can do, it's not a better version of the SEVENTY2.


We're discussing the SEVENTY2, not the skill of the user.


Capitalizing your screen name is the only difference I see. Is that the problem?

Jeanette Isabelle