You guys have got to see this. It was so obvious, I should have thought of it myself.<br><br>http://www.therangerdigest.com/Tips___Tricks/Cold_Weather_Survival_Kit/cold_weather_survival_kit.html<br><br>

Pretty neat. I like Ranger Rick. And as for forehead thumping, "I should have thought of that" "completely obvious once someone else shows me how" stuff, that's how I felt about this one when I first saw it:<br><br>http://www.therangerdigest.com/Tips___Tricks/Anti-Frostbite_hypo_Kit/anti-frostbite_hypo_kit.html<br><br>Except, I think I would prefer using NuWick candles, since they would have a harder time falling over.

I saw that one. I have gotten a few of Ranger Rick's Digests. Some of his ideas are good. Some are neat, but impractical. If you tried to use every one of his ideas. You would have a lot of gear. Sometimes you have to really pick and choose. When I had first discovered his digests, I fell into that trap. Now I have learned to travel a little lighter.<br><br>That little pouch PSK just flat grabbed my attention. It's not a one and only. I'm in intel, so I don't "always" have my LBV in the field. It gets in the way when your working the giant mapboard, and trying to move around a big (but with 10 people trying to work, not that big) tent, it really hangs you up. More often than not, everyones equipment ends up in a corner or, if their smart, under a desk. I bet if I had to bail from the TOC (Tactical Operations Center) I would probably take off without it. However, that little pouch could sure help augment the pocket kit I carry.<br><br>

kinda funny, because ive been putting my psk and a zippo in a small camera case on my belt for a long time, i didnt think it was so special.

:-) Likewise, I've been using a small pouch on my belt for a long time. The one I'm using is actually the case for a camping knife and fork (which I have removed).<br><br>The great thing is it's too small to pack a lot of stuff in to it, so I'm not tempted to do so, so it stays light, so I don't get hassled about always carrying it.<br><br>But that's a great site which I hadn't seen before. Some neat ideas.

The most interesting thing about it is that I have 2 "First Aid/Compass" pouchs on my Load Bearing Vest (LBV). I hadn't thought to make a little PSK out of one. Small enough to fit on the rig, looks just like anyother pouch that we're required to carry anyway. And all this time, I thought they were just good for field dressings.<br><br>

This is rather off topic, but I've always been a proponent of TWO field dressings for military personnel. One covers one hole, but most things that maim, mangle and mutilate make two holes. <br><br>Still, the pouches don't take up much room on the belt if you got some space, and if you want to ket REALLY spiffy-keen about it, you can stitch a small pocket into the INSIDE of the your thigh pocket specifically for a PSK. I've had a couple gaurdies and reservist whom I've shown the idea of a PSK to do just that.

Good idea! Long before I retired, we switched to a compressed field dressing that was only 1/2 the thickness of the VietNam-era dressing... and the required "load out" was then two per. <br><br>I have a couple of examples of the WWII dressings in the little metal can - the sulfa powder packet(s?) included are probably worthless by now and would not be prefered nowadays anyway - but I really like the packaging. Much sturdier than the plastic wrap of contemporary dressings. I have "lost" several dressings over the years to the insults of being carried and twice to curious rodent teeth - the plastic wrap is not as tough as the can they used to come in (way before my time). I only picked up two surplus a few years ago for a dollar and when I realized what they were, they were all gone :-(<br><br>Nice idea on the inner pocket.<br><br>Scouter Tom

Tom, it's been a long time since I've heard someone speak of sulfur powder in a medical kit. On a hunting trip about 17 years ago I stuck myself very deep while cleaning a buck. My hunting partner Mr. Martin Sharp quickly sprinkled sulfur powder over the wound. He was in the old Army Air Corp. The wound never became infected and healed very well.<br><br>I've been having trouble getting on american military web site. It keeps asking for a password. Any ideas?<br><br>Also, where can one purchase authentic military 550 paracord? All I can find is mil-spec.<br><br>Regards<br>Bruce

Bruce,<br><br>Regarding "sulfer powder"....it is SULFA powder. I say this only because someone will eventually pour sulpher on a wound. Ouch.<br><br>Which web site are you trying to access? US.Army.mil is open to the public (or most of it, rather) and has a lot of info on it.<br><br>Mil-spec 550 cord is parachute cord. Mil-spec= Military Specification. If it is mil-spec, it is paracord. Only difference may be color. Brigade Quartermasters sells the OD.<br><br>Andy