Below is the photo, let me know if the quality is too bad for proper viewing. Ive also added the contents lists (was posted a long time ago) The replica is for cosmetic purposes.

contents

Fire
15 paper matches
12 weatherproof matches
striker
square candle
8 barbeque pink fire starter papers
flint and steel (sharpened)
big magnetic magnifying glass (compared to the Victorinox magnifying glass I was very impressed with its result)
plastic spoon (makes life a lot easier and makes a good fire starter. Made the end serrated so a flame can easy catch on it)
Food and water
14 puritabs
Fishing kit including 4 weights, 4 medium hooks, 4 small hooks and fishing wire (not knotted)(fishing kit is standard from BCB)
2 condoms 1 is un-lubricated the other is in Chinese so I don’t know if that one is lubricated
Brew kit – 2 ration tea bags
wire
large sheet of aluminium foil (use as container to boil water)

First aid
There are no items in this kit which are directly designed for life preservation.

Signalling
Inside of lid acts as signal mirror (can’t find a proper signal mirror here, might take it out of my Victorinox survival pouch)
standard BCB whistle (not too happy with it but have no knowledge of what to replace it with)
the aluminium sheet used to reflect the sun (I realise it’s not a lot to go on but in the book “SOS” the guys got saved by their red dry bag)
Navigation
Silva button compass (luminous)
The magnetic needles and safety pins can also act as a compass

Other
small lock knife
scalpel
BCB instructions (want to replace it with the “morale” paper I saw here on the forum so IF YOU WROTE THAT PAPER OR KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND IT COULD YOU PM IT TO ME?)
BCB accident evacuation report (should I keep this? Seems pretty crap to me)
pencil
wire saw (key rings taken off, not greased)
1 large, 4 medium and 2 small safety pins (all magnetic)
sewing kit with several threads, 2 buttons, 1 large sized needle, 1 medium sized needle (magnetic, north side coloured red)
cotton wool
5.25m of Para cord wrapped around the tin.
Waterproof tape also wrapped around the tin to ensure dryness

Any tips are welcome.
Reinhardt

The good old BCB survival kit, same as what started off my PSK. Your kit is very similar to mine so I'll let you see what I've got in mine in case it gives you any ideas:

Flint and Striker
10 B.C.B. Waterproof Matches and Striker
3 Cotton Balls (Tinder)
8 Plasters
2 Non Adhesive Dressings
1 Mini Bandage
1 Cyberlight LED light
1 Snare Wire
1 Wire Saw
50 Iodine Tablets in vial
1 Fox 40 Whistle
1 Fishing Kit (Standard BCB)
1 Sowing Kit (Standard BCB)
1 Button Compass
1 Sheet Alluminium Foil
1 Signal Mirror
2 Antiseptic Wipes
5 Safety Pins
1 Condom
All in BCB Tin with Paracord wrapped arround it

Am afraid I don't have a picture as my digital camera isn't yet hooked up.

The only things I would say that spring to mind are,

1) An LED light or some other form of illumination is very very useful
2) A sugestion for a better whistle is the Fox 40, or Life Adventure produce a mountain survival whistle which is pretty good.
3) Chlorine based purification (which puritabs are) isn't as good as Iodine based ones, but puritabs take up such a small spacethey are still pretty good for a PSK.
4) A spark-lite is apparently a beter firestarter than the flint and steel (which looks the same as the one 've got in mine) but I've not seen them for sale over here in th UK

Can't think of anything else immediately. Out of curiosity do you carry this all the time? For me the tin is a bit bulky for EDC so I normally only pack it if I'm doing something specific. For EDC I have:

In my Wallet (along with money and cards):
In a little nylon puch (credit card sized in one of the slots):
10 B.C.B. Waterproof Matches and Striker
8 Water Purification Tablets (Aquaclear Purifying Tablets)
1 Wire Saw
1 Length Snare Wire
1 Button Compass
1 Needle
2 Small Fishing Hooks
2 Medium Fishing Hooks
1 Length 22lb Fishing Wire

Elsewhere in the wallet I have
5 Plasters (Different Sizes)
2 Antiseptic Wipes
1 Sterile Non Adhesive Dressing
1 Swiss Army Card with
Magnifying Glass
Tweezers
LED Light
Pen
Screw Drivers
Letter Opener
Scissors

On my Key Chain:

1 Cyberlight LED Light
1 LifeAdventure Mountain Survival Whistle

And on belt a Leatherman Wave

And that goes with me everywhere along with my mobile phone and palm top computer.

Don't have the space in pockets for a big bulky tin.

maybe you could replace the paper macthe with some other kind of matches ? the onyl advantage i know of paper matches are there small size and you can split them in too, so you can light 2 fire's with one match.

no artificial lights. Which might not be needed if you already carry loads of them, like some of use do...

whats in that long squary container with the blue cap on it ? I reconize the container ( refill container for 0.5mm pensil thingies sold by the HEMA ) but i couldn't think of a use for them.


it's hard to say what you can improve on it. i tryed to make the ultimate PSK, but it onl ended up being a seriously heavy thing, which i have stopped carring. Since i already got most things as a EDC i figured i don't need that much redundancy, it's heavy !

this what i used to have in my PSK (now stripped):

EMERGENCY DEVICES GROUP
- 1x Small backlock folder, 50/50 serrated/plain edge ( China )
- 2x Single edge shaving blades ( USA )
- 1x Scalpel # 27
- 1x P-38
- 1x Hacksaw Blade with "sharpened" end
- 1x B.C.B. Commando Wire Saw ( w/out finger rings )
- 1x 4 season Spark-Lite ( blaze orange )
- 5x B.C.B. lifeboatmatches + striker
-12x Coughlan's "waterproof" matches
- 2x Birthday Candle's
- 8x 4 season Fire-Tabs
- -- Tinder, Petrolium jelly infused Cottonwol ( NOT wrapped in to something )
- 1x B.C.B. Wet Button Compass ( 20 mm )
- 1x Brass Snare Wire ( 6 meter / 20 feet )
- 1x Fishing wire +/- 10meter ( 8,5 KG )
- 1x Fishing wire +/- 20meter ( 8,5 KG )
-10x Fishing Hooks, small
- 2x Fishing Hooks, large/medium
- 4x Fishing Weights, large
- 5x Fishing Split shots, medium
-12x Leaders w/ large swivel
- 1x Gaff ( XX-large hook )
- 1x Red Ledlight ( shortened Coast Cutlerly ledlight )
- 2x mini lightsticks*

WATER & FOOD GROUP
-10x Aquaclear tablets ( Chlorine Based )*
- 2x Ziplock bags ( 1 L )

MEDICAL GROUP
- 4x Plasters/Adhesive Bandages ( sterile ) asst. sizes*
- 1x pack of 3M medi-strips, 3 strips total ( sterile )*
- 1x Antiseptic swab**

MISCELLANEOUS & MULTI-PURPOSE GROUP
- 1x sewing awl
- 2x sewing needle's
- -- coton wire wrapped around needle's and sewing awl
- 1x Bobin of floss-wire ( +/- 45 meter )
- 1x Rubber band around tin
- 2x "Ranger bands" around tin
-10x Twist Ties, short, plastic covered
- 2x Twist Ties, long, plastic covered
- 4x Safety pins, small
- 4x Paperclips
- 1x Golf pencil
- 1x 2mm x 17 cm latex tubing ( water sweeps )
- 1x Platypatch ( to repair water bladders )
- 2x Alminium foil sheets (+/- 30x40 cm )
- 1x Alminium foil sheet (+/- 30x70 cm )
- 2x Ducttape ( 3.7x30 cm ) on peel-off backing ( note paper )
- 1x Gaffer's tape ( +/- 76x1.8 cm wrapped around tin )
- 2x Gaffer's tape ( +/- 30x3.8 cm wrapped around tin )
- 1x B.C.B. Waterproof Survival Instruction Sheet
- 1x Metal Handle for tin bottom
- 1x Storage Tin, tabaco type ( 11x3x8 cm )

Okay I'll play.... My current setup is all modular. EDC is, well what I carry day in an day out. A regular componant of the EDC is the CRK Shadow3 and its handle contents which I affectionately refer to as the KSK (knife survival kit). Then I have two levels of PSK which for me is as big as a kit gets. It is used more like a mini BOB. I can and have gone camping with only it's contents on more than one occasion and been quite comfortable. The two levels of the PSK are the primary PSK with is kept in the small tin then the tin will often go in the M2 pack with a few extra items, mostly shelter and FAK items.

EDC and ESKs
------------------------------------

EDC:

Cards Chk/DL
Keys Home/Work/Car
Cell Phone GSM/Analog
Peak LED N-Cell Flashlight
Essential Gear Stormproof Lighter
CRK Large Classic Sebenza or CRK Shadow III (w/ KSK)


CRK Shadow III KSK:

Inside Handle...
2" x 1' Duct Tape
1 SAS Compass
1 Ferrocerium Rod
1 Condom
2 Katadyn MP-1 Tabs
4 Sparklite Tinders
4"sq of HD aluminum foil
6' of 100# Fireline
1' x 0.5" Blue Electrical Tape


PSK:

Stormproof Lighter Tin
DMT Fine Diamond Stone
ACR Whistle
ETS Mirror
Duct tape
Fresnel lense
2 razor blades
Ferro rod
Space pen
20mm compass
10mm compass
Meds
2 condom
Sparklite
Inova coin cell LED
7 MP-1 Tabs
12 Spark Light Tinders
5 Small hooks
2 Med Fishing Hooks
1 Large Fishing/Gaff Hook
1 Small Split Shot
6 Butterfly Sutures
4 Alcohol Pads
21' 100# Fireline
3 Gerber Bags


Maxped M-2 SK:

PSK (above tin and contents)
Storm Shelter Instant Pocket Tent
Large/Med Garbage Bag
12' 500# 7 strand Black Paracord
8' Orange 300# Nylon Cord
3 4x4 Gauze Pads
Red Mini Bic Lighter
4 Triple Antibotic Applications
* Left Room for Cell Phone *

Is that a SASS or Arktis Smock ?

The BCB kit is lacking in quality and gear.

Buy Doug's kit and add it to what you have already and replace the poor quality items like the crappy knife with decent gear and add a photon light and you should be set with a decent kit.

Flip.

If he's ordering it from the UK it may be more difficult. I've not seen anywhere over here that sells it (I don't think you can get the spark-lite over here either, I've looked). I'd like one of his packs but I've not seen one avalable here, and you can only order it online from the states (that I've found) and that costs a bit in postage. If someone knows a place that has reasonable postage to the UK let me know.

The main things you do get in Dougs kit that you don't have in your kit are:
The Spark-Lite (whcih I have yet to see in the UK)
The Mini-Fox 40 whistle. I have a standard Fox 40 which has been trimmed down a bit. It is worth it the Fox 40 is a damm good whistle (its also the one all FA refs use) and the mini one looks ideal for a survival kit.
Also the signal mirror is a good one.

The rest of it you already have equivalents to, or are easilly obtainable, but the above items are certainly of the best quality and not commonly avalable seperately (at least in the UK).

The rest of the kit is of a great convenience as well. Write in Rain paper, nylon cord, nylon line and fresnel lense all which he does not have conveniently packaged and wrapped.

The whistle I found bulky and didn't work that well and about the same space volume of a cut down fox 40 anyway.

It was worth the purchase for the mirror alone as no other designated signal mirror of the same weight fits in an altoids tin.

Flip

EDIT
THE KIT LIST THAT WAS MENTIONED ABOVE IS OUTDATED

The extra items carried:
Wire wool (electric spark tinder)
Two tea bags
Magnesium permanganate crystals (that?s in the Hema container, didn?t even realise it was still from there <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> well recognised PC2K)
Loads of puritabs from ratpacks

PC2K,
Thanks for your advice. I included the paper matches as they are lightweight and extremely compact. The problem with the NATO windproof ones is that the chemical sometimes separates from the match stick. Also are pains to get lit.

Cpcarrot,
Thanks for your advice. My Maglight Solitair is on the keychain. Ill post a photo of my EDC if you want. Like you, I too find my PSK too bulky to carry as EDC. Searching every outdoor shop for the Fox40 but to no avail. Neither seen it in catalogues. It?s just the same old general gear for Tom Dick and Harry.
Adding the whistle to the tin allows me to attach the old one to my key chain.
I?ve kept my medical gear separate from the tin as I also carry a pocket FAK as part of my EDC. On my fixed blade I carry the Swedish Fire steel. But to be honest have no problems lighting fires using the standard issue flint and steel. Got rid of the chain though ? useless. Must obtain a signal mirror but planning it to add it to my wallet.

Flipper,
Thank you for you humble words <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />. The knife once sharpened is adequate as backup. Artificial light is on my keychain. Am planning to buy the kit from Doug for family as B?day presents once it is available on the European market.

Reinhardt

What are magnesium permanganate crystals ? Are you refering to potassium permangate/cindy's crystals ? I never knew that that little container could take the oxidizing effect from kmno4, but on the other hand i never heard of any special containers needed for kmno4...

í actually find i weird to hear that fox 40's are hard to find. you can find them very easily here. Although i don't have one.

i agree on the uselessnes of the chain on the issue flint rod, it actually gets in the way. I have no problems using that flint rod wenn used with the hacksawblade. It's the type of rod i first learned to used ferrosium rods with. useing a p-38 as a striker still posses a problem...

I've very rairly seen the Fox 40 whistle over here. The only places I've found that reliably sell it, are certain sports shops. As I said its the Whistle of choice for football referees and they often sell it, while outdoor shops for some reason don't seem to.

Reinhardt,

Its not a question of being humble its a question of pointing out a knife that is seriously lacking in quality and is dangerous as I owned one and it broke cutting me the first time I used it. A cheap small SAK is a better option.

Never had a problem with NATO matches personally as long as they are dry, mine are 20 years old and work fine.

If you don't want opinions and constructive criticism why post at all.

Here is an example of a decently put together kit with good quality components based on Doug's kit philosophy posted on another surival forum. I wish mine was as good.

http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=000829

Flip

SAKs (and all slipjoints) are pretty dangerous too IMHO ... if you can't carry a fixed blade get the best frame lock (not liner) you can find or a BM like Doug's RSK with the axis lock... oh wait Flip ... you and I have had this debate already ... just teasin. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Slip joints are dangerous??? The knife is an extension of the user. The knife doesnt cut you, you cut yourself. Well, just my 2 cents worth.

My (P)SK is primarily setup for my snowboarding trips:

AMK Pocket Survival Pak
AMK UltraLight .7 FAK
MPI Extreme Pro Tech Bag
Heat Pack
SOG PowerLock
Pocketwrench II
Inova 24/7 and batteries
BIC lighter
ZipLock Bags 1L
Camelbak ThermoBak 2L
Avalanche kit
PMR radio
Extra layer clothes
Powerbars

Everything goes into a 11L snowboarding backpack that will also carry my board if I have to go on foot.

I'd suggest a mini-Bic lighter or something comparable, instead of those paper matches.

Why not a zippo lighter? Somebody once said that even if the fuel evaporates, you still got a sparklite and some cotton tinder.

Zippo isn't so good for a PSK, since the fuel does both evaporate and leak. Also, it's much bigger and heavier than a mini-Bic. And its spark wheel is not really any better than the Bic's. Neither is as good as a real Sparklite, so if you want a Sparklite, carry one. Those tinder-quik pellets seem less messy than vaseline cotton balls too. Countycomm sells a nice kit for $6.00:

http://countycomm.com/AVIATIONFIRE.htm

Sparklite tinders are hands-down my favorite! I wish I could find someone that supplies them by themselves!

PC2K,
Sorry,I meant potassium permangate crystals. The mistakes you make when its late hey? <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Indeed, like the Swedish firesteel, I find I can create a shower of sparks with the standard issue flint and steel.

No sparklite can be found this isde of the pond <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> The bic lighter is good point but I havent got the space even if I would take out the matches. Once the tin is packed she becomes a bit of a beast. Must put my foot on the lid to tape it down <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Reinardt

Funny thing about that small blade Reinardt has.

The dam thing was locked back and I went to gouge a large shaving off tree branch , like you would when whittling and the bloody blade broke backwards. It drove the liner right back out of the scales and the tip went into my hand reverse like.

It just came apart in my hand <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> one stroke.

Never had that happen to a SAK locked or not.

Brian, even the axis lock is better than that thing haha <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Flip

Is this what you want?

Adam

Sure is... thanks!!!

Cody have you found that the Ferrocerium Rod makes your NATO compass off by 5 or more degrees? I had one next to my Ferrocerium Rod and it akde it about 8 degrees off.

Brian:

I'm not the only one then. Every time I see your signature line, correctly attributing the quotation to Cody Lunden, for a moment I think the post is FROM Cody Lunden.

Your pal,

Bear Lunden

You can also get packs of 50 Spark Lite Tinder from backpackinglight.

I have mixed feelings about potassium permangate. It's potency as a water treatment method has been dissed here in the past; someone cited a report which suggested it didn't kill all the bugs you'd want killed.

If you also carry glycerine I reckon mixing them is probably the most fun way to start a fire (don't try this without further research), but I didn't notice glycerine in your list. Anyway, I'm not sure if it would work when wet, and the wind would surely blow the crystals away. And if the containers are not 100% safe, there's a possibility of spontaneous combustion which is a bit scary.

I've heard it claimed you can start a fire by mixing it with sugar and bashing it with a rock, but I've not been able to achieve it myself. Wind and rain would be a problems again.

It just doesn't seem very good at any of the crucial roles. It has some value as an anti-septic, and could be useful as a dye for signalling, in water or snow, but overall it doesn't strike me as compelling. Do you disagree, and is there some use I missed?

LOL ... sorry... maybe it's from writing so many essays in college or the fact that my wife is a relatively new and particularly gung ho English teacher but I feel it is very important or give proper credit to a person when you quote them, especially in writing. That is why my signature line is written the way it is. I can see how it might be confusing. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I'll see it I can think of a way to change it to make it more obvious that I am not Cody and still give him proper credit for the quote. I think it's an amazing quote and I would like to keep it on my signature so that it may make people think about it (even if only subconciously) each time they see it. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Maybe if you added your name to your sig it might work better. Sort of like this:

potassium permangate also has another dangerous property, it can cause burns and also wenn it gets in to your eyes, you will be permently blinded. ( unless you are very lucky and can wash away the crystals just in time. )

i personally looked at the pro's and cons and decided it was not worth carring. But thats a persoanlly decision. You should decide for your self wheather you think is worth carring.

Brian:

You could also post a picture of your feet with shoes on and then we will all know. <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />