I am thinking if I should buy myself ready made large survival kit or make it myself.
I see from the review of kits that only Master Pro Survival Kit got "excellent" rating http://www.equipped.org/pro_master_kit.htm . But it is very expensive! Do you think it will be cheaper to buy it or buy parts for it separately and assemble your own kit? It seems to me it does not have anything special, but I was thinking to replace knife, multitool, magnifying lense and saw with SwissChamp, and I have compass already. Then I have fishing gear at home, so I will be able to make my own (even though I do not see much point in this in the place wher I live, I want survival kit for travels, so it might be useful), I have space blankets and many small staff for the kit.
I looked at other kits, but I find only small British army kits on ebay, no large ones, except with food and water...
One more question: do you feel it is necessary to duplicate some of your gear? For example, I often take 3 knives for camping or even day walking because I usually take 3 knives to work. Do you think people like me should have one more knife in the kit?
Regards,

I would assemble my own. You allready have some key components and show a bias to certain others for your own needs. When people 'get religon' about being prepared the reaction is to GET EVERYTHING NOW. Relax! You have a few basics and people have survived on far less. I fear people buy kits like my nephew's microwave in college. They sat there staring at it waiting for the popcorn to pop. I finally reached behind and plugged it in <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Buying kit lets you 'kick the tires' play with the stuff while watching Bart out act Anthony Hopkins and avoid mistakes.

I would say assemble your own. It is much more fun. I have been into survival since the 1980's [back when American Survival Guide Magazine was still published -- and that got me started]. Back then, the products were extremely limited in quality and availability and now new products come out all the time and you see them and add them to your kit. Some have favorite knives and multitools, fire starters, water and purifiers, etc. Just read the board for the variety of opinions on any given item. It can get expensive, so don't buy everything at once. The hunt for the perfect kit is the challenge, a great learning experience. And fun for the gadget-aholic like me. And I have been working on mine for almost 25 years!

I had no idea where to start really, but I knew I wanted something. I decided to buy the Pocket Survival Pak from Adventure Medical Kits (yes, the one designed by Doug Ritter). This gave me an immediately useful and complete kit, and I have spent many happy hours repacking it into an Altoids-sized tin and adding other stuff. I have found lots of web pages with other suggestions, and it is much easier to take someone else's list and modify it than start with a blank sheet of paper and ask "what would I need?". So I have put together a BOB for myself and my wife, an earthquake kit with water etc. outside the house, and the car has a crate with some gear in it too. I am hoping I never need any of it, but in New Zealand we are subject to floods, earthquakes and Tsunami, and even going for a hike it's all too easy to end up in a pretty remote places without realising there really *is* no-one around for miles.

If nothing else, having a kit has made me more relaxed insofar that if something *should* happen I can start thinking about which part of the kit will help, rather than panicking because I have nothing.

A

For the most part I certainly agree with Chris' comment. A lot can be learned from building your own kit - not to mention the fun of it. To save some money I suggest you ask lots of questions on this forum rather than going through the expensive of buying and testing different brands/forms of an item yourself (I speak from experience).

BUT, I might advocate purchase of Doug Ritter's Adventure Medical Kits Personal Survival Pak as a sort of starter kit.

My reasoning is two-fold:

#1 - This provides an easy, well-thought-out basic starter kit that puts most of the essentials in hand quickly. Suppliment this with items recommended in the kit Bonus material (locking folding knife, pocket-sized personal shelter, flashlight, first aid kit, and water supply - many carry water purification tablets) and you have a GREAT start for only $25.00.

#2 - Buying the AMK PSP for $24.95 (cheapest price I could find) actually saves you money compared to making separate purchases of several key kit items. I estimate the main items would cost at least $24.75 plus an additional amount for shipping costs since I couldn't find any single site that carries all the times. Most of the items are available at bestglide.com, but the compass and fresnel lens were not. Those were on two separate sites. So, I would have to order from at least three seperate web sites.

Per Item Pricing:
$8.95 -- Spark-Lite Firestarter + 4 Spark-Lite Tinder Quik (actually you get 8 Tinder Quik when purchased separately)
$4.95 -- Fox-40 Whistle (Howler is $6.49 on Amazon)
$6.95 -- Signal Mirror, 2"x3" (StarFlash)
$1.95 -- 20mm Survival Compass (lowest cost I could find)
$1.95 -- Fresnel Lens Magnifier, 2"x3"
$24.75 -- TOTAL COST, excluding shipping from at least 3 different suppliers

In addition, the AMK PSP also provides these items which are harder to price:
In addition, the AMK PSP gives you:
Duct Tape, 26"
Stainless Steel Wire, 6'
Braided Nylon Cord, 150 lb test, 10'
Black Nylon Thread, 10.5 lb test, 50'
Fishing Kit (4 hooks, 2 split shot, 1 snap swivel)
Sewing Needle
4 Safety Pins
HD Aluminum Foil
Pencil & Waterproof Paper
Vinyl Pouch

By the way, I'll also put out a recommendation for Doug's other gear. It is well-thought-out and always very competative amoung similar products.

I have both the full-size and mini RSK Mk1 knives and REALLY like them. I EDC the mini (nothing really mini about it - quite robust) and carry the full-size when camping & hiking.

I also EDC the Doug Ritter Freedom Micro-light. It rides in my left front pocket on my spair key-chain. It is everything described on equipped.org: tiny, bright, easy-to-use. The collar around the LED that keeps the light out of my eyes is wonderful. Though the light's yellow color is "painted" on - as opposed to molded in the plastic - after 3 months of riding amoungst a plethora of keys, the light hasn't shown a single scratch of the yellow. Since the batteries for the Photons are kind of expensive, I don't use this light as a primary light around the house or when camping - it is more of a backup & quick-use light.

And so it begins.... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That's pretty much how I got started. I wasn't planning on making my own, but when I bought a kit, and it turns out it wasn't what I thought it would be. The parts were lower quality than the parts in the display model, and the packing wasn't very efficient. I thought "I could replace this with that" and so on. It evolved slowly over time as I aquired better items. It did turn out to be kind of a time and money sink, but the end result? Not only do I have a kit personalized for me, but I also learned a TON along the way, which is probably even more valuable.

But.... that's all up to you. It depends on how interested you are- buying a commercial kit (even the less expensive ones) is better than nothing, and even that bit of preperation puts you ahead of most people.

While you can start with a purchased kit, I think it will only be the beginning for you. We each have such different needs and live in areas of such different risk that no pre-packaged kit can suit your need entirely.

The learning curve can be pretty steep at times regarding survival stuff. Build slowly and carefully. You learn fast, after a few mistakes with cheap, poorly made items, to buy only the best you can afford. Building your own kit, over the years, is a fun and satisfying project. I am always on the lookout for improvements or new items I can add to my various kits. Yes, you too will find that one kit is really not enough, you need different kits for the car, home, work etc, etc.

The main advantage of buying a commercial kit is speed.
If you havent got the time, everything is done. But it is done to whatever standard the company dictates.
You can always change thing later, but you have a kit to start with.

However that is not the way I would do it.
Making the kit yourself has many advantages over buying a kit.
-You dictate the standards of the equipment and supplies.
-You learn about each bit as its added and how to us it.
-You pack the kit, so you know where to find things when they are needed. (Hopefully <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )
-You havent spent money on something that wasnt up to standard to start with.
-You have a kit designed for you and your environment.
-You will probably end up with spares, or enough items to make up other sized kits as you go.

Disadvantage : Cost

I would make my own. I have my homeade kit which I constantly improve on and change. I am able to tailor the kit to suit my needs and fill it with the highest quality items I can find. Over the years I have learned what works, how it works and if I really need that item or not. It is small, light and effective. I would not expect this kiit to keep me alive for years but it will provide essential items to survive in comfort until I can either get out or get rescued.
I do not keep a knife in the kit anymore, I used to keep a SAK, Farmer in the kit, but prefer to carry it in my pocket now instead. Depending on the trip I am taking, I will either carry a locking SAK, a Swiss Tool or the Farmer. I also always carry a Grohmann #3 Boat Knife, folders are handy items but not strong enough for serious survival use. The #3 does not weigh more than the SAK locking folder.
My rules when making up a survival kit are simple, will it work, can I use it properly and do I really need this item? There are many handy items you can pack in a kit, but will they actually aid in truly surviving an emergency? You need to be your own judge of that aspect.
Have fun with the kit project!

That's the thing that I really liked about Doug's kit... a great basic kit, and nothing needed to be replaced... no junk at all, and at a price that anybody can afford. Granted, it's fun to tinker with my different kits, but it's good to have a fall-back, or something pre-packaged to give to friends/family. By the way, has anybody thought about stocking up some extra AMKPSK's for barter/trade? If/when tshtf, I'll bet they'ed be a pretty good swap item.

Troy

If you make you own you can fill it for start whit household items:matches,small knive(its better then nothing).

Thank you for replies.

Well, it looks like I will assemble my own kit. It was interesting to look at how much Doug Ritter’s kit will cost to assemble separately. It should cost me less to buy it ready than buying missing items. I actually already started thinking:
- I do not need fire-starter because I can substitute it with Bic lighter and have Swedish fire-starter which I still did not manage to use properly to start fire (mostly because I do not have proper tinder), but I need tinder,
- I do not need compass and signal mirror because I have Silva compass with mirror (do not find it useful while camping, it was more memorabilia to artillery compass I used while trained in the army),
- I do not need magnifying glass because I already have one similar, plus it will be in my SAK,
- I also have other items items like pencil, thread, fishing kit,
But still it looks like it will be cheaper to buy such small ready kit instead of collecting myself.
Could you give me your opinion about British Army Survival Kit? I live in the UK and it is easy for me to find British Army Survival Kit, but I am not sure if it is a good substitute to Doug Ritter’s kit, did not check the difference yet.
Regards,

BTW, you'll never manage to start a fire with the magnifiying glass of a SAK. It's too small. You can if the conditions are perfect with a fresnel lens the side of a buisiness card. And it's so thin that it takes no place in a kit so why not put one. Same for the scalpel blade. You can put a better micro knife but the scalpel blade is so thin that you may as well let it there.

Frankie

Buying Doug's kit has been helpful in several ways for me.

1. When I want something very small and light for skiing, putting in a glove box, etc., it's perfect.

2. It's a good starter kit that will get you thinking.

3. It's great for Christmas presents for friends/family to get them thinking...

I have more extensive kits I put together, and half the fun is obsessing over them.... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Another kit, other than Doug Ritter's that seems to be good value for componants to be used in making your own kit is the NRA kit when it's on sale. It seems, however, that the componants it offers are ones you already have (Blastmatch, tinder, Mirror, whistle). I wouldn't use it as a stand alone kit, but it's a good value if you need those particular componants. The container it comes in is very sturdy as well, though kind of bulky and heavy.

So far I have 3 pre assembled small kits that I have added to my gear.
My first was the Ultimate Survival Deluxe Kit I wanted a saw with a bit more grunt than the wire saws, and this is what I found available down here (Australia) and the other items make a nice little kit.
The next I adde was a BCB Combat survival tin. I'd herd a lot about these, and when they became available here I bought a couple. I ratted the wire saw for my already self assembled PSK tin because it was better than others Id found, but everything else I had already covered, so it was a waste, but I have a small stock of spares <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My recient addition has been the ETS PSP. There is a place over here importing them now (still waiting on the RSK Knife & the Photon) Ive found this a fantastic little kit. It fits better than a tin in my pockets so I carry it more than my other kits.
My only hassle with it is that the pencil is sharp, and being in my pocket it has damaged the foil and clouded up 1 corner of the pack with graphite. Nothing a bit of duct tape around the tip of the pencil wont fix, and it comes with enough to solve that problem <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I dont know what small kits you do have available to you, but I would recomend the ETS PSP, even if you have to ship it overseas. Look at the ETS page to see if they ship to the UK thats how I found them in Australia. The BSB Combat Survival kit is a good starter too, but the ETS PSP is better.

I followed a hybrid approach. A couple years ago, I first found this site, and started planning my kit carefully. I put together most of the necessities, but when Doug's kit came out, I immediately grabbed it.

Since then, I've been gradually adding and subtracting parts as taste and opportunity allow. That's probably best. At the beginning, you will not really be totally aware of your own priorities. Getting a nice kit will get you off the ground and ready for something, but it's important that you then keep an eye on your kit, upgrading what you realize you could improve on.

For example, I added a small piece of wet-dry sandpaper to my kit, along with some 550 cord, some gerber milk baggies, and a coupleother odds and ends. I can't say I've pulled anything out yet, but eventually I'm sure I will.

I just spent the past couple days doing an exercise on this theory. I took the contents list from Doug's Adventure Medical Kit Pocket Survival Pak and checked off the items I already had, which were most of them. I decided I would replace my basic mirror with the rescue Flash, and my standard compass with the 20mm button one. Those two items alone will cost me in the neighborhood of $20 including tax and/or shipping. The kit runs around $30.

So, I'll probably buy a kit, use the items I don't already have, and supplement it with ones I have that aren't in it. One thing I'm looking forward to doing is comparing the Blast Match I already have with the Spark Lite in the kit.

I bought the NRA kit on sale and agree that there are good components for a good price there. I would not call it a survival kit, but rather a base to build around.

As to the question of assemble or buy, I would answer both.

Buy Doug's PSK and carry it while you figure out how to put together the Perfect kit for you.

Obsession...oh yeah. How well I understand. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As my wife of 14 years this December 28th says to me, "You're not obsessing over this, are you?" She knows me very well. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I casually reply, "Hmmm...and what do you think I'm doing?"

"Obsessing as usual," she says, grinning.

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

-- Craig

My problem as well. I love the looks and contents of the kit, but I just can't justify spending the money on it. So I'm building my own discount version...slowly.

-- Craig

I try to always have more than one of everything in my kit and on my person. Why? When the lights go out, everyone knows I'm the Go-To person for flashlights. I need a few for lending out as well as an incandescant and LED for me. Same goes for blades, first aid items, and so on.

-- Craig