I've wondered about this for quite a while, so I thought I would ask.

If you have something like an Altoids PSK, do you wrap it with anything, like duct tape, electrical tape, fishing line or 550 cord? Not just a bit to keep it closed or sealed, but around and around and around?

And if you do, why? Isn't that a great way to slow down access to something you might need in a hurry?

I use mine quite frequently, and if I had to unwind a bunch of stuff, I wouldn't use it much at all, and probably wouldn't bother carrying it after a while. The one time I really needed my lighter, I was hyperventilating, sweating, scared to death and my hands were shaking (bear). If I had had to unwrap 20' of duct tape from around it first, I doubt that I could have gotten it open.

So, what's the thinking on this?

Sue

My PSK is Dougs kit, moved into a metal tin, and added a few more items. Not an Altoids tin, but close. I don't ever get into it (and hopefully never will, except to check the condition of the contents from time to time), so I have wrapped the edges with that rubbery tape electricians use that "melts" into itself. Then I wrapped the whole thing with paracord. My hope is that helps waterproof the thing. I have other goodies that I carry that are more readily accessable if I need them...

I have several PSK's And none of them are opened on a reglaur basis. If you have a need for a lot of the items in your kit, Make a large EDC kit that you can open and close as much as you like, then your PSK will be complete and ready for use when you need it (Ihope you don't have to use it). I have a small red pouch that I carry Items that I use when I am Hikeing,or camping. The pouch is small about 5" squaire and fits in my pocket.

My PSKs are Altoids tins and I only wrap them with about 6 or 7 (I'd have to go count...maybe it's a few more) wraps of paracord. To start I make a slip-knot and a large loop that is the initial wrap. The last wrap is pushed and pulled under a couple of other wraps and to undo it, I just need to get the end free a little and pull. I probably should, but I don;t worry much about waterproofing mine.

I wrap mine in about 15 feet of paracord, which equates to one layer of 550 cord around the tin. This keeps the bulk down and keeps the lid from popping open.

I have recently moved from an otterbox to an altoids tin due to size (I wanted to make it smaller). I was having a problem keeping it closed, so wrapping it in 550 cord helps to keep the lid from popping open and it does give a limited amount of cordage if I am away from my truck or a lose my pack, where in both I have fifty or more feet of the stuff.

Garrett

Sue, when I'm actually using an Altoids tin I don't wrap it. I have the same issues with quick access, and have had the hypothermia experience. However, I made an oversized "Ranger Band" out of a bicycle inner tube and rubber cement. This slips over the tin and holds it closed quite well. And a slice of the innertube rubber is a fabulous addition to the firestarter system.

I wrap my tins along the edge with electricians tape, but my PSK is the last resort of the last resort. Everything in it is duplicated elsewhere in my gear, and if I'm only carrying my PSK and PMK, I'm a little underdressed as a result. :P

My Altoids kit is pretty much reserved for if-I-NEED-it-only access, as I have probably way too much other items readily available here and there.

So, it is wrapped with some electrician's tape a couple of times around the edges to help seal them.

Then, I have one layer of paracord wrapped around that.

Finally, I have hunter orange duct tape wrapped around that in a couple of layers for visibility, and have listed the contents on the tape, written with a Sharpie.

Now...with every piece of tape that I use for something like that, I take the last couple of inches and double it back on itself, making a pull-tab.

I don't want to be fumbling around for tape edges should I need fairly quick access to the contents.

Mine is wrapped, but you can still get into it.

Okay, thanks!

I probably should refer to my PSK as my EDC, since that's what it is. But it has some of my most important stuff in it, and that stuff gets used.

I wonder if anyone found my previous kit on the trail when my friend and I were surprised by the bear? I left everything lying on the ground but the lighter. Dummy!

Sue

whenever i wrap anything in tape i fold over the last half
inch or so to make a tag to pull on..trying to pick at the
stuck down end of duct or electric tape is a hassle..wet-cold
and in a hurry a major hassle

I use an altoids type tin for my edc and access it quite frequently for things like band-aids, safety pins etc.
I just use a cable tie over the tin and trim off the excess. It keeps the rectangular shape after a while, slips on and off easily, keeps the overloaded tin closed and resists pocket wear better than the ranger bands i've used previously.
And the cable tie is bright yellow, so it's easy to spot if i drop the tin.
You might not want to get the really big sized cable tie, you'd probably have to experiment with the size which would suit you.

Hey Sue,

I've been rethinking my PSK along with the rest of my gear.

Right now I've got my PSK crammed into a little 3x5 Witz case with paracord wrapped around it. I've used electrical tape to help secure the latch on it as well. It lives in my Fatboy that I carry around with me.

I know what you mean about the difficulty of trying to open something sealed to hell and back in an emergency.

After watching Les Stroud trying to do stuff one-handed on an episode of Survivorman, I started thinking "how am I going to get into this thing if my fingers/hands are busted up/cold as the dickens?"

Besides, though I like the witz case, it is a little bulky in my pants pocket when hiking. So I'm brainstorming other ideas on slimming down the kit/sealing against the elements/making it easier to open.

I may toy with our new vaccuum sealer and see how that works as far as being able to access my goodies one handed, in the dark, scared out of my wits, bear breathing down my neck, ... (not sure how I'm going to simulate that last one though).

Go to the zoo to simulate the bear breathing down your neck. Bears love fresh meat too!

Good point!

Even if I couldn't get close enough to the four-legged kind, I could still practice with the LEO variety as they chased me down for messing with the animals.

Thanks for the idea, watch for me on the evening news y'all!!!

Headline tonite: "Moron eaten by bears alledgedly while testing his survival kit. Zoo officials have no comment, but bears' spokesperson states he tasted like chicken".

I tend to agree with ironraven. My mini kit is basically for last resort. Many items are duplicated in my EDC or in my other gear.

Hmm... you should taste like pork.

Nope.

If I'm being chased by a bear, I'm definately chicken.

(mimicing the zig-zag pattern they use as well as the flapping of wings in vain attempts at flight).