My Personal Survival Kit - What Else Do I Need ?

My Personal Survival Kit - What Else Do I Need ?


My Personal Survival Kit

This kit is used for day trips in Michigan (600 to 1000 foot elevation - not overnight) into the forest on motorcycle for 100 miles round trip
This kit is NOT carried on my body so weight is not a consideration
Pretty much everything is in ziplock bags for waterproofing

Prepackaged Survival Kits
1. Doug Ritter’s “Pocket Survival Pak”

Blades and Tools
1. Doug Ritter RSK Mk3 Fixed Blade - 4 inch blade
2. Doug Ritter RSK Mk1 mini Folding Knife
3. Becker BK7 Fixed Blade - 7 inch blade
4. Leatherman Wave Multitool
5. Folding knife (backup cheap 4 inch blade)
6. Folding Wood Saw - 10 inch blade
7. Folding Wood Saw - 8 inch blade

Firestarting
1. Spark-Lite Fireststarter
2. Tinder-Quik from Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak
3. Lighters Standard see-through - 2 - in waterproof containers
4. One long arm BBQ style lighter
5. Sticks of Fatwood (5)
6. Cotton Balls (30)
7. Petroleum Jelly (2 ounce container)
8. Magnesium firestarter
9. Waterproof Windproof Matches in waterproof container

Shelter
1. Adventure Medical Kits “Thermolite 2.0 Bivy” (Thicker bivy with ventilation ports)
2. Adventure Medical Kits “Heatsheets Emergency Bivy” (basic bivy with no ventilation)
3. Tarp - Orange measuring 8 feet by 10 feet
4. Heavy duty steel tent stakes
5. 38” x 65” orange garbage bags - 2
6. Coughlan’s Tube Tent
7. 150 feet of 550 cord (mil spec)

Clothing
1. Capilene base layers top and bottom (wearing)
2. Bandana
3. Waterproof/Windproof top and bottom (backup, not wearing)
4. Fleece shirt long sleeved (backup, not wearing)
5. Winter hat (backup, not wearing)
6. Winter neck gaiter (backup, not wearing)
7. Winter Gloves (backup, not wearing)
8. Thick wool socks (backup, not wearing)
9. Backup prepackaged emergency rain gear top and bottom (cheap, hooded)
10. Prepackaged emergency poncho (cheap backup)

Water Procurement and Treatment
1. Katadyn Exstream XR Bottle Purifier (good for 26 gallons)
2. Coffee filters - to filter water before it goes into Katadyn water bottle
3. One liter of Aquafina purified bottled water
4. Stainless Steel Cup (8 ounce for boiling)
5. Collapsible Plastic water collection container (one liter)
6. Ziplocks – many - to collect and transport water

Navigation
1. Good quality compass (primary)
2. GPS (mapping with maps installed)
3. Small compass from Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak
4. Compass (another backup)
5. Binoculars – small
6. Shadow stick techniques (in my head)

Light
1. LED flashlights - High quality High Lumen- with extra batteries - Fenix P1D-CE and Fenix L2D-CE – Both include an S.O.S. mode and a Strobe mode at 130 lumens
2. Head light - High quality with extra batteries - Petzl Myo 5 belt
3. Doug Ritter Freedom Photon mini LED light

First Aid
1. Basic Kit
2. Motrin Tablets

Food
1. Stainless Steel Utility Snare Wire - 6 ft
2. Fishing Kit - 4 medium Fish Hooks, 2 Split Shot and 1 Snap Swivel
3. Food bars (a few)

Signaling and Communication
1. Fox-40® Rescue Howler™ Survival Whistle from Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak
2. Cell phone with back up external antenna
3. 38” x 65” orange garbage bags
4. Orange Tarp measuring 8 feet by 10 feet
5. High power LED flashlights with S.O.S. mode and Strobe modes at 130 lumens
6. Signal mirror from Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak

Instruction
1. Larger reprint of Survival Situation Instructions and Priorities from Doug Ritter’s Pocket Survival Kit.
2. Photocopied pages 279-291 from book called “Deep Survival”
3. Knot Tying instruction guide

Personal
1. Toilet paper
2. Purell alcohol sanitizing gel
3. Deet Mosquito Repellant
4. Lip Balm
5. Picture of myself with family

Miscellaneous
1. 150 feet of 550 cord (mil spec)
2. Duct Tape (2 rolls measuring 2 inches by 50 feet each)
3. Grabber Mycol Heat Treat hand and toe warmers
4. Mosquito Head Net
5. Extra Cash in case wallet is lost
6. Stainless Steel Utility Wire - 6 ft from Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak
7. Braided Nylon Cord - 10 ft. 150+ lb. Test from Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak
8. #69 Black Nylon Thread - 50 ft. , 10.5 lb. Test from Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak
9. Heavy Duty Sewing Needle from Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak
10. Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil - 3 sq. ft. from Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak
11. #22 Scalpel Blade - stainless steel from Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak
12. Fresnel Lens Magnifier from Doug Ritter Pocket Survival Pak
13. Extra waterproof bag (thick)
14. Backpack trowel (plastic cheap 12 inches long)
15. Many rubber bands
16. Nitrile gloves (3 pairs)

Holy smokes, you have everything, several times over! How big/heavy is this kit? If we look up redundant in the dictionary, we will see your picture, right? I want to go playing in the woods with you, I wouldn't have to bring anything. I think I would drop a few knives and a saw, then add some food tho, snare wire, fishing stuff, and a few munchies won't last long.

And, in case I haven't said this to you before, Welcome Newguy!!!

All right, seems nice. The things I wrote down on my notepad (I always do that when I see nice kit's, but still need some refining):

You've got to layer your kit. Now you have 4-5 knives, 3 flashlights, etc.in the same bag.

I suggest you take your MK-1, Pocket survival Pak, Heatsheet bivvy and Fenix P1D-CE and put them ON YOUR PERSON. That's because well, if you lose your bike and therefor your kit...all that fancy equipment is gone

- Only keep the MK-3 and multi-tool in your bag (and the MK-1 is on your person). Lose the others.
- keep only 1 saw
- ditch the tube-tent (tarp and bivvy is sufficient)
- Only keep the Fenix L2D-CE, headlamp and photon-lights in your bag.
- What's in your FAK?
- only 1 rol of duct-tape
- add a couple of energy bars (just in case)

If your bike breaks down you might like to have a backpack.

In my fishing kit, along with hooks, line, and sinkers, I also have one of these: Survival Gill Net

One good knife, one good multitool (with a small knife), and one good hatchet (instead of the saws).




... Just my $0.02

As others have already said, trim some of the redundancy out of the kit. Once you trim it down there will be room for an MRE or two which may be a better start to a long walk than a couple food bars.

Put some elements on your person. Do a "what if?"; assume you just bent the bike and it's no longer mobile. How are you getting back? Packaging part of your kit in a backpack is a good idea. I have a backpack as part of my vehicle kit. I can't carry all of it, but I can carry enough.

I forgot to mention I have some of those things in an EDC that is ON me.
I agree about keeping only 1 saw and 1 roll of duct tape
What is an FAK?
I have some energy bars with me when I go out.

Thanks for the help.

FAK stands for First-Aid Kit

I have these things in a backpack, so I can carry whatever I need if I have to walk.
Thanks for the tips.

I don't think there's too much redundancy though you do have quite a few knives/multitools. I'm with Jim, spread them around in case something happens to a bag. Fully kitted I have 2 fixed blade knives, 2 folding knives, a SAK and multipliers. But they're all spread around either on my person or in different bags. Same goes with the lights. I have 2 headlights and 2 flashlights generally. I carry one of each on my person and then one in my backpack and one in my shoulder bag.

Also (and I think a similar suggestion was brought forward) pick up an ultralight daypack. These packs generally crunch down to fit in a really small stuff sack, and can hold from 1000-1500 cubic inches (the one I use weighs 11 ounces empty). If you need to set up a basecamp with all your gear in a survival situation, a lightweight pack can really be handy if you need to make day trips to find water, food, wood, or signs of civilization.

I like the idea of coffee filters. I'm going to add some to my own kit!

Otherwise looks very complete and well thought out...great job!

i would take a lot more food..you will be hungry a lot faster
than you will need a knife..and just not power bars but soup,
cans of beans--fruit..Spam..

I tried some dried apricots from Walmart the other day. They were pretty damn good. So were the dried cherries. The expiration date was something like 2009 or whatever (if unopened and stored properly, I'm sure).

I would take some of those on a trip. If you don't need em, they'll still make for a great snack.

Like Jim said, its a nice kit, but its not a personal kit.

Lately I've come to really appreciate the philosophy of Peter Kummerfeldt of http://www.outdoorsafe.com . His take is that you carry a VERY small basic kit with you at ALL times, tell someone you trust where you're going and when you plan to return, and dress to survive a night or are stuck in bad weather. You're surviving, not homesteading.

All the other gear is great, but it is icing.

You need to take some of the basic bits from you rkit and put them in a bag of some kind that will be with you at ALL times. These bits should include:

>Minimal shelter - I'm leaning toward the 55 gallon trash bags and maybe a mylar emergency sheet
>Fire-starting capability (lighter, sparker, petroleum-soaked cotton balls)
>Loud whistle w/ lanyard or wrist loop
>Good signal mirror w/ lanyard or wrist loop
>Small headlamp w/ extra batteries, preferably lithium
>Sturdy knife
>very basic personal first aid kit

The idea is that you this most basic gear in a tiny bag or in your pocket so you can get yourself through the night or through short-term bad weather.

Consider a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).

Ken K.

I would think a SPOT (~PLB) might be perfect for road trips in remote areas. If your bike breaks down in a remote area outside of cell coverage the "not an emergency but I need help" button would be perfect. Then you would need an overnight kit (sleeping bag, bivy sack, water, food, and firestarter)to weather a storm or spend a night until help arrives.

IMHO ... too many sharps, replace with food. I don't see any repair tools, wrenches, spark plugs, etc. Add sunscreen, spare glasses.

Given that weight is not an issue, I'd go with a 3l camelback hydration pack or similar.

Under communication -- Leave a trip plan, consider family radios.

If you are talking Winter, add pocket heat packs, a sleeping bag and pad, possibly a camping stove for quick hot food. <A white out storm could leave you 40 miles out overnight>

Teacher

Thanks. I didn't specify that I do carry tools and plugs for the bike.
I do leave a detailed plan with my wife. I leave her with a duplicate map with a line drawn on it of my exact route.
I don't ride in wintery weather.
My vision doesn't require glasses.

All of the things people are suggesting are great. I am making a list of all of the advice and will create a plan to implement them.

I agree. I have his video and his book. I had sent him this list and he also suggested the PLB.

Thanks.

Just like many already said, you really don't need that much redundancy. Keep it light and small, you do might actually have to carry it. The bigger the kit, the more likely it will be left behind.

The best way to find out what you need and don't need is very simple; test it! Any kit, should be portable(or at least have a part which is portable). Walk at least 15 miles with your kit and before you know it, you are tossing stuff out. Start practising with your equipment and practise your skills. Experience, knowledge, skills and will power, is far better and importent than having a reduncant piece of equipment.

and one thing, i spotted on the list: the lack of a stove of proper cooking equipment. If you going to carry that much, you might as well toss in a small stove and some light cookwear aswell.

Interesting kit. A few questions and ideas:

- going solo?

- what's the risk of a debilitating injury?

- how long before rescue would be initiated?

- how good is cell-phone coverage (any first-hand information)?

- add some heavy-duty painkillers?

- add some sturdy leather gloves?

- suitable boots, broken in, should you need to walk any distance?

- bigger cup (one pint/half litre minimum) or a two-quart stainless pot?

- maybe dump the tube tent and add a 3/4 length closed-cell sleeping pad? a light sleeping bag instead of bivvy sacks?

Yes, solo.
There is a high risk of debilitating injury
Max 6 hours before resuce would be initiated because my wife has specific instructions on how and when to do so.
Cell phone coverage is limited to nonexistant where I ride.
I carry hiking shoes in my pack since walking in riding boots would be tough.
I agree with you and others. the tube tent isn't needed if I have the bivy and the tarp.
Thanks.

Maybe add a few 6-8" zipties. Good for quick gear repair, tarp rigging, shelther buiding, etc.

That's a large amount of stuff to be carrying around.

I think you are bringing way too many knives. Try to keep it simple. Shelter, water, warmth, some food.

Your clothing seems adequate.

I would bring more dehydrated foods, and more water instead or all these knives.

Wow, lot of duplication. If you were in a support vehicle (van, pick up, etc) for a bunch of guys on bikes, it would be ok, but on a bike you don't have a lot of space. The image I'm getting in my head is that this a pretty decent pile of gear.

Pick one (1) saw, one (1) fixed blade- there is nothing that one of them does that the other doesn't do just as well, is there? Dump the cheap folder, they generally aren't worth it. Ditto the tube tent, you've got garbage bags and a tarp.

Better line than just paracord. Don't get me wrong, it is good stuff, but it really isn't all that strong- some 1" nylon webbing would be a good addition.

FAK- what is in it?

FWIW, Jeff, it seems to me that your worst-case scenario would be a bad spill with injuries. Broken arm or hand, dislocated shoulder, badly scraped up leg. Maybe a mild concussion, even while wearing a good helmet.

Since you'd be on your own for at least 8 hours, possibly with very limited mobility, that would become a genuine survival situation.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the impression that your gear list assumes you will be generally able-bodied.

Perhaps you should consider what you'd need if the worst happened? If you were hurt, groggy, could only crawl, what would you need?

(Hope this never happens, but it doesn't hurt to think it through.)

How about substituting some Gerber milk bags for some of those those Ziplocs? Very durable (and sterile) container for water storage.

Also, a SAM splint would be just the thing if you were injured in an accident and had to move. Maybe some WaterJel/BurnJel or 2nd Skin Burn Pads for abrasions/road rash if you dumped your bike. Just thinking a basic FAK and Motrin may leave something to be desired in a road accident (serious or not). For the activity and circumstances you have described it is not just about the wilderness survival, but surviving a potential accident (or breakdown). Your kit really needs multiple components: 1) breakdown, 2) accident/first aid, and 3) surviving afterward in the Michigan forest 600 to 1000 foot elevation. I think you have no. 3 covered. If you are not mechanically inclined maybe no. 1 is not a priority. You already have a multi tool and duct tape, and a few zip ties to secure a hose and a wrench could come in handy even if you cannot rebuild an engine. I just don't see a lot of preparation for no. 2.

You mention that weight is not a consideration and everything is in a backpack, but I have to believe that the farther you may have to hike or move the more of an issue it may become (and even more so if you are injured in an accident). Accordingly, I would agree with some of the calls to limit the redundancy (Although I understand exactly where you are coming from). Maybe a smaller pack within the pack? (There I go, talking about limiting the redundancy and then encouraging redundancy as a solution)