Maxpedition Proteus based kit

This is my design for a minimal bail out kit based on a Maxpedition Proteus fanny pack. My thinking was that I'd be able to clip this to whatever else I was carrying, and I'd instantly have the minimum necessary for emergencies. Please feel free to comment on my choices. A lot of this is from things I saw here. Some of the stuff in here is tested, others I'm experimenting with. What am I missing? Should I have something different?

The Proteus is filling up with all this, and there is still stuff I'd like to add. I'm thinking of moving up to a Countycomm EOD bag, but the Proteus is a really convenient size.

OUTSIDE



1X 50 FT 550 Paracord
1x REI reflective armband
1x Sharpie marker
1x Fischer pen



LEFT POCKET

1x External Sheath with Leatherman Surge multitool
1x Gerber Gator II pocket knife
1x Mosquito headnet
1x Leatherman bit set
1x Leatherman File blade & Bosch Progressor wood saw blade

RIGHT POCKET

1x Plastic Bag, heavy duty, 24"x18"x48"
1x Aluminum Foil, heavy duty, 3 ft
1x Duct tape, flat pack
1x O.P.Sak ziplock bag, 12"x15"

FRONT POCKET

1x Aloksak ziploc bag, 12"x12"
1x Rite-in-rain pad
1x Grease pencil section
1x Eyeglass repair kit
1x Aluminum wire, 5ft
1x Map compass
1x Bic lighter
1x Superglue container
1x Red/reflective engineers tape, 10 ft
1x Braided nylon line, 40 lb test, 10 ft
1x Coghlan's survival mirror
1x LED light (orange with clip)
1x Pro-knot knot card
1x Fresnel lens, 3"x5"
3x Packets, bug repellent
3x Packets, sunscreen
4x Fruit leathers
1x Hydration drink mix
1x Husky mini-screwdriver set (from Home Depot)

MAIN POCKET



* keyring with stuff

1x AMK Heatsheet emergency blanket
1x Mylar emergency sleeping bag
1x Emergency poncho
1x Orange safety vest
1x 1 liter platypus bottle
3x Teflon tubing
1x REI waterproof matches & striker
1x Map scale
1x Foot warmers
1x Coleman dehydrated towel
10x Coghlan's fire tinders in plastic container
1x Varco wire saw in plastic container
1x Brunton storm proof lighter w paracord lanyard
1x Light My Fire swedish fire steel
1x LED light (orange with clip)
1x Cyclops ATOM LED head light
1x Potable Aqua tablets (50?)
1x Potable Aqua neutralizer tablets
1x Kobalt saw blade handle (from Lowes)
1x Blu-mol Xtreme demolition recip saw metal blade 9"
1x Skil "The Ugly" recip saw pruning blade 9"
1x Remgrit recip saw abrasive blade 8"
4x lightweight tent stakes
8x cable ties 7"
1x tube petroleum jelly
2x packs of MRE toilet paper

KEYRING



1x Leatherman Micra
1x Fox 40 whistle
1x P-38 can opener
1x Photon II LED light
1x Compass/thermometer
2x Pill containers (for prescription meds)
1x Uncle Bill's "Sliver Gripper" tweezers

COMMENTS

1. One thing I'm missing in this kit is any first aid supplies. Need to do, though my fall back plan is to use the large first aid kit in the truck.

2. The petroleum jelly has two functions. First, my skin dries and cracks in dry weather, so I need something to protect my hands. I stock petroleum jelly instead of a cream because it is also usable as a tinder fuel.

3. I use reciperocating saw blades instead of a regular camp saw. Much lighter and much more flexible. I also have the Bosch "Progressor" saw blades for use with the Leatherman multitool.

4. The large plastic bag is intended for use as a transpiration bag, but has other functions as well. The teflon tube can be used to extract water from the bag.

5. I need extra 2016 and 2032 batteries in this kit.

6. How to accommodate contact lenses? Really need laser corrective surgery.

7. The Coleman dehydrated towel has a number of uses, including a makeshift head cover.

SUPPLIERS

http://www.minimus.biz/
http://www.coghlans.com/
http://www.watchfuleyedesigns.com/
http://www.amkdealer.com/default.asp
http://www.platypushydration.com/
http://www.cyclopssolutions.com/
http://www.light-my-fire.se/
http://www.brunton.com/
http://www.rei.com/
http://www.countycomm.com/
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/home.asp

Good choices and nice job, thanks for posting. Looks to be well thought out. Not sure how urban or wilderness the kit is.
Only questions are water , some kind of food and small FAK.
I have the CC bag and used to EDC the Proteus, I think you be better served with the Proteus. You can add a small GP pouch to the front of the Proteus for more space.
Think you could loose the tent stakes and carry more wire & 550 cord. Nice to include the inhaler and have backup fire starting. Signal mirror ?

Dave

Radioshack has a similiar screw driver that is smaller, but the body can also be used with an awl blade. It doesn't give you quite the range of bits, but it takes up less space and manages any pair of glasses and non-torx tiny electronics I've ever seen. As limited as your space is, I might suggest seeing what bits you need and don't need for the leatherman as well not carrying the spare saw blade for it- you already carry a better saw. In the same vein, I might also delete the wire saw. I say that as someone who carries a bunch of tools in my kit as well.

I might also suggest picking between the heatsheet and the mylar bag. For the bulk, the heatsheet is probably a better choice.

Swap the tent stakes for some nails with the tips filed dull- works just as well, and a little smaller without the hook. And with a file and rock, they turn back into nails.

How much more space did you want to add? Maybe the Emdom Baby UtiliShingle on the front might give you enough space, if you have a small FAK in mind. The other shingles would give you more space, but more bulk- call the dice and throw 'em.

I think it's a great kit!

I would try to get a AMK emergency bivvy to replace the mylar sleeping-bag.

I agree that a large FAK wouldn't be nessisary, since you would use your truck-FAK.
However, a Triangular-bandage and/or field-dressing would be a usefull addition.

How about a folding-wing stove and solid fuel tablets?



If you ask me: Don't! The kit looks really good and I think you've covered the basics,
wich you wanted it to do.

Did I say that I really like this kit?? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I like it. Looking through it right quick, I myself would maybe modify the following:

Narrow down the number of tools to save room and weight. Narrow down the number of bags/vests/blankets if you can. Add a small sharpening stone. Substitute stainless steel wire for aluminum wire. Double the amount of matches. Add a fishing kit. Maybe an inexpensive folding wing emergency stove w/ fuel tablets packed inside a small mess tin if you wanted as previously suggested.

That paracord hanging on the outside is gonna snag on everything.

Excellent write-up. The Proteus is a great bag.

First looks like a good kit, with the additon of one of those AMK Pocket Medics, a cravat and field dressing would round this kit out for under $10 and not much more added
If you are concerned with contact lenses I would say go with glasses. If somehing happens and you are in a situation with poor hygiene that would make you prone for eye infections. I saw many a preventive health poster in the Army talking about not wearing contacts in the field and they showed what looked like some nasty eye infections. But on the other hand glasses get broken, lost, knocked off, etc. Just one of those things you have to live with.

Nice kit, congrats!

I would consider adding a cheap pair of gloves. If you end up hauling downed trees, pulling debris, changing tires, things like that... protecting your hands if very important IMHO.

Hm... good observation. Having taken an orienteering class way back, I remember what you are talking about. I'll have to resolve that somehow.

What I'd really like to do is get some more transpiration bags in there, as one isn't really enough. I'd like an AMK bivy, but really don't see any way that will fit. Hm. I'll have to get one and see how big it is. If I can swap things around, and vacuum pack the transpiration bag, maybe it'll fit.

I'll check into the RS screwdriver. I like the Husky unit since the bits fit in the handle, but could probably do without, or maybe combine with the eyeglass kit.

I agree I tend to be tool heavy. The Surge is a new addition I'm trying, but could probably remove the Micra. I could probably ditch the extra saber saw blade, and the abrasive recip saw blade, but the recip saw blades pack in the very bottom and take almost no room. Same with the tent pegs. They go on the very bottom, and only take maybe 1/8" of height. Things that take substantial depth are a problem. I was keeping the wire saw so I'd have something I could attach paracord to and throw over a limb, but that could go.

I don't really like the plastic container that the tinders are in - it's just awkward. Also, I think the potable aqua bottles will go and be replaced with clorine dioxide tabs, which will fit in the back pocket.

What I'd like to have are 3-4 transpiration bags, and those definitely won't fit. I'm thinking about getting a vacuum packer, which should help. Odds are I'll keep both the heatsheet and sleeping bag. My thinking is if I had to build a debris shelter, the bag would go in the center and the heatsheet on top. Or maybe use the heat sheet as a fire reflector, or some such. I think it just adds flexibility to have both.

I just added the orange safety vest, just to have a larger passive signal. I watched one of the discovery channel shows about the guy and his kid skiing at a resort in Turkey and getting lost, thinking that he had no passive signal that could be left out. It occurred to me that a debris shelter would make really good camoflauge, not what I'd want in an emergency. I have the surveyors tape, but that's awfully small.

In all fairness, the tools are a sop to being urban, while I'd expect everything else to be wilderness. The two instances I'd expect to be using this would be while I'm out on a car trip and either breaking down in the summer or getting snowed in somewhere unexpectedly. There are certain limited instances where I might be away from the truck and have something stupid happen. In the truck I have a 72hr kit for amateur radio deployments, including food, a small amount of water and a jetboil.

I can defintely add wire, but there's no real place to put food. Maybe some chicken broth cubes, using the aluminum foil as a cup.

I could ditch the tent pegs, but since they go all the way on the bottom of the main pocket, they really don't take up any practical space. I've tried adding a pouch to the front, but really don't like the way it fits. I can add more 550 cord, but will have to fit it so it doesn't snag. The signal mirror is a standard for all of Doug's kit requirements, so I stuck one in there.

A signal mirror is also a first aid item. I have used mine when I cut my face on a branch while hiking alone. It allowed me to evaluate the wound and treat it. Might also be useful for those who wear contacts. They always seem to be looking into a mirror and poking around in their eyes.

Would adding a canteen pouch with a GI 1 qt canteen, cup and stove make your pack too heavy or unbalanced? How about one on each side for balance? Then you have something to boil water or cook with and you can have one canteen of clean water while one is being treated, if it comes to that.

Ow, and also some safety-pins, a small candle and a sewing-kit.

You could also vacuum-pack the bivvy and remove the space-bag. Hopefully this will give you enough room.
If not, I would remove the orange vest, since you also have a reflective band.

Are those transpiration-bags really worth the space they take in and do you really need more than 1 of them? (just a question)

I would keep the reciprocating saw blades, it was the triple redundancy I was thinking of. A kit this size is a "grams matter" kind of thing.

As for the wire saw, the reason why I was thinking it might not be worth the bulk is that many of them kink and snap VERY easily. Try this technique before you need it. Also, were you planning on standing under the branch while you sawed through it?

You can get small zipper bags from the hardware store or walmart- re-enforce them with duct or book tape, and they are great for storing things.

The reason I was asking about the mylar bag and the heatsheet is because they are both a little bit bulky- pulling one would give you space for a small first aid module.

Is the keychain your EDC? I thought it was, that is why I didn't comment on the micra.

I agree with "aloha" on the canteen, cup, and stove (with a few trioxane bars or fuel tabs). You might look into trading the "bottled" water preification tabs for some Katadyn MP-1 Purification tabs. They have one of the best reputations on the market right now for purifying water the best and they come in a flat blister pack that makes for easy packing. I put mine in a heavy duty Ziplock Freezer bag (qt. size) just to ensure they will be ok when I need them.

Aloha bassnbear,

Great minds think alike huh?

I was thinking that with two canteens and their pouches, one of the side pouches can hold some redundant water purification and the other one some tinder and/or fuel. I also store my MP-1 tablets in a bag, but I use an Aloksak as it is rugged and can also serve as a back up water carrier.

When I am out, I carry the MP-1 tablets and either a Miox or a bottle of iodine crystals. I will have two out of the three types of chemical purification means. And then of course, there is boiling with the canteen cup or a cup that fits on the end of a nalgene bottle.

It's interesting in that I haven't found weight to be a problem. I am defintely bulk limited, and the wire saw is bulky. Still, I have tried the wire saw, and found it to be very agressive about cutting even green wood. I'm thinking about trees like the oak trees in my yard, that have branches under the canopy that die out, but are too high to reach. You're right, I should actually try to do it. I should be able to stand off to the side to do the cut, and I have pruned them before, so I'm familiar with how the branches fall.

I think I have room in the left side pocket for a small FAK without dropping the the sack. The keyrings isn't an EDC per se - I don't really feel like carrying one everywhere, so I stashed keyrings like that where ever I am. There's one in the truck, one in that kit, one in my work backpack and one in my ham admin bag. The micra was there before I put the surge in, but now that I have the surge I wonder if the micra can go away.

Safety pins and sewing kit, good idea. The bivy, I'll just have to try one and see. I don't think the reflective band is big enough, certainly not air visible. The safety vest is a sop to that. I'd rather have something like a bright orange sil tarp, something that'd be bigger but pack smaller, but never seen one.

I think the transpiration bags are essential, to be honest. I'm here in Texas, where there aren't that many creeks, and if I got stuck in the summer I'd be quickly in trouble. I've done the Hotter than Hell 100mi bike ride in 109 degree heat and finished in good order, and am confident that I'd want a lot of water. I really need to experiment with the transpiration bags to see how much water I'd get with them.

I don't think I'd do canteens, but I do have a couple of 48 oz nalgene bottles and a Snow Peak cup in the truck 72 hr kit. What I'd need is some way to carry them on my body. Of course, I also have the Jetboil in there. What I don't have is something packable to carry it all in.

In any case, neither the canteens or nalgenes are packable on the proteus proper - they're just too big. Could put one on a countycomm bag.

I've got a CC bag- a 32oz nalgene fits, but it takes up most of the bag. You'd loose gear trying that.

Are you planning on carrying this by the handle, around the waist or over the shoulder? Another possibility is using the molle straps on the back to anchor a pouch for one of the small bladders, say a 50 ounce bladder in an Emdom SUV pouch or something similiar, which will ride fairly flat, particularly if turned sideways and annex clipped into place.

Or you could just add one of the cheapie water bottle carriers from coglan's- they adapt to fit anything, and they cost more to ship than to buy.

Generally, I never found fanny packs to be very comfortable. I'd expect to either loop it over my shoulder or have it attached to another pack.

Here's an interesting solution to the Nalgine problem:
http://www.supplycaptain.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=309
If you don't mind digital camo...

And:
http://triadtactical.com/tab1/store/category/9qqr/Pockets.html%253Fcategory_id%253D9qqr

And more here:
http://www.texastacticalgear.com/index.p...5d619c007b301b6

> I picked up recently one of the knock offs from CheaperThanDirt.com.

You're talking about the Molle Urban Deployment Bag, right? (330, 302, etc, depending on color.) I'm not seeing a way to use that out of the box as a fanny pack; looks like shoulder strap only. I'm interesting in the fanny pack rather than over the shoulder - am I missing something on the Molle (I hope - it's waaaay cheaper).

Max Proteus has waist straps, the CC knockoff does not.

Great idea.............I too keep the essentials handy on a daily basis. Mine varies somewhat from yours in that I always keep a weapon & ammo packed, med. supplies, and such. Being from Texas also, I need to have more prep. for water than possibly some others might. I don't like the buttpack carry very well, I prefer the shoulder bag from the same folks that made your bag.............and I like to carry on my left side rather than my right ( I am right handed). I use a cane for extended walking, and it has numerous other benefits as you might imagine. Remember............."the more you know....the less you need.
Good luck....................Mike

Waist straps aren't needed if you supply your own belt. The CountyComm EOD bag has MOLLE straps, and they work just fine on belts of all sized. It isn't knock off of the Proteus, by the way, it isn't even close, nor was it intended to be, in the same sense that the Civic is is not a knock off of the Focus (or the other way around).

> Waist straps aren't needed if you supply your own belt.

True. My interest is in a fanny pack, not one that I loop onto my trouser belt, so that I can move it around my body and can take it off quickly when I sit. I can do that with other gear that gives me a strap and quick release buckles. The issue is whether the deployment bag then works well as a fanny pack or whether it loses its shape and functionality when cinched around my waist instead of being hung from a shoulder.

It looks like the proteus bag has a wider webbing where it attaches to the bag, unlike the Molle and the CountyComm EOD. I suspect the Molle and EOD would cinch and bind at the belt.

What about putting the paracord in a stuff sack...like a Granite Gear....wouldn't be as susceptable to snaggage. Haven't tried it with my Proteus, but it is something to consider.