Out of Curiosity

Is there any piece of survival equipment, other than Doug's Pocket Survival Pack, which the manufacturer will replace for free if it was used in a survival situation? This question is not limited to survival kits. It could be anything used for a survival situation including, but not limited to, knives, flashlights, first aid kits and shelter items.

Jeanette Isabelle

The ballistic vest manufacturers will usually replace a vest used in a "save" for the officer that was wearing it. It used to be a policy with Second Chance but a lot of the individual companies like them are now under one owner (BAE systems owns several of the brands now) but the replacement vest is still usually done.

Paul -

Where is it written that Doug's PSK will be replaced if ever used in a survival situation? I think I've read quite a bit about this PSK, but I can't remember to see THAT written anywhere.

Personally, my take on important gear is in fact the oposite: If some gear really plays a crucial role in saving my bacon in a survival scenario, the least I can do is a) let everyone know about it, b) vote with my vallet and buy some more of that stuff.

"If you utilize this survival kit in an actual survival emergency, you will be eligible to receive a replacement kit free of charge." -- http://equipped.org/psp/psp_survival_instructions_0206.pdf

Jeanette Isabelle

I remember when I first started reading the ETS site that some of the higher quality Survival Kits that Doug reviewed would replace the first aid and water purfication parts when they expired.

In the survival kits that I build with kids as part of a one day basic survival course, I have them include my business card in the kit. It gives them something to write on, use as fire starter and I promised to replace their kit if I can use their survival story as a real-life example in my course. I have been doing this for 4 years but have not yet had a kit used in a survival situation to my knowledge.

I forgot to add that this is a free course and the kits are also provided at no cost. The program is sponsored by government, business or personal funding.

Mike

Most marine life raft manufacturers will replace a life raft used in a real life survival situation. Winslow will also do so for their aviation life rafts, not sure about the other aviation raft manufacturers.

I beleive both ACR and McMurdo will replace the battery for free if you use their EPIRB or PLB for a real life survival situation. Likely they would just upgrade you to their latest product.

Offering to replace the item lets the company know about the situation, and they might be able to use it for advertising.

I'm not being cynical here (imagine that!) -- offering a replacement is an excellent way to keep updated on what worked, what didn't work, and possible improvements.

Few companies are bright enough to figure that out (now I'm being cynical).

Good idea! And I'm glad to see that Doug is right on top of things... as usual.

Sue

MSR had a line of climbing and cycling helmets in the 1980s. They offered free replacement of involved helmets. This was both an advertising ploy and an attempt to get feedback on actual performance.

Cannon Safe Co. offers repair/upgrade/replacement if your safe is damaged in a break-in.

Giro will replace their helmets that are used in an accident.

BassPro will replace there wool socks no-questions asked.

Mike

Giro, Bell and a few other bicycle helmet brands are all owned by the same company (I did some work for them once back in my banker days). They will gladly replace your helmet if it is involved in an accident, providing you send it in to them for study. As a one time avid cyclist, I have a few friends who have taken them up on the offer. I believe the same holds true of most motorcycle helmet brands.

My goal was always to have to pay to replace my helmets at the end of their useful lives!

Costco sells a lot of items that I consider survival functional, and their replacement policy on most of it is pretty darned good.