Lucky

[Fredcompanybushcraft]

I was on a bus today when some people discovered a 24h ration pack and started throwing it around.
I picked a few water purifying tablets (Aquatabs) and some "Beverage whitener" from the floor.

What is Beverage whitener and does anyone have any suggestions for things I could put in my survival kit? Apart from obvious stuff like a knife, tinder, etc...

 

[Peter_t]

beverage whitener is just milk pouder to you and me lol

pete

 

[Fredcompanybushcraft]

Thanks peter.
Anyone have any ideas for survival kit?

 

[gowersponger]

bit of fishing line and some hooks ?

 

[Fredcompanybushcraft]

yeah, ill get some if I can find them for free or cheaply...

 

[mrmel]

a button compass, snare wire, plasters, wire saw... look up the pre made ones or look for lofty wisemans SAS survival book its great.

 

[launditch1]

A button compass?Heliograph?

A bit random to find a ratpack on the bus?!

 

[TinkyPete]

a good tip for the whitener is to mix it with sugar and water makes a useful drink (does taste that good) but gives you much nutrients when you need them, or better still use it for tea or coffee.

 

[Graham_S]

survival kits are a tricky one.
there is a good book on the matter,
"Build the perfect survival kit"
By John McCann.
It's a little americocentric, but a great book nonetheless.
A good kit will focus on the important stuff, the things that will kill you fastest.
You want shelter from the elements, means of creating fire, and a means of collecting/purifying water.
Signalling is a good one too. Whistle/heliograph is useful.
Food isn't even in the top 10.

 

[Fredcompanybushcraft]

I'm thinking of getting a straw purifyer...
Or should I get a bigger one that'll last longer but cost more?

 

[Glen]

I think the first question to ask yourself is " For what enviroment" eg fish hooks would probably be fairly useless in a dessert, in other situations they could be easily fashioned from safety pins, which have more other uses.

Presuming that you'll include some way to make fire ,my top tip is to pack any airgap spaces left with polymorph
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Material-Guide:-Polymorph-Plastic--a-thermal-/
With care and preactise you can probably even make fish hooks out of it

 

[mart]

What are you planning to survive?

 

[Fredcompanybushcraft]

What are you planning to survive?

Nothing much
Just maybe a few nights in the woods... anything I'll do at scouts involving surviving...
Basically more of a "scout kit" than a survival kit

 

[scott mcmillan]

only put stuff in your kit you can use. if you want to add more bits go out and learn how to use them now befor you need them in a emergancy .
alos its great fun to go out and try new things

 

[mart]

Try and imagine how you will spend your outdoor time, where your gonna be and what you would like to do. Make up some basic things that will make your time enjoyable.
A waterproof mobile phone could be the ultimate survival tool.

Mart.

 

[luke_s]

I know I'm a bit late on this one, but I consider one of the most important parts of my 'survival kit' a spare pay-as-you-go mobile phone (I use one of my old ones) in a waterproof bag (as Mart suggested) and a couple of pouches of water. I also keep a zip-lock bag with maya stick shavings & cotton wool, and also a scout firesteel. But by far the most important thing I could suggest is 2 days worth of any vital / daily medication if required.
I was party to a "alternative survival kit" workshop at the Wilderness Gathering, but unfortunately can't remember who ran it. This made me completely re-evaluate my 'survival kit'.
I used to carry a BCB survival tin, but I ended up taking it out of my daybag.
I have a 'howler' whistle, insect bite stick and a micro-torch on a lanyard which I keep around my neck on trips out.
Hope this helps.

Luke