Even though we just reviewed the near identical twin brother of this kit, the sixth kit in our Pocket Sized Survival Kit series is the Pocket Survival Pak Plus from Adventure Medical Kits.

As the name implies, it’s quite similar to the standard Pocket Survival Pak. But this kit has some tricks up its sleeve.

What I like about these past two kits from Adventure Medical Kits & Doug Ritter is that the packaging includes a section on “Improving The Odds in Your Favor.”

It urges you to not only go over the survival instructions before stowing your Pak, but to also practice with it beforehand.

The advice makes sense no matter what Survival Kit you’re using, you can never practice too much before you’re in the situation where you “have” to use it.

Contents

• RSK Mk5 Knife
• Pico Lite LED Flashlight
• Sterile Water Container
• Katadyn Micropur MP I Water Purification Tablets
• 28″ Ball Chain
• Fesnel Lens Magnifier (2″ x 3″)
• Rescue Flash Signal Mirror
• Spark-Lite Firestarter
• Tinder-Quik (4)
• Rescue Howler Fox 40 Whistle
• Compass (20 mm)
• Fishing Kit (4 fish hooks)
• Duct Tape (2″ x 26″)
• Aluminum Foil
• Nylon Cord (10 ft., 150 lb. test)
• Stainless Steel Utility Wire (6 ft. of 0.020″)
• Safety Pins #3-2″ (4)
• Sewing Needle & Nylon Thread (50 ft.)
• Pencil & Waterproof Note Paper

Testing Notes

• Weight 6.1 oz.
• I was impressed with the construction of the kit itself but I would have liked to see it in a much brighter orange color, rather than the subdued red that it actually is. In a survival situation you are going to want as many signaling devices as possible.
• The included flashlight worked as well as expected, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s extremely small, so you can’t get a very large beam from it, but the luxury of having some light to operate when the sun goes down is quite handy.
• The RSK Mk5 knife is so light, it’s almost the same weight as the Magpul Executive Field Case for the iPhone 4. It’s easy to grip and use for most tasks. I can’t think of anyway for them to make this knife smaller and still have it be as comfortable as it is. The attached lanyard and sheath allow a few different carrying options.
• The instructions on the water purification tablets were easy enough to follow but actually a little funny. “Wear protective eyewear, protective clothing and rubber gloves.” Don’t they know this is a survival situation? The tablet dissolved in only about a minute or two but the instructions say to leave it untouched for 4 hours and away from direct sunlight.
• The one liter water bag was great. It held the exact amount of water that could be purified with one tablet so that you have the potential for six liters of purified water. It was constructed fairly well and survived some small drops from a height of around three feet before popping at the bottom. But you could possibly fix that with some duct tape.

[The rest of the items in this kit were duplicates from the last. Click to view their testing notes.]

Grading

Cost

3/5 – This section of the grading was a little tricky. While the quality of the contents merits the higher price, it’s still a little steep for some people. That said, you also need to take into account who this kit is geared towards. It’s geared towards individuals that don’t carry a knife or flashlight on a daily basis.

Waterproofness

5/5 – The waterproof pouch is made by Pacific Outdoor Equipment and is easily resealable with the ziplock-style enclosure. With sturdy plastic on one side and durable 40D ripstop on the other, I’m fully confident that this case will survive being dragged over the rocks down a river or creek. In my tests, this bag is IPX7 rated (submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes) if not better.

Size/Weight Portability

4/5 – Fits best in a cargo pocket but still fits in most front pockets with no problem. If you wanted to shrink the kit down a little and make it more pocket friendly, move the knife, whistle and flashlight to the ball chain and wear them around your neck.

Shelter

4/5 – You have to be creative but you shouldn’t have any trouble making a shelter, especially with the included survival knife. I wanted to give this a perfect 5/5 but without any included type of shelter, I knocked it down to a 4/5.

Water Purification

5/5 – 6 water purification tablets and a one liter container make this kit stand head and shoulders above the others.

Food

4/5 – There’s nothing included in the kit food-wise, but all of the items you would need to catch and cook your own food are included. Go fishing and set some snares to increase your chances of a catch.

Fire Starting

5/5 – The fire starter flint works well even when soaked and when you couple it with the tinder-quiks, you should have no trouble getting a fire going. If you want to save the tinder-quiks for a wet situation and you have the sun available, you can use the included magnifying glass without much trouble.

Signaling

5/5 – A lot of these kits get in trouble because they don’t provide tools for signaling. That’s not the case with this kit. You can use the signal mirror, the extremely loud whistle or even the flashlight. I have no doubt that one of those could save your life. It’s good that these items didn’t get skimped on.

Overall Remarks

Simply put, if you aren’t going to carry a knife, flashlight, or liter of water on a daily basis then buy this kit. It has just about everything covered. Keep in mind it’s not ‘the’ ultimate survival kit but it’s pretty close to being the ultimate pocket-sized survival kit, thanks to high quality items included.

Just as I believe that the best camera in the world is the one that you always have on you, I feel the same about survival kits. Having an amazing survival kit in your truck or kayak that allows you to survive for a week can easily become unreachable in a true emergency or survival situation.

Check out all our detailed photos of the Pocket Survival Pak Plus on Flickr!

The fifth kit in our Pocket Sized Survival Kit series is the Pocket Survival Pak from Adventure Medical Kits.

Doug Ritter, founder of Equipped to Survive, worked with Adventure Medical Kits to develop this Survival Pak. As you’ll soon read, this kit is full of high quality items, but also has some great notes in the packaging that aims to better equip you for survival.

In the packaging itself, on the second page under “Improving The Odds In Your Favor” there is an important piece of survival information. Something so essential that I’m going to share it here. Are you ready? Don’t blink!

“Your fundamental survival tool is your brain.”

There it is. That’s the key to survival right there. Having the tools in this survival kit will only be of use if you are in the right frame of mind and if you have the know-how to survive.

Contents

• Rescue Howler Fox 40 Whistle
• Rescue Flash Signal Mirror
• 20mm Survival Compass
• Spark-Lite Firestarter
• Tinder-Quik [4]
• Duct Tape [2" x 26"]
• Scalpel Blade [#22]
• Stainless Steel Utility Wire [6 ft. of 0.020"]
• Fresnel Lens Magnifier [2" x 3"]
• Heavy Duty Nylon Thread [50 ft.]
• Braided Nylon Cord [10 ft., 150 lb. test]
• Fish Hooks [4], Sinkers [2] and Snap Swivel
• Heavy Duty Sewing Needle
• Safety Pins #3-2″ [4]
• Pencil and Waterproof Note Paper [2 pcs.]
• Contents List [gives examples on how to use each item]
• Waterproof Instructions [10 pages]

Testing Notes

• Weight: 4.0 oz
• The kit itself was strong, sturdy, resealable, waterproof, and even floatable. While it was very easy to open and close, I had no worries of it opening on it’s own and dumping the contents.
• To say the whistle was extremely loud would be an understatement. It’s said to be able to reach 122 decibels and can be heard over a mile away! It exceeds the specifications set by The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the U.S. Coast Guard.
• This was my first time using a signal mirror and I was more than happy with the results. There are easy to follow instructions on the back and it took no time at all to figure it out. With a plane or helicopter flying overhead, this will be one of your best options for getting rescued.
• When I first saw the compass, I thought it might be the cheapest quality item in this kit. But it actually surprised me. It is extremely small and accurate. The liquid felt to be very viscous with ultra smooth movement.
• The Spark-Lite Firestarter worked extremely well and even continued to work after being submerged in water for a few minutes. It claims to have over 1,000 sparks so I’m sure you won’t have much trouble starting a fire if you have this on you.
• The Tinder-Quiks lit quickly and stayed burning for almost 3 minutes. This is certainly something you will need if working with wet material.
• Duct tape was super sticky and easy to tear. Pretty much just your basic duct tape. Since this kit didn’t come with any first aid supplies, I would probably save some of this to use as a bandage. It actually burned pretty well, too, and gave off some good black smoke. You could use it as a fire starter or signal device.
• The scalpel was crazy sharp! It is indeed a surgical blade and while you should always carry a decent knife, in a pinch you can use this blade. It’s not very easy to work with but it’s better than nothing. I was able to fashion a ‘knife’ with just duct tape but it still wasn’t very easy to make something like a fuzz stick.
• I made a snare (but didn’t test it out) with the wire which was pretty easy to manipulate. Very strong yet still able to be ‘broken’ by just folding back and forth as fast as you can; it melts at the joint and separates so that you can trim to size.
• The Fresnel Lens Magnifier (I believe it’s pronounced ‘fruhnel’) worked very well. It took a while for me to start a fire because the sun kept going behind clouds but eventually I got a decent flame.
• The nylon thread was strong and there was a ton of it. It works well as fishing line (though I didn’t catch anything), but could also be used for lashing or repairing gear and clothes.
• The braided nylon thread was very strong and claims a 150 lb. test strength. I couldn’t get it to unravel on me and when you burn the ends it really seals up nicely.
• The fishing gear was great. Just about everything you need to fish except for the bait. While there was no ‘official’ lure, you could use the keyring from the whistle or a piece of tin foil. I wonder why most of these kits don’t include actual fishing line. Does the nylon thread have the same strength?
• I didn’t have to use the sewing needle, but it could be used for repairing gear or possibly even a makeshift suture (though I’m no doc!). It has an extra large eye that made it very easy to thread.
• The aluminum foil was just as expected and luckily didn’t have any holes from being folded. I used it to boil water but you could easily cook with it too.
• The safety pins are huge and can be used for any number of tasks, such as clipping the whistle onto your clothes or using them to keep your backpack closed if the zipper breaks. Like duct tape, they have a million uses!
• The pencil was crazy small and took up no space. It was also very easy to sharpen. The paper it came with was waterproof yet still burned easily if you needed it to start a fire. Even when burned, the water proofness of the paper still held its integrity.
• In addition to all of the standard survival contents, they threw in a waterproof instruction booklet that told you (and showed with pictures in some examples) how to handle medical issues, build a shelter, start a fire, find food and water, signal for help and more. This little booklet could be worth it’s weight in gold (although it’s pretty light, but you get what I mean) and is especially worth having on you whether you go with this kit or not.

Grading

Cost

5/5 – You can find this kit online or in stores between $25 and $35. I almost gave this kit a ’4′ in this category but the contents are of such a high quality that I reconsidered. I’m sure you know the saying of quality versus quantity but this kit doesn’t skimp on any of the items, so you really have the best mixture of quality and quantity.

Waterproofness

5/5 – This case is waterproof and resealable. Also, the plastic feels super tough so drops or scrapes on and over rocks shouldn’t be a problem. This bag is IPX7 rated (submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes).

Size/Weight Portability

5/5 – Even when repacked, this kit is tiny. Roll the top over, stuff it in your pocket, and you’re good to go. It’s hard to ask for something smaller.

Shelter

4/5 – This kit has just about everything you need to build a shelter even though there is nothing in the kit that can be used as a shelter itself. You have enough cord, thread, and wire to lash together some branches; add some natural foliage with a bed of leaves/boughs/etc. and you have yourself a shelter.

Water Purification

4/5 – No water purification tablets but I was able to bring water to a boil with the included tin foil. And unlike the last kit, there were no holes in this tin foil so the water didn’t leak. Also it’s a pretty big piece of tin foil, so you could possibly use it to carry some water.

Food

4/5 – No food or candy was included in the kit itself, but there are a plethora of options for catching, preparing, and cooking your catch. You can set snares or go fishing and then use the scalpel to prepare your dinner and the tin foil to cook it!

Fire Starting

5/5 – You have a few different options when it comes to starting a fire with this kit. There are Tinder-Quiks which are great for wet environments where you have no sun and little chance of starting a fire. Then you have the flint fire starter which you could use on either the Tinder-Quiks or just dry tinder. And lastly, if you have some sun, you can use the magnifying lens.

Signaling

5/5 – Finally, some real signaling devices! This kit has an amazing whistle and a legitimate signal mirror. Both are important to your rescue and cover two different angles of signaling.

Overall Remarks

This is by far the best pre-made kit I’ve yet seen. Everything included is high quality and the additional reading material supplied is top notch. My favorite line from this kit? “This Pocket Survival Pak cannot, however, contain all the equipment or supplies you might need or want in an emergency.”

It then runs through a list of items that everyone should carry in addition to this kit. Having that disclaimer may sound like a no brainer but not many other kits would put that in print and I believe it shows integrity. I would trust this kit with my life and it did not disappoint.

The fourth kit in our Pocket Sized Survival Kit series is the Ultralight Survival Kit by Lifeline. You may remember the low scores I gave the last kit by Lifeline, so you can understand my apprehension when I found out that this one was from the same company. But looks can be deceiving and I was willing to put this kit through its paces.

I like their tag line on the front of the packaging:

“A mixture of essential items to help you survive if lost or stranded in the outdoors.”

That’s the key thing to remember with all of these kits. A good kit should include some of the basics and have multiple uses for each item. There is no true ‘one size fits all’ kit, but most do contain a few truly essential items that, when paired with your creativity, can help you survive in an otherwise difficult situation.

Contents

• Weatherproof Carry Case
• Waterproof Matches
• Aluminum Foil (18″ x 12″)
• Emergency Blanket (50″ x 80″)
• Fishing Line (50′), Fish Hooks (4), Sinker Weights (4)
• Snare Wire (8′)
• Map Compass
• Emergency Whistle
• Emergency Cord (10′)
• Duct Tape (36″)
• Survival Guide
• Reusable Zipper-Lock Bag
• Surgical Blade
• Wound Closure Strips (5)
• Safety Pins (3)

Testing Notes

• Test weather: 34°F (wind chill of 23°F)
• Weight: 5.4 oz
• The ‘weatherproof carry case’ was a nice tough plastic ziploc style bag. A little hard to open because of the small ‘grab’ area. It closed pretty easily though.
• The matches were indeed waterproof and lit very easily. Due to the wet and windy conditions, I had to use almost all of my matches and even some of the matchbox to get the fire going.
• The aluminum foil did not work for boiling water because the creases in the folds caused some holes. It would still work for building a reflector or signaling device as well as cooking a fish or something.
• The emergency blanket really surprised me. This thing should be in every kit. I honestly couldn’t believe how well it worked.
• This kit had the most complete set of fishing gear but I still couldn’t catch anything. I’m starting to wonder if these kits should come with some artificial bait.
• The snare wire is super tough. The strength of this thing surprises me.
• The compass seemed accurate enough but it did feel flimsy. It would give you a basic sense of direction though.
• The whistle worked extremely well. It was actually the same exact kind that was in the previous kit.
• The emergency cord was pretty standard. It felt strong enough to do most tasks.
• I thought the duct tape was like every other kind of duct tape but I actually really liked this tape. It was super easy to tear.
• Including a survival guide in these kits is a great idea. It helps give you something to focus on. If you find yourself already knowing all of the survival tips, just use it as a fire starter.
• The ziploc bag came in handy because of its size. All of the contents could be easily swapped if you didn’t have any real need for the ‘super protection’ of the hard plastic bag. The zipper part of the seal felt a little weak but clicked in well. Maybe it was just thin.
• The surgical blade was crazy sharp. I would feel bad using it on wood because I wouldn’t want to dull the blade. I did fashion it into a sort of spear (but not without a little bit of help from my pocket knife).
• The wound closure strips didn’t stay on very well. I just put one on my hand and it just was not very sticky.
• Safety pins were pretty standard. They could be really good for fixing gear or clothing.

Emergency Blanket Testing Notes

I started off inside of the tent, thinking it would be more like a traditional shelter. Then I realized it would be a much better test if I were truly outside with no shelter at all. So, I did just that with only the emergency blanket and the clothes I was wearing. Oh, and my hat and some light gloves.

While I wasn’t out there the entire night, I quickly realized how important the emergency blanket was. Without it, I would have been very cold and uncomfortable. It was pretty easy to rip and you should be careful when unfolding it. I put a pretty good gash in mine which affected its heat retention. It’s worth noting that not once did I get a shiver though. The wind would keep blowing the blanket off of me even though I tucked it under my body.

What I want to do for the next time is spend the entire night outside with (or even without) a shelter in something like the Heatsheets Emergency Bivvy by Adventure Medical Kits.

The temperature when I left was 26°F with 13°F windchill.

Grading

Cost

5/5 – For the gear it provides, this kit is worth the money ($14 on Amazon.com)

Waterproofness

5/5 – Waterproof, resealable and tough. This bag is IPX7 rated (submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes). It even repacked well, as it had a separate ziploc bag. Two is one and one is none.

Size/Weight Portability

4/5 – Weighed in at under 6 ounces and in a form factor that makes it extremely portable, this kit scores gets almost a perfect score.

Shelter

4/5 – This kit scores the highest in this category out of all of the ones I’ve tried out so far. The emergency blanket is a true shelter, keeping you warm and at least semi protected from the elements. And there is string and other gear for building a true shelter.

Water Purification

4/5 – I gave this kit a four out of five but that’s banking on optimum conditions. Boiling water in the tin foil is certainly possible but my piece of foil had small holes in the seams from being folded.

Food

4/5 – While there is no food included in the kit (not even a piece of candy), they did provide you with the means to catch and cook food. A pretty complete fishing set and the wire for snares will make a huge difference.

Fire Starting

3/5 – Waterproof matches are a start but what this kit needs is some sort of fire starting cube like the others. That comes in very handy when dealing with wet wood.

Signaling

3/5 – This kit didn’t have any designated signaling device other than the whistle. You could possibly use the emergency blanket or the tin foil but there isn’t any real accuracy with either of those.

Overall Remarks

Out of all the kits I’ve looked at so far, this is the one that I liked the best. It’s got a little bit of everything and honestly, I think the one thing that set this over the top was the emergency blanket. Keeping (somewhat) warm in freezing conditions is nothing to scoff at. Also, it was just a full featured kit for around the price of the sardine can style kits.

Stay tuned for more pocket survival kit reviews coming your way!

How many here remember having to carry a signal mirror in their military E&E kit? How about all the boaters, skiers/snowboarder, PSD or SAR types out there that are carrying one now?

Whichever category you might fall under, I’m sure you also know how much space those can take up and that they can potentially break, crack or become a safety hazard to your fingers. I’d like to introduce you to the future in survival gear with the SAR Eclipse Signal Mirror and Eclipse Micro Pendants.

Now you can have a signaling device on you anytime, no matter where you are. Whether that’s walking in Wal-mart or trekking through a mountain range in Afghanistan. Designed by a fellow veteran Spencer Reiter who runs SAR Global Tool. These are specialized pieces of equipment that everyone’s end of the world go-bag should include.

SAR Eclipse Dog Tag Signal System

You might be looking a the photos saying that they look like a dog tag or washer, but the DTSS is actually multiple dog-tags; each piece having it’s own unique function. As military guys will know, you keep your dog tag on you at all times; whether around your neck, on your keys, or chained around your trouser belt loop. It should also be second nature to have the ESM with you all the time.

If you look closely  at the DTSS it could also be used as a money clip to make it more readily available. When you open it up you see three different tags combined into one. One has a reflective polished mirror look, which is your signal mirror that wont crack or break on you. It’s highly reflective and can be seen for up to 10 miles during the day and 250m at night with a flashlight.

Next you’ll see a small circle made from SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) 3M high intensity reflective tape, which has been approved by the USCG. This is hidden under the curved tag section to protect it. When you’re boating or in wooded areas this is a highly reflective tape that is made to withstand marine environments and extreme cold. If you want to be seen in the middle of the ocean this is something that will be beneficial to have.

If you’re Military or LEO, there’s a special addition to the DTSS called GLINT tape which is 5/8” in diameter. Everyone that’s ever been in the military should know what GLINT tape is. It’s the little IR squares or IR GLINT Tape on your pockets that can only be seen under NVG’s with an IR light source. GLINT Tape is for MIL/LEO Only.

A standard 1”x1” square has a range of about 10,000 ft. The SOLAS was tested out to 500m with a PEQ2 and NVG’s which is well beyond the range of what a normal trekker needs. This Mil/LEO only edition is an ITARS items and is a tool you may one day need if your rucking in the out-lands of Afghanistan.

There is one last “tag” for those of use that need the ultimate swiss army of everything. That’s the Ti model that features a 6LA4V titanium tag with carbide enhanced edge on it. It’s very sharp and is used for cutting cord, boxes, people (just kidding) or anything else you need to separate. This of course costs a little more but might be worth it for those that don’t carry a knife on a regular basis.

SAR Eclipse Micro Elite Signal Pendant

Now you’re probably wondering what these little round disks are, they’re the Eclipse Micro Signal Pendants and here’s the designer himself describing them:

“The Micro Elite Signal Pendant has one purpose – to make you be seen. This device requires no batteries and is built to withstand the harshest environments and conditions. If you are a high speed operator, SWAT, LEO, Boy Scout, fly-fisherman, kayaker, diver, etc – a good signal mirror could be worth its weight in gold should you find yourself in a bad spot.”

The signal pendant comes in multiple styles, colors and material. Not only are these small, useful and easy to carry and but are stylish in a sense as well. They come in Orange, Ranger Green, Pink, Yellow and Moon-Glow for those ravers out there. You know the ladies would love pink and you can get these for the kids too.

Using the SOLAS 3M high intensity reflective tape for night signaling, they come on a stainless steel bead chain with stainless steel split ring and are small enough to put on your keychain or to attach to your dog tags to be prepared. The Titanium models come in Bronze, Blue and Tri-Color. They’re flat on both sides to gain more reflective real estate instead of a dome style design.

They’re a multitude of uses for these items and I’m sure everyone can continue to find even more. For anyone that’s interested in purchasing, you can pick them up from my site at SCP Security along with a few other items that you might like.

The third kit in our pocket sized survival kit review series is the Weatherproof Survival Kit model 4434 by Lifeline.

This kit was interesting. When I stumbled across it, I found it odd that it was so inexpensive for being so full featured. Since it met our research criteria we went ahead and ordered it off of Amazon, but is it truly a pocket sized survival kit?

Some things may surprise you as we take an in-depth look into this kit.

Description

Just by initially looking through the clear case of this kit, it seems as if the creators of it took the route of selecting a few high quality items instead of a lot of mediocre items. I like that. After all, it’s about quality, not quantity.

But sorting through the kit and actually getting hands on, I saw that the gear isn’t as high quality as I first thought.

Contents

• (1) Waterproof ABS Carry Case
• (1) Carabiner
• (1) Flashlight
• (1) AAA Battery
• (1) Candle
• (1) Box Waterproof Matches
• (1) Emergency Whistle
• (5) 3/4″ x 3″ Bandages

Testing Notes

• Weight 6 oz.
• I’m not sure of the exact strength of the carabiner, but it can work for a multitude of other situations; such as a tourniquet, lashing, general keychain/clip, etc.
• The flashlight was, in a word, horrible. It felt extremely cheap and was not bright. I found it to be more suited for reading in bed so as to not wake your spouse! Interestingly enough, the flashlight worked while submerged. I wouldn’t usually risk it because it’s one of the few signal items included in this kit.
• The multi-tool is useful but low quality. The knife blade isn’t very sharp and the pliers don’t have any tension behind them.
• The whistle worked extremely well. It was loud and clear and even worked after being submerged in water — I just had to shake out the excess water.

Grading

Cost

4/5 – The quality of the items reflect the low cost, but technically it’s still monetarily inexpensive ($11).

Waterproofness

4/5 – It is waterproof and resealable. The case is IPX7 rated (submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes). The only thing keeping this from getting a 5/5 score is the flimsy feeling latch.

Size/Weight Portability

3/5 – The kit is small and portable but a little bulky in the front pocket of your jeans.

Shelter

2/5 – While no “shelter” is included in the kit there are a few bits and pieces that could help if you get creative: the multi-tool, lanyard from the whistle and carabiner.

Water Purification

1/5 – There is no way to purify water solely with this kit. I toyed with the idea of using the container to boil water but I’m not sure if this plastic is BPA free and warping the kit may destroy the integrity of its waterproofing. You would have to find some trash scrap metal to boil with, but as far as this kit goes, there’s nothing.

Food

1/5 – Just like the water purification section, nothing in this kit is set up solely to procure food. Yes, you could rig up some sort of snare and maybe — just maybe — a spear, but it’s gonna be tricky.

Fire Starting

4/5 – The box of waterproof matches and a small candle should come in handy. The matches lit right up even when soaked in water for a minute.

Signaling

2/5 – This score may be a touch too high, but I’m optimistic. You could make a signal fire with the fire starting equipment or maybe play McGyver with the flashlight, but this kit contains no device made specifically for signaling other than the flashlight (because it’s so junky, I’m not counting it).

Overall Remarks

I can’t recommend this kit because it doesn’t cover enough of the criteria. It’s as simple as that really. Now there are other uses, like a waterproof cell phone or digital camera case but with the chintzy feeling clasp, I don’t think I would feel very safe putting my iPhone in it while on a float trip. If you absolutely had to spend less than $15 on a pocket sized survival kit, either one of the sardine can kits would be a better buy.

Suggestions

• If you are going to include a flashlight, invest in a better one, and make it truly waterproof. Even those LED keychain lights are cheap and small and would be an improvement.
• The color of the kit is a semi-clear dark green. With this being a survival kit, I say make it bright orange! An orange kit would be easy to find in an emergency and could double as a signaling device (of sorts).
• The addition of the carabiner is helpful, but why not make it a true climbing carabiner? It would be a lot more practical and not much more expensive.
• The latch of the kit is flimsy. If the latch is flimsy, it’s all too easy for the contents to fall out and water to get in.

Stay tuned for more pocket survival kit reviews coming your way soon!

Continuing our series on pocket sized survival kits, today we are taking a look at another sardine can style kit. This one is the ‘Survival Kit-In-A-Can’ by Coghlan’s.

Just by reading over its list of contents you’ll quickly notice that it has an impressive amount of gear inside. The question, though, isn’t really about quantity, but quality.

Theory

The idea of these kits is to provide all the necessary survival materials in a lightweight and portable package. Here is the product description, straight from the packing:

Lightweight, compact and watertight, Coghlan’s Survival Kit-In-A-Can contains 38 items which can provide warmth, shelter and energy in threatening situations from the desert to the arctic.

Description

This kit is light. That’s one of the first things you notice. The size, weight and form factor of these styles of kits makes it perfect for a backpack, purse, cargo pocket, tackle box, etc.

As it comes from the factory, it’s watertight and even floats. I do worry a little about puncture though. I’m thinking of maybe a car or plane crash doing some damage but if it’s on your person, you may be alright. Also, I only really stress that a puncture may ruin it because just like the Whistle Creek kit, not everything inside is protected from water.

Contents

• Compass
• Fire Starter
• 9.8′ Multi-Use Cord
• 3′ Wire
• 4 Waterproof Matches (heads dipped in wax or paraffin)
• 101′ Fish Line (it’s not real fishing line, just a strong multi-purpose line)
• Soup Packet
• Tea Bag (not enclosed and has no label)
• Sugar Packet
• Match Book (non water proof… why?)
• 2 Antiseptic Swabs
• Razor Blade
• 3 Twist Ties
• 12″ Duct Tape
• Signal Mirror
• Zip Lock Bag
• 2 Bandages
• 2 Nails
• 2 Safety Pins
• 2 Fish Hooks
• Signal Whistle
• Chewing Gum (flavor didn’t last long)
• Sewing Needle (could be used for repairing gear or maybe even a crude suture)
• Energy Candy (tasted like regular peppermint candy to me)
• Note Paper
• Pencil (plastic with graphite insert)
• Survival/First Aid Pamphlet (useful because in a stressful situation, people tend to forget the basics)

Testing Notes

• The fire starting cubes burned solid and hot for 3 and a half minutes. I didn’t do a full “camp fire test” because they were identical to the previous kit’s cubes. They also burned completely out at 5 minutes and 10 seconds.
• The gum was Dubble Bubble and tasty but they really could have picked a gum that has longer lasting flavor. I used the gum as bait for fishing but didn’t catch anything.
• Using a trashed water bottle, I made a makeshift fishing reel. It worked to keep the line from tangling but it’s worth noting that they do not include true fishing line.
• I made some hot tea with the tea and sugar and my wife even enjoyed it!
• The soup broth was amazing! Honestly, it is probably the one thing I would covet the most in a real survival situation. I would ration that little packet to no end and probably use it with everything from just water to any animals I was able to catch and cook.
• The weight of this kit on my scale registered at only 2.9 ounces.
• The amount of duct tape felt adequate. There is just so much you can do with it that I don’t think you can ever have enough.
• These survival kits are so small and portable that it even fits in the tiny compartment under the rear seat of my motorcycle!
• To make a more functional signal mirror, I used the razor blade and cut a small hole in the middle of the included reflective paper.
• The compass worked well enough to provide a basic sense of direction.

Grading

• Cost
  • 5/5 – Very inexpensive, especially for what is included ($10-15)
• Waterproofness
  • 3/5 – While it’s completely waterproof when unopened, you’ll have to transfer the contents into the included zip lock bag to maintain the level of water proofing. Puncture of hard objects is also a concern with these aluminum kits.
  • IPX7 rated (submerged to 1 meter for 30 minutes)
• Size/Weight Portability
  • 5/5 – About as small and light as you can make a survival kit. Fits very well in almost anything. Even the tiny under-seat compartment of a sport bike!
• Shelter
  • 1/5 – This is where these small kits get into the most trouble. They just don’t have anything other than a razor blade and some string to help construct a structure.
• Water Purification
  • 3/5 – You can boil water in the container itself but due to its small size you’ll be running for refills non stop.
• Food
  • 4/5 – I gave the Whistle Creek kit a 4/5 in this category but after seeing this kit, that should be knocked down. This kit includes two fish hooks, wire for snare, as well as hard candy and gum. It won’t be easy to find food to eat but accounting for the size of this kit, I’m impressed.
• Fire Starting
  • 4/5 – Two fire starting cubes, waterproof matches, and a regular book of matches should really help you get a fire started.
• Signaling
  • 3/5 – This kit came with a flexible mirror-like signaling device but it is in no way a true signaling mirror. That doesn’t mean that you won’t attract attention though. It’s a welcome addition. Also, the whistle actually worked very well and seemed to be plenty loud, unlike the last kit’s whistle.

Overall Remarks

I know a lot of people scoff at these little kits and write them off as pure novelty but this is actually one that I would recommend. Although, it’s more of a last resort kit than anything else.

This kit is way more full-featured than the Whistle Creek version. So if you were going to choose between the two, I’d say go with this one. The amount of included gear should (in theory) allow you to survival longer. Once again, this isn’t really the ideal survival kit but it’s perfect for a stocking stuffer or inexpensive gift that actually works to some extent.

Stay tuned for more pocket survival kit reviews coming your way!

Today we’re starting our brand new Pocket Survival Kit Review series on ITS Tactical with a look at the Survival Kit in a Sardine Can from Whistle Creek.

I’m sure most of you have seen this type of kit before, they’re inexpensive, lightweight and easy to carry. While they advertise the kit to have a good amount of survival supplies packed in there, I’m sure you’ve wondered how useful the items are and if they work at all.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably never opened yours for fear of not having a watertight container of survival goodies when you need it. Today I’ll be sacrificing my kit in the name of curiosity.

Sardine Can Survival

This series was sparked when we were discussing this particular kit that my sister gave to me recently as a gift. I tossed it in my EDC bag when I got it, but had always wondered how well it would actually work.

While this is the first kit in a series of many that we’ll be looking at, today we’ll just be focusing on this Sardine Can kit. Besides having a ton of useful items, it’s super light and fairly small. Let’s find out just how useful this kit really is.

Description

The first thing you’ll notice about this survival kit is it’s size. It fits in the palm of your hand and is so light that you would even notice it in a cargo pocket. The kit lists the contents on the front and has a picture of them on the back. It’s also worth noting that most of these items have secondary uses. If you aren’t injured and need more tape, use the band-aid!

Dropping it into a Tupperware with water, you’ll notice it floats. So to really test it, I submerged it in a creek (with the help of my knife) and waited a few minutes. Pulling it out and drying the outside off, it was now ready to open.

The contents were totally dry! My particular kit was banged up and dented from being in my bag so I was a little worried that the structure would be compromised but it held up fine.

When you open the kit up, you’ll notice there are some objects loose and some in a plastic ziploc style bag. I’m not sure why they are separated and not all in the bag for even more waterproofing. The booklet even says that you can put all of the contents of the kit into the included bag (which I tested and they do fit).

Testing Notes

• I was able to use the can itself to both boil water and cook an egg. Held together very well.
• The gum was Wrigley’s Big Red. It tasted good and felt fresh, not stale at all. Basically tasted just like you would imagine.
• Tootsie Roll was a bit hard and chewy but still tasted good.
• The whistle sucked. If you blew softly, it worked ok but the harder you blew, the crappier it performed. With some strategic duct tape placement, the whistle worked very well as a bobber for fishing.
• The razor blade cut paper extremely well and even worked for cutting a soda can. I was even able to quickly rig up a basic spear but didn’t have any fish to test it on.
• The fire starting cube lasted for about 5 minutes but true solid burn time was around 3 1/2 minutes. Testing in the field, I was able to start and keep a real fire going as well as boil water in the can itself.
• I made some hot tea with sugar which turned out very well. A nice hot beverage instead of water probably goes a long way if in a true survival situation.
• The compass worked well enough to give you a basic sense of direction.
• I had a headache so I took the two acetaminophen and it went away (pretty convenient!).
• I cut a ziploc bag and then “patched” it with the duct tape. I could have used a smaller piece though. And I’m sure know can think of another million uses for duct tape.
• The fishing line (wasn’t true fishing line) and hook worked well but I didn’t catch anything. I tried a number of techniques but didn’t have any bait or a good lure. The location may not have been the best either. I still think it could work though. Needs some sort of weight but you can fashion that yourself if you’re creative.

Grading

• Cost
  • 5/5 – Extremely inexpensive ($10-12)
• Waterproofness
  • 3/5 – It’s waterproof when unopened but if opened, you need to place everything in the ziploc bag.
  • IPX7 rated (submerged to 1 meter for 30 minutes)
• Size/Weight Portability
  • 5/5 – Very small and light, could even fit in a pair of jean pockets.
• Shelter
  • 1/5 – The only things it provides to help with a shelter is a razor blade (hard to cut wood), fire starter (could possibly burn wood in half), and some string (for lashing).
• Water Purification
  • 3/5 – The only way to purify water is to boil it in the can. It doesn’t hold much so it will take a lot of trips and boiling. Still possible though.
• Food
  • 4/5 – This kit has some energy sources (candy) in it but that won’t be enough. The string, paper clip, safety pin, and fish hook could be used to fishing or setting snares.
• Fire Starting
  • 3/5 – With only one fire starting cube and standard non waterproof matches, starting a fire could get interesting.
• Signaling
  • 2/5 – While physically possible to signal with the kit or lid, there is no accuracy of your signal.

Contents

• Acetaminophen
• Adhesive Bandage
• Alcohol Prep
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Book Matches
• Tea Bag
• Chewing Gum
• Compass
• Sugar
• Whistle
• Salt Packet
• Energy Nugget (Tootsie Roll)
• Duct Tape
• Fire Starting Cube
• Wire Clip (paper clip)
• First Aid Instructions
• Fish Hook & Line
• Note Paper
• Pencil
• Razor Blade
• Safety Pin
• Signal Mirror
• Waterproof Bag

Overall Remarks

It may seem a little gimmicky but I recommend everyone have at least one of these kits. For the size, cost, weight, and the number of useful items, it’s a decent buy. I’m sure it would be hard to survive in the wilderness with just the contents of this kit but it’s a great base level survival kit.

This is one of the cheapest kits out there and includes the least so I would label it as the last ditch worst case scenario kit. Capable but lacking in a few areas. This kit will probably only work the best if you’re creative.

I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce a new series we’re starting on ITS Tactical all about survival kits.

Rather than review typical full-blown survival kits, we’ll be focusing on the survival kits that fit in your pocket.

Most of these are given as stocking stuffers and we want you to know which kits are qualified to be called true “survival kits.”

Over the next few months you’ll see overviews and opinions on a number of kits. Some of these kits may look like simple novelties, but we’ll be answering this important question.

“Can you depend on them for your survival and that of your loved ones?”

Evaluation

I certainly don’t claim to be any kind of survival expert. I’ve actually been known to use more than one match to start a fire! I know there are many others out there who are in the same situation that I am, which is why we wanted to create this series. I’ll be learning right along with you!

While we have a number of kits we’re already planning on reviewing, we’d like your input on which pocket survival kits you may have seen out there that you’ve always wondered about.

We’ll be unboxing each kit and showing not only its contents, but how to best use the items to survive and address their strengths and weaknesses. We’ll also be rating the kits on these different criteria:

• Cost
• Waterproofness
• Size/Weight Portability
• How well does the kit perform/provides in these areas:
  • Shelter
  • Water purification
  • Food
  • Fire starting
  • Signaling

If you have any recommendations for the kits you like to see, or suggestions for testing criteria, throw them up in the comments and we’ll definitely take them into consideration. We want this series of articles to have strong input from our community and address what you guys want to see.

What we hope that you’ll be able to take from this series, is that all survival kits are different and you truly need to know how to best use all the different items within the kit before you get into a real survival situation. Also, that no one kit is right for everybody and you need to carry the best option for your abilities.

Stay tuned for our first article in the series coming soon, where we’ll be reviewing one of the “sardine can” style survival kits without the bad smell…

With winter already upon us, it’s time that we all evaluate just what we have in our vehicles, and if it’s enough to handle an emergency situation.

The list we’ve come up with today is what we feel that, at a minimum, you should have with you in your vehicle.

Most of our readers are probably already prepared with these essentials, but it never hurts to share this information with those you care about. I’m sure we all people we know and love that hardly even carry a jack with them.

Instead of getting into a huge article on all the things you could potentially need in an emergency situation, we’ve decided to come up with a simple, basic list that creates the foundation of your Vehicle Emergency Kit.

We’ll definitely be expanding on this list and topic in the future, but it’s time that you at least get this stuff in your vehicle!

Jumper Cables

One of the best things you can carry with you is a good set of Jumper Cables, this isn’t a time to get cheap, and like your grandfather always said “Buy cheap, buy twice.”

There’s plenty of cheap “made in china” cables out there, so be cautious. We recommend getting cables with multiple strand four gauge copper wire.

The alligator clips should also be made of copper with pressed/crimped connections to the cables. One of our readers pointed out that for high currents, soldered connections should be avoided as the solder might melt.

We recommend at least 12 feet of length, and the more the better. 16 feet is ideal for most situations and should allow you to get a jump from someone behind you if need be.

Flashlight

Having a flashlight with you should fall under the EDC (Every Day Carry) category for most of you, but it never hurts to have an extra in your vehicle.

There are many different kinds of flashlights out there, but essentially two types of light. Incandescent and LED.

Without getting too much into an Incandescent vs. LED article (which we’re planning by the way), get something that’s a dependable backup light.

Our first thought is LED because it can potentially last longer than an incandescent and will keep running even as the batteries get depleted.

Plus, LEDs nearly run forever and there’s no bulb to have to worry about changing.

On the other hand, incandescent bulbs are typically brighter than LEDs, depending on what you buy.

In the end, just get something that works for you, and will allow you to change a tire or inspect your vehicle at night. Throw in some extra batteries too.

Jack / Tire Iron

Hopefully the Jack and Tire Iron that came with your vehicle are still in it. If not, it’s time to take care of that problem.

For those who could possibly be unfamiliar with a Jack and Tire Iron, a Jack is what lifts the vehicle to change a tire, and a Tire Iron is what you use to remove the bolts that hold your wheel on.

These two items are essential and without them you won’t be able to change a flat tire.

Also, be sure that your Jack is complete and in good working order. With most Jacks, there’s a rod that is used to turn the Jack to raise it. Make sure you have it!

Spare Tire

The most common vehicle problem is a flat tire, and having a proper spare tire with you can mean the difference between making it to your destination or not.

Always check your spare periodically to ensure it’s properly inflated and there’s no cracking in the rubber.

Yes, tires have shelf lives! A general rule is that a tire is only good for about five years before the rubber starts to deteriorate. This includes a spare tire that’s never been used, especially if your spare is exposed to the elements like on a truck.

So, think back to when you bought your vehicle, and if it’s been five years, replace it!

Simple Tool Kit

Including a simple tool kit in your Vehicle Emergency Kit is always a great idea. At the very least, you should have the tools necessary to replace your battery.

A small wrench set, socket set and a pair of pliers will do most of the tasks required, but throwing in a few screwdrivers, some electrical tape / duct tape, tire pressure gauge and spare fuses will make it even better.

Fire Extinguisher

Fire Extinguishers are an often forgotten element in most Vehicle Emergency Kits, and an item we feel is very important to have with you.

How many times have you seen a car on the side of the road that was either on fire, or nice and crispy from being on fire. It happens, and having a Fire Extinguisher with you could mean the difference between a burnt hose, and a burnt car.

There are quite a few Vehicle Fire Extinguishers that are manufactured, and even some that have a handy velcro backed bracket that will hold it in place on your vehicle’s carpet.

Fire Extinguishers made for vehicles will typically come in two different dry chemical configurations (ABC and BC), to fight different classifications of fires.

Here’s a quick primer on fire classes, using the wrong type of fire extinguisher on the wrong class of fire can make matters worse!

• Class A: Ordinary Combustibles – Wood, Paper, Cloth, Trash, Plastics and Solids that are not metal.
• Class B: Flammable and Combustible Liquids – Gasoline, Oil, Grease, Acetone and all Flammable Gasses.
• Class C: Energized Electrical Equipment and Battery Powered Equipment
• Class D: Combustible Metals – Potassium, Sodium, Aluminum, Magnesium (these require a special extinguishing agent)

Obviously carrying both types of extinguishers, ABC and BC, would be ideal, but at the least get a small ABC extinguisher made for a vehicle.

Remember that dry chemical fire extinguishers need to be turned upside down periodically to loosen up the chemical that will settle at the bottom of the extinguisher. If the chemicals become caked, the extinguisher may not discharge properly when it’s needed.

This goes for those extinguishers you have sitting around the house too. You do have Fire Extinguishers in your house right?

Emergency Signaling Device / Markers

The purpose of an emergency signaling device is two fold, it can be used to alert oncoming traffic to your prescence on the side of the road, and can also be used as a distress signal in an emergency.

We’re partial to Road Flares, because in addition to the two uses mentioned above, they can also be used to start a fire. Carrying another way to start a fire with you is never a bad thing in our opinion.

Other markers available include brightly colored flags (a VS-17 marker panel is perfect) and reflective items. A flag can be tied to an open hood/trunk and reflective markers can be put out in a similar fashion to road flares, marking your location.

Extra Food and Water

Carrying extra food and water is a necessity in our book. The potential of being stranded with just the items in your vehicle is a sobering reality.

Yes, most of us drive along busy suburban roads where the Quik-E-Mart is just a few blocks away, but you’re not always in that situation, especially when traveling.

And, there may be traffic along the road you’re on, but when is the last time you stopped to help a stranded motorist?

Sometimes the best plan can be to stay with your vehicle until someone finds you, and having food and water is a good thing.

Blanket

A blanket is truly a multi-purpose item and can not only keep you warm in the winter, but can be used to treat victims in shock year round.

At the very least, carry a small foil-like space blanket if you’re tight on storage space. Something is better than nothing.

Rescue Tool

The primary purpose of a tool like this is escaping from a vehicle, which in the event your vehicles takes a dive into a body of water, you’re most likely not going to be able to simply roll down the window to escape.

As the good samaritans we know all of you are, it can also be used for rescuing others that could be in a similar situation, or need to be pulled through a window to escape a vehicle.

Our choice in these situations is a dual-purpose tool that not only breaks glass, but cuts seat belt webbing.

We have a Benchmade Houdini Pro Rescue Tool that we’re evaluating right now, so far it’s a very good fit for these situations. We’ll be posting a review on it soon.

Knife / Multi-Tool

A good knife is an indispensable tool to begin with, and should already be part of your EDC, but like a flashlight, it’s never a bad idea to have a spare with your vehicle.

In addition to a knife, a good Multi-Tool will also come in handy and can replace needing to carry a few of the tools we mentioned above.

We’re partial to the SOG PowerLock because of its great leveraging capability and ease of use.

Extra Clothing / Gloves

Let’s say you need to make a quick run up to the store and decide to underdress for the weather since all you’ll be doing is running from your vehicle to the door.

Well, what if you get a flat on the way back and have to get out to change it? Or what if you become stranded in a disabled vehicle?

Having some gloves to keep your hands warm while changing a tire, or some extra clothing could mean all the difference in the world.

Do yourself a favor and at least toss a jacket in your vehicle.

Pre-made Kits

There are quite a few companies that produce an all-in-one vehicle emergency kits that contains most of what we’ve described here, but all of them we’ve seen are garbage.

Take our advice and build your own. Yes, you may pay more, but isn’t it worth the peace of mind knowing that you’ve bought quality items that aren’t going to fail when you need them the most?

Notes

We’d love to hear what you guys (and girls) carry with you for emergency purposes, and what you add to these basics we’ve discussed.

Even if you have all these items, this is a good time to dig them all out and make sure they’re in proper working order.

To quote the movie Spy Game, “When did Noah build the Ark? … Before the rain.”

Things have been moving along wonderfully here at ITS, and we’d like to announce our second giveaway! This contest is a bit more involved than our first one, but we think the prize will be worth your effort.

We’re giving away a Mini Survival Kit just like the one featured in our previous posts, it’s pocket sized and perfect to add to your EDC (everyday carry).

What we would like to see from you guys is a photo of any one of our knots, from the Knot of the Week series, being used in action. We want to see the best applications you can come up with for the knots.

We’ll pick the top three photos we like the best, and then everyone vote with a poll to see which knot they feel deserves to win.

Rules

1. You must be registered for our Newsletter in order for your entry to count.
2. Submit one photo via our Contact Form (preferably a jpeg) by 11:59 p.m. CST Sunday, June 14th.
3. Include a description of how the knot is being used in your submitted photo, and any other additional information you’d like to mention.

Make sure you follow the above rules so your entry will be considered. Good Luck!!