Survival kit

[handgunhuntr]

When I was in the military, I attended quite a few survival schools (land and arctic).  Today, I still use the same things in my kit, here is the list:

Waterproof matches
Magnesium striker
straight blade knife
first aid kit
parachute cord
space blanket
water purificarion tablets
snare wire
E-tool
cotton balls covered in vasoline
compass
3 MRE's

With just these items, (and lots of training) I have been able to do pretty well in the field for 18 days

[Will Bison]

That's about what I carry, covers the basics of food, fire, water and shelter.

[Nixter]

Cotton balls with vasoline?

A firestarter?
My best guess.

Right or wrong.


Nixter

How are these packed and used?

Please be paitent, I'm new to this stuff.

[45454]

Hi Nixter,
Yes, you got it; firestarters.
Get some cotton balls, mix a little Vasoline into the balls.
Don't need a big gob of it. Enough to saturate the cotton.
Storage; 35MM film containers work well.
And, when needed, a pinch of the cotton/vasoline,match or spark to ignite.
Don't forget to get the kindling, and larger pieces of wood ready.
Yes, still learnin' after all these years.
Happy huntin.

[ShadowMover]

Vaseline soaked cotton balls could also be used to sooth a chapped set of lips or legs, cover a nasty scape when you lose a little hide, or develop a bad foot blister.  Those of us with a sore behind from not having toilet paper for a few days might appreciate the use of a vaseline soaked cotton ball.  Talk about useful  :eek:

[mjbgalt]

heh heh yeah and if you use enough on your chapped behind, it might help you walk faster so you get home sooner      

-Matt

[Johm D M]

The best way to carry cotton soaked in vaseline is to roll and pack it into soda straws that have been cut into 3-4" lengths. Melt the ends quickly and pinch together with a pair of pliers so that they stay closed and sealed. You can light the straw and it burns hot.

[Almtnman]

The best way to carry cotton soaked in vaseline is to roll and pack it into soda straws that have been cut into 3-4" lengths. Melt the ends quickly and pinch together with a pair of pliers so that they stay closed and sealed. You can light the straw and it burns hot.

Good tip! Thanks! 

[Swift One]

The best way to carry cotton soaked in vaseline is to roll and pack it into soda straws that have been cut into 3-4" lengths. Melt the ends quickly and pinch together with a pair of pliers so that they stay closed and sealed. You can light the straw and it burns hot.

I have used the cotton ball and vaseline thing for a few years now and love the cheap effective way that it starts fires.  This is by far the best storing method that I have heard of yet!!  Excellent idea!!

[teddy12b]

This is all new to me, great information!  I never used to worry about this because I used to smoke and had a lighter or two, now this seems like the way to go.

[teamnelson]

A word of caution on the water purification tablets; they work great for young folks with generally healthy livers/kidneys. Older folks may want to use something else as they have been linked to problems. I know they're cheap at the stores, and I've been to all the survival schools in the 80's and early 90's when that's what we trained with. These days we issue filters - heavier, but less risky.

[Victor3]

 A few additional multi-use items I've found usefull at one time or another...

 Duct tape wrapped around a dowel.

 Aluminum foil folded into a small square.

 Krazy Glue.

 Zip-tie.

 Key chain LED light (one with a 'constant on' function that you don't have to hold in your hand to keep lit).

 Small plastic trash bag.

 Safety pin.

 Couple of baby wipes compressed flat into a zip-lock bag.

 2oz squeeze bottle of Bacardi 151 (Coke helpful for one use of this).

 Helicopter

 The above (except for Bacardi and helicopter) will all fit into an Altoids can, which can be used to make a small stove if need be.

[Travis Morgan]

I'd add a small spool of wire. Something like picture hanging wire wrapped on a bobbin. Also, a small hatchet. I like the Gerber/Fiskars ones. I'm considering the one with the knife in the handle, though I prefer the next size up. Also, a small washcloth and a couple of the cheap "painter's tarps" that are just lightweight visqueen, about 10'X10', and sell for about $1 at the hardware store.