Survival kits are a cornerstone of preparedness, offering essential tools and supplies to help individuals stay alive in emergency situations. Typically compact and portable, these kits are often carried by military personnel, outdoor adventurers, and anyone who spends time in remote environments. A well-stocked survival kit can provide the basic needs of survival: fire, food, water, and shelter. However, not all survival kits are the same—military versions, for example, are tailored to specific needs and specialties, such as those issued to pilots or special operations soldiers.
Recently, I decided to revisit an old survival kit issued to me over 20 years ago during my service. While some of the items had been used, others remained intact, sparking an idea: why not update and revitalize this kit to make it useful once again? After a bit of work, I now have a fully functional survival kit, ready for any emergency situation.
Here’s a breakdown of the kit and how I reconditioned it.
Fire Starting: A Multi-Layered Approach
The key to survival in many situations is fire. Fire provides warmth, cooking capability, and a way to purify water. For this reason, I made sure my survival kit had multiple options for starting a fire.
- Flint and Steel: The original flint(magnesium bar) and steel that came with the kit were in good condition, so I kept them. The striker is made of carbon steel, and the teeth on one side are perfect for striking the bar and producing sparks.
- Bic Lighter: To complement the traditional fire-starting methods, I added a Bic lighter. It’s reliable, lightweight, and far quicker than striking flint and steel, especially in wet conditions.
- Fresnel Lens: A small, lightweight Fresnel lens was added to help start a fire using sunlight. It’s a handy tool when the weather is sunny and can provide another option if the lighter fails.
- Tinder: I added a piece of firecord, which is a great tinder that can be used for kindling a fire. Additionally, I attached the firecord to an emergency whistle —fire-starting and signaling for rescue, in one small package. Even the pencil included in the original kit can be scraped to create tinder.
Food Gathering: Snaring and Fishing
While a wire saw is typically included for cutting branches and wood, I’ve always found them difficult to use effectively. Instead, I’ve repurposed it as a snare for small game such as rabbits, squirrels, or birds. It’s more time- and calorie-efficient to set snares than to rely on the wire saw for cutting thick branches.
Additionally, I kept the fishing kit from the original kit. It’s still unused and provides a good option for gathering food in a survival situation.
Water: Collection and Purification
Water is essential for survival, and this kit includes a couple of clever ways to gather and purify it:
- Improvised Water Container: A zip-lock bag works perfectly as an emergency water container. It’s lightweight, takes up minimal space, and can hold enough water for short-term use.
- Water Purification Tablets: I keep a couple of water purification tablets in the kit, which are invaluable when you don’t have access to clean water sources.
Repairs and First Aid: Small Essentials
A survival kit should always include some way to make repairs or provide first aid. For that, I’ve added several useful items:
- Sewing Kit: A small, compact sewing kit allows for quick repairs of clothing or gear.
- Duct Tape: A small roll of duct tape is incredibly versatile. It can be used for first aid—such as covering minor cuts and abrasions—or to repair equipment and gear in an emergency.
- Safety Pins: These can be used for repairs or to attach items together in a pinch.
Tools: Cutting and Navigating
A reliable cutting tool is a survival must-have. The original kit came with a small, one-inch blade folding knife, which I found too small to be useful for anything practical. I replaced it with a 2.3-inch blade folding knife, which is more versatile for cutting through materials and preparing food.
Additionally, I kept a small button compass for basic navigation. In the event I get disoriented, it’s a simple yet reliable way to determine direction.
For illumination, I added a couple of chem-lights (glow sticks). These provide a minimal light source, which is useful for signaling or navigating in the dark.
Cordage: The Lifesaver
One of the most important items in any survival kit is cordage. I’ve included 10 feet of paracord in the kit. Paracord is lightweight yet incredibly strong, making it useful for a wide variety of tasks, from building shelter to making traps and securing items.
Final Thoughts: A Second Chance for My Survival Kit
By carefully updating my old survival kit with new items and making a few adaptations, I’ve turned it into a truly functional piece of gear. It’s compact, versatile, and packed with essential items that cover the critical aspects of survival—fire, food, water, shelter, and safety.
In its updated form, this survival kit can easily be stored in a backpack or haversack and is now ready to provide vital tools if I ever find myself in a survival situation.
When it comes to survival, preparedness is key. If you have an old kit sitting around, consider revisiting it and making upgrades. You never know when that kit might be the difference between life and death.