A few notes on my own MINI KIT
My mini kit is part of my EDC, its also designed to stand alone.
I'm normally in the car - in fact we are fobidden from walking anywhere - and there's a bunch of other stuff in there (so that's kinda EDC too) - but for now:
What you see in the first pic is about 3.5 kilos (3.5lbs)
POCKETS
Key chain: stainless shackles, torch, lock-knife, peanut lighter, 2x100$ in a capsule, cpr face shield, usb (with prepper docs, maps, i.d. etc), and... keys!
Mini tin survival kit
Leatherman Crunch
Pepper Spray
Wallet with cash, family photos, photocopies of i.d. and medical reference card (no credit cards here)
More cash in separate pocket
Smart phone - with various pdfs, maps and ALS ptocol apps
Back-up / disposable phone
SHOULDER BAG
Mosquito repelant
Water in lifestraw bottle thing
Other stuff being 'mission' specific - i.e. tablet, baby wipes, camera, shopping... :p
BELT
Radio
More concealed cash, and handcuff key.
MINI TIN SURVIVAL KIT
Around the outside of the tin:
+Electrical tape - 2m - to seal;
+Aramid 3mm x 8m - 1200kg+ four times stronger than the best milspec paracord and thinner too;
+6x Balloon - modelling type - water carrier, catapult, tournique, ties, signalling, entertainment :p
+Small nylon drawstring bag.
+Tin - same size as an Altoids tin.
Contents
+Removeable tray;
+Cash - 200$ - decided to go with two large bills - if a fish ends up costing 100$, so be it;
+Docs in ziplock bag - double-sided and printed on lightweight paper, cut and ironed to fold into / fit tin:
1. Essential documents - passport, visas, yellow fever certificates, driving license and i.d. for all family;
2. Medical ready reference chart (vital signs, temperatures, bp, etc);
3. Dose card (adult and pediatric);
5. A6 local map - a satelite view - from Google Earth;
and on the other side:
A6 larger scale map - also a satelite image but showing main roads - 200km to coast;
6. contacts card printed on reverse of mirror card;
7. 2x blank sheets waterproof paper A6.
+Waterproof matches x6;
+Medicines - in sealy bags:
4x Malarone pediatric (anti malarial)
8x Doxycyline 100mg (antimalarial + anntibiotic)
4x Loratidine 10mg (antihistamine)
1x Diazepam 10mg
2x co-codamol (8mg codeine 500mg paracetamol)
4x Caffeine 50mg
8x Multivitamins
2x Salt sachets
3x Dextrose - 150kJ approx ea
+Plasters x2 - for feet blisters mainly. Almost everything else can just wait, orimprovise dressings;
+Iodine 5ml (water purification and antiseptic);
+Super glue 1g - for... sticking things together;
+100%deet 5ml - insect repellant (can be diluted to 20% or so in the tin, then applied)
+Magnetised needle - large
+Small piece of fine wet n dry sand paper (for sharpening/ striking)
+Wire - stainless steel 10m
+Hacksaw/ knife
+Pencil lead
+Torch - just an led+battery with no housing (pinch or tape the tails of the led over the battery)
Things I want to change/ add:
- Antihistamines - would prefer Benadryl tabs;
- Dextrose - very bulky - might take one out and substitute a different antibiotic - Cipro probably;
- Matches - at the moment they are just home made waxed non-safety - prefer lifeboat ones;
- Balloons - the mouths are very narrow and its hard to get water in - which is a bit of a flaw in the plan! Maybe I'll go with condoms after all!
- Aramid from white to black;
- Strip the paint off the tin, spray fluo pink on the outside and properly polish the inside lid;
- Add fishing hooks
- The two bottles - for iodine and deet - they take up too much space as cylinders. Need something like the 5ml square soya sauce takeaway bottles.
This kit is designed to be tiny - tiny enough that I will actually carry it around everywhere. Multifunctionality is the name of the game.
So... things i don't put in:
- Whistle - I can wolf-whistle hands-free - woopeedoo :p If you can't, its worth learning IMO - you're unlikely to loose or break it;
- Compass - magentise the needle. Most button compasses are rubbish anyway.)
- Pencil - pencil is mainly wood = wasted space, its the lead you want;
- Paracord - aramid/ kevlar etc is MUCH stronger than paracord by weight and volume;
- Wire saw - I won't be building a cabin - but there is one in my belt;
- Tinder - there's always enough fluff in the bottom of your pockets for starting a fire or two. If not you can shave your clothes, or even... shave a piece of wood!
- Lighter - its hot here, so we don't need fire much. Nonetheless its always good to have the option: signalling, water purification, cooking, arson :p. With good prep six matches = six fires = plenty. I've also got the awesome little True peanut lighter on my key chain.
- Torch - even the minis are a waste of space in this type of kit (most of the volume is the case, lens and switch) - for light all you really need is the led and battery, plus I've got a torch on the key chain;
- Metal survival card thing - I bought one, but imo its just a useless gimmick;
- Tourniquet - apart from the fact its too big to fit this type of kit, I'd use the balloons or tear my shirt and wind onto a stick, or tie with a multi-purchase loop system (What's it called? Trucker's knot?)
- Snap swivel shackles for fishing... why? Maybe good if you want to make spinners... Anyway there's no hooks in there :p
That's it
Any comments / suggestions most welcome.
I think the mini kit is a great design test for any prepper. A bit like how every architect should design at least one chair in their lifetime - deceptively simple, but upon reflection a serious challenge!
