Altoids Survival Kit
 

This kit is designed to be a 72-hour kit. It is designed to be small and portable, but also to be effective in providing for the Survival "Rule of Threes."

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The basic kit is enclosed in an Altoids tin, wrapped with 10 feet of 550 parachute cord. Note the 3/32" diameter hole drilled in the upper right hand corner of the tin. This kit provides for shelter preparation, fire making, water storage and treatment, signaling capability, basic medical needs and food procurement.

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Contents:

1 Survival Cheat Sheet - the Universal Edibility Test, Body Signals and Ground-to-Air Signals
Shelter
1 large trash bag
1" piece of drinking straw, sealed and filled with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite bleach.
1 rubber glove (it's purple in photo)
1 BSA Hot Spark
10 matches with striker & cover
2 cotton balls
1 birthday candle
2 bandaids
1 small bolt w/ nut
1 safety pin
1 small SAK
2 jig saw blades
4 fish hooks
2 fishing flies - one wet, one dry
5 split-shot sinkers
15' 15 lb. test line
1 rubber band

Remember the 3/32" hole? The tin is modified to be a handle for the saw. The kit contains coarse and fine saw blades.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td align="center"><!-- EZCODE IMAGE END --> <!-- EZCODE IMAGE START --> http://www.survival.com/images/kit-saw.jpeg</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

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A slit is milled in the top lid of the tin and has a corresponding bottom of the tin has a channel cut from the wall of the side to allow the tin to close and to add support for the blade. A 3/32" hole drilled in the tin near the same location. A jigsaw blade, similar to that used in the Gerber multitool fits through the slit and the hole in the blade is lined up with the hole in the tin. A screw and nut turn the kit into a handle for the saw blade to make a mini-saw.

The 3/32 hole is also used as a sighting system for signaling. The inside of the tin is shiny. Use the hole to point toward the plane to flash signals to them.
Notes

Water purification - water is stored in the glove. To disinfect, use the bleach. The 1" tube provides about 8 drops of bleach. Puncture it and add 2 drops per quart to sanitize water as per FEMA instruction. Curious note: the Altoids tin filled 8 2/3 times (to the bottom of the hinges) makes about a quart of water.
Distance & Height Measurement - The cord can have a loop in one end and a knot at 36" from the loop. This 3 foot measurement works with the 3/32" hole to form a basic (READ: Good 'nuf) distance/height measurement system. at 100 yards, an image fitting in the hole is 9 foot 4 1/2" tall. 2/3 of the height of the hole - 1/16", is about 6 feet.

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</td> <td width="284"> http://www.survival.com/images/kit-saw-v2a.jpeg
</td> </tr> <tr> <!-- EZCODE IMAGE END --> <td>Here are the Altoids Survival Saw mods: I used a bracket to shore up the saw. Works much better!
</td> <td> http://www.survival.com/images/kit-s...underside.jpeg
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Re: Altoids Survival Kit
 

Re: Altoids Survival Kit
 

Not bad.

Really need a survival blanket in that thing though (although it won't fit). If you can't start a fire, say if the wood is all green, it's windy and raining heavily, you will likely be dead of exposure in 3 days if you can't stay dry and retain your bodyheat at night. The lightweight blankets are pretty cool nowadays and they cost $2.

Could maybe wrap it to the outside with para-cord.

Re: Altoids Survival Kit
 

Now THAT is cool!!! Would go great with my "Go Bag".

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/...=4&idproduct=6

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/...091_detail.jpg

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/catalog/0412.jpg

Re: Altoids Survival Kit
 

Now that's pretty cool. Two things I thought - 15 feet of 15 lb is a one and out fishing use if you were to snag. How about 6 or 8 15 foot pieces of 6 lb mono - can't imagine it would make much difference in bulk. The 15lb may come in handy for other uses , but as far as catching fish, I've landed 30+lb carp on 4lb test(though that was with a reel with drag, so obviously there's a difference) ,but sustenance fishing would more likely be suckers,bream,crappie and small bass trout cats etc , at least around this area- 15 is overkill for this use- but still we're cutting hairs- the diameter difference is nominal anyway - add more line.
Ditch the flies - they are not universally effective ime. Throwing something nonfamiliar or non-hatching could be an exasperating waste of time. Use lightweight hooks and live, always-in-season terrestrials you should be able to scrounge yourself.
And how about a thin mirror cut to the exact shape of the tin , for signalling? Perhaps even glued into the tin itself.
And maybe a couple utility-knife- blades and small finishing nails should take up next to no space?
Thanks for the post outsider.

Re: Altoids Survival Kit
 

I would change the fishing set up a bit.

Add a fly fishing leader and some super micro hooks # 20 so you could catch minnows for bait.

I would add a one sided razorblade.

The saw Idea is a new one on me and may be useful.

E-A

Re: Altoids Survival Kit
 

heavier fishing lines are better for set hooks light lines will often snap
without flex rods and drag settings some small hooks and fine line would be
very good for "bait fish" however

Re: Altoids Survival Kit
 

what about something likea wire saw for your cutting needs... could double as a garrot possibly?

http://www.bestglide.com/Wire_Saw_Info.html

Re: Altoids Survival Kit
 

Ditto on the razor blade.

Also I would ditch the band aids and instead put in a small tube of super glue. You can seal cuts and other wounds that the band aids would be pretty useless on. Plus you can use it for other things as well.

A sewing needle takes up no space and could be used with lower test monofiliment to patch clothes etc.

What about bringing one of those super lines instead like Fire-line. Much thinner and stronger than monofiliment. I think it would be more helpful for multipurpose use.