Is a Survival kit really necessary?

[Trawlerman]

As the title says, is a survival kit really necessary?

It seems to me that most survival kits contain odd bits and pieces that I personally can't see much use for. Given their prices for self contained kits from say BCB they don't seem be value for money and that could be spent elsewhere on something more worthy?

[pseudonym]

Make your own.

Mine contains £20, sewing kit, buttons, Paracetamol, plasters.

Stuff I need.

[Stasher]

Make your own.

Mine contains £20, sewing kit, buttons, Paracetamol, plasters.

Stuff I need.

Absolutely, a survival kit (whether it's out on the hills survival or bugging in) is intensely personal. Only you know what you need and should plan/stock accordingly

[Devonian]

As the title says, is a survival kit really necessary?

It seems to me that most survival kits contain odd bits and pieces that I personally can't see much use for. Given their prices for self contained kits from say BCB they don't seem be value for money and that could be spent elsewhere on something more worthy?

If you mean do you need an SAS Style kit with a small fishing kit, wire saw etc, then probably not.

BUT, do you need a kit that contains spare warm clothing; waterproofs; a UK legal carry folding knife; a torch and spare batteries; a water bottle; some high energy snacks; a space blanket or survival bag etc.... then yes

As others say, design and make your own kit to suit your own needs.

[Hamradioop]

As others have already stated Roll your own. The ready made ones are some one else's idea.

What do you need in yours?

[hobo]

I bought a pre-made one ages ago.

It now contains:
Notepaper & pen
Mini marker pen
Blob of blue tack
List of phone numbers (family, GP, taxi, etc)
5 x 20ps for phone box
Credit card
£20
A few plasters and wipes
Small sewing kit & button & safety pin
Small swiss army knife with torch
Lighter
Folding can opener
Variety of OTC meds
Lip balm

The only thing missing would be a mini salbutamol inhaler!

I use something from it almost every day

[Yorkshire Andy]

Ive got a "sas style tin" i made it years ago then constantly modified it ......

i dont carry it as EDC but its by my bed if i go far away or have to bug out it goes with me....





Whistle

magnesium and flint fire tool

Bull brand lighter with blue led torch

LED torch (white)

Tea light candle

Spiderco folding knife

Wire saw (not sure how good it is but its there)

2 strips of water puri tabs

Everlasting match

condom

antiseptic wipes

large adhesive dressing

sterri strips

3 normal plasters

finger tip plaster

razor blade

fishing kit (line weights hooks)


2 mini glow sticks
mirror panel on lid

[Captain Darling]

Depends what you do and where you are. I have a few small kits I don't tend to need, or even want to carry them around town as things like food and drink are fairly readily accessible, even in an emergency.


Out and about when I'm shooting or working in the field or away overseas I'll carry more, again dependant on how far away from 'civilisation' or how long I could be separated from my luggage I am.

[jansman]

I know what you mean Trawlerman. Personally I do not have a "kit". In the motor I have a few tools, waterproof clothing, and I always have drinking water. Nothing like being in a traffic jam on a hot day and gagging with thirst!
For me it is what is in my pockets. Most of the time I wear cargo style trousers. Typically I have a Swiss Army knife, lighter , torch, string, a bandana, space blanket and a strong bin bag. Can do a lot with that.
But I don't stress about building an 'ultimate' survival kit. My Grandad, a naval man, always told my Brother and me, that a man should always carry " a shut knife,a shilling and a piece of string. ". Wise words.

[ForgeCorvus]

You mean a PSK, a pocket sized kit (quite often in a tobacco or Altoids tin) that you can carry everywhere?

No, I don't have one of these


I do have a small kit that I can EDC, but its function is to make my life easier.... After all, if I was travelling somewhere I'd need a wilderness survival kit I wouldn't limit myself to an E&E sized setup.

My primary gripe with this type of kit is why a tobacco tin ?
Why not a small soft pouch that won't jag you ?
And as for the "use a tin, so you can boil water in it" concept, how much water do they think they can get in one of those (and how are they going to pick it up when its hot??)