Anyone interested in survival?

[Manuheleku]

What type do you have? I looked at several and this one seemed like a good deal for the money. I already have a small hand-crank flash light, but I wanted a radio and a means to charge a cell phone. What I like is it also has NOAA capability, which can come in handy around here.

It's an Eton Red Cross model. About 25 bucks on Amazon, it's got solar cells and a crank with a USB port to charge the phone.

 

[Manuheleku]

Well, I've added to my bug-out-bag. I've been looking for a "field surgery kit" that would provide enough in the event I am seriously injured, survive a through-and-through bullet wound, or have to remove a limb because of a sudden zombie attack.

Amazon had some nice kits, but they are showing "NO LONGER AVAILABLE." So, through the magic of Google, I found the exact kit I have been looking for at an Army surplus store in Houston. It also appears to be better quality than the Amazon kit and the cost was about the same; shipping was more.

Here's what it has:

• 2 Straight hemostats • 1 Curved hemostat • 1 Pair of scissors • 1 Pair of Tweezers • 1 #3 Scalpel handle • 2 Scalpel blades • 1 Suture set • 1 Holder • 1 Needle probe • 2 Alcohol wipes • 2 Bzk/iodine wipes • 1 Pen light (All instruments are stainless steel and require sterilization before use.)

View attachment 27877

If I need that, I'm gonna die! [emoji5]

 

[Mia]

It looks good Sportster, are there any suture strips in there? Otherwise it looks complete, don't forget throw away latex or neoprene medical gloves.

 

[Rayner]

Sportster When I put together my "bug out bag" I think I may put in a small backpacking stove one that I already own. What about you?

 

[Rayner]

I agree this sort of becoming my latest obsession too. A video of your final product would be cool.

No, as far as I know, it doesn't have the strips. It has a suture set that appears to have 5/0 silk. I was hoping for 3/0 since that's what Hawkeye always talks about on M*A*S*H.

I plan to add to the kit with some strips, sealed surgical gloves (the good ones), and a few other things. The entire med kit will be comprehensive; it may be overkill, but hey, I'm an Aspie, so this is my latest obsession.

I hope to post some images and/or video when it's complete. My plan is for something set up for 72 hours, but will sustain longer if need be.

 

[Rayner]

I've got an old Coleman peak1, It's pretty small. Small enough to fit into a 2 pound coffee can. It's served me well.

I saw a really neat plan on how to make one and how to make fuel tabs similar to the ones in an MRE kit, so that's what I'm going to do. I had a nifty collapsible stove years ago (Sterno, I think) that worked great, but it disappeared in one of my moves. It would have been perfect for what I'm doing.

 

[Rayner]

Sportster There is a Book or rather a set of 2 books. each was written for the british SAS as part of their survival training. one book is focused on wilderness survival while the second book is more focused on urban survival.

 

[Rayner]

I believe I once read the book you are referring to. I like his idea of having a 'last ditch kit' for a couple of reasons. the first reason is that having a basic set supplies on strapped on your person isn't a bad idea. the second reason is that you could put your more frequently used items inside your belt pouch for quick and easy access.

the things you are adding to your belt pouch are great additions. although you may want swap out having an 'assist folding knife for a lightweight fixed blade knife for defense because a fixed blade would most likely be sturdier.

In his book, "Build the Perfect Bug Out Survival Skills," Creek Stewart recommends a "last ditch bag" and describes his. He uses a 6 x 4 x 2 waste pack that contains:

Leatherman
Emergency heat shield
Poncho
N-95 mask
Small first-aid kit
Aquamira straw filter
Non-lubricated condoms (for carrying water)
Corsair Padlock USB drive
Cash
Fishing kit
Light My Fire Mini Fire Steel
Fire Fuses
Disposable lighter
Duct tape
Carmex lip balm
Fresnel lens
Mini key chain LED flashlight
Energy bar
Pepper spray
Whistle
Mirror
10 feet of wire (for snares, etc)
Compass

I thought a similar kit would be a good idea to keep in the car or on my person if I have to bug out and I lose my bug out bag for whatever reason.

In light of that, this evening I ordered a 7 x 6 x 2 pouch from Army Surplus World in Houston, TX that can fit on my belt. Since it's a tad bigger than Creek Stewart's, I can add a couple extra items and set it up the way I feel would be best. I'm still iffy about carrying condoms for toting water. I think I'll buy a collapsible water container for that purpose. I'm also going to include a collapsible drinking cup, an extra pair of glasses, a small Bible, a larger "assist-open" defensive knife, and a length of paracord. With the paracord I can make a tent out of the poncho.

Here's the pouch I ordered:

 

[clg114]

Well, my hand-crank radio/flashlight/cell phone charger came in. I believe I mentioned it elsewhere in this thread. They say "You get what you pay for," so that's what I got. It's okay. The radio reception lacks, it's a bit on the cheap side as far as construction goes, and the NOAA radio picks up one station that is off the air; not encouraging. The cell phone charger does seem to work okay. I have it sitting outside in the sun to see if the solar panel works, so I'll post an update later.

Overall it seems okay for a bug-out bag, though I may look at others that are built a little better.

I agree. It seems to me that when it could make a difference whether you survive or not, you would want the best.

 

[Rayner]

I would also say that some of the fun of 'survival' is in finding out would a good idea to have with you in a survival scenario. you do make a good point about the assisted blade knife, though I've youtube videos where they will explain what they carry in their bug out bags and its like 3 fixed blades, 5 folding knives and 3 multitools.

I'd prefer a fixed blade knife, but I'm unsure about the space. I'll be able to better assess things when the pouch arrives. I considered the assisted blade knife because it was small enough to fit in the pouch, but could be quickly deployed if needed.

I think half the fun is locating what I need. Who said survival can't be fun?

 

[Rayner]

I could possibly see having a back up knife, in the bug out bag especially if the most likely scenario would tossing the bag in the car and driving out of town. most likely a leatherman would have a blade in it, you have your fixed blade. maybe you may consider having a smaller folding knife tucked in the pack. being somebody that routinely carries and uses a pocket and along full sized leatherman, I would want my survival knife and other tools in my pack that would complement my everyday pocketknife. (my everyday pocket knife is 3.5 inches long)

Thus far the hand crank radio works pretty good. That is to say, it charges the cell phone and internal battery. It also pull sin my favorite station. I sat one evening and cranked for about thirty minutes, which was enough to put a "usable" charge on the cell phone. I think it will be okay. The other "critical" items I won't skimp on. That's why I bought a decent survival knife. I saw what Rambo can do with a good knife, so I'm following his lead.



Yeah, it's definitely a fun and fascinating subject; a useful one that I hope I never need. As for the knives, that's a lot of cutlery to be carrying. I could see maybe an extra knife in the bug-out bag, but the last ditch pouch is supposed to be small and light with the basics needed to survive. I'm still going to explore the fixed blade knives to see if they make one that will fit inside the last ditch pouch. I'll post what I find to get some opinions.

 

[clg114]

My "last ditch" pouch arrived today. Thus far I'm very pleased with the products and service of Army Surplus World in Houston, TX. My hat is off to the Texans!!!

Anyway, the pouch was as expected. The material is a moderately heavy canvas with two nice belt loops sewn in on the back. They look to be double-stitched. The loops are wide enough that I believe it could be used with a wide military style web belt. There's a small pocket where the snap is in addition to the main pocket. It's the perfect size for a multi-tool or other items of similar size.

Overall I believe it will serve well as a "last ditch" pouch/bag. It's a little larger than the one recommended in the book, so I can add a few extra items. I'm still unsure about a larger knife. I found a very nice tactical style spring assisted unit that would fit well in the pouch, but quickly extend to almost eight inches. The key is to have everything fit inside the pouch so it can be a "grab and go" item:

View attachment 28430​

Hmmm. I think my little .380 pocket pistol would fit right into that and it does not look like a holster. Actually, I think that my CZ 82 or Mak. would fit in that. I may have to contact those folks in Houston.

 

[clg114]

Yeah, it's just the right size for something like that, plus the little pocket could probably hold an extra magazine:

https://www.armysurplusworld.com/

You can find it under Tactical Gear/Molle Pouches/Miscellaneous Pouches. The total cost was under $11.00. Shipping cost more than the pouch.

Thank you. I am going to order one.

 

[Rayner]

Sportster I'm curious as to what your 'survival' plans are, if you wouldn't be bugging out to your buddy's farm? I've been busy with work so I am also wondering what kind of progress you have made on your bug out bag?

 

[Valentine]

I am interested very much in self sufficiency and survival. I plan to have my own well, grow and raise my own food, and be able to produce at least some of my own electricity. I have learned a lot of survival skills as well, in the event I'm away from my home.

 

[Valentine]

Sounds like a good plan. My friends are looking to "get off the grid." He's an engineer, so he's working on a way to build a small hydro-electric generator to power his farm using the creek that runs through it.

I am thinking of at minimum a small solar panel to power the well pump, possibly more. Solar is very good in NM where I'm moving. I am designing a generator as well that does not require fuel, but I'm not sure how much I can produce with it yet. If it's a small amount I can use it to significantly increase the fuel efficiency of a gas generator. The only issue really with solar is the initial cost, it's very expensive. 2k per panel, and takes roughly two panels to power a water heater, so powering an entire house for example would cost a fortune. But the power would be essentially free after that.

 

[Valentine]

I could see solar working in New Mexico. I lived in Portales for a couple months, so I recall some of those wide open spaces being perfect for solar panels. You're right about the cost. I looked into a panel for my mini-camper I'm planning to build. Talk about sticker shock. The cheapest I found was over $600, which is a third the cost of the trailer. I might consider a small one just to keep the batteries charged, but a large one would be cost prohibitive.

I even looked into making them, and it turns out they are fairly simple, but the photovoltaic cells are more fragile than Pringles and the tiniest mistake... Ruins everything....

 

[Valentine]

One of the things recommended in the book when preparing a "Last Ditch Bag (pouch)" is 10' of wire for making snares, etc. It occurred to me that I had a new package of stainless steel picture-hanging wire on hand, so I've added it to the kit. It's 9', but I don't think that will be that big of an issue. I think I'll get another package for the Bug-out-Bag since it's small and very strong. Wire like that can be used for a number of things if need be.

Have you watched the tv show survivorman? He makes small animal traps out of stuff you find in the woods in many episodes.

 

[Rayner]

thanks for the video. I'm glad to see you're back

 

[Rayner]

yeah I think it would too. I'm been working my way through my stuff trying to put together a bug out bag.

Thanks, I'm glad to see you're still here! I've posted a little about why I was gone.

As for the video, I'm a little proud of my last ditch bag. I think it came out great. All I need to add is some cash since plastic might not be usable in a survival situation. I'm quite confident it would keep me alive for a few days if need be.