Newsletter Forums Site Index Contact Us
Big Bucks Now!
Fish Float Tubes
Bear Spray Test
Hot Muskie Lures
Make Fish Jerky
Gun Case Test
Photo Contest
Featured Retailers
Subscribe Today!
Digital Edition
Make a Survival Kit out of an Altoids Tin (and Two More Life-Saving DIY Projects)
previous   1 of 19   next>>
photo: Spencer Jones; glasshouseimages.com

By John D. McCann

The Pocket Kit
Fitting inside an altoids tin, this kit is easy to keep on hand at all times

This is ideal for anyone who wants to have the essential survival gear along each time they head into the field. Everything fits in the Altoids tin (above). It fulfills all the component groups (see "Make Your Own,-¿ last slide) except for shelter and protection, but add a survival blanket to your pocket and you'll be covered. Keep clicking through the following slides for details on all of this kit's components.


Test Your Survival Skills
Think you could survive a couple of nights lost alone in the winter woods? Take our ten question quize to find out. Click here for the quiz.
previous   1 of 19   next>>
Comment on This Article

At 11:09 AM, 2008-08-21, Mart said:
What about condoms (unlubricated)? These are useful for storing water and also burn well even when wet (useful for starting fire in wet environment). And if you do happen to pull some hot totty in the woods, you don't have to worry about picking up any nasty diseases off her. Mark comment offensive

At 6:44 PM, 2008-08-14, GetSerious said:
Cell phones and cash were of little use to anyone in the Gulf Coast after Katrina. And cell phones were just about useless to people in the NYC area on 9/11 and immediately after. When towers quit working (or you're not near any) you can't connect to the outside world. Mark comment offensive

At 11:42 AM, 2008-08-11, Apples said:
You might be able to use the tin as a frying pan if you need to. I don't know if it would work but it could. Mark comment offensive

At 5:35 PM, 2008-08-09, kristie said:
it seems you would need an ultralight emergency blanket or garbage bag. important for many uses Mark comment offensive

At 2:18 PM, 2008-08-08, Chris said:
these kits are making me want to try and get lost somewhere :) Mark comment offensive

At 8:07 AM, 2008-08-02, ticked said:
you can remove tick just by rubbing it gently with your finger in circular motion. the wee bugger will crawl out on it's own, and then you can flick it. =) Mark comment offensive

At 8:06 PM, 2008-08-01, Michael said:
Drop the Altoid tin, it isn't water proof. A good rain, and your kit is comsiderably less useful. Mark comment offensive

At 5:37 AM, 2008-07-03, BrianB said:
I noticed you cited Adventure Medical Kits as a resource. They also make a very nice compact survival kit designed by Doug Ritter. Mark comment offensive

At 5:49 PM, 2008-06-18, bob said:
I think you should add survival tablets there about this big | | and you can survive off 1 a day (3 per day suggested) Mark comment offensive

At 11:22 AM, 2008-06-11, Ed said:
It dont take much. Keep it simple and address the basics when putting a kit together. Water food and shelter. Mark comment offensive

At 5:46 PM, 2008-06-05, vern said:
my kit is in an old shaving kit more room even has small pistol. Mark comment offensive

At 8:18 PM, 2008-05-28, cody said:
i carry a kit with me everywhere i go. you gave me some new ideas. good article. Mark comment offensive

At 8:39 AM, 2008-05-23, felix said:
good survival kit, help you a lot, Mark comment offensive

At 2:12 AM, 2008-05-20, MIC said:
Thank you. It is just the info that I needed to get a kit together. great ideas and ways to organize, very cool. One only has to adapt contents to their enviroment. Much appreciated! Thank you. Mic Mark comment offensive

At 4:04 PM, 2008-05-19, laura said:
brillaint could last a life time realy cool lol!!! Mark comment offensive

At 8:55 PM, 2008-05-16, Connor said:
Very handy. kinda useless, it is way better to make a bigger kit. I made a kit with US Military MREs to keep fed for 3 days. Mark comment offensive

At 7:50 PM, 2008-05-15, jdizzle said:
shaniece what r u sayin man you don't make any sense,but anyway just Man vs Wild you can learn alot about survival by watching Bear Grylls Mark comment offensive

At 3:48 PM, 2008-05-15, Neo01 said:
Only the strong and/or smart survive Mark comment offensive

At 10:36 AM, 2008-05-15, phil said:
Ya! Trick Ya! Mark comment offensive

At 8:49 AM, 2008-05-15, jes said:
Guess you ain't got skeeters where you live. You won't live very long without sleep or blood! Good kits otherwise... Try a little deet sometime.. Mark comment offensive

At 3:06 PM, 2008-05-12, Evan V said:
I'm confident this has been posted at least 3 times. Mark comment offensive

At 6:34 AM, 2008-05-08, bazza said:
i got lost overnight till late next morning once .had a tin full of stuff made me feel alot better havin it than nothin at all.wish i had room in that tin for a sleeping bag though lol. Mark comment offensive

At 10:44 PM, 2008-05-05, smid said:
At 11:51 AM, 2008-04-11, shaniece said: " i would take that stuff to yall people think good i hope yall dot get an that promble an relly life" huh? Mark comment offensive

At 11:09 PM, 2008-05-01, explotie said:
A mobile phone and $50 is all you need. Mark comment offensive

At 12:39 PM, 2008-04-29, Dave said:
Shaniece... What? That was so bad I can't even understand it. Anyways, I like it, although the tea and sugar are probably just luxuries you can give up for something more useful like a flint or some matches. Mark comment offensive

At 12:54 AM, 2008-04-26, Mike said:
Sounds like a good kit to have, one never knows when something like this could come in handy Mark comment offensive

At 11:51 AM, 2008-04-11, shaniece said:
i would take that stuff to yall people think good i hope yall dot get an that promble an relly life Mark comment offensive

At 11:18 PM, 2008-02-29, nick said:
survival is cool Mark comment offensive


Your Name:

Your Comments:
Please keep comments focused on the subject (and profanity-free) or we may delete your post. Do not enter more than 10 lines. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us.

We require all participants in interactive areas to accept the terms of the Bonnier Corporation subscriber agreement. Please read the agreement before making comments. When you click on the button above to submit your comments, you are indicating your acceptance of and are agreeing to adhere to the terms of the subscriber agreement.

Note that not all images at left are shown to scale

Table of Contents
:: The Pocket Kit
:: The Day Kit
:: The Wilderness Kit
:: Making Your Own Kit


Additional Resources:
For more survival equipment, including larger kits for use on expeditions or with offroad vehicles, check out the author's book, Build the Perfect Survival Kit ($13; 888-457-2873; krause.com).


Test Your Survival Skills
Think you could survive a couple of nights lost alone in the winter woods? Take our ten question quize to find out. Click here for the quiz.
More Top Galleries
50 Best Lures of All Time
Trophies from Boone & Crockett
Underwater Action Photos
Beginner's Guide: Bowhunting
Man vs. Catfish

» See all Photo Galleries

Copyright © 2007 Bonnier Corporation.