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Mini survival kit
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<h2 id="container">Container</h2> <p>Survival tools and supplies found in a mini survival kit are generally kept in a container that is small enough to fit into a pocket. Small confectionery tins are commonly used but regular tobacco boxes, specially purchased mini-survival kit tins, life capsules,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a> <a href="/facts/35mm_format/5MU6mXr0">35mm film canisters</a>,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> plastic bottles, <a href="/facts/Tin_can/Mfopo4tz">tin cans</a>, and boxes are also commonly used. The common <a href="/facts/Breath_mint/HkMc0PJa">breath mint</a> containers such as <a href="/facts/Altoids/3MuxpWnT">Altoids</a> tins measure approximately 9.3 cm (3.7 in) x 5.8 cm (2.3 in) x 2.1 cm (0.83 in).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> Some kinds of containers benefit from waterproofing, which may be done with adhesive tape or by dipping the closed container in <a href="/facts/Paraffin_wax/11Dyraqg">paraffin wax</a>. </p><p>Mini-survival-kit items can be carried on a neck chain,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> a <a href="/facts/Satchel_(bag)/aXCNC3ns">satchel</a>, a pouch or a <a href="/facts/Belt_Kit/ofNtgwnL">belt kit pouch</a>. Survival items may also be part of the belt kit itself. </p> <h2 id="contents">Contents</h2> <p>Because each kit depends on the situation and environment of the user, they can vary greatly. Listed below are common items one might find in a mini survival kit: </p> <ul><li>Small fire sources such as <a href="/facts/Butane_lighter/1RmolVYz">butane lighters</a>, <a href="/facts/Match/EQPsJa7J">matches</a>, <a href="/facts/Tinder/uJRA7NP2">tinder</a> and <a href="/facts/Ferrocerium/1Hp6Hmqw">ferrocerium</a> rod or "life boat matches" and striker board;</li> <li><a href="/facts/Signal/41YqUJ8c">Signal</a> <a href="/facts/Tool/KhhEHz1I">devices</a> (<a href="/facts/Light-emitting_diode/gE8x4MDb">LED</a> <a href="/facts/Micro-/VXlL1EhM">micro</a> <a href="/facts/Light/jeofpMn4">lights</a>, small <a href="/facts/Heliograph/f4PyA1o0">heliographs</a> or <a href="/facts/Survival/GJql5cqM">survival</a> <a href="/facts/Whistle/UIbmhlwN">whistles</a>);</li> <li><a href="/facts/Candle/3d0EwvR6">Candles</a>, which can be used for <a href="/facts/Emergency_rations/BW9yPQwv">emergency food</a> if made from <a href="/facts/Tallow/JNWsebPc">tallow</a>;</li> <li><a href="/facts/Cutting/kuSSgehx">Cutting</a> <a href="/facts/Tool/KhhEHz1I">tools</a>, such as flexible <a href="/facts/Wire/yyy05H1S">wire</a>, collapsible <a href="/facts/Saw/mh8PG7xy">saws</a>, or <a href="/facts/Pocketknife/3eeIrm6m">pocket knives</a>;</li> <li><a href="/facts/String_(structure)/CP9A3uIY">String</a>, <a href="/facts/Fishing_line/2VzdtgBo">fishing line</a>, <a href="/facts/Wire/yyy05H1S">wire</a>, finishing nails, and <a href="/facts/Safety_pin/u81R2mqG">safety pins</a> for tying off or affixing shelter materials;</li></ul> <h3>Food and water procurement</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Fishing_line/2VzdtgBo">Fishing line</a> and assorted <a href="/facts/Fish_hook/jfMUlR6f">fishing hooks</a>;</li> <li>Snare wire; <a href="/facts/Ductility/SBJsahEk">malleable</a> <a href="/facts/Copper/I8PEE8oX">copper</a> or <a href="/facts/Brass/pe8EHk6x">brass</a> <a href="/facts/Wire/yyy05H1S">wire</a> is often used, as well as <a href="/facts/Steel/aN6qWo4H">steel</a> '<a href="/facts/Trip_wire/6KCY3lha">trip wire</a>' or <a href="/facts/Utility/wlMDG74L">utility</a> <a href="/facts/Wire/yyy05H1S">wire</a>;</li> <li><a href="/facts/Dental_floss/Xv2d9CjB">Dental floss</a> for use as string;</li> <li><a href="/facts/Water_purification/rguCGW3q">Water purification</a> <a href="/facts/Bag/JB87dfvV">bags</a>, items that occupy the amount of space as transpiration collection bags will not fit in such a kit as a mini-kit (small tobacco tin or altoids tin as pictured in the article) however could be carried separate from this type of kit referred to in Survival Evasion, Resistant and Escape literature SERE as [worn on the body]:often used to keep <a href="/facts/Tinder/uJRA7NP2">tinder</a> dry or for <a href="/facts/Drinking_water/FmSJcKGG">water</a> <a href="/facts/Storage_tank/Sb93f3Jz">storage</a> / <a href="/facts/Transport/npstdhvc">transportation</a>;</li> <li><a href="/facts/Glucose/oUSkoLCD">Glucose</a> tablets or hard candy;</li> <li><a href="/facts/Water_purification/rguCGW3q">Water purification</a> sources, including <a href="/facts/List_of_purification_methods_in_chemistry/fSh2XHfh">chemical purification</a> means such as <a href="/facts/Potassium_permanganate/nyjjuDlo">Potassium permanganate</a> or <a href="/facts/Bleach/QPxAysPl">bleach</a>;</li> <li>Non-<a href="/facts/Lubrication/6tHKQVqy">lubricated</a> <a href="/facts/Condoms/A39P32AV">condoms</a>, used for their capability to expand to store a <a href="/facts/Size/brTWIYNF">large</a> <a href="/facts/Quantity/E2jCKetq">quantity</a> of <a href="/facts/Water/0lkXnJPK">water</a>.</li></ul> <h3>Navigation</h3> <ul><li>Button-sized <a href="/facts/Compass/86MaeFXu">compass</a>;</li> <li><a href="/facts/Magnetized/eo75vApl">Magnetized</a> <a href="/facts/Sewing_needle/Vy0HPS3W">needle</a> and <a href="/facts/Thread_(yarn)/3RfyulKB">thread</a> to use a makeshift <a href="/facts/Compass/86MaeFXu">compass</a>;<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a></li></ul> <h3>First aid</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/History_of_wound_care/WLajvvWe">Wound treatment</a> and <a href="/facts/Antiseptic/ua05WK9M">antiseptic</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Potassium_permanganate/nyjjuDlo">potassium permanganate</a> or <a href="/facts/Iodine/JlfMecMf">iodine</a> tablets</li> <li><a href="/facts/Scalpel/K9JTJMS2">Scalpel</a> or <a href="/facts/Utility_knife/WGH2Ajxc">utility knife</a> <a href="/facts/Blade/yxqtx5hq">blades</a> for minor <a href="/facts/Surgery/fG8tWf5Y">surgery</a> and fine work</li> <li><a href="/facts/Orthopedic_cast/hS8DCpvh">Plasters</a> and <a href="/facts/Bandage/ssXaXtkY">bandages</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Cyanoacrylate/jLS7fkwR">Cyanoacrylate</a> <a href="/facts/Adhesive/shTfIJ0E">glue</a> is <a href="/facts/Adaptability/uhdgJxKk">adaptable</a> to the <a href="/facts/Size/brTWIYNF">size</a> and shape of <a href="/facts/Injury/PJ7CbnMQ">injury</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Prescription_medication/a2zNYPMq">Prescription medication</a> for <a href="/facts/Pain/70E79oUn">pain</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Paracetamol/SNDfQWcf">Paracetamol</a> or <a href="/facts/Vicoden/dvnKDv5S">Vicoden</a></li></ul> <h3>Miscellaneous</h3> <p>In addition to the items marked above, the following items are also frequently found in many mini-survival kits (depending on the area the operator is expecting to be in, personal experience, multiple use considerations, serviceability, and durability). In some kits, certain items marked above can also have been completely replaced by certain items below. Items and many of their uses are listed along with alternative uses and/or alternative items to perform the role in the kit. </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Tweezers/9vPbIvvh">Tweezers</a></li> <li>Files</li> <li>Information cards</li> <li>Candle kit components</li> <li><a href="/facts/Rubbing_alcohol/8t0un7bD">Rubbing alcohol</a>, wipes or Povidone-Iodine Prep Pads</li> <li>Needles or sewing awls and yarn</li> <li>Butterfly closures</li> <li>Braided nylon cords</li> <li>Waterproof paper</li> <li>Plastic bags</li> <li>Compressed sponges</li> <li><a href="/facts/Aluminium_foil/onPGU9JT">Aluminium foil</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Baking_soda/S9oSol0R">Baking soda</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Electrical_tape/v9mSkhC2">Electrical tape</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Parachute_cord/KSVz6CJK">Parachute cord</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Sharpening_stone/oNENLk1y">Sharpening stone</a></li> <li>Systemic <a href="/facts/Analgesics/xLj4XBcq">analgesics</a> such as <a href="/facts/Aspirin/opMK4qLk">aspirin</a> or <a href="/facts/Paracetamol/SNDfQWcf">paracetamol</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Antimalarial_medication/8l4vNNNH">Anti-malaria tablets</a></li> <li>Broad spectrum <a href="/facts/Antibiotic/sF1kIfxg">antibiotics</a> such as <a href="/facts/Azithromycin/8CAbVtsz">Azithromycin</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Antihistamine/HuMC25lt">Antihistamine</a>, for first aid against insect bites/stings and allergies</li> <li>Anti-diarrhea medication such as <a href="/facts/Loperamide/SWzRnbnH">Loperamide</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Tritium/HWSa6EHy">Tritium</a> or <a href="/facts/Superluminova/PvB63oVh">Superluminova</a> kit markers</li> <li><a href="/facts/Magnifying_glass/3fLtnXwp">Magnifying glasses</a> or <a href="/facts/Fresnel_lens/WYbDj3sn">Fresnel lenses</a></li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Tool/KhhEHz1I">Tool</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Bushcraft/UufBQJew">Bushcraft</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Hiking_equipment/0JYw9Hup">Hiking equipment</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Survival_kit/G5q321Fk">Survival kit</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Repair_kit/162qPK0W">Repair kit</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Survival_skills/RlL2j3q9">Survival skills</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Machine_element/cV69bkb9">Machine element</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Electrical_element/CenJ4IkU">Electrical element</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Electronic_component/F3NBVv4Q">Electronic component</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/List_of_martial_arts_weapons/9AzK1fx4">List of martial arts weapons</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Lists_of_weapons/57KaKHjo">Lists of weapons</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mini survival kit. <ul><li><a href="http://www.equipped.org/drperskit.htm">"Doug Ritter's Mini Survival Kit"</a>. <i>Equipped To Survive</i>. Retrieved 2008-07-14.</li> <li>John D. McCann (14 August 2006). <a href="https://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/survival/food/2006/08/make-survival-kit-out-altoids-tin-and-two-more-life-saving-diy-">"Make a Survival Kit out of an Altoids Tin"</a>. <i>Field & Stream</i>. Retrieved 2008-07-14.</li> <li>John D. MacMenamin. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20141214044515/http://www.altoidssurvivalideas.com/">"How to build the Ultimate Altoids Survival Kit"</a>. <i>Altoids Survival Ideas</i>. Archived from <a href="http://www.altoidssurvivalideas.com/">the original</a> on 2014-12-14. Retrieved 2014-11-12.</li> <li><a href="https://archive.org/stream/JohnLoftyWisemanSASSurvivalHandbookTheUltimateGuideToSurvivingAnywhereWilliamMorrow2014/ebooks/Antony%20Cummins%2C%20Yoshie%20Minami-The%20Book%20of%20Ninja_%20The%20Bansenshukai%20-%20Japan%27s%20Premier%20Ninja%20Manual-Watkins%20Publishing%20%282013%29_djvu.txtJohn">' Lofty' Wiseman SAS Survival Handbook The Ultimate Guide To Surviving Anywhere William Morrow ( 2014)</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Life capsules also employed in mini survival kits <a href="http://www.equipped.com/etsbriefings202.htm" target="_blank">http://www.equipped.com/etsbriefings202.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Wilderness Survival Kit at e-ScoutCraft.com <a href="http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/film_can/survival_kit.html" target="_blank">http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/film_can/survival_kit.html</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Inner dimensions of Altoids tins?". ladyada's tea party. Archived from the original on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2007-11-24. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110519162302/http://www.ladyada.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=926" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110519162302/http://www.ladyada.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=926</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Mini survival kit items also worn on neck chain <a href="http://www.wilderness-survival-skills.com/pocket-survival-kit.html" target="_blank">http://www.wilderness-survival-skills.com/pocket-survival-kit.html</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Macwelch, Tim (23 October 2012). "Survival Gear: How to Make a Compass". OutdoorLife.com. Retrieved 10 December 2021. <a href="https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/survivalist/2012/10/survival-gear-how-make-compass/" target="_blank">https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/survivalist/2012/10/survival-gear-how-make-compass/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>