Emergency Altoids Tin

[Van-Tramp]

From my blog post at http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/emergency-altoids-tin/


During my injured time in late 2014, I finally took on a project I have long procrastinated on; to compile emergency kits in varying size and capabilities. I skipped a 72-hour bag as I had long considered my van as my go-to survival bag. It would keep me alove much longer than a backpack, and was always with me.

The next level down was my “every day carry” bag. What a purse is to a woman, an EDC is to a man. Instead of carrying makeup and what-nots, it carries my laptop,  gun (at times), extra ammunition, a fair amount of first aide things, flashlight, extra glasses, identification, multipurpose tools, and more… but I digress.

[img=300x256]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WIN_20150516_182509-300x256.jpg[/img]

Today is about the third level of kit that I put together – my Altoids Tin. It was intended to be put in my pocket no matter where I was going. Be it a short hike in the park or a longer day-hike in the woods, the Altoids Tin is my first line of survival if the “S” hits the fan. It weighs next to nothing, so the burden to carry it is minimal.

[img=474x367]http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WIN_20150516_182015-1024x792.jpg[/img]

In it is the following: (starting at top-left, working down in 3 columns)​

• Multiple butterfly bandages
• Water purification tablets
• Extra strength pain killers
• Multiple cotton swabs (great fire starters)
• Two moist towelette wipes
• Rubber band
• Black thread (can be used as stitches too)
• Floss (can be used in many ways)
• Superglue (glue or liquid stitches)
• 3 X 5 index card
• 2 sewing needles
• A small pencil tip
• 2 safety pins
• A micro multipurpose tool (scissors, knife, can opener, etc)
• Razor blade
• Piece of black plastic tube (straw)
• Match striking pad
• 4 water proof matches
• Small candle
• Small butane lighter
• Tinfoil
• Paperclip
• and lastly, the tin itself

From this tin I can patch myself up from most minor injuries, stay clean, prepare a fire to stay warm, cook something on that fire, repair clothing, purify water, signal for help, and even leave a note behind for rescuers who may be looking for me. Basically, it is to help get me through a single night, not necessarily in comfort, still alive.

 

[mconlonx]

Nice. I'd add a couple of zip-ties to the kit...

 

[ccbreder]

I would have more of the pencil.

 

[wagoneer]

If you can stuff a twenty dollar bill inside, good to go.

 

[ZoNiE]

...and everything smells nice and minty...

Good idea.

 

[LeeRevell]

I tried various tins, both Altoids and others. I find certain plastic or nylon pouches work better for me. This is subjective, and different for each person, of course.
Certain items I always carry on my person, and don't waste kit space for them - Pocket Knife, Multi Tool, P38 can opener.

 

[WriterMs]

The 2 things I would add may be on his keychain -- from the other post on kayak kits, Van-Tramp is a believer in being prepared. I suggest a mini or small LED flashlight. Having even a tiny light might help someone get home more safely if caught out after dark and can serve as a signal.

The second thing is a plastic emergency whistle. It carries farther and lasts longer than the human voice or whistle.

Does not look feasible in this tin, but some folks have room for a very thin "emergency" mylar blanket. These are flimsy but could provide shade or other weather protection.

 

[Belinda2]

I have to second the mylar blanket. Hypothermia or shock from bleeding could "do you in" if you can't keep warm.
Make sure your pain killers don't also have an anti-clotting tendency like Ibuprofen and Aspirin, in case you are also bleeding.
I would have something that could hold the water you are purifying, like a baggie. This baggie could also hold those matches so they do not get moisture to them.
A small roll of duct tape or quality tape could also be useful.

 

[ZoNiE]

You guys are adding a lot of stuff for a tiny little tin...

 

[LeeRevell]

Good call on the pain meds. Being on a bloodthinner, I cannot take Aspirin and most others. Tylenol is okay, though not the most effective.
Whenever I am away from home or the van (full survival and medical kits in each), I have two small belt pouches I use - one is a PSK and the other a FAK. I always have a water bottle too, as I tend to get dehydrated quickly.

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

Anyone ever watch "Survivorman"?  One thing survivalist Les Stroud always has with him is a harmonica!  

Cash can often come in handy!  I've carried cash in a money belt, and needed to use it (left wallet at cabin).

A doctor friend told me that if you have a heart attack, and you swallow a non-coated aspirin and chew on another one, it can often save your life.  And really, my chances of having a heart attack are probably a lot greater than me witnessing the EOTWAWKI (that's "end of the world as we know it").  Of course if you're on blood thinners you need to find out what to do in your own particular situation. 

 

[rvpopeye]

How about a spare van key?

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Of course, if you're an IMMI (International Man of Mystery and Intrigue)  you need to supplement your survival kit with a pocket e & e (escape and evasion)  kit.

a set of lockpicks
a hidden handcuff key
a hunk of electrical wire to aid in hot wiring "borrowed" escape vehicles.  Can also be used to secure a prisoner.
a bit of broken hacksaw blade
a bit of dark camo creme

It's also very helpful to have an extra passport and credit card in a false name.  I've picked I. Manly Studde as my alter ego, and I went with a fake Canadian passport in case I'm someplace they don't like Americans.  (Hard to believe some people don't like Americans, I know, but, well, Foreigners!)   It's easy to fake being Canadian, just end every sentence with an "Eh!" 

Regards
John

PS  All joking aside, replace your shoe or boot laces with pieces of parachute cord.  Not only will they be unbreakable, but in an emergency, you can strip the inner cords from the outer sheath.  The outer sheath alone will hold your shoes on, and the inner cords can be used for building shelters, constructing traps, tied together to make fish line, sew clothing or stich a wound, etc.

 

[ZoNiE]

I think we're gonna need a cake tin... :dodgy:

 

[WriterMs]

I think we're gonna need a cake tin...   :dodgy:

Every person needs to evaluate what would be most important for him/herself. And that can vary by where you are at the time. Some items in Van-Tramp's kit are not in my own (though I have a pouch not a tin). And some things like an LED light can easily be on your keyring so it would not take up space in the tin.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I would replace the index card with a sheet of rite in the rain paper. I have a notebook of it, cost like 5 bucks. Its great, i put them in geocaches when the logbook is too wet to sign. THat way you note will not suffer from moisture.

 

[offroad]

Anyone ever watch "Survivorman"?  One thing survivalist Les Stroud always has with him is a harmonica!  

Cash can often come in handy!  I've carried cash in a money belt, and needed to use it (left wallet at cabin).

A doctor friend told me that if you have a heart attack, and you swallow a non-coated aspirin and chew on another one, it can often save your life.  And really, my chances of having a heart attack are probably a lot greater than me witnessing the EOTWAWKI (that's "end of the world as we know it").  Of course if you're on blood thinners you need to find out what to do in your own particular situation. 

HBruce - damn that's a smart idea about aspirin.  That and a whistle so you don't loose breath screaming for help. 

 

[Belinda2]

Non-enteric coated aspirin is so basic now, that 911 operators will tell you to chew on one while you are waiting for the ambulance to arrive. This is so essential, they tell you this without a doctor's diagnosis or even meeting you. The massive research study found also works for people who take a 325mg aspirin a day to prevent heart attacks and also strokes.
Parachute cord could make a good tourniquet.

 

[offroad]

Taking an aspirin every day if you have not had a recent heart attack can cause other stomach issues. So beware of looking at that advice, if they fail to discuss digestive issues.

 

[Almost There]

Taking an aspirin every day if you have not had a recent heart attack can cause other stomach issues. So beware of looking at that advice, if they fail to discuss digestive issues.

And thin blood issues so that you bruise easily and blood doesn't coagulate at normal response times so even bug bites can be problematic.