Survival Kit Survives Airport Security

I've been carrying an altoids tin survival kit in my carry-on for about a year but last week, for the first time, the TSA actually inspected it. And it passed.

Because the TSA is not known for consistency, past results are no guarantee of future success. With that disclaimer, here's what my kit contained:

• Signal mirror
  
• Turkey bag
  
• Button compass
  
• Whistle
  
• Dental floss
  
• Small roll of thin green wire
  
• BSA fire starter (ferrocerium "flint")
  
• P38 can opener (opens cans and acts as steel for firestarting)
  
• 3 small paper clips
  
• 3 small cotton balls in their own ziploc
  

In addition, the same pocket of my bag holds a 3-LED flashlight with about 3 feet of red duct tape wrapped around the handle and about 4 feet of bright yellow parachute cord on the key ring lanyard (in a monkey chain sinnet knot), and an emergency blanket.

Not a bad survival kit and TSA inspected!

Good luck (luck favors the prepared).

Boiling Water in a Plastic Bottle

After viewing a web video showing the boiling of water in a plastic bottle in a fire without melting the bottle, I decided to try it. Of course it's a variation of the same trick, performed with a paper cup in which the cup won't completely burn until the water is gone via evaporation.

What interested me about this is the survival implications. "Boiling water" has long been part of standard survival advice and fire-making a key survival skill. Most survival kits include firemaking equipment so you could boil water - if they also included a container.

Per the directions in the video, I began by trying to completely fill a 20 oz. Poland Springs bottle after removing the label (I speculated that the label might catch fire). I was unable to get it filled without an air bubble but this might actually be easier in a survival situation. If taking water from a stream, one could submerge the bottle and squeeze it to force out any air bubbles and then cap the bottle before removing it from the stream.

I then placed my bottle in the side of a hot fire pit with a lot of coals but only a few flames. After a number of minutes, the water inside the bottle began to boil. The bottle itself was doing ok with the exception of the cap which began to melt from the outside when licked by a tall flame on one side. Note that this was the location of the small air bubble. Finally, the bottle began to bulge and I removed it from the fire chopstick style using two pieces of wood. After cooling, the water tasted flat as boiled water should.

Later, I reenacted the famed high school physics experiment and boiled water in a paper cup. Since that campout, I've repeated the experiment using an unopened bottle of water with similar results although this time I did not remove the label. The fire burned it off. The water boiled. The cap, the interface between the air bubble and the flame, melted.

But what about disinfection and chemical safety?

Disinfection: What temperature was the water inside? I'm assuming that it reached 212 F (100 C) because it boiled. It should be noted that when allowed to cool, the water inside remained much hotter than the plastic outside for quite some time. While older recommendations were to boil water for 20-30 minutes for disinfection, more up to date recommendations are to bring the water to a boil. Once it reaches boiling temperature it is disinfected. So my water would have been disinfected and safe to drink from that standpoint.

Chemical Safety: Was the plastic evaporated into the water? I'm not sure but don't think so. Frankly though, in a survival situation I would accept what might be a minor increase in long term cancer risk to avoid the risk of debilitating sickness due to microorganisms.

Tips For Enhancing The Process

• Allow no air in the bottle. No air bubble means no melting.
  
• Do it in hot coals or very low flames to further avoid chance of melting.
  
• Remove bottle if it begins to bulge.
  
• Use tongs made from green wood or two long sticks as "chopsticks" to remove the bottle.
  
• Allow the water inside to cool.
  
• Although the paper cup trick shows that you could use an open container, the advantage of a lid is that you won't spill your precious disinfected water.
  

There is plenty of room for further experimentation. For example, how would a ziploc bag fare? A turkey bag? A Nalgene bottle?

Survivorman vs. "Wild" Man

Two series each put a man into a survival situation over a multiple day period and then show us what happens: Survivorman and Man vs. Wild.

Survivorman stars Les Stroud. Les is a Canadian survival expert and film-maker. Evidently, he and his wife spent a year in the woods only using Stone Age technology. He's still here to do this series so he must know a thing or two about survival. In each show, Les is left in the wild with only a few meager items and "50 lbs. of camera gear". He films the adventure himself so, in addition to actually surviving, he must spend a large part of his time filming (including warming the batteries, checking the equipment, setting up shots, retrieving his camera after he filmed himself walking away, etc.)

Man vs. Wild stars Bear Grylls. Bear is a former British special forces soldier and Mt. Everest climber. He also probably knows a thing or two about survival in addition to his proficiency at parachuting and rappelling (abseiling as he calls it). A production crew of unknown size accompanies Bear throughout the adventure so all he has to do is survive.

Ratings

Survivorman

• Realism (4 campfires): There is little doubt that Les Stroud is out there, in the wilderness, by himself. Granted, his 50 lbs. of camera gear could hide 5 lbs. of energy bars and we wouldn't know but the show feels authentic. It feels like he's playing it straight. Furthermore, this show tries to put the survival situation in the context of a real scenario, i.e. a small plane crash, a dirt bike breakdown in the Sonora, etc.
• Survival Techniques (3.5 campfires): Les comes across as an authentic survival expert. He tries to demonstrate various survival techniques tied to his scenario, i.e. starting a fire with the battery from his crashed small plane. The most important thing is that his judgment and survival decision-making is on display and could provide guidance to someone in a similar situation. If stuck in asimilar situation, if you asked yourself, what would Les do, it could increas your survival chances
• Entertainment (2 campfires): I enjoy the series and it seems to be a hit for the Discovery Channel networks. That said, it's enjoyability is subtle - mostly derived from watching someone who seems to be truly an expert - survive.

Man vs. Wild

• Realism (3 campfires): On the other hand, it is clear that Bear Grylls is not alone. From the almost hidden safety rope attached while he uses a cable to traverse an alpine crevice to the life vest that is clearly stuffed under his shirt as he floats down a river. There are no contextual scenarios in this show. Bear gets into the wilderness by showcasing the parachuting and rappelling skills he presumably picked up in the British Army. While we might lose our kayak while vacationing on the coast of Costa Rica, we probably aren't going to "tree jump" into the jungle by parachute. The entry only adds to the unreality of the show.
• Survival Techniques (1 campfire): Bear also displays a range of survival techniques. He seems to have done his research and is proficient in the techniques. If it stopped there the show would probably get 3 campfires but if it doesn't. Throughout the show, Bear does a lot of stunts that would most likely get you killed. He's willing to free climb cliffs (no ropes), dunk himself in rivers in cold environments (where'd that life vest under his shirt come from?), leave a perfectly good island to set out across the Pacific in a home-made raft, and risk being trapped below the surface of dammed canyon water. Do not try these in the wilderness. People with fewer skills, less athletic ability, and without a production crew of unknown size and capability would be likely to die if following Bear to the letter.
• Entertainment (3 campfires): The stunts that hurt Bear's Survival Techniques rating definitely make the show entertaining whether he's free-climbing a cliff just to get a look around (how did the camera crew make it up there?), trying to dive under a debris dam in a canyon in the Moab (if there was a way out under the water then why doesn't the water drain?), or setting off into the Pacific in a raft that barely floats with only 5 days of water in the hopes of signalling a container ship (keep in mind that Steve Callahan crossed the entire Atlantic and spent 76 days afloat, signalling ships with flares and was never spotted - it helps if you have a production crew with a radio along - see the book Adrift in the books section). Bear also plays into the gross-out factor that has made shows like Fear Factor and the contests on Survivor so endearing. He truly seems to relish eating disgusting things. (and drinking liquid squeezed from fresh elephant dung). These might be useful to show the broad range of things that could provide nourishment but would probably just induce vomiting in most of us. They do enhance the entertainment value.

In conclusion, both shows are enjoyable and contain some sound survival advice. That said, Survivorman really is more focused on survival whereas Man vs. Wild is more focused on entertainment. I enjoy watching both but, if I were in a survival situation, I'd want to be like Les more than Bear.

Good luck (luck favors the prepared)!

When Survival Kits Cannot Help You

There are two clear cases when a Survival Kit cannot help you:

1. When you don't have it with you. Emergencies happen when you don't expect them - that is why they are emergencies. The way to make sure that your kit is available in an emergency is to have it with you at all times. On one of the shows in the TV series, I Shouldn't Be Alive: Trapped Under The Ice, a father and adult son were rafting in Alaska. They got caught in the current and got sucked under a frozen section of the river. Fortunately they made it out on the other side of the ice and got to shore. The thing that probably saved their lives was their ability to make fire with a lighter the son had carried in his pocket. All of their other gear was lost. They only had what they carried on their persons. The margin between life and death was the fire lit by that lighter. That is why the Curiously Useful Survival Kit is designed for pocket carry.
   
   
2. When you don't know how to use them. If you have a hard time starting a fire in your fireplace with a lighter, newspaper and dry wood, you will probably have a difficult time lighting a "minute match" (see the Curiously Useful Survival Kit below) with your flint and steel on a cold winter night in the wilderness and converting that small flame into a fire with the materials at hand. Likewise, signalling with a mirror or any other survival skill. "Death ground"' - when your very existence is at stake - is not the time to practice your skills.
   

Air Travel Survival Kit

Clearly the TSA would not like some of the items in the Curiously Useful Survival Kit (Vaseline makes them queasy these days). Here’s how to modify your kit for air travel (for your carry-on baggage).

NOTE: This is my opinion and interpretation of TSA rules as they stand today and is subject to change with little or no notice. It also may be dependent the interpretations of individual security personnel. Make this kit and fly with it at your own risk.

Follow the instructions for the Curiously Useful Survival Kit with the following exceptions:

1. If you can get a pair that will fit in the kit, include a small pair of scissors like those found in first aid kits. Current regulations allow for scissors with sharp edges <4” in length. I once had an instructor at the US Army jungle school who swore that scissors were as or more valuable than a knife in a survival situation given that you would mostly need them for cutting cordage or cloth and shouldn't be cutting large sticks and such anyway during survival. He carried a pair of surgical scissors in a homemade nylon web sheath on his belt.


2. Create the match sandwich with regular kitchen matches instead of strike anywhere matches. DO NOT make or include Minute Matches.


3. Include a small tea candle in the kit. First remove the metal container and shave off the bottom 1/2 of the candle to shorten it. I’ve not tried this but you also might be able to use small birthday candles instead.


4. Follow Option B for closing as a security guard might require you to open the kit. You could also tape the scissors on the outside of the tin so that they can be easily shown to an inspector.

Good luck (luck favors the prepared)!

The "Curiously Useful" Altoids Tin Survival Kit

Not only are the little mints “curiously strong” but the little boxes are curiously useful. I’m not admitting to buying Altoids for the boxes rather than the mints but, well, …

Here’s what I’ve done to make an Altoids tin pocket survival kit.

The Curiously Useful Survival Kit

The dimensions of an Altoids Tin are approximately 3.5” long x 2.25” wide x 0.75” deep.

Items included:

• (1) Mirror for signaling – I got a cheap rectangular mirror from a craft shop, dimensions 2” x 3”. You could also get an oval or round with <2” diameter to afford a little more space.


• (3) inches of Clear Packing tape


• (3) fishhooks, (3) split sinkers, (3) 3’ pieces of fishing line


• (1) Boy Scout (BSA) flint and steel minus the steel (ONLY if you bring along the P38 can opener listed below).


• (8) Strike Anywhere Matches


• (8) Minute Matches (need 4 cotton swabs, Vaseline petroleum jelly, and a thin strip of aluminum foil)


• (3) business cards.


• (1.5) Feet of 2” Duct Tape – I prefer OD green military 100 mph tape myself – some will be used, probably some waste


• (5) Feet of Parachute Cord (550 cord) – get the real stuff! It should have multiple individual nylon strands inside (11).


• (1) Whistle, Flat, Orienteering type. You might also want to try the Jetscream Whistle. Supposed to be really loud and 2.35” long. I don’t know how thick it is. If it doesn’t fit inside, you can always tape it on the bottom. This link goes to a keychain version with a small flashlight. You might want to just stick with this configuration and carry it on your keychain in your pocket. I think you can also buy the whistles alone for about $5 on the web.


• (1) US Military P38 Can Opener (doesn’t take up much space and you never know when you might have a can to open). The sharp edge can be used for other purposes as well. I also use this instead of the steel from my flint and steel.


• (1) Roll Dental Floss – removed from the plastic container and taped (can be used for fishing line, snares, or emergency stitches - ouch!)


• (1) Small Button Compass (fits inside dental floss roll) – of course, ideally you’ll be carrying a regular compass as well, this is just backup.


• (12) Water purification tablets in a small “zipping” bag (jewelry size)


• (2) Large sewing needles

Assembly:

I know, it seems like a lot for such a small box but you will be packing it carefully. Keep in mind that it’s not easy to open when done.

Also, except when going somewhere by air, I would always carry my multi-tool on my belt. I have 2 that I like. The SOG Paratool and the Gerber Suspension.

That said, now to the assembly instructions:

1. Tape the sewing needles into the side corners of the lid running parallel to the long side.


2. Cover the shiny face of the mirror with one business card (printed face out. Cut card to fit mirror. Print additional emergency contact information on face of card. Tape card to mirror using small piece of duct tape or clear packing tape. Place mirror and card in lid of tin, face up and tape into place with a piece of clear packing tape so card is completely covered (protected) and legible.


3. Tape the fishhooks into the bottom of the tin (as flat as possible) using a small strip of duct tape.


4. Make the Minute Matches by cutting the cotton swabs (e.g. Q-tips) in half, absorbing petroleum jelly into the cotton (goal to get as much as possible into the cotton tip), and tightly wrapping the jellied tip with a small strip of aluminum foil. Four swabs make 8 minute matches. In my (unscientific) test, I burned one and it lasted about a minute, thus the name.


5. Cut about 1/3 to 1/2 of the match stick off the strike anywhere matches. Also cut a piece of the striking strip from the box and glue to the back of a business card. Sandwich the Minute Matches and the strike anywhere matches between two business cards by laying the Minute Matches down, alternating heads and sticks (so the heads of four point one way and the heads of the other four point the other way). Place the strike anywhere matches between the Minute Matches alternating heads as well (so each Minute Match has a strike anywhere match beside it. Glue them onto a business card using single drops of glue for each. Then place the business card with the strike strip on top (STRIP AWAY FROM MATCHES!!!) and tape the whole thing together. Place this carefully in the bottom of the tin.


6. Using a small piece of duct tape, tape the flint and the P38 along the back edge of the tin on top of the “match sandwich”.


7. Wrap the fishing line pieces around the whistle. Try to minimize the increase in width or depth (will depend in part upon the shape of your whistle).


8. Use a permanent marker to write the month and year of the expiration date for your water purification tabs on the plastic bag.


9. Now arrange the dental floss, the button compass, the small bag of water purification tablets, and the whistle also on top of the match sandwich.


10. You are ready to close the lid. Do so and shake to make sure everything is not bouncing around inside (I have not had this problem). The lid should close all the way without denting the tin.


11. You can finish the outside in one of two ways, depending on whether or not you want this to be easily opened. Option A does not allow easy opening but consists of wrapping the parachute cord tightly around the tin widthwise (so if you were reading the Altoids info on the front, the parachute cord would be wrapped up and down). Then wrap the remaining duct tape around the parachute cord and the tin lengthwise (perpendicular to the cord). Unlike the cord, successive wraps of the tape should stay neatly on the original wrap to maximize tape on tape and retain stickiness for future use in the field. With Option B, you carefully cut the duct tape into strips approximately 1/2 inch in width and wrap these strips around the sides of the container below the level of the lid. You wrap the cord as described above but use small pieces of duct tape or knots to secure tightly to the tin. With this option, to open the tin you must remove the parachute cord but not the duct tape.

You can also make optional additions including duct taping scissors, a small knife or a utility blade in its cardboard cover to the outside of the tin. You could also duct tape a small bottle of water purification tablets to the side of the tin before wrapping the parachute cord.

Good luck (luck favors the prepared)!