Date: 26 Aug 88 10:44:00 EST From: "_GOLD::REID" Subject: SURVIVAL KITS SURVIVAL KITS This article is not about caving; many cavers find the subject interesting, since it applies generally to outdoor activities, and specifically to cave rescue. A previous version was posted on rec.aviation, and an excerpt on sci.med. - ----- The B-52 crew in the movie DR. STRANGELOVE carried unusual items: "Survival kit contents check-- In them you'll find: "One .45-caliber automatic, Two boxes of ammunition, Four days' concentrated emergency rations, One drug issue containing antibiotic, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills, One miniature combination Roossian phrase book and Bible, One hundred dollars in Rubles, One hundred dollars in gold, Nine packs of chewing gum, One issue of prophylactics, Three lipstick, Three pair nylon stockings. "Sheeoot! A feller could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff!" -- I have collected survival-kit lists since seeing STRANGELOVE, c.1965, and continue to look for new ideas. Commercially-made survival kits are overpriced and appear worthless. I believe that each person should assemble his own kit, according to individual needs, expertise and expected area of operation. I asked a former missionary bush-pilot of Nepal what kind of survival equipment he carried. I expected a complex array but he said that he carried only a down jacket because Nepal is so densely populated that wherever a forced landing is possible, people are around. He needed the down jacket because the elevation in Nepal goes from near sea- level to Mt. Everest in about 100 miles, with corresponding climate change. I favor the layered design of survival kits used by the Special Forces-- Each kit contains a smaller kit in its own container, to be carried separately in case the larger kit is lost or must be abandoned. Each sub-kit duplicates the three "cave man" basics (knife, fire, string), plus a small amount of money. My aviation survival kit, which contains two sub-kits, is itself a subset of larger equipment carried in my car (see below). Most of the aviation kit is packed in a WW-II surplus aviator's survival vest (in the belief that in an immediate emergency you don't have time to grab a separate kit; a "fanny pack" is another good survival-kit container). The entire aviation kit is stored inside an extra-deep .50-cal ammunition box, or transferred to a small backpack if necessary to save weight. Weight without ammo box is about 20 pounds. AVIATION SURVIVAL KIT CONTENTS Signals/Navigation Eqpt. - ------------------------ Signal equipment proved extremely important in Vietnam-- Pilots typically carried two handheld radio transceivers. Civilian survival literature assigns high value to signals, on the assumption that you filed a flight plan and rescuers will be along soon. (Do YOU trust the Civil Air Patrol? :-) 1 Large mil-surplus signal-mirror with sighting device, lanyard. 3 Flare launchers } 1 Smoke bomb } from Sporty's Pilot Shop. 1 Plastic whistle 1 Yaesu FT-23R handheld VHF FM transceiver, modified to cover 140- 164 MHz., with alkaline battery pack. (This is not stored in the kit, but is the ham rig that I usually carry.) A handheld aircraft-band transceiver is better than an ELT; an extra ELT may be slightly more useful than a plastic Jesus. 1 Aeronautical sectional chart of region where I spend most time. 1 Magnetic compass (Silva "Pathfinder" type) with neck lanyard. Practical Items - --------------- $X Varying amounts of U.S. cash, including coins for telephones. Most emergencies occur near inhabited areas. In any case, you will need money when you reach "civilization" (a point made very clear in "Hey, I'm Alive," a true story in which a bedraggled plane-crash survivor walked into a town and was ignored because she was mistaken for a derelict druggie). Money has been the most-used 'survival' item over the years, and I have disciplined myself to keep the supply replenished. The money is dispersed among the sub-kits. 1 Spare credit-card. 1 Wide-mouth plastic bottle (one pint), transparent so that contents are visible. Use for water container and to hold small items which need extra protection, e.g., medical supplies. I use a "freezer jar" from K-Mart. (One source recommends packaging a kit in a 1-quart paint can, which can be used as a cooking pot.) 1 Iodine-crystal water purification kit. This type seems most cost- effective in price, size and capacity, and does not deteriorate with age and high temperature. Iodine vapor is corrosive; do not store the device in an airtight container with other items. (I'm looking for a reference on how to use potassium permanganate for water purification.) 1 Small notebook 1 Pencil 1 Pkg. toilet paper. Fire - ---- 100 Wooden "strike anywhere" kitchen matches in waterproof containers among sub-kits. Each match head is painted with fingernail polish for additional waterproofing and protection against accidental striking. 1 5-minute red highway flare (self-igniting, burns in rain, ignites wet wood; also a signal). 1 Magnesium fire-starter (magnesium block with embedded "flint"-- Use knife to shave magnesium chips, ignite by scraping flint.) These things REALLY WORK! Seal in plastic to prevent corrosion. Medicine - -------- This section can become unmanageably large. My medical supplies are rudimentary; aspirins and Band-Aids (tm) are nonetheless important, since small "emergencies" are more common than major disasters. I've raided the kit for those items many times. Mark drugs' expiration dates on packages. Inspect/replace adhesive and rubber goods yearly if the kit has been stored at high temperature. 20 Aspirins 2 Pkg. antacid tablets 10 Centrum (tm) multiple-vitamin tablets 5 3/4" Band-Aids 3 2" Band-Aids 3 Povidone disinfectant pads 6 Butterfly wound-closures 1 Military field-dressing 1 4" elastic bandage 1 Pr. thin plastic gloves (clean but non-sterile; the kind used for changing ribbons in computer line-printers). 3 Condoms, in aluminum-foil packages (included for sentimental reasons; they have paid off! ;-) 2 Oz. veterinary tetracycline water-soluble powder (controversial): Few doctors will prescribe drugs for anticipated need. Human use of veterinary antibiotics is widespread among poor folks who cannot afford MD's and prescriptions. There are numerous risks; I hope never to take this stuff but would not hesitate to do so in an emergency (my friends say it tastes terrible). It produced an overnight cure when I gave it to a cat dying from an infected wound. Tetracycline is a "wide-spectrum" antibiotic, effective against diseases from bubonic plague to penicillin-resistant VD. An overdose causes diarrhea because it kills the normal intestinal bacteria. Adult human dosage for common antibiotics is 250 mg, four times per day (500 mg for severe infections). Rules of thumb are: Use same dosage as for a pig of equal weight (pigs and humans are anatomically similar), and NEVER use outdated drugs. A ban on non-prescription sale of oral veterinary antibiotics has been proposed, for the very legitimate reasons that they are misused to mask diseased food-animals, and because improper use can produce resistant "super bugs." Besides, human use of these substances is embarrassing to politicians and the medical establishment. Medical library research is recommended. A 6.4- oz package of Terramycin(tm) water-soluble tetracycline powder (containing 1 gram of active ingredient) is $3.98 at the local farm store; I wonder what it's worth in Afghanistan. Clothing - -------- 3 Heavy-duty plastic trash bags. (Cut holes for head and arms, wear for protection from weather. Transparent bags could be used to improvise solar water-stills (I've never tried that). A "Tube tent" can be made by linking bags together with duct tape. 1 Wool cap/ski mask. 1 Pr. wool gloves. 1 Pr. wool socks. 1 Large bandana handkerchief (important multi-use item). Tools - ----- 1 Sheath knife (Tekna diver's knife; lightweight, rustproof, easily converts to a spear). I also like the Ka-Bar military knife. Personal knife preference varies widely; the knife should be STRONG. Some of the Rambo-style hollow-handle "survival" knives are useful; most are junk, weakened by the absence of a tang. 1 Buck "Folding Hunter" lock-blade knife (4" blade) (in sub-kit). 1 Knife-sharpening stone. 5 Single-edge razor blades (distr. among sub-kits) 1 Swiss Army knife (with scissors). 1 Small Vise-Grip (tm) pliers with wire-cutting jaws. 1 Leatherman (tm) combination tool (large size). Like a Swiss Army Knife with pliers/wire-cutters. It looks like a silly gadget from a yuppie catalog but it's high-quality and extremely useful. Mine is not stored in a survival kit, but carried everyday. 1 "SAS" wire saw. 3 Asst'd fish hooks } } points covered by small corks. 1 Small frog-gig } 1 Gill net (said to be so effective for catching fish that it is illegal in many places). 50' Parachute cord (the type with separate strings inside a braided sheath; it can be used whole, or disassembled as needed.) 50' Heavy nylon string (in sub-kit). 100' Monofilament fishing line. 20' Dental floss (excellent sewing thread). Anthropologists rate the invention of string more important than the invention of the wheel. Considering its multiple uses, I must agree. 1 Mil-surplus collapsible plastic canteen (1 qt.) 1 2" magnifying glass (for starting fires and for medical inspections). 2 Army-surplus "elbow" flashlight (comes with PR-6 low-current, long-life bulb; good for 30 hours on a pair of alkaline D-cells). 1 Miniature flashlight with lithium battery (in sub-kit) 10 Assorted sewing needles, distr. among sub-kits. (Needles are so small and so useful that there's no reason to omit them from any survival kit.) 6 Asst'd safety pins 20' Duct tape. 20' Stainless-steel wire (cable-TV "lashing wire" used to bind coaxial cable to its steel carrier wire). Like duct tape, this wire is great for general repair and improvization; too stiff for small snares. 1 Mouse trap (useful for fishing, catching birds, triggering larger improvised traps). 1 Aluminum carabiner (snap-link used by mountain climbers). 1 AR-7 folding .22-cal rifle (do not use against bears). For handguns (illegal in Canada), include pistol shotshells in the ammunition. 100 Rounds .22 ammunition (in small polyethylene bottle). Bullets may be removed and powder used for fire-starting tinder. Some writers on survival discount the value of guns. I'll keep mine, thanks. Guns can get you in trouble with the law in some places, including airports. The AR-7 looks like a toy but is very accurate. Its light weight allows engaging multiple targets quickly. 1 Miniature New Testament (free, from a street-corner distributor; actually contains a Russian phrase! :-) I'm not formally religious myself, nor do I smoke (Bible paper is said to be great for rolling cigarettes). Many survivors who have been isolated for long periods report that having something to read was invaluable to maintaining their all-important positive mental attitude. Packs of playing cards printed with survival information are available. What I really want is a JUNIOR WOODCHUCKS' GUIDEBOOK (the entire knowledge of mankind in one volume!). :-) Many items (e.g., medicine tablets) are sealed in individual plastic packages by a "Seal-A-Meal"(tm) kitchen appliance. This packaging method decreases bulk, also decreases risk of losing entire supply if a larger package is broken or water-soaked. Other items are in re- usable plastic "Zip-Lock" bags which can be used to carry dry tinder, etc. I purposely do NOT package items of similar function together, so that some capability remains if an entire section of the kit is lost. For example, fire starters are distributed among several pockets in the vest. The first sub-kit is in a 6 x 4 x 2" nylon belt-pouch. A 35-mm microfilm can (about 4" diameter) also makes a good container. My "last ditch" sub-kit is a 35-mm film can containing: 1 Single-edge razor blade 1 Book of matches 2 Band-Aids (tm) 2 Sewing needles (large & small) 10'Dental floss $20 Paper money $.25 Coin In case of emergency, kit #1 is worn, Kits 2 and 3 are separated and carried on the belt and in a pants pocket. A duplicate of the 35mm sub-kit is kept in my chart case. The film cans are coated with reflective tape. The complete kit is worth perhaps $600. Excluding rifle, knives, radio and money, the cost is about $60. Cost and size could be further reduced by eliminating redundancy; this is basically a one-man kit, though additional people could be served through duplication of the most important items. The best way to test a survival kit is to camp for a weekend with nothing else, to find out which components are really valuable, and what may have been overlooked. To conserve weight and bulk, the main kit contains minimal food. One food item that keeps well is "gorp," a mixture of raisins, nuts, dried fruit, etc. "Tropical trail mix," available in bulk at grocery stores, is a gorp formula that keeps well at high temperature. For most of us, "urban survival" situations are more likely than a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness. A little preparedness makes the difference between emergency and mere inconvenience. Some drivers' idea of a survival kit appears to be numerous suits of clothes, hanging from a rod above the back seat. My car usually contains: sleeping bag tent food axe saw flashlight brass carbide lamp, 1/2 lb. calcium carbide. Army shovel (new model with double-folding handle, with sheath.) 20' heavy nylon tow-strap, looped ends, with clevis for attachment. Numerous wrenches, etc. for auto repair. nylon tow-rope volt-ohmmeter (most car troubles are electrical). battery-jumper cables 1 roll electrical tape 2 insulated wires (6' long) with alligator clips on ends 1 battery-terminal brush 1 battery-terminal puller } (These are illegal 1 "Slim jim" tool for opening locked cars } "burglary tools" in } uncivilized areas, e.g., } New York and Chicago.) Resources (mail order) - --------- Indiana Camp Supply Inc. Owned by an MD interested in 1001 Lillian St. "wilderness medicine," this P.O. Box 211 company offers many non- Hobart, IN 46342 prescription (but hard to (219) 947-2525 find) medical items that he recommends. -- Paladin Press Survival literature. PO Box 1307 Boulder, CO 80306 (303) 443-7250 -- Sporty's Pilot Shop Maps, books, survival eqpt. Clermont Co. Airport Free catalog, fast delivery. Batavia, OH 45103 -- Brigade Quartermasters Some unique items amongst 1025 Cobb International Blvd. the macho BS. Kennesaw, GA 30144-4349 Good Reading - ------------ Benson, Ragnar. _Survivalist's Medicine Chest_ Paladin Press, 1982, ISBN 0-87364-256-2. 4 x 6" softcover, 29 photos, 80pp, $5.95. (Emergency use of veterinary medicines on humans.) Charriere, Henri. _Papillon_ (Escape, evasion, tropical survival with primitive equipment. The book is much better than the movie.) Rowe, James N. _Five Years to Freedom_ Ballantine Books, NY 1971 (Vietnam POW escape.) Callahan, S. _Adrift_ Ballantine, NY 1986 (76 days in a rubber raft. Ships didn't see flares, EPIRB didn't summon help.) - -- +-----------------------------+ | Frank Reid NSS 9086 | | reid@gold.bacs.indiana.edu | | bitnet: reid@iubacs | +-----------------------------+ "False doctrine is giving people the wrong medicine." --MAD