Help Me Build My Altoids Survival Kit

[turnsouth]

I'm looking to build a small kit of everyday possible necessities. I know that there are a ton of kit designs out there, but this is not a wilderness kit, and not a SHTF kit, this is a realistic kit. I want a true "average day in the life" kit to keep in my bag. Given my restrictions stated, here are two rules:

• The world is not coming to an end, and I'm not a bush pilot who is going to end up lost in the desert, or trapped on a frozen mountain top, so I do not need the following:
  - 72 ways to start fire
  - any type of shelter at all
  - 15,000 feet of paracord
  - enough sharps to kill and dress an elephant
  - 15 ways to purify water
  - or any other items that "prepared" people, (who are never more than 60 seconds away from civilization), think they need.
  
• As well, I have a first aid kit, so it doesn't need any first aid items

So what do you all think? I was going to start with a needle and thread. What else?

[Pacu]

asprin/tylenol/ibprophen (spelling?)
eyeglass repair kit (for us 4 eyes)

[turnsouth]

asprin/tylenol/ibprophen (spelling?)

Covered in the first aid kit...

eyeglass repair kit (for us 4 eyes)

[enki_ck]

I was thinking along the same lines recently when I put together MINE.

+1 on the eyeglass screwdriver, I'd recommend THIS ONE or something like it.

As for needle and thread, i came up with this, needles inside a cue tip or coffee stirrer, thread wrapped around it and all inside a straw welded shut.



The small compass, ever been in a strange town, or on the road looking at the map and the map tells you to go north, but you don't know where north is?

If you have a non-apple smartphone, you'll appreciate an extra cell phone battery. 

Maybe dental floss.

A small pen.

[Syph007]

I was just thinking of putting together an urban survival kit too.  For me, picking the items will mostly be thinking about what I wish I had on me and didnt at times over the last years.  Money, bandaids, tape, pins, lockpicks (for my work desk when I forget my key), lighter, extra medications... im sure i can think of other things...

[Pacu]

i always kept a 20 dollar bill in my camelback for emergencies while cycling.
 maybe a spare auto key for those smartchip cars

[Millhouse]

Duct tape - multitude of uses.

Mini pry bar.

Depending on your eyesight - a magnifying glass.

Handcuff key.

[Farmman]

Handcuff key.

Enough about your personal life.

I would add a small flash light, cable ties, elastic bands and spare batteries

[Gareth]

Handcuff key.

Enough about your personal life.

I would add a small flash light, cable ties, elastic bands and spare batteries

Spooky, I was genuinely going to suggest exactly the same list!

[Dr. Bahn]

I want a true "average day in the life" kit to keep in my bag.

so I do not need the following:
- or any other items that "prepared" people, (who are never more than 60 seconds away from civilization), think they need.

This is very easy: All you need is a credit card/money and maybe a mobile phone!     

The topic is a bit misleading imo...

[Zed]

Here is my survival pouch i keep in my backpack, not sure if i could get this in a altoid tin as i keep tinder and a opinel in there.

here is my pouch,hunter SAK ,whistle,fire steel,cotton wool,compass,sharpening stone, fishing line and hooks and weights,matches,and alittle torch,i just need a little mirror, 

[turnsouth]

I never thought of a compass for "strange town" orientation, it could be quite handy. Although, ever since I was young (11-12), and  learned map reading, I've always had this compulsion to constantly pay attention to where north is, especially in strange areas. I call it a sixth sense, my wife calls it creepy.


Quick question to Farmman and Gareth: Why cable ties, and elastic bands?

[Gareth]

I know I've used both before and been grateful I had them on me, but for the life of me I now can't remember what for.

[Zed]

lol i forgot this is more of a urban edc carry kit    i carry thin zipties,usual tablets including some i have to take daily,lighter,plasters,and the little true utility utica mini master copy as a handy small MT  oh and a mini driver kit 

[nuphoria]

My small fixing kit had always got gaffa tape, cable ties, elastic bands and cord..... a whole world of repairs can be done with that

Also, I'd throw in a condom for water carrying, waterproofing (like your phone) and "other" purposes.

[turnsouth]

So here is my bag and Altoids breakdown so far:

Already had in my bag:

• Vic Compact
• LM ST300
• LM bit adapter and full bit kit
• Notebook
• Pen
• Sharpie
• Highlighter
• iPod Touch
• Electronics kit in a Maxped Micro, including:
  -charging cables for iPod, and cell phone
  -USB rechargeable power supply
  -ear buds
• First aid kit in a Maxped micro
  -Pills, band aids (plasters), wound cream, disinfectant, medical tape, brush picks
• 4 Sevens Mini AA²
• spare batteries

Altiods (so far)

• Needle and thread
• Duct (gaffa) tape
• Spare money
• Spare lighter (not for fire, but for tobacco)
• Safety pin or two
• Altoids mints
• Maybe zip ties, elastic bands, and floss

An eyeglass screwdriver, small backup pen, and straight pin, are covered by the Compact

[edcgear]

Can we do this thread with:

1.
2.
3.

Put all stated in and then it's up to anyone to decide what to get in, or throw out...

For me it's like this:

1. Needle and thread
2. Bandaid
3. Painkillers
4. Fever/high temperature medicament
5. Button light Photon/Fauxton
6. SAK Explorer Plus - or something that fit your needs but this one is IMHO the best (blade, philips, magnifier, flat screwdriver, scissors, small eyeglass screwdriver, pin, tweezer, toothpick, pen....)
7. Some Duck Tape
8. Copper Wire and paperclip (a gazillion uses in urban every day environment)
9. Safety pin/s
10. Antibacterical handkerchief or gel
11. Mini BIC
12. Some hard sweets

XX. Durex 

hm...

While on topic, I've allways thaught to make one of those, but never really got arround to do so... Maybe now I'll do...

[Syph007]

The only other thing ive wanted a few times was a tiny portable radio, to hear emergency reports weather etc.   I dont know if there would be one small enough for a tin, but this reminded me I still wanted to find a small one.

[Zed]

Well this has become my thing to do this week, im of monday morning for another tin of altoids   

[Dtrain]

Dental Floss and Paperclips

Dtrain

[enki_ck]

Dental Floss and Paperclips

Dtrain

We call that the universal Macgyver multitool around here.

[enki_ck]

as for the spare lighter (I didn't include that as you said no fire starting) for extended storage I would recommend the gas refillable metal match. It is o-ring sealed and doesn't evaporate. I have one I filled about a year ago and it still lights.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gas-refillable-Super-Metal-Match-Lighter-silver-New-/160565675051?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256275c42b

[Farmman]

Quick question to Farmman and Gareth: Why cable ties, and elastic bands?

I have used cable ties to fix a bag strap well enough to get home, hold a gate closed when the high winds struck. Elastic bands without stating the obvious to hold stuff together. I supose the cleverest use was combined with a plastic bag to make a makeshift waterproof (ish) fit around a tube which changed diameter as the bag slid up and down the tube.