Pocket Survival Kits

A Go Bag is typically a backpack, and often that is not something that is convenient or suitable to have with you. A pocket survival kit is tiny, as in can fit in a pocket. So it includes lots of little things that can be very useful.

Ideally, make your own, to suit you and your circumstances. You might wish to include items of better quality, as pre-packed kits tend to include the cheapest Chinese products they can find.

As always, anything is better than nothing, so simply achieving this, to any degree, is progress. But keep in mind that if you are relying on something to survive, buying cheap could backfire.

Here are suggestions for what your pocket survival kit can include, and my thoughts. Every item is worthy of you spending time thinking about, and imagining scenarios where you will use them.

Container

Ideally it should be waterproof and small. Travel tins / mint tins are cheap, and you can use ziplock bags within them for extra waterproofing. Obviously the key is getting the biggest size that will fit where you will be putting it. A ziplock bag is OK on its own (less bulky and more flexible) if you have nothing breakable in it. Be sure to replace the bag if it gets worn from carrying it about.

A good solution is to buy a pre-filled survival tin, and just use the tin and whichever of the components that suit your needs, and add in your own extras.

Tins can be used to cook with (better than nothing).

If you use a tin, seal where the lid joins with some electrical tape / duct tape, to make it extra waterproof until you need it.

Water

This is the #1 requirement for survival. Your pocket options are are a plastic bag that can hold water, and purification tablets. Make sure the purification tablets have instructions, preferably right on the packet, unless these are something you practice with a lot.

Water filter straws are too big for a pocket kit – The Sawyer Mini is 5 x1 inches, and the LifeStraw is 9×1 inches.

Food

No, no food. No room!

Attaching and connecting

Cable ties. If you think you will be arresting people, have a few long ones
Paracord. This can alternatively be part of a wristband or a belt. Me, I have it in belt form. Consider Firecord, which has a flammable inner strand.
Ranger bands. Thick rubber bands, good for repairs, keeping things closed, bundling and burns long and well for tinder. Some can be on the outside of your tin.
Safety pins. Tiny, add a couple. Good for bandages or quick repairs.

Health

Band-Aids. Don’t go cheap, get fabric ones. These are one of the best things to carry.
Antiseptic cream in a sachet. A tube is too bulky.
Alcohol prep pads (aka swabs or wipes). For disinfecting and bites/stings, but they also make good fire starters, and can remove grease.
Bandana. The cloth multi-tool. Light and compact, keep out the sun, tourniquet, sling…
Pain killers. Anti-diarrhoea. Antibiotics. Valium. Caffeine. Each could come in handy.
Dermabond – special glue for sealing wounds

Fire

These can all fail, so practise with them, and consider carrying all of these

Ferro rod
Waterproof matches
Book of paper matches
Wetfire tinder – will light when wet
Bic lighter – consider the mini one
Firecord – paracord with an inner strand that can be used to start fires
Pencil sharpener. Turn twigs into tinder

Assorted others

Flashlight. The smaller it is, the less value it has. Your phone of course can do the job.
Keyring. Most likely you are already carrying one
Duct tape. You don’t need a whole roll. You can wrap it around a card, and it will still work
Emergency whistle. Can literally save your life, in unimaginable situations.
Toilet paper tablets
Button compass. Tiny is OK if you only need to maintain a general course. Sun are similar but much cheaper. No other brands rate.
Signal Mirror. Ideally, made from glass, not plastic, but it will be breakable. Maybe get one of each?
Razor blade. Very small, very thin cutting tool. And/or a wire saw
Pen/Texta. You might want to leave a note somewhere, warnings or directions or rendezvous. Something to write on should be easy to scavenge.
Hose clamp rings. Can be useful for attaching something sharp to a stick.
Thermal blanket
Fishing line and hooks. You can improvise a rod and weights and bait. Fishing line has other uses.
Super glue. Get the smallest possible tube, also good for fire starting. Can be used for closing wounds if no other option is available, but it isn’t medically approved for that. Instead, carry Dermabond
Mini Light Sticks. They can be as small as 1.5 inches and last for 4 hours
Multi-tool. This is a big topic, getting the most use versus size. See my comparison of the Leatherman P4 (my preference) and the Gerber Dime. And a diamond stone to keep it sharp.

Some makes/models to consider

Button Compass

Tru-Nord are the best, but you might have difficulty getting one outside of the US. No liquid, equals no bubbles.
Suunto Clipper is excellent and quite expensive but the clip isn’t great.
CountryComm SERE brass compass is cheap and has great reviews.
Sun are cheap and have great reviews on Amazon.

synthetic tinder

stormproof matches

1605 nato button compass

https://www.mymultitools.com.au/victorinox-farmer-swiss-army-knife-silver-alox.html

https://www.survivalsuppliesaustralia.com.au/Ranger-Bands-Combo-Pack

“https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y4TYJTQ?ref=exp_alfieaesthetics_dp_vv_d”

“https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DK8LKM6?ref=exp_alfieaesthetics_dp_vv_d”

“https://ultimatesurvivaltips.com/collections/tiny-survival-kits/products/pocket-45-advanced-edc-survival-kit”

What Is Your Journey?

There’s no point having a compass unless you know where you are going. For most people a pocket survival kit is intended to get you home or to a pre-determined survival spot.

Presumably you will have a mobile phone on you, so:

a) have high res maps on your phone that cover the journey from your usual haunts (like work)
b) keep a powerbank with you to keep your phone charged

of course have a printed map with you as well, if you have space.

https://www.survivalkits.org/product/mayday-heater-meals-assorted-case/