BOAT (Bug-Out Altoids Tin)

[DrGonzo]

Here's my BOAT. Most of it is from "Survival Kit in a Can" that was sealed, and honestly, I won't risk my life with gear that I haven't inspected, modified, and toyed with.

I buffed the tin, and put on a coat of primer and OD matte paint. The bottom tin is for size reference. Why paint? Cuz it matches all my other gear!

<img src="http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1553/boat1db9.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/>

Here's how it's packed in. I don't keep it sealed, since I want to be able to add/remove items as I see fit.

<img src="http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/8978/boat2tg4.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/>

Contains:
Ziploc Bag
Heavy rubber band (keeps lid tightly closed)
Large needle
2 safety pins
2 lead weights
2 fish hooks
2 nails
1 fire starter cube
1 mini lightstick
Roll of nylon thread/fishing line
Roll of wire
Signal whistle
2 twist ties
P-38 can opener
Razor blade
Mini compass
Nylon line
4 waterproof matches
Book of matches
Blank paper
Pocket pencil
Mini survival guide
2 alcohol wipes
3 ft duct tape
2 band-aid
2 zip ties

<img src="http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/4963/boat4kk6.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/>
I'd add more if it would fit, but I've made two more of these, and each has a slightly different setup. I keep them squirreled away in jacket pockets, my car, backpacks, etc.

[canuck]

I disagree with the idea of having a tin to store everything, and by no means do I think this can be applied to anyone (this will not work for winters).

I think it's easier to grab and have a bag than it is to make so much effort go towards a tin.

I applaud the effort and creativity , but I think it's a step in the wrong direction.

[IllicitDreams]

I disagree with the idea of having a tin to store everything, and by no means do I think this can be applied to anyone (this will not work for winters).

I think it's easier to grab and have a bag than it is to make so much effort go towards a tin.

I applaud the effort and creativity , but I think it's a step in the wrong direction.

This isn't really meant to be a comprehensive BOB, it's more of a last ditch survival kit something to keep with you in a pocket or daypack when you're out in the woods.

So it isn't really a step in the wrong direction... just a different direction.

Hell I have one, albeit slightly larger that I keep in my glovebox, it goes with me into the woods when I go hunting. You never know what may happen.

[canuck]

I disagree with the idea of having a tin to store everything, and by no means do I think this can be applied to anyone (this will not work for winters).

I think it's easier to grab and have a bag than it is to make so much effort go towards a tin.

I applaud the effort and creativity , but I think it's a step in the wrong direction.

This isn't really meant to be a comprehensive BOB, it's more of a last ditch survival kit something to keep with you in a pocket or daypack when you're out in the woods.

So it isn't really a step in the wrong direction... just a different direction.

Hell I have one, albeit slightly larger that I keep in my glovebox, it goes with me into the woods when I go hunting. You never know what may happen.

But see, if it's largely meant to be a last ditch grouping of survival necessities, it's lacking what is probably most desired in such a situation; a good fixed blade knife. I'm sure that that's a standard of 'well you can carry both' and more the kit as a support as opposed to main role like the knife.

I can see the helpfulness of such a kit, I just feel like a tin is being prioritised over what should be most important - a good knife.

[DrGonzo]

I disagree with the idea of having a tin to store everything, and by no means do I think this can be applied to anyone (this will not work for winters).

I think it's easier to grab and have a bag than it is to make so much effort go towards a tin.

I applaud the effort and creativity , but I think it's a step in the wrong direction.

Don't for a second think that I'm suddenly secure in my survivability because I've got a some duct tape in a tin. This isn't what I'm grabbing when TSHTF. This is one of many tools that one can have at their disposal for a more prepared lifestyle. I have a BOB, I have a GHB, and more. This is one small aspect of my preparations, and honestly, it's more of an exercise in creativity than anything. Helps you prioritize and use come up with creative ways on how you would survive with minimum resources. It's also a good way to get the uninitiated thinking about survival and preparedness.

And how can it be a 'step in the wrong direction'? Better to have it available than to have nothing. Maybe you keep an entire bunker hidden in your prison purse, but sometimes, you just need a match or a bit of tape when out in the world.

[ArmyOfDarkness]

Wow. Seeing all the survival stuff that can be used fit inside an altoids can has given me new perspective on what I can fit in a messenger bag. Thanks.

[ironraven]

I can see the helpfulness of such a kit, I just feel like a tin is being prioritised over what should be most important - a good knife.

Unless you make your own, you buy a knife. You build your kit. Which one takes more work, and thus which one are you more likely to take more pride in and want to show off on ZS? *grins* Based on what you are saying, we are also putting more emphasis on (to use your words) "a tin" over a pair of boots, which honestly can be more important than a knife. You are looking at a part, and missing the whole.

And you are right, a good knife is the hardest thing to recreate, but no one is prioritizing a PSK over a good knife, or good boots. A pocket kit and a multitool or SAK (good, small knife) can be tucked into a pocket in your long johns or into a neck pouch, you'll always have it with you.

[SilentVectorX]

I disagree with the idea of having a tin to store everything, and by no means do I think this can be applied to anyone (this will not work for winters).

I think it's easier to grab and have a bag than it is to make so much effort go towards a tin.

I applaud the effort and creativity , but I think it's a step in the wrong direction.

This isn't really meant to be a comprehensive BOB, it's more of a last ditch survival kit something to keep with you in a pocket or daypack when you're out in the woods.

So it isn't really a step in the wrong direction... just a different direction.

Hell I have one, albeit slightly larger that I keep in my glovebox, it goes with me into the woods when I go hunting. You never know what may happen.

But see, if it's largely meant to be a last ditch grouping of survival necessities, it's lacking what is probably most desired in such a situation; a good fixed blade knife. I'm sure that that's a standard of 'well you can carry both' and more the kit as a support as opposed to main role like the knife.

I can see the helpfulness of such a kit, I just feel like a tin is being prioritised over what should be most important - a good knife.

Yeah, I have no idea what you're going on about... Just because it's not in the tin doesn't mean they don't have it.

[canuck]

iron you're starting to get what I'm talking about, but I do see the usefulness of it. Calling it a 'survival tin' or 'bug out tin' is misleading in my mind though.

[Fes]

I recently made a couple BOATs as a sort of preparedness exercise, with a difficulty level of using only things that I had in the house the evening I made them - no trips to the store. Did ok! But some weak spots - water purification is nonexistant, FA is limited, but overall not too bad, I thought. Critiques welcomed.








In the tin:
buck in quarters duct taped to lid
single LED flashlight
cotton and parrafin in small ziploc (fire starter)
~36" snare wire
~72" braided string (fishing line)
Mini compass
hacksaw blade
two exacto knife blades
hooks, sinkers, swivels (fishing stuff)
Matches in small ziploc
Bandage
alcohol swab
razor blade
2 rubber bands
Mini Leatherman

in the floaty (actually does float!):
buck in quarters duct taped to side
Mini compass with lanyard
single LED flashlight
Swiss army knife
hacksaw blade
bandage
alcohol swab
~72" braided string (fishing line)
cotton and parrafin (fire starter)
ziploc bag with *strike anywhere matches, *hooks, sinkers, swivels *two exacto knife blades

[ironraven]

Calling it a 'survival tin' or 'bug out tin' is misleading in my mind though.

I think "bug out tin" is a contraction, myself. But as it is a tin that contains minimal emergency items assembled to serve as an emergency auxiliary to a larger kit with special emphasis on extremely compact components, what else would you call it other than a "survival tin" or a "pocket survival kit"?

[canuck]

what else would you call it other than a "survival tin" or a "pocket survival kit"?

Dunno. I just went so far as to think that it WAS a contradiction.

[TheFreakinBear]

This is one of those things that is great to have in your car, your desk, a couple of jackets, everywhere. You can tailor it to the needs of each area you would like to keep one but the fact of the matter is that you are able to keep many small items that are useful and will definitely come in handy, on you all the time, in a sturdy reliable container.

I've seen this thread before, probably 2 months ago and had forgot about it. I've got various containers I had set aside after seeing this the first time as well as different pouches and stuff that could also be used in this fashion. I just need to find the time to go through some of the stuff I have and make a few of these for a few different things.

So far: for the car, for my ACUs, for my EDC, for my hiking pack, for my BOV(est), for my hiking vest and for my trauma bag in the car.

[Squirrley]

This is definitely something that you make 6 copies of, and put in pockets. Its just a supplement to your EDC, which should include a good knife.

[Ad'lan]

As something easy to move from pocket to pocket, self contained, and not obviously dangerous, so I don't freak out the general public, I've been working on a 'Survival Tin' that I can slip into my pockets.

It's designed more with general use than complete SHTF, but it should be all around useful, and rounds off my EDC:

Contents:
Button Compass
Water Purification Tablets (Enough for a dozen liters)
2 Hacksaw blades, one toothed for metal, one for wood.
a Dozen plasters of various sizes, Blue so I can wear them at work.
2 Yards of Ductape
Antiseptic wipe
2 Paracetamol
2 Boiled Sweets
1 Clean hanky for cleaning things and as tinder.

[Raydarkhorse]

I disagree with the idea of having a tin to store everything, and by no means do I think this can be applied to anyone (this will not work for winters).

I think it's easier to grab and have a bag than it is to make so much effort go towards a tin.

I applaud the effort and creativity , but I think it's a step in the wrong direction.

This is just my 2 cents and it may be worth less than that given inflation, but here goes.
The personal survival kits (PSK) small enough to fit in an Altoids tin or similar sized containers are not meant to be the end all be all for survival what they are meant for is. EDC by people who for the sake of their jobs are not able to carry a bag, this gives them a way can keep the bare essentials in there pockets. It also gives a person some equipment if for whatever reason you have to ditch your main kit. All that being said here is what is in mine. It’s fitted into a small cell phone case that I can carry on my belt without anyone noticing. I keep it on my belt even when I have my main kit with me.
1 spool heavy thread 20yds (clothes and misc. repairs possible fishing and other uses)
1 heavy needle
1 spool 80lb test braided fishing line (snares, misc. repairs, shelter building, fishing)
4 hooks and split shots ( fishing, PIA sewing needles)
1 spool dental floss (floss, misc. repairs, fishing, shelter building)
10 ft SS wire (snares, shelter building)
1 sm. roll duct tape (misc. repairs and first aid)
1 wet fire (starting fire)
1 mini bic (fire)
1 spark fire and tinder (fire)
1 CC signal mirror (signaling)
1 CC Fresnel lens
1 golf pencil (writing notes)
4 sheets waterproof paper (notes, tinder)
10 ft. nylon heavy string
1 old timer pocket knife
1 unlubed condom
2 water purification tabs

[111t]

Decon Containers are good for this sort of thing

[GeneralDiscontent]

Here's my take on the BOAT. I had a small fishing tackle container I bought for this, but I decided to use an actual Altoids tin instead - it just feels more like a challenge that way

I had seen some "Pocket Survival Kits" in the store, but they cost $20 or more and I thought "I have most of that stuff around the house", so I passed. I wound up coming across a seller on eBay that had similar kits in different sizes for $4 - $12, so I bought one, put the contents in the Altoids tin, and added some stuff I had handy.

The kit:



(I used wintergreen 'cause they're naaaaasty. I don't even know where they came from - the tin's been knocking around in my kitchen cabinet for a couple of years now, so I dumped the mints and used the tin).

The contents:



-LED Flashlight
-Mini Compass
-Whistle
-Mini Swiss Army Knife
-P38 Can Opener
-3 Small Black Safety Pins
-3 Sewing Needles
-20 Feet of Nylon Outdoor Rated UV Resistant Thread
-1 Sewing Pin
-1 Regular Bandage
-1 Small Bandage
-1 Spot Bandage
-1 Square Medical Gauze
-1 Alcohol Prep Pad
-4 Strike-Anywhere Matches
-1Mini-Bic Lighter
-1 Firesteel Rod
-1 Cotton Ball
-20 ft. of 20 lbs Fishing Line
-20 ft. of 10 lbs. Fishing Line
-1 #6 Fishing Hook
-1 #8 Fishing Hook
-1 #10 Fishing Hook
-3 BB-Shot Sinkers
-1 #14 Fishing Swivel
-1 Razor Blade
-1 Mini Glow Stick
-3 Advil
-3 Water Purification Tablets
-3 Feet of Wide Electrical Tape

I wrapped the electrical tape around the barrel of a Bic pen, cut it to size, and used the hollow barrel to store the sewing pins and mini-glowstick. I stuffed the end with the cotton ball:



Soon I will add some cash (I didn't have much on me when I made the kit ). I have a length of paracord that I did have wrapped around the tin, but I decided I didn't like it - the Altoids tin provides nice "camouflage" that is lost if you wrap it with paracord.

[KA-BAR]

hey all, morgan here form ATAC.

instructor Avery Kerr has started a really cool disscussion on survival over at BSP. he is also thinking about running a land nav/survival course, and i for one got really interested. i consider my self a pretty outdoorsy person, infact i am capable of getting very primal about a survival situation, and skill sets i possess are:

fire starting
shelter building
food gathering
weapons and tools.


now i am not a mastercraftsman at any one of these areas, but i am competent enuff to pull it off.

well instructor Kerr has brought up a unique project for us all to challenge ourselves with, and that is the soap dish survival kit.

"what is that?" you may be asking yourself....


well, a soap dish PSK ( personal survival kit) is a kit that all of the items will fit into a soap dish, everything you can stuff into it, that will make surviving that much easier.

major areas of intrest are

fire starting
first aide
food and water
shelter
tools
signaling for rescue

soooo....



okay here is my first lvl 2 "soap dish" PSK.



Contents starting from top left to bottom right:

Green plastic Soap dish container ( not water tight ), contemplating painting it tan to match the rest of my kit, and cutting a groove in it to install a rubber O ring for a seal, then it will be water tight.

4x small plastic bags for packing items.
1x Large garbage bag for water storage, waterproofing, makeshitf poncho, water still or temporary tarp.
2 Ft. square of Tin Foil.
1x Tea Bag ( green tea ).
1x Chicken bullion.
1x multi vitamin pack.
2x small nails.
3x needles ( small, med. and Large ).
4x small wire split rings.
1x signal whistle.
1x MAG firestarter.
4x water/wind proof matches + striker.
1x 2.5"x3" buisness card sized magnifying lens ( first aide and fire starting ).
30' 25 lbs test fishing line.
1x panfish jig.
5x #7 fishing hooks.
5x Tin splitshot.
4x saftey pins.
2x metal carbiners ( improved handles for wire saw, utility ).
2x metal split rings ( handles for wire saw ).
2x Ranger Bands ( holds container closed ).
3x cotton swabs ( first aide or tinder ).
1x dose of ibruprofren.
1x dose of extra strength tylonol.
1x antiseptic wipe.
1x C soap wipe.
3x strip band aides.
1x halls cough drop.
1x neosporin gel.
1x micro multi tool with 10 functions.
1x jig saw blade ( 18 teeth per inch ).
2x metal spools of 30'+ of spiderwire.
1x wire saw.( can be a saw, snare or garrot.)
1x small pocket knife/ bottle opener/ LED light.
1x P58 can opener.




packed




this 65 Pc. kit took 2 days to complile and assemble. it was done for less then 25 dollars out of houshold items, or items bought at a local supermarket.

the kit still has room in it for:
1x signal mirror.
1x golf type pencil.
some water proof paper.
small xacto type scalpul blades.


this is small enuff to fit into a GP molle pouch and be put onto a vest or backpack.





Morgan

[clayton1]

Since altoids come in red and green flavors, one could really build 2 kits, one (red) contains first aid gear, and the other (green) contains the rest. They actually take up almost the exact space of an ar-15 magazine. But here goes mine made in 20 min around the house....
1 mini led flashlight (keychain size)
1 p-38 can opener
1 mini bic lighter
1 single edged razor blade (the kind you get to scape paint off windows)
2 nonstick bandage pads
1 firesteel type thing (magnesium/steel thingy)
8 psuedo-ephidrine allergy meds (mild uppers) in a blister pack
9 excedrine migrane pills (painkiller/caffeine pills)
10' silver 20 gauge wire coiled in the bottom of the can (snares or ancient roman surgical staples/suture)
half full tube of neosporin with a resealable cap
3" piece of hacksaw
whole thing is closed with a large hair tie and wrapped in 7 feet of braided nylon line.

I know it seeps really first aid heavy, but fixing up me and mine to be able to get on with plans seems to be very critical. Was quite fun to look long and hard at what I do and dont have rifling my house for 20 min.

[cauldron]

I love this thread and I love looking at all the kits. I have made a few myself over the years. Some I have given away, and some are still floating from car to car or jacket to jacket. I'll take one apart some time and show it off here, but I wanted to add something else right now.

Otzi the "Ice Man" was discovered in the Alps in 1991. He had lots of cool stuff with him, and a big mystery that still goes on today. One of the things he wore was a belt wraped around him twice, holding his leggings and loin cloth up. There was a hafted stone knife and a flint working tool attatched to it as well. (About 72 inches long, tapering from 2.5 inches tapering to .25 inches at the ends.)

There was also a small 8" by 2" pouch sewn to the front of the belt that contained an Altoids tin. Sort of... He did have a small survival kit with him. Inside were a 5 items: a small bone awl, a flint scraper, a drill, some tinder, and a small flint blade. Not much, but enough to remake everything else he had, if given enough time.


1: The bone awl could be used to make holes in germents to sew them up and make repairs, or to make new clothes.

2: The flint scraper was 2.63" by 5" and had been used to cut grass and other things. It could be used for scraping, cutting and planing. The SAK of the day.

3: The drill was 2 inches long and tapered from .5 inch down to .25 inch.

4: The tinder was True Tinder Fungus. (Fomes fomentarius) about 2 square inches of it. It also has medicinal uses.

5: The very small flake of flint. like a small razor blade, this was used for fine cutting, carving, or notching.



There were traces of iron pyrite in the fungus, but none was found near him. He could have been carrying a live coal, or since he was moved and disturbed when he was found, maybe it got over looked or lost over the years...

There is a lot to still be learned from Otzi, but I thought his Altoid tin was cool.

[Fenris]

You can easily waterproof a BOAT by wrapping electrical tape around the seam and hinges. I think the right type is Scotch 300, since it can be reapplied after taking it off(I may be wrong about the name, just check around the tape isle).

-fenris-

[GeneralDiscontent]

I upgraded my BOAT to a cool little Witz Sportcase that I found at an outfitters shop while I was on vacation:



It's just a little bit bigger than the Altoids tin, is waterproof, and comes with a breakaway lanyard. It has slightly more storage space, so I was able to put a chunk of paracord up in the lid.

I also bought some mini-ziploc baggies for another project, and used a few to organize similar items in the kit:



(Pills (gonna add Benadryl later), fishing items & thread, first aid supplies).

[Jaxathon]

a Gerber clutch or Gerber shortcut would fit well in there I also think that a winchester knock off of the swiss army knife would fit well Pics included.

I personally would go with my winchester over the gerber because it has more functions and it is a good tool as well it takes up a little less space than the gerber. so you can pack in more stuff. but Its not my multitool =p I always have one on me reguardless of what im doing..

I only pilfered this altoid can just for this pic but now I think I will actually make this kit just so I can have it if i need it.