BOAT (Bug-Out Altoids Tin)

[mitunnelrat]

This is what I put together. I used ID tag silencers until I can go get a bike tube. You can see the bail on the lower part for boiling water, and the wire on top is for a frying pan handle. It also servers to lock the tins together because it hooks through the upper and lower parts.



Next up, I keep my SwissCard Lite on the top because I use that for things all the time. You can also see that I packed the tin pretty full.



Going through the contents of the kit, the SwissCard, paper matches, and a coated cottonball will provide me with fire and light. The tinfoil is a multi-purpose item that can be used for signaling and cooking if need be. Also, it's hard to see in the wound fishing line, but I have a sewing needle that I magnetized for use as an improvised compass.

I have the ziploc bag, a coffe filter, the altoids tin, and an unlubed condom as part of a water collection system so I can prefilter the sediment, boil it, and put the "clean" water in the condom. I put a lemonade packet in to help with flavor if needed.

For food, I have 3 fish hooks and line. Even if I can't fish, it can be used to snare birds in nearby trees (which are plentiful in my area. I made the lid into a "pan" so I'd have more available cooking surface without having to use the foil. I've got a salt packet and some chicken bouillon to help cook as well.

I left my medical limited to minor wound cleansing and closing with an alcohol prep pad and a few bandaids.

I have the P38 because its so useful for its small size. I also have some paper and apencil for leaving notes. Also, as evidenced near the matches, I am using small baggies to weather protect as much as I can.



I noticed as I was posting the pics that I forgot to add my safety pins, so I've corrected that. I also just crammed 3' of 550 cord in even though I had originally decided not to.

A good portion of this kit is stuff I regularly use and replace. It was all in a Mosin ammo pouch (with several additional items for first aid, water purification, hygeine, and shelter) that I frequently forgot at home because I can't wear it while in uniform. I've had the tin for some time, this thread motivated me to get things transferred. Its a minimal kit, redundant and supplemental to my other gear, but I view it like a .22 derringer. It may not do much, but its easy to keep and is better than nothing.

[Jaxathon]

So far mines looking like this.

I have more to put in yet. I have 48 mini compasses coming this week XD paid about 30 cents per so I think I got a good deal.





Im thinking about adding a firesteel stick to it as well. I have a small sandwich bag folded into the bottom of the tin. Going to add one of those compasses when i get them.

Going to wrap it in 550 para cord as well as a ziplock bag and a rubberband around that to make it waterproof.

[Panzershreke]

This is a pretty cool product, I need to go get me some Altoids!

[Jaxathon]

This is a pretty cool product, I need to go get me some Altoids!

lol you dont even have to buy them =P If someone at your place of work has some or you see that someone threw the tin out or something just dive in the can and snag it =) thats about how I acquired my tin =)

[Regulator]

Ok, these B.O.A.T.’s and similar survival kits have peaked my curiosity. I’m having trouble figuring out what they’re for and why they seem to be so popular here. Other than the challenge of getting a lot of cool neat stuff in a little can what value do they have?

I can see where a kit like this could be useful if you were dropped out of a plane with nothing in a remote area, but what are the odds of that? I would think that in most cases people aren’t that far from civilization. And if they were, wouldn’t they have their vehicle, BOB, manpurse, purse, etc? All of which have room to carry the typical BOAT items in larger quantity.

I don’t see myself having to catch a fish, cut down a branch, build a fire, boil a tin full of drinking water, cook my fish and eat it with my sugar packet unless I was literally in a plane crash or something.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all about being prepared for damn near anything. But it seems that I’m always closer to more and better equipment than could be put in a tin.

I guess my question is, when and where do you actually use these?

[PCP]

Its better than nothing. Example? YOur at school and have only your backpack with minimal food, water, and this. Mutant sea tortoises attack and invade the city. You bug out to a patch of woods-drive out and car breaks down-whatever.
Plus you can give them to less prepared people. (:

[Jaxathon]

Ok, these B.O.A.T.’s and similar survival kits have peaked my curiosity. I’m having trouble figuring out what they’re for and why they seem to be so popular here. Other than the challenge of getting a lot of cool neat stuff in a little can what value do they have?

I can see where a kit like this could be useful if you were dropped out of a plane with nothing in a remote area, but what are the odds of that? I would think that in most cases people aren’t that far from civilization. And if they were, wouldn’t they have their vehicle, BOB, manpurse, purse, etc? All of which have room to carry the typical BOAT items in larger quantity.

I don’t see myself having to catch a fish, cut down a branch, build a fire, boil a tin full of drinking water, cook my fish and eat it with my sugar packet unless I was literally in a plane crash or something.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all about being prepared for damn near anything. But it seems that I’m always closer to more and better equipment than could be put in a tin.

I guess my question is, when and where do you actually use these?

Its more or less something that you should have on you by nature. Like putting on a watch or putting your wallet in your pocket. Its something that you will have if you get screwed and or stranded. Because you never know when the unthinkable will happen. For me Im making it for that general purpose as well as out of curiosity which it costs next to nothing to make. As well it is always good to be prepared and to have something on you that will tip the odds in your favor.

What you put in your tin is a matter of preference as well as it would be things that you think you would need. In survival situations the 4 most important things are Water, Fire, Shelter and Food. Your kit should be able to provide all of those things or have ways it can provide these things. The most important parts of your kit will be ways to procure food and water for yourself as well as make a fire and shelter.

Cord, Fire implement, Knife and saw, implements for procuring food and clean water.


This might not have answered your question the best it could be answered.

[Jaxathon]

Its better than nothing. Example? YOur at school and have only your backpack with minimal food, water, and this. Mutant sea tortoises attack and invade the city. You bug out to a patch of woods-drive out and car breaks down-whatever.
Plus you can give them to less prepared people. (:

An excellent example =) though I would hope those tortoises were fast lol or else they would have trouble catching us =P

Also in the senerio if my car broke down I would be pulling it apart looking for more gear I could use. wire and such. You can never go wrong with more snare wire.

[Regulator]

Its better than nothing. Example? YOur at school and have only your backpack with minimal food, water, and this. Mutant sea tortoises attack and invade the city. You bug out to a patch of woods-drive out and car breaks down-whatever.
Plus you can give them to less prepared people. (:

I’m thinking it would be about as useful as nothing in a school environment. In fact you’d probably be expelled for having aspirin or something. But seriously, if you bugged out in your car… Well that’s my point, you should have much more gear in your vehicle. I guess I’d agree on giving them to other people to some extent, but I don’t know that your average Joe would know what to do with it.

jaxathon
My line of thinking is that these little kits might be useful in a true survival situation but not anything that would warrant carrying it around every day. In a rural setting chances are you would have better gear in your vehicle. In an urban setting most of the stuff I see being put in the kits wouldn’t be useful.

In a rural emergency your first thought would be to get help, rescue, back to your real gear, etc. I’d be looking for a cell phone or a big help sign in the window or popping the hood of the car, not going into the woods to survive for a few days. And if I needed to, I have a truck load of real gear.

In an urban emergency I’d be looking to get to safety maybe, to my vehicle, back to my BOB for sure, but I still wouldn’t have much use for snares and fishing hooks. Maybe a water key to open commercial water hydrants or something , but shelter and food would be pretty easy to come by in a city for the short amount of time it would take you to get to your BOB.

I can’t think of a scenario where I would tear my vehicle apart for snare wire as opposed to walking down the road for help. Of course if I needed snare wire, it’s in a bag in the truck.

Not knockin your kits here, I actually have a small kit of survival items with my combat load out. It’s just that that is really the only scenario that I could foresee having to go into true “survival” mode. The other useful items I see here, to me, seem more like EDC items, ie: multi-tool, flash light, lighter. And those don’t require a little tin box.

I’m open to ideas, just can’t quite grasp this one yet.

[GeneralDiscontent]

I’m open to ideas, just can’t quite grasp this one yet.

You're probably over-thinking it a bit - for a lot of the posters, it's more of a creative exercise than anything else. Plus, I think it appeals to the "MacGyver" fan in all of us ("I can walk into the woods with just the items in my pockets and survive for a month!") But I don't think anyone here seriously believes that one of these is all you'll ever need.

As far as the kits being "not anything that would warrant carrying it around every day" - they weigh next to nothing (lots of people here carry around 2,000+ cu. in. backpacks all day long). What difference is one of these going to make?

The appeal for me is that there are a lot of items in these kits that I would consider "essential" - pocket knives, matches, flashlights, bandages, etc. I use LOTS of different bags on a regular basis - camera bag, gym bag, laptop bag, range bag, etc. Instead of carrying my dedicated BOB or GHB everywhere I go, or transferring my gear from bag-to-bag-to-bag every day, I can make up a bunch of these, throw one in each of my bags, and know I've got at least a few bases covered. Plus, there is a lot of stuff (needle & thread, tape, razor blade, etc) that just plain comes in handy quite often, but most people don't happen to carry in their pockets...

[mitunnelrat]

I’m open to ideas, just can’t quite grasp this one yet.

I have real world experience using the contents of my kit. Last spring I took a road trip out to Colorado to help one of my sister's move back to Michigan. She had come home to visit soon after giving birth to my niece and decided to stay. Space was limited, and I could only take one small bag for clothing and my hygiene kit. The only thing I had beyond my current tin contents was a basic first aid kit, some toilet seat covers, and a space blanket. During the course of that trip, my sister said "I wish I had..." several times, by the time we had her house packed in Colorado it was "Do you have..." I provided from that small kit:

550 cord to string up a blanket as a sun shield for the baby.
flashlight
Paper and pen
a small knife
Toilet seat covers

My first aid kit also saw use for Tylenol, Immodium AD (stress is great for digestion I hear), a few bandaids, and a 4" x 4" gauze pad to cover a tattoo one of her husband's friends had placed TP over

There doesn't have to be a catastrophe for me to use a kit. In fact, I prefer to use mine before emergencies so I'm used to using it and can correct any flaws I find.

[Jaxathon]

The main point of it is that you never know whats going to happen until it happens. Its better to be prepared instead of wishing you were prepared. For anyone who builds one of these kits I recommend actually going out and using it Not going out into the deep forest with just this kit but take it with you and see how far you can get with just it. Without touching your main kit other than carrying it.

To me the worst thing you can do is build a kit like this and keep it on you your that scenario where you will actually depend on it greatly. and not have tested it You will end up finding that you left something out or put something in that is a waste of space and never will be used. Be smart about this. Dont put yourself into actual dangers just to test it.

In the nature of being prepare Im setting up a thigh rig this spring that the Idea was sparked for when I go kayaking this summer we are going on a 2 day trip.

Im making a thigh rig just for the idea of a personal carry other than a backpack. Which will contain my BOAT as well as a flashlight, Leatherman Wave, first aid kit, Map and compass, part of a MRE and my survival guide. I dont go on these sort of trips without having it for reference.

[MikeM]

Mine are Fire B.O.A.T.s as they're committed to fire building.
Contents-Fire steel
-piece of hacksaw
-"magic" b-day candles
-parafin coated fire wads (I make these by wrapping a petroleum jelly cotton ball in a paper towel and then dipping the whole thing in melted parafin)
-mini Bic lighter
-matches sealed with clear nail poilish and a piece of skateboard tape on the lid to strike against
-ASP LED mini light (so I can see what I'm doing until that warm and cozy fire is going)

I've got a couple of these built. One is EDC pocket carry, and the other is in my belt order kit that stays with my BOB. For me fire is the thing that makes a survival situation into a "sur-THRIVE-al" situation

[Regulator]

You're probably over-thinking it a bit - for a lot of the posters, it's more of a creative exercise than anything else. Plus, I think it appeals to the "MacGyver" fan in all of us ("I can walk into the woods with just the items in my pockets and survive for a month!") But I don't think anyone here seriously believes that one of these is all you'll ever need.

As far as the kits being "not anything that would warrant carrying it around every day" - they weigh next to nothing (lots of people here carry around 2,000+ cu. in. backpacks all day long). What difference is one of these going to make?

Yeah, you’re right, I am over thinking it. It’s like a puzzle, I just can’t stop until I figure it out, lol. I assumed that these BOAT’s were being made small to be carried around most of the time. It appears that many of them are based on true survival kits and I don’t see the use for much of that in most peoples day to day life. Now I do agree that they don’t take much space and if you can throw one in the bags you usually carry, why not?

I have real world experience using the contents of my kit. Last spring I took a road trip out to Colorado to help one of my sister's move back to Michigan. She had come home to visit soon after giving birth to my niece and decided to stay. Space was limited, and I could only take one small bag for clothing and my hygiene kit. The only thing I had beyond my current tin contents was a basic first aid kit, some toilet seat covers, and a space blanket. During the course of that trip, my sister said "I wish I had..." several times, by the time we had her house packed in Colorado it was "Do you have..." I provided from that small kit:

550 cord to string up a blanket as a sun shield for the baby.
flashlight
Paper and pen
a small knife
Toilet seat covers

My first aid kit also saw use for Tylenol, Immodium AD (stress is great for digestion I hear), a few bandaids, and a 4" x 4" gauze pad to cover a tattoo one of her husband's friends had placed TP over

There doesn't have to be a catastrophe for me to use a kit. In fact, I prefer to use mine before emergencies so I'm used to using it and can correct any flaws I find.

I can see where it would be handy in this instance. Particularly if you weren’t in your own vehicle. With the exception of toilet seat covers, those are all items I either carry all the time or routinely put in my travel bags, although probably in larger quantity

The main point of it is that you never know whats going to happen until it happens. Its better to be prepared instead of wishing you were prepared. For anyone who builds one of these kits I recommend actually going out and using it Not going out into the deep forest with just this kit but take it with you and see how far you can get with just it. Without touching your main kit other than carrying it.

In the nature of being prepare Im setting up a thigh rig this spring that the Idea was sparked for when I go kayaking this summer we are going on a 2 day trip.

Im making a thigh rig just for the idea of a personal carry other than a backpack. Which will contain my BOAT as well as a flashlight, Leatherman Wave, first aid kit, Map and compass, part of a MRE and my survival guide. I dont go on these sort of trips without having it for reference.

I’m prepared for about anything. But you and I differ on one point. If I go into the woods with my main kit, or BOB, I would use those supplies, as my own survival kit is just that, a survival kit in case I find myself in the woods with no other resources. I just don’t carry my survival kit daily because I don’t think I’ll ever have to escape a shopping mall and go fishing in the fountain. As far as the kayaking trip, that is where I would carry a survival kit. There you actually may have the potential of being stranded in a remote environment.


You all have given me something to ponder with this. I still don’t see much need for a BOAT in a rural setting because you should have all kinds of gear at your disposal in your vehicle. I understand if you’re hiking or on a float trip or something it would be good to have a kit like this separate from your main gear. Still, not something you’d do everyday though.
So with that in mind, I am going to challenge myself to come up with an urban BOAT. I can see the possibility of being in town after taking a taxi or something and getting caught in a bad situation with nothing on you except what’s in your pockets. I’ll think on this for a couple days and see what I can come up with.

[PCP]

Fine. Your driving in a truck you borrowed, and it catches on fire. you break out the glass and must leave bob. Truck explodes, falls off cliff, gets desolved by radioactive acid, and gets molested by Michel Jackson similtaniouly. No bob. Only gear in pockets. Happy? Plus i use what's in mine.

[Squirrley]

Just like a GHB or any other of the 'specialized' kits, if you honestly can't see a logical need for you to have one - maybe you don't.

[Ellie With An Axe]

I keep one of these in my car for emergencies. Mine has different things in it, though, more suited to what I'd actually need if I were stranded. Some of the contents I remember off-hand are a few bucks in cash, coins for a pay phone, a calling card (probably need to check that and see if it's any good), a little keychain LED, paper, pencil, and I think some ibuprofen and a bandaid or two. Because most of my car breakdown scenarios involve me being mad and getting a headache, then poking around under the engine and getting my fingers cut up. If I still smoked, I'd also have cigarettes in there.

I used to have one of the other type, with all the woodland survival stuff in it, but it just seemed a little absurd living in the city.

[bltjr1951]

I’m open to ideas, just can’t quite grasp this one yet.

Then quit reading this thread and drive on. Pretty f-ing simple.

For all others, reason to make your own than buy one:

http://www.equipped.org/prsnlkit.htm


And mine is sealed for last ditch stuff. Don't open it just to show off or use everyday.

[Jaxathon]

I’m open to ideas, just can’t quite grasp this one yet.

Then quit reading this thread and drive on. Pretty f-ing simple.

For all others, reason to make your own than buy one:

http://www.equipped.org/prsnlkit.htm


And mine is sealed for last ditch stuff. Don't open it just to show off or use everyday.

The combat one that is based on the one by Lofty Wiseman is not complete :/

I want to make one similar though. Just gotta finda 2oz tin.I also recently Repacked my tin and am looking for a new knife.

[bltjr1951]

Which combat tin? There's two of them.

[Jaxathon]

Which combat tin? There's two of them.

http://www.equipped.org/bcbkit.htm Its not quite complete.

[bltjr1951]

Well then, you should tell Equipped to Survive about it.
They have a "please contact us" link.

BTW, these nice people will send you a sample of their stuff.
Read how in their FAQ section. Got me two nice metal bottles for fuel.

http://www.specialtybottle.com/index.as ... stom&ID=33

[SilentVectorX]

Well then, you should tell Equipped to Survive about it.
They have a "please contact us" link.

BTW, these nice people will send you a sample of their stuff.
Read how in their FAQ section. Got me two nice metal bottles for fuel.

http://www.specialtybottle.com/index.as ... stom&ID=33

We rate this kit as "adequate." It would serve as a good basis for a more complete and capable kit.

EtS didn't make the kit, and they didn't consider it perfectly complete either.

[lukeman1850]

I read through about three pages of these responses, and I've seen some pretty cool ideas. I've heard a lit of talk about wrapping tape around your b.o.t to waterproof it. That could be a good idea, but for me tape never seems to be waterproof after the water hits it, (I also can't afford an altoids case at the moment) so I came up with the idea of using a waterproof case for my iPod. Anyone who's heard of otterbox should guess what in talking about, they are the greatest cases ever until they fuc.. um, mess up your headphones, so ima use my old one for this. I'll post later after I've assembled it.