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Adventure Medical Pocket Survival Kit
Field Report - May 16, 2006
Contents
Reviewer Information [return to top]
Name: Chuck Kime
Nickname: Fuzzy
Age: 39
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 8" (1.72 m)
Weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
Email address: chuck_kime AT yahoo DOT com
City, State, Country: Upper Darby (Philadelphia suburb), PA, U.S.A.
Date: May 16, 2006
Backpacking Background [return to top]
My family started car/trailer camping when I was about 5. After 17 years in the Army Reserve fine-tuning my packing methodology I was down to a fairly respectable 75-80 lb (34-36 kg) load in my ALICE pack. Advancing age, arthritic knees and injuries have led me to seriously rethink my gear choices, experiment with tarps and hammocks, make some of my own gear, and look closer at my ‘toys’ with an eye for multi-use and light weight. I now have a sub-30 lb (14 kg) 3-season load, and should be able to reduce it well under 20 lb (9 kg) – before food, fuel and water – without much more effort.
Additional Information applicable to this test
I am both a Boy Scout leader and a Licensed Practical Nurse. My wife, also a registered Scout leader, has been a Paramedic for over 20 years, including Search And Rescue work for 10 years in mid-west tornado country. We’ve both been through more than a few drills.
Product Information [return to top]
Manufacturer: Adventure Medical
Model: Pocket Survival Kit
Year of Manufacture: 2005
URL: http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com
Listed weight: 3.9 oz (111 g)
Measured weight: 3.9 oz (111 g), scale accurate to 0.1 oz
Color: Clear/Multi
MSRP: $27.50 US
Features/claims (from web site) [return to top]
- SIGNALING
- Rescue Howler™
Developed exclusively for the Pocket Survival Pak™ by Fox 40® this new, ultra-light whistle is extremely loud. Exceeds SOLAS and U.S. Coast Guard specifications, triple-frequency with lanyard hole.
- Rescue Flash™ Signal Mirror
Developed by Adventure® Medical Kits exclusively for the Pocket Survival Pak™. Visible over 20 miles, durable LEXAN® polycarbonate mirror with mil-spec retro-reflective aiming aid for one-handed use.
- DIRECTION
- 20mm Survival Compass
Accurate, liquid damped, fast acting needle, with groove to accept an improvised lanyard ring.
- WARMTH
- Spark-Lite™ Firestarter
Spark-Lite™ is a waterproof official military firestarter, useable one-handed and tested for over 1,000 sparks.
- Tinder-Quik™
Tinder-Quik™ is waterproof and burns for 2-3 minutes giving you plenty of time to light a fire.
- WATERPROOF SURVIVAL INSTRUCTIONS
- Includes detailed, easy to understand, practical information on: setting a plan of action; building shelter; starting fires; obtaining water and food; distress signaling; travel; and how to use the items in this kit to save your life. Includes 33 illustrations!
- AND MUCH MORE! - VERSATILE and ROBUST multipurpose components allow you to improvise what you need to survive.
- Duct Tape [2" x 26"] - repairs, first aid, the ultimate repair and improvisation component, limited
- Scalpel Blade [#22] - stainless steel, sealed in foil; more functional than a razor blade
- Stainless Steel Utility Wire [6 ft. of 0.020"] - mil-spec grade, stronger than brass
- Fresnel Lens Magnifier [2" x 3"] - read small print, especially if glasses lost; start fires using the sun
- Heavy Duty Nylon Thread [50 ft.] - repairs, fishing line, and much more
- Braided Nylon Cord [10 ft., 150 lb. test] - shelter building, repairs, and much more; won't unravel
- Fish Hooks [4], Sinkers [2] and Snap Swivel - use with heavy duty nylon thread to fish
- Heavy Duty Sewing Needle - will penetrate heavy materials; large eye for easy threading
- Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil [3 sq. ft.] - form container to boil water, cook, reflect fire heat and much more
- Safety Pins #3-2" [4] - expedient repairs, secure gear to prevent loss and much more
- Pencil and Waterproof Note Paper [2 pcs.] - leave notes, memory aid, keep log
- Contents List - visible through back of kit so anyone can see what is inside even if owner can no longer assist; annotated with suggestions for use, compliments Survival Instructions.
Description [return to top]
The Pocket Survival Pak (PSP) is a small re-sealable vinyl pouch that fits easily in pockets – at least, in mine. It has most anything one might want in an emergency situation. For a complete description of all components, with dimensions, please see my Initial Report.
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Field Testing [return to top]
Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly, generally in the wooded areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. Almost all of these outings include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 40 ºF (4 ºC) to highs around 90 ºF (32 ºC) during the remainder of the 4-month test period. Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 1,500’ (457 m). Our new Scoutmaster has added monthly hikes to our schedule as well. My wife and I, who between us have 3 First Class boy scouts (ages 14, 15 and 16), are also looking into additional camping without the scouts, and there are possibilities of some AT section hikes (two down – many to go!) in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with my son as he works towards the Hiking Merit Badge.
My son has begun working on the Hiking Merit Badge, which requires the completion of five 10-mile (16 km) hikes and one 20-mile (32 km) hike, and needs a buddy to accompany him on these hikes (i.e. me). These hikes, only two of which have been done so far, will likely be done at relatively low elevations in southeastern Pennsylvania, with a possibility of doing a short section of the Appalachian Trail (in Pennsylvania) for the 20-miler.
The pak fits wonderfully in even the smallest pockets I have tried it in, although I haven’t tried the sleeve pocket on my DuoFold jacket – it’s more for ID. I have put it in my back pocket and forgotten it was there, until a situation occurred where I was able to test an item. As such, I have been trying out the different pieces in the pak. Results are listed below.
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Rescue Howler™
Quite piercing. Not much effort to get lots of attention.
Rescue Flash™ Signal Mirror
I found the instructions straightforward and easy to follow. I will try to set up a simulated test to see if I can really signal someone.
20mm Survival Compass
Matches the readings given by my military-issue lensatic compass.
Spark-Lite™ Firestarter
I have not managed to consistently get it to spark, but can eventually make it work. Maybe I need to practice more.
Tinder-Quik™
Wow!! One spark lit this stuff right up. I had pre-built a small twig pile during an after-lunch break at our spring camporee, and managed to use the Tinder-Quik and the Spark-Lite to build a self-sustaining fire in less than 5 minutes that burned more than enough time to gather additional fuel.
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Waterproof Survival Instructions
Good instructions, well presented.
Duct Tape
The universal tool box. No further explanations needed.
Scalpel Blade
Sealed in a sterile package. My personal experience with scalpel blades tells me it is sharper than any knife I carry. I intend to keep it sealed and sterile until I actually need it, as I carry plenty of sharp edges with me.
Fresnel Lens Magnifier
Made it easier to read small print, or see details of small plants and insects.
Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
I managed to make a water dish, which I used to put out the fire mentioned above, after using it as a windbreak to help get the fire started.
Contents List
Well, it’s been said that the memory is the second thing to go (I can’t seem to remember what the first is). It’s nice to have a list to help out.
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Things I am/will be looking for:
- Completeness. Does the kit have everything a person (or small group) might need for the environment(s) in which I hike/camp?
- Instructions. Are there sufficient instructions for novice users?
- Protection. Is the kit waterproof? Are the sterile items able to remain sterile? Are crushable items protected?
- Packability. Is it easy to carry?
- Usability. Is it easy to find what is needed? Are the sections labeled well? Do the item groupings make sense?
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My findings so far:
- Completeness. I may add in a small quantity of medications, although mostly personal meds, as any decent first aid kit will have pain meds. I will likely also be adding a small, button-battery LED light.
- Instructions. I have spent many years in the field, with varying amounts of support and supplies available, so some of the instructions seem second nature to me. However, they are – in my opinion – written on such a level to be used effectively by most.
- Protection. It seems waterproof. The only component I think could be easily damaged in my pocket (likely my thigh cargo pocket, or back pocket) is the compass, but I will pack it with the lens to the inside.
- Packability. It is truly pocket-sized. I almost forget it’s there.
- Usability. All the flat items are in the back, everything else is individually visible from the front.
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Things I like [return to top]
- Light.
- Comprehensive.
- Well thought out.
Things I don't like [return to top]
- None yet.
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Thank you for your time.
Chuck Kime
a.k.a. Fuzzy
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