• 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.

Arrival [return to top] The Pak arrived on March 6, 2006, in Standard retail packaging, about 7 in wide x 7¾ in high (18 cm x 20 cm). The 7 in high x 6½ in wide (18 cm x 17 cm) backing card in the package folds out to reveal 2 pages of additional survival tips from the Pak’s designer. A letter-size folder with 2 pages of additional marketing information was included. There were no other contents, and all contents appeared undamaged.

Description [return to top] The Pocket Survival Pak (PSP) is a small re-sealable vinyl pouch, about 5 x 4½ in (13 x 11 cm), and can easily be folded to about 5 x 3¾ in (13 x 9 cm). It is under 1 in (about 2 cm) thick, and contains a great many small – but useful – items, listed below. As the overall weight of the pak is just 3.9 oz (111 g), I do not have an accurate enough scale to weigh the individual components.

Rescue Howler™ A bright yellow, pea-less 3-tone plastic whistle, about 2 x 1 x 3/8 in (5 x 2.5 x 1 cm). Quite piercing. Rescue Flash™ Signal Mirror One-sided mirror about 3 x 2 in (7.5 x 5 cm). Instructions printed on back. Has lanyard hole. In re-sealable plastic sleeve.

20mm Survival Compass Self-explanatory. Spark-Lite™ Firestarter One-handed orange sparker, about 2¼ in (5.5 cm) long. Tinder-Quik™ Four small coated bundles of cotton, each about 3/8 x 1 in long (1 x 3 cm). In re-sealable plastic sleeve.

Waterproof Survival Instructions A fan-folded single sheet 5 panels wide, each 4¾ in high x 2¼ wide (12 x 6 cm), includes information on shelter, fires, food & water, signaling, and how to use the items in this kit. Printed on both sides (10 pages total). Illustrated. Duct Tape A 26 in (66 cm) length, 2 in (5 cm) wide, rolled to 5/8 in (1.5 cm) diameter. Scalpel Blade Self-explanatory. I don’t intend to open the blade unless I need it. May be seen in manufacturer photo at top.

Stainless Steel Utility Wire A small coil, reportedly 6 ft (1.8 m) long. Fresnel Lens Magnifier Flat plastic rectangle, about 3 3/8 x 2 in (8 x 5 cm), with a magnifying area about 3 x 1 5/8 in (7.5 x 4 cm). In a clear plastic sleeve. Heavy Duty Nylon Thread A small spool of black thread.

Braided Nylon Cord White nylon cord, about 1/16 in (1 mm) wide. Fish Hooks [4], Sinkers [2] and Snap Swivel Used with heavy duty nylon thread to fish. In clear plastic case about 5/8 x 2 in long (1.5 x 5 cm). Heavy Duty Sewing Needle About 1¾ in (4 cm) long. In case with fishing gear. Safety Pins [4] About 1¾ in (4 cm) long. In case with fishing gear. Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil One piece, about 18 x 24 in (45 x 60 cm), folded to about 4½ x 3 in (11 x 8 cm).

Pencil and Waterproof Note Paper Pencil about 3½ in (9 cm) long, has been sharpened to a taper, but almost no point to the lead. Two sheets of paper, about 3½ x 2¼ in (8 x 6 cm). Contents List Single sheet, about 3½ x 2¼ in (8 x 6 cm). Printed on one side. Read from the back of the pak.

First Impressions [return to top] The pak has an amazing amount of useful little bits in a very compact package. Someone who knows what they are doing designed this.

Field Information [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 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. Critical to testing is my definition of what is necessary for a survival kit. I do not feel it is necessary to carry large quantities of some items – if I need that many/much of something, I/we should be headin’ for the trailhead and civilization. Ideally, I will never need the Pak. If I need it, however, it should be up to the task.

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?

My findings so far: Protection. It seems waterproof. The only component I think could be easily damaged in my pocket (likely my thigh cargo pocket) is the compass, but I will pack it with the lens to the inside. Packability. It is truly pocket-sized. Usability. All the flat items are in the back, everything else is individually visible from the front.

Things I like [return to top] Light. Comprehensive. Well thought out. Things I don't like [return to top] None yet.

Thank you for your time. Chuck Kime a.k.a. Fuzzy

Reviews > Health & Safety > Emergency and Survival Gear > Adventure Medical Pocket Survival Pak > Chuck Kime > Initial Report