Thursday, August 16, 2012

DIY Survival Gear - Building a Survival Kit - Part One - The Container


Survival Kit Container_Closed View


Building a quality survival kit can be a definite challenge for even the most experienced survivalist. This will be a step by step tutorial of how to build a survival kit. You will always want to include as much gear as possible to increase your chances for survival but you will also want to keep the size and weight to a minimum. This will give you a wider range of carry options and still allow you to carry more than enough gear to help you survive.




Survival Kit Container_Open View


This is not going to be the cheapest survival kit ever built but it will be a good one. All the items used in this survival kit will be available at your local big box store at a very reasonable price.

So let’s get started.

The first item you will need is your survival kit container. It should hold all your gear items safely and in a manner that will protect your gear from the elements. It should also allow you a variety of carry options.

The largest container that would fit in the front pocket of my jeans was chosen for this project. It is a Plano Waterproof Stowaway Tackle Box Model # 3440 and its dimensions are 7.38 in. x 4.5 in. x 1.75in. (LxWxH). This container is waterproof, weighs in at approximately 5 ounces, has a secure latching mechanism, allows a clear view of the contents and costs less than $5.00 at your local big box store. This container will hold our survival gear.

At the end of this tutorial, the completed survival kit will be given away in a random drawing to one of my readers. To be eligible to win this survival kit, you will only need to leave a comment on each survival kit post.

The next installment will be:



Got DIY Survival Kit?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker


26 comments:

Ed said...

I've got one of those Plano boxes too. Impulse purchase at Walmart -- so cheap, why not? I love it. It's big enough for my Android phone and my camera, it's waterproof and (reasonably) crushproof. It's no Pelican case, but at a small fraction of the cost, what the heck.

There are sort of finlike protrusions near the hinges on the back; I made holes in those with a soldering iron, so I can put a loop of paracord on it and cow-hitch it to the thwart on my canoe, a belt loop, whatever. Could do the same with a drill but my guess is melting the hole would stress the plastic less than drilling a hole the same size.

Of course, you could drill a much smaller hole and use thinner cord, wire, whatever.

Anyway, glad to see I'm not the only one who spotted that box.

Anonymous said...


Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?

Scott said...

This is just the kind of series I've been waiting for!

Anonymous said...

This is great.
I carry a mini-kit in a mini athoids can at all times.
MdKnighthawk

riverwalker said...

To: Ed

RW, Jr. put me on to these great little boxes...sturdy, waterproof and lightweight. This makes them ideal for storing a lot of different items.

I may try to incorporate your suggestion into the current survival kit build.

It's a great idea.


Thanks Ed.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: anon 9:18

Feel free to share the post.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: Scott

Just stay tuned for the rest of the installments...

Thanks.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: MdKnighthawk

I normally carry most of my EDC on a pocket key chain.

This eliminates my need for an additional mini-kit in my case.

Thanks MdKnighthawk.

RW

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great start. The clear top surely does help you stay organized. I've had a Plano fishing tackle box for over 30 years now and its still going strong - good stuff!

My personal limitation in case carry size is what fits a military M65 chest pocket - anything bigger that needs a case of its own gets to be a hassle and it gets left behind. I used to carry a fanny pack, but it became trouble to use with a belt holster - so it had to go. Otherwise, had lots to recommend it.

Thanks Riverwalker.

riverwalker said...

To: anon 6:03

I wanted the maximum size possible but still be good for pocket carry. This case will also fit easily in a glove compartment, a vehicle console, BDU pocket, a GHB or BOB.

With a small gear mod, it will be even easier to carry.

The clear case just makes it easier to check the gear on a regular basis...something that isn't always done.

Thanks anon.

RW

PrepperTraining said...

Hey RW,

Glad to see this thread. I'm looking forward to more.

riverwalker said...

To: Prepper Training

I'm hoping to put together a good series of articles on how to make a well made survival kit that is as weather-proof as possible.

Thanks.

RW

Ken said...

...good start, got a couple of those boxes with(egads!)tackle in them...may need to rearrange(then again, if i win it i won't have to...lol)

riverwalker said...

To; Ken

I have a few but keep ammo in them. They hold a decent number of rounds and the box keeps the moisture out.

Might have to try putting some fishing gear in one...think that might work? lol

Thanks Ken.

RW

JaMee said...

THANK you so much for the time and effort you've put into this series. I really appreciate the photos and specifics....

Unknown said...

Made a wishlist of the items so far on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&id=1V36GH2VNNEYA&type=wishlist

Jenna Bird said...

This is similar in size to some fairly nice kitchenware I already have - the latching lid, a rubberized seal around the lip, and just slightly deeper. Of course, I like the case Ed is talking about, with the fins to which a strap could be attached.

Looking forward to reading the rest of these (and more).

JaMee said...

Found the last Plano case at Walmart yesterday...no stickers or price. I didn't have time to get someone to track it down, so I wasn't able to get it. : (

I'll try again soon...

Addie said...

I have several of those, each kid has one with their own fishing lures.. might have to get more..

Melissa said...

Awesome kit

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the step by step instructions!

riverwalker said...

These are awesome little containers.

They probably would work pretty good for fishing tackle...lol

RW

ARC said...

Is this kit still available to one lucky reader?

Unknown said...

Where I used to work, we had a camera used for displays and such (it was a large department store). Someone dropped it from height one day, and it was good for nothing but the trash. I kept the case, which has a belt loop, and is water-proof. I don't keep a camera in it, but my EDC.

Ana said...

I was going to ask where I can get one but that has been answered. I am wondering about the size though. Women's pockets seem to be smaller so do they sell them in a smaller size and would everything still fit in it?

MacTx53 said...

Well smack me on the forehead. I've got one in my tackle box with spinners in it...and my little rusty beat up, altoids emergency kit. Never thought of using it for the survival kit. Enjoy your reviews, good job.

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