Putting together a mini or micro survival kit has become almost a rite of passage for preppers. Not unlike the venerable bug-out bag, these pocket-sized collections of gear are often seen as a necessity.
I mean, can you even call yourself prepared if you don’t have an Altoids tin filled with survival supplies in your pocket?
But, despite how common these kits are these days, how effective are they? Are these kits just talismans of safety, or are they truly worthwhile?
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What is a Mini Survival Kit?
When we talk about mini survival kits, we’re referring to kits that are small enough to slip into a pants pocket. Probably the most common versions are DIY projects that are built around an Altoids tin. However, there are any number of different containers you can use.
One of my favorite survival manuals is Build the Perfect Survival Kit (2nd edition) by John D. McCann. In it, he showcases a wide range of kits, including mini survival kits.
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In addition to kits people make on their own, there are several premade kits sold in stores and online that are small and lightweight.
Common Mini Survival Kit Components
A quick Google search will net you hundreds of different write-ups about what you should put into an Altoids tin survival kit. Some of the most common components include:
- Button compass
- Small multi-tool, such as the Gerber Dime
- Water purification tablets
- Whistle
- Lighter
- Cordage, such as Kevlar kite string
A ranger band is often put around the tin, covering the seam between the lid and the bottom. This is to help keep out moisture.
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Purpose of a Mini Survival Kit
A running theme in many lost hiker news stories is where the victim left their base camp to gather firewood or complete some other chore and got turned around, unable to find their way back. They hadn’t taken their pack with them, and thus didn’t have any gear available to them.
The purpose of a mini survival kit is to give you a leg up in a bad situation. If you’ve lost access to your primary gear for some reason, you’ll still have a way to light a fire, signal for help, and all that fun stuff. The kit is specifically designed to be easy to carry, such as in a pants pocket, so you have it with you wherever you go.
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Reality Check
Here’s the biggest problem with mini survival kits. They can lend a false sense of security. Rather than treating them as the Hail Mary backup plan, people will carry only the mini survival kit and think themselves prepared for emergencies. Being successful in a bad situation while armed with only a mini survival kit will require a high degree of skill, as well as a healthy dollop of luck. It’s intended to be a fail-safe, nothing more.
It’s often said that the more you know, the less you carry. While true, it’s worth noting that the reverse is equally true. The less you know, the more you should probably carry.
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