Air Force SERE Operations Personal Survival Kit PSK - From the Manual!!

Air Force SERE Operations Manual Personal Survival Kit PSK contents list. Not shown as part of the contents list is a button compass and insect repellent. This kit is a recommendation to airmen and pilots for the contents of a personal survival kit to keep one the servicemen’s person for the purposes of survival. There are items that can be added and omitted for individual needs, environment, and survival requirements. Enjoy!
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Military Survival Tin:
• Video
Reference:
Air Force SERE Operations Manual Handbook 10-644, Page 270. March 2017
static.e-publishing.af.mil/pr...
Contents List:
Knife or Multitool
Tin Foil
Duct Tape
Snare Wire
Safety Pins
Button Compass (not shown)
Chapstick
Insect Repellent (not shown)
Signaling Mirror
Fish Line
Hooks
Matches
Condom
Water Purification Tablets
Super Glue
Bandaids
Antibiotic Ointment
Needle and Thread
If you're interested in the Victronix Farmer and/or the Metal Tin here is the link through my affiliates page. I do not receive money from your purchase only a commission through the affiliate's program.
Farmer Knife:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Metal Survival Tin:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...

[@musicandcoffee2853]

When he said he’s taking me into Mordor but bringing me back to the Shire I HAD to stay! Well done video 👍🏼

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

Thank you!

[@pyrosmoak53]

@@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft That was an awesome line

[@papasfunnyfarm9703]

62 years old and I've never seen a snare loop made so perfectly, easily and simply! Keep teaching, I'll keep learning.

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

Randy Harper Thank you much!

[@learningcenter4u]

I first saw this technique about 27 yrs ago taught by the late Ron Hood. His training is still some of the best out there.

[@claudeoverstreet8791]

Retired USAF SMSgt who went through survival training back in the late 70s. The Air Force has an outstanding survival program, but I’m disappointed in the personal kit components. Fortunately an individual can upgrade the PSK by adding a ferry rod, small multi tool and/or Swiss Army knife. A plastic ziplock beats a condom for water carry, plus it can be used to irrigate a would or serve as a makeshift glove. Andrew, I love your videos! Keep them coming!

[@canadafree2087]

The military gave you two cargo pockets for a reason. Put your tin in one pocket and a shelter blanket in the other. I like tins because I can make a fire tin, a water tin (has tabs and water bags), etc. and spread them out over various pockets to balance the weight.

[@kellymoulton3792]

Great job as always, Andrew! I've commented on other vids about using a barrier/carrier for a condom water reservoir. I recall one of the very first survival videos I ever saw was an Air Force Pilot Survival Vid done back around the Viet Nam era. One of the things I recall vividly was that the pilot used his flight helmet to carry his condom full of water. Also, specifically looking at Air Crew survival - his parachute was critical to everything he did. In the vid he was using the old peacetime white and orange alternating panel 'chute and eventually that was critical for his signalling efforts to get SAR to rescue him, but it also provided sleeping gear, shelter and all the 550 paracord shroud lines for his needs. So, once again, if you are going to use a condom for water, use something to support and protect it so that it might last longer than a single use - no guarantees but always better to extend your odds. BRAVO ZULU, RANGER!!!! Corpsman out!

[@richardross7219]

Good video. I had to laugh at pinning the orange to your hat. Many years ago we had the boonie caps that had a florescent orange top. That was worn inside normally but when a bird was coming in you flipped it so the door gunners could tell the good guys. Good Luck, Rick

[@richardrogers8254]

Great video. Always efficiency and perfect delivery. Honestly surprised you're not a radio DJ, excellent voice. You're probably the fastest teacher I've ever seen that can actually impart knowledge that's understandable. ❤

[@not1just4words]

How do only have 24k subscribers? These are some of the best survival tips on KZbin!

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

Thank you, I appreciate that!

[@timbaka1480]

Fellow watchers Amazon has about a million different tins - hinged, separate lid and then there's the Best Glide type with the gasket and roller clamps. As someone who has bought a lot of different sizes, I think the best out there for the kit described in this video is "Juvale, Rectangular Tin Box with lid 4.9 x 3.7 x 1.6" It has the same footprint as the most common "survival" tins on the market, but is half an inch taller - basically 30% more capacity, but it still fits in a pocket. However, instead of costing $10 for one, you get six for $10, so you can play around - one for SERE, one for first aid, one for fire starting, one for fishing and snares . . . or make up six SERE kits and hand them out at Christmas, or bachelor parties (yeah, got you thinking about that!). True, they aren't waterproof, but our good host shows you the complex solution to water-tight . . . a strip of electrical tape.

[@pyrosmoak53]

Thanks for the info. I've been looking at a bunch of different tins and haven't settled on one yet. I'll be sure to give this one a shot now.

[@libertyg4402]

Thanks for sharing that information!

[@treerat6959]

Hey ✋ Andrew glad to see a Utuber who actually gets dirty like anyone else who actively trains so many like to flash the kits yet never actually train in using then. I really like that about you

[@goodsamaritansnipersociety3240]

"I'd rather trust a man who works with his hands.." Thank you for the great video.

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

Same here! Thank you!

[@samaritan0053]

Thank you what a great way to start my morning. Loved your breakdown of a standard... standard issue kit. I love how you start with the tree trunk of information and then help us follow the branches for what we're actually going to need. Thanks for everything you do and your time and energy man. Looking forward to the next one Standing by!

[@jh-hx2jg]

god damn, a working man's hands, instead of a guy sitting at home explaining what is needed

[@charlesmckinney]

I really like my Farmer. I carry either a rangergrip78 or a huntsman in my pocket. Had a one hand trekker and fieldmaster but gave them to my gal. When winter hits, the farmer rides on a cord around my neck with a bic lighter, a ferro rod and scraper and a small stick of fat wood. The Farmer X is the farmer with scissors. Since I was a SeaBee and worked with Marines I came to like the two part Marine Corps kit and put one together for myself. It has what the real kit contains but i added a ferro rod, two whirl pak water bags, purification tabs, 50' of para cord and 100' of #36 bank line.

[@JugglesGrenades]

Once I cut my thumb pretty badly with a machete. After I got the bleeding stopped, the edges of the wound were pulled together and sealed with super glue. Next day, I went to the ER.....only for a tetanus booster. The doctor was highly pissed off, because he couldn't suture the wound ( and charge for that service) Needless to say, the wound healed just fine. I am not a medical professional, and am not recommending anyone should use this technique. But.... whatever medical care you do to yourself, is ultimately a personal decision. If it was an emergency, I would pull a bullet out of my body, and cauterize the wound with a piece of rebar heated to red hot. But, then again, I'm a hard core veteran who received my DD214 in 1978. Do the math.

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

Derrell Self I wrestled growing up and used super glue on several cut brows.

[@o0oitzJimmy]

OH DAMN!! We got a badass here everyone!

[@JugglesGrenades]

@@o0oitzJimmy There are examples from the days of sailing ships, where men survived having a limb amputated, and the stump sealed with hot pitch (tar) The most incredible story of survival, was a young doctor who was hiking, when a boulder rolled on his leg.... trapping him miles from help. He made a tourniquet and used a Swiss Army knife to amputate his own leg. He passed out several times, but continued when he regained consciousness. He is alive today. Never give up. Do what you must do to survive. BTW: There is an excellent book, that is carried on ships that have no doctor. It is, " The ships medicine chest and medical aid at sea." Designed for the captain or others to treat injuries and illness until medical help can be obtained.

[@asmith7876]

We had a VERY sick chicken, she would have died, so no more eggs. My wife watched some YT videos about surgery for impacted crops, got the proper tools, did the surgery in our TV room, and put the hen all back together with SUPER GLUE! Hen healed up, back out in the flock, still laying eggs! Now, doing that to me? Probably not!

[@R2BILL2]

Nice video, your bow drilling was awesome

[@udohirschmnn1479]

Hi Ranger, I have a very similar one. Especially the sak Farmer is a vital Part. There is a Small button compass and a few nails added. Instead matches, there is one half of a ferrorod. Just added a fresnel lens for Solar ignition and good for splinters, too. My mirror is a peace of heavy chrome foil with hole in the middle and the fishing hooks are fitted with leaders already. Then I have one half of a glue stick. And the spaces are filled with cotton wool. Last but not least there is a photo of my daughter. The one thing I definitely will add is super glue. As a box I used a ricola goodie tin as an hommage to the sak. It is sealed with a double layer of narrow duct tape and held together with 3 ranger bands from a bike tire. Always keep on trying and learning something new. Your vids def help a lot. Thanks

[@oneprinceofamber1]

Former AF. Loved this video. I might change the knife to the victorinox with a magnifying glass (second ignition source) and get a firefly ferecerium rod to replace the toothpick.

[@BingWatcher]

📢Great advice😁. ➡ Do you know how or where one can obtain that Ferro Rod? 🤔 Thank you!

[@oneprinceofamber1]

@@BingWatcher I ordered mine on Amazon. I searched for firefly swiss army knife ferro rod. It comes in a multiple large and smaller ones. There is a youtube video on them. I think I used the same key word search.

[@BingWatcher]

😁 ➡ Thank you! 🤗

[@alf3553]

Website for the SAK ferro rods. Just got some FireFly & FireAnt for my SAK camper & 79, but have not had a chance to play yet. tortoisegear.com/

[@Jaden48108]

I attended the AF Survival School at Brooks AFB. I chose the Victorinox Camper knife and found it indispensable. Besides the knife blade and saw do you know what the next greatest tool is on the knife? The tweezers. Can't tell you how many times I had to use it.

[@mrwdpkr5851]

FINALLY a swiss army knife with everything I want and not a bunch of fluff . Well done Major ! #2EZ

[@scottengh1175]

Something about rubbing a needle with wool and surface tension in shallow container of water to find magnetic north. Great info.

[@chillywilly3397]

You have the perfect voice for a narrator, announcer, etc.

[@longjohn2155]

I hardly ever set snares, but I'll be using your method when I do from now on. Cheers :-)

[@nilsschenkel7149]

This probably makes the kit too bulky, but a few additions I (and possibly others) would find useful: -replacing the mono fishing line with dyneema multifilament -a fishing hook size 5/0 with ca. two feet of wire leader fixed to it ( you may not be able to catch a big fish with it, but you can use it to gaff for fish, birds, lizards or dropped items) -two hooks size 16 or smaller to catch bait fish (I like to keep them in a small envelope made from a gum wrapper, keeps them tidy and can double as lure material) -if you have chlorine tablets for water purification, keep them in a Greiner tube (scaled sealable measuring cylinder intended for medical labwork, allows you to mix a bootleg Dakine´s solution to clean wounds, and can double as a Hobo reel with your fishing line. it can also hold a good bit of duct tape wrapped on it; alternatively an unexpanded PET bottle) -a sailmakers needle in addition to your standard needle, for heavier repair or as an awl -a space blanket, or at least a strip of one to use as snow goggles -a compass -and since this is a SERE kit, a genuine cork with one end charred (this is the best sticking camo paint ever!). some people also prefer a disposable aluminium baking tray as cooking vessel over standard tin foil, since they´re heavier material.

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

I agree. I added a few of these to my hunting kit. I did include cork for bobbers and for Camo among other things!

[@AldoSchmedack]

awesome ideas! writing a few i didnt have down. love it! w

[@leighrate]

Treat the list as a minimum that anyone, given access to normal resources should be able to put together. Then add to it if you can. The most obvious glaring discrepancy is the lack of a flame extender. Some cotton wool mixed with Vaseline would serve very nicely.

[@jasonbailey9302]

The Air Force survival kit is the SWAG BAG from the Oscars!

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

I don't think it's worth $205k!

[@JohnDoe-do3fm]

This guy gets props for mentioning lord of the rings.

[@EatsTreatsMREs]

Loved that snare method you used. Great video thanks.

[@TheRealJackOfTrades]

I have a kit like that. Now others can make one. Good information presented with excellence

[@concretecowboy4212]

Triple antibiotic ointment is excellent and shld b added 2 more bags & kits

[@wallacekelley9179]

Thanks for the link to the USAF SERE manual!

[@artcianfanojr]

Always great!

[@edwtg59]

Another great video, thanks! Would love to see you build and comment on the Les Stroud version of a survival kit.

[@journeyman7189]

Nice look at the authorized kit. Definitely some good things in there. Nate

[@Anonymous-is1iv]

Holy fucking quality!! Underrated!! Amazing!!

[@m005kennedy]

I like that you have some dirt on you when you do your videos. It adds more credibility.

[@PrepperStateofMind]

Thanks for the demonstration also

[@lesliemckinney8565]

Loved the Middle Earth references

[@thomasnugent3836]

Frodo, I will definitely watch your presentation on an improved military tin to get back to the Shire ! Gandalf has informed me that tin foil was replaced by aluminum foil in the 1930's. But, as always, Outstanding discussion !

[@E-bike652]

Excellent pocket kit! 👊🏻

[@kevinwiens4804]

Andrew Please bring me back to the SHIRE! LOL

[@thomaschainey3230]

Great video thanks ☺️

[@joeylandry4933]

I would pitch the condom unless you’re going to take along a water spigot 🚰 They’re impossible to fill up with water from a stream or standing water. I can’t remember the name but I found a small water filter that fits in my survival tin and can be screwed to a bottle or used like a straw to drink from the water source. Also a small bic lighter will make you the chief of your tribe in an emergency, with the matches as well. I like your choice of knife and have carried one like it in my pocket for 45 plus years. I also have 30-40 dollars cash in my tin for emergencies and have actually had to use it for a meal or hot cup of coffee 😉

[@robman247]

Great 👍 show brother and I give everything in that kit a 👍 up but the fire 🔥 part just one way got to have more then one way at least a spark ⚡️ I have to say it , like Louis Gossett jr said in Officer and a Gentleman, “ Sale it to the Air Force”. Need to have more then one way for 🔥 👍✌️😂

[@shadowscout9872]

Thanks for the education and safe return trip. Do we call you Gandalf ? Lol

[@anthonyconte2018]

You show how to do everything great job

[@mikebsbd]

I believe they also issue a kit as well, just like some of the other branches. Those kits contain a lot more stuff that may or may not be useful to civilians.

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

Mike B They do issue a good kit. I found this list hidden in the manual for recommendations to airmen and pilots.

[@concretecowboy4212]

Thnxs 4 sharing 🇺🇸

[@Jaden48108]

I served in the Air Force for 22 years and had a flying job for 8 of those years. The survival school I went to at Brooks AFB had us make our own kits using our own money and inventiveness to construct them. I would call the AF SERE kit lacking. The instructors gave their opinion also. I'm just repeating what they said.

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

Yeah, this kit was straight out of the manual when I did my research. The only things not included were some bug repellent and a button compass. I made another one that I carried for a long time and built it using the same methodology you describe.

[@cdp200442]

Get a curved sewing needle from hardware store .. works so much better.

[@ivanparavolar]

I've never imagined a profilactic as a water container, but i guess it's a good idea, pilots need them a lot. lol... Also is super a resisstent material, and it can be discarded easily and nobody will know you're a pilot if you eject.

[@jillfitzpatrick1335]

Put your sewing needle in the duct tape sachet with your fish hooks.

[@stephen8433]

Very good information.

[@garrypitts4155]

Watch both your videos on the survival kit I don't know I find the multi-tool I have a just a typical boy scout knife blade can opener bottle opener screwdriver with y'all the all I have filed down or ground down the tip to make it a like a drill bit blade I haven't seen too many needs for a multi-tool with pliers maybe an escaping invasion cutting through fence wire and yes indeed you need three different ways to start a fire just a hunter fisher outdoorsman like your videos good information absolute to the point keep up the good work

[@allanleighton-hc1bc]

Great video, would swap out the matches for a ferro rod. 😊

[@felixcat9318]

The Victorinox Huntsman would be my preference, as it had two blades, scissors, tweezers and other tools that the Farmer doesn't, in addition to those the Farmer does have. Tweezers are particularly useful for extracting splinters, especially metal ones, and the small blade is excellent for medical usage (cutting skin to access splinters). By selecting a slightly larger tin, one can hugely improve the quality and practicality of one's kit, whilst keeping it compact.

[@leighrate]

Point to note that its cheap, and reasonably easy to put together. Not ideal, but minimally adequate.

[@erinhellebuyck7527]

Thank you

[@Jaybird196]

I like, that your fishing toggle has duct on it. One more way, to squeeze more of that stuff in :) .

[@matthewferreira2176]

Awesome

[@tomconway8881]

Good video

[@garyjohnson4608]

We would toss the kit into our rucks along with all the rest of the things we knew we would need and we never had any serious problems by doing that.

[@angryshrub1]

Thanks for the video. Nice to see some dirt on your face. All these other KZbin warriors don’t ever seem to get dirt or soot on them. Keep it real.

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

Thanks 👍

[@steeverinohill2924]

A small container of dental floss is a multi-use convenience worth carrying.

[@mikee2482]

Cool channel.

[@janpetrovicartist555]

BEST...

[@ShihabdeentheCyclist]

Hi I want to know in so many survival videos in survival kits contain match sticks instead of gas lighter

[@Jaybird196]

Probably, because they are simple to use, and have less moving parts. But, yeah, a lighter can be very handy, even if they're the "peanut" type. Just make sure, if you carry a lighter, it's not some cheap piece of junk that'll break after 50 uses.

[@adkmtns5726]

Nice video but not so the kit. Add a small strip of SOLAS tape to the inside of the tin's top and you have a great reflector. A small ferro rod would fit, and the backside of the SAK Farmer makes a great striker. Tinder tabs would fit too.

[@alphapatriot8405]

Nice ember "get er done "

[@rickpollard1853]

I've come to prefer the Victorinox Harvester over the Farmer. The pruning blade is much more functional than the can opener. Ideally I would like to have the pruning blade and can opener and delete the bottle opener and screwdriver blade. FWIW. Good video.

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

Contact the company they can build you one. I saw a person at a show where Victorinox had a table set up and you could put in your knife what you wanted. Don’t know if it is a on going thing or not. Doesn’t hurt to ask.

[@Jaybird196]

Andrew, what would you say distinguishes one military kit like this, from others (example: this vs. the Marine version)? I'm very curious about the potential difference in item selection. Thank you.

[@zirconindustries]

good course.....I like it....🌴😎✈🌵🍍🍉

[@generic53]

You have room for a whistle. There is a Victorinox model the same size as yours but with more tools. Maybe could squeeze in one small, flattened out package of trail mix.

[@simonh6371]

The ones with more tools are not the alox models like this which are more robust - except for the Farmer X which is the same as this plus scissors. Others have files and dinky little pliers but to be honest the one shown here has the essentials for survival and then some.

[@daviddietrich9449]

Nice!! Thanks for posting the link to the handbook. It's nice to have a PDF color copy. I have looked on Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a print copy, and they are out there, but all the color pics are in black and white. I would like to find a good print version on this handbook. As for your kit, how come you didn't put a button compass in it? I glanced at the handbook and that was one of the items. A good one is a hard to find item.

[@andreasnitsch8119]

Its getting dificullt . Between the place i live and the place i stay are 1400 km apart . I cannot Transport everything with me everytime i travel . So a small Part like this is a good thing .

[@bobb1870]

Military manuals such as the Air Force SERE kit requirements are desperately lacking. However, something is better than completley nothing.

[@steveekata7725]

Nexcare bandaids are the best!

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

I heard they stopped making the rubber water proof ones! Those were my favorite!

[@toml.8210]

Those are windproof matches. They flare-up for about 5 seconds.

[@grayman4232]

That little notch on the can opener I was told it was for wire stripping any truth to that ?

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

Correct

[@daveh4864]

Great video. What are they thinking?

[@ShihabdeentheCyclist]

You missed button compass in this kit

[@austinballard2]

The handbook you got this off of is the US Air Force 64-4 Search and Rescue Survival training page 218, right

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

I have the digital version and it’s HB 10-644 page 270.

[@chrisnewport7826]

Good

[@christopherpaul1012]

I have seen a lot of videos of survival kits and not one of them has included a zippo lighter which is my second choice after a knife.

[@Jason-iz6ob]

Well if you’re using an Air Force SERE kit you’ve probably been shot down behind enemy lines. So, having even one fire starting source is probably unnecessary.

[@frikkiesmit2695]

Thats the army hehe. You got matches to make fire... If you dont make it tuff luck..

[@RV_Chef_Life]

Question: I have snare wire in my kit but never thought to precut it. What length do you suggest each snare be? Thanks

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

A foot or more is what I've found works.

[@m005kennedy]

Love your videos. I like how you show the components working. But...cache is pronounced just like cash. Pronouncing it cash ay means a sort of dancing movement . A lot of people pronounce it wrong even on TV.

[@Jaybird196]

A cache of cashews ;) ? And, yes, thank you, for this.

[@irfanahmed9112]

How much length of snare wire?u did nt impart

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

~80 feet or so. I prefer to have at least 6 or more snares cut from wire to lengths of 12-14”.

[@JustInCases72]

Seen safety pins used to close a wound

[@willbedone888]

👍

[@clydesdale1981]

Why does the government still include/recommend matches? I would much rather have a Bic lighter. They're cheap light weight and can light hundreds of fires. Does anyone know of a good reason not to include a butane lighter?

[@thebear6751]

Good thing it was dry rhere easy start fire

[@jeffstrong8280]

I wondered what the Air Force used. Think they could splurge a bit. Is that what the pilots carry?

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

It’s what is recommended in the SERE ops manual in addition to a larger crew kit

[@spyfiction4]

their sere kit is just like the wazoo cashe kit. if you get a chance let me know. i carry a adventure kit in my belt. I use a 5ive star belt. I forgot the name. I will get back to you on that.

[@kevinbelport4926]

I always thought AirForce survival kit was a Govt Credit Card and a rental car

[@daleweller5193]

Is there anything for sanitation?

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

The only things in the manual were basic items. The intent is to have a larger crew kit as part of an aircraft crew.

[@ShihabdeentheCyclist]

Demonstrate a video using this kit

[@withoutfurtheradoforever]

What gauge is the snare wire?

[@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft]

24

[@withoutfurtheradoforever]

@@RangerSurvivalandFieldCraft Thanks, Bro! Learning a ton from your vids.👍

[@rtoguidver3651]

I had to qualify every year w/ Search and Rescue, if I presented a survival kit that inadequate I would have failed. How can this be Air Force SERE ???

[@jasonmashburn1280]

So I had a crazy thought watching some videos today, how about a balloon instead of a condom?