Building a DIY Survival Kit as a Beginner | WHY are We Doing This?

After experiencing some potentially dangerous situations out on the hiking trails and being stuck in the middle of a hurricane, Chris decided to go all Survivorman and build his own personal survival kit from scratch. Is this a midlife crisis?
Watch this unboxing of a belt knife, compass, billy pot, multi-tool, fire starting implements and more to see what made the list and what he considered to be the essentials for a beginner survival kit. If you’re looking for a survival kit DIY so you can build your own and wondering what gear should go in a survival kit (or maybe see what a survival skills beginner thinks is best), this might be the review for you.
-PERSONAL SURVIVAL KIT ITEMS FEATURED IN THE VIDEO-
• ESEE Laser Strike Belt Knife: amzn.to/3XIE4uN
• LEATHERMAN Charge Plus G10 Multi-tool: amzn.to/3RkUibq
• SUUNTO MC-2 Mirror Compass: amzn.to/3HAP7Rc
• Zebra Loop Handle Pot: amzn.to/3wzEqZ5
• Ultra Bright Mini LED Keychain Flashlight: amzn.to/3HdZY23
• Fox 40 Sonik Blast Whistle: amzn.to/4095hZm
• Butane Torch Lighter: amzn.to/3ReW3Xl
• Magnesium Flint Stick Fire Starter: amzn.to/3HiKhGW
• TinderQuik Firestarting Tabs: amzn.to/3jjz3dc
• Emergency Mylar Space Blanket: amzn.to/3WJW7j2
• Orange Garbage Bags: amzn.to/3Y5Hvfa
• Survive!: Essential Skills and Tactics to Get You Out of Anywhere by Les Stroud amzn.to/3WGYa7v
Watch our Crossville Tennessee Waterfalls Video: • Chasing Waterfalls in ...
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:13 Why We're Building a Survival Kit
04:29 What We're Putting in the Kit
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-ABOUT US- We’re Chris and Cathryn, a happily married couple of 40-somethings and we are thrilled that you've found your way here. Join us for road trips, vacations, midlife adventures, musings and, of course, all things Las Vegas. Be sure to subscribe and join us on the ride!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

We Made a DIY Car Survival Kit | Our Emergency Preparedness Journey Continues kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHLImWCrfL96qa8 Thanks for watching!

[@susanp.collins7834]

All the stuff from my EDC I already had lying around. Even the container. My EDC holds over 100 items and its just a large make-up case with 2 zippered compartments. Works perfectly.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

100 items in an EDC is impressive. I’d be curious to see the list of the items! Thanks for watching and for the comment!

[@susanp.collins7834]

@@TheMidlifeRide Sure, here goes. Small scissors, twissors, traditional tweezers, nail clippers, 2 medium brass picture hooks, 2 large keyrings, 1 small binder clip, 1 small crocodile clip, 1 large paper clip, one 5cm paper clip for the end of my gaffer tape, gaffer tape on an old bank card, black sewing thread, white sewing thread, fishing line, 6 pins, 2 needles, 2 small fishooks, 3 buttons, small sponge (about 4 x 4cm), tiny mirror in case, tiny Vaseline, tiny Mylocort (cortisone based anti-itch cream), 2 tiny packets of cotton pads cut in half, 7 cotton buds, 4 individually wrapped antibacterial wet wipes, 2 x Buscopan (stomach ache pills), 6 x sodium dicolofenac (voltaren - for muscle pain) 8 x paracetamol, 2 large plasters, 2 medium plasters, 1 tiny container shampoo for hand/face washing, 1 disposable lighter, 2 birthday candles, tiny pen, 4 self-adhesive labels to write messages on, foldable fire pit, foldable cook pan, sheet of aluminium foil, card with 5.5m of THICK waxed string, SAK Pioneer with awl, bottle opener, can opener, blade, narrow screwdriver, broad screwdriver, wire-stripper, toothbrush, 4 × toothpaste tabs, comb, tiny container of lipstick, lipstick brush in straw, 4 x cable ties, 4 short nails, 5 x waxed cardboard strips that burn over a minute each (from 2l waxed cardboard milk cartons), phone with torch app (my old phone, a Samsung Galaxy 4 mini) spare charged battery, a sachet of Rehidrat, (ORT) an empty 300ml juice bottle with a titty mouthpiece to dissolve it in, a tiny towel which wraps around the whole kit with two elastic bands, a paper coffee filter. That's it. The juice bottle just lies at the bottom of my handbag, everything else is in the kit. I must get some matches I think... Also some wound sterilizing cream. At our pharmacy you can get TINY little containers of Vaseline. Tiny! Novelties, really. Emptied and washed they make great containers for cream style meds and such. And the whole thing looks like a large fat sweet potato but drops into the bottom of my handbag easy. Weighs just 500gms. Came in useful last week when I spent the night in hospital. Toiletries really make you feel better!

[@MarkelBeverley]

These are the type of couples that go missing

[@humansustainability]

this was really cute. welcome to prepping! the rabbit hole is deep.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks! And yes, I've gone way down that rabbit hole (more videos on the way)!

[@humansustainability]

@@TheMidlifeRide Get used to the rabbit holes! I've got an INCH and EDC vid on my channel that you may give you some ideas or expose gaps you may have. They are in playlist 23 if you're interested. Stay safe and keep prepping!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@humansustainability We'll check them out...thanks!

[@humansustainability]

@@TheMidlifeRide Great, I'm interested to see if they help you out! 😁

[@LasVegasandBeyond]

I totally agree with having a Survival Kit in a Go Bag! Really enjoyed this video 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks, Alan! There will be more on the topic, Chris is super obsessed with this right now. Lol!

[@BackPack-Chef]

Some items you could consider adding: 1. medical kit, a basic and small one. If you working with fire & knife injuries could happen 2. some tape. It's good for repairing anything, also flameable 3. a dry bag. You know what for :) 4. and what i would most definetely add: water purification system. For survival you most need fire, shelter and water. Sawyer of Lifestraw has some good products. Believe me if you are out in the woods and it's hot outside, looking for water source, boiling it and even wait until it cools down is a painful process when you are really thirsty. Shout me if you need more help on that. Hope it helps.

[@mijotorrez]

Awesome blade choice…almost in the same boat…just getting my kit put together!!!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Nice! Yeah, I really like the ESEE. It has taken some practice to get used to it, but it's definitely a solid blade.

[@krayzrebel1017]

One quick note. Depends on where you are, the orange can blend into the background. Think Virginia during the fall. Coming from the hills, I think blue color would be better if you're looking to stand-out.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for the suggestion and for watching!

[@ronaldeveritt4294]

If it was me I’d add a small sharpening stone, a good poncho , Bankline instead of paracord, another knife ( mora or bps), good folding saw, water purification tablets and water straw, stainless water bottle with nesting cup(2 one for each) headlamp and a good quality flashlight, extra batteries, a good ferro rod, waterproof matches, cpl bic or cricket lighters, some more fire tinders( I carry 3-4 different types) some instant coffee or tea (nice moral boost) a first aid kit. One thing I highly recommend is going out and practice honing your skills.

[@rephaelrechitzky9763]

Great idea and very smart indeed! Thank you for sharing this important issue many of us choose not to think about.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I'm glad Chris is thinking about these things so that I don't have to :)

[@Maurice419]

Welcome to the Survival/Bushcraft world! Nice video, good choice of tools!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks! I'm definitely still in the "you don't know what you don't know" stage, but I'm addicted to learning more and practicing the skills. Thanks for watching and for the comment!

[@pflugervillebushcraft8149]

Some kind of metal water bottle you can carry with you or a canteen in a belt pouch with a canteen cup. The pot is great but you can’t seal the lid well to carry water in.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Great suggestion, and it's on our wishlist for the next round of additions. Thanks for the comment and for watching!

[@vegastocali]

I'm here for this🙏✨️👍Thanks

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching, Stef!

[@gordontyree4308]

Really enjoyed your video! Welcome to the world of prepping! My only “beef” if you want to call it that, is you are very light on the medical side of things. At the least a small boo boo type kit could be a life saver! Thanks! I subbed and look forward to future vids!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks so much! It certainly is a rabbit hole, isn't it? We do have a small first aid kit for minor things, and we're working on building a trauma kit/IFAK for both us and our dog. Next up on the video list is testing the magnesium flint striker to start a fire using an elevator fire lay-the video should be out within the next couple of weeks!

[@vegastocali]

Great tips, thanks MLR🤗✨️🥰

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Chris’ new obsession. Ugh. Lol!

[@frontiertina]

Chris, I’m with you … the survival kit is not complete without the whiskey 😂! 🥃 Pack it! Cathryn will thank you later 🤣! Great job!!! 👍👍👍👍

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Tina, I swear, I said, isn't alcohol useful if you get injured and stuff? I've seen Jack use the little bottles from the airplane on Lost :)

[@frontiertina]

@@TheMidlifeRide 👍🥃😂😂

[@EgonSmithBushcraftSurvival]

Awesome job practice with your new kit keep up the good work

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks! There's PLENTY of practice going on. We'll have a fire starting video coming out soon as we test the magnesium flint stick!

[@christinebuckingham2480]

Make sure to check any local laws for carrying a knife on your person in public, most places do not allow the carry of a knife more than 4". It may be fine at a remote campsite but not legal in public.

[@jongrubka7169]

Test and use everything. I have had to replace some of me items such as my wire saw.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

That’s some excellent advice. Knowing the quality and limits of the items in a survival kit (and how to use them) is key.

[@jessic3195]

As you know Dave and i live in Colorado Dave is a hunter and fisherman , you have everything that we have in a backpack in the back of both trucks. We also have a gallon bag of cat litter just in case we get stuck in the snow.. Love this vlog

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks, Jessi! This was just the personal survival kit and he's planning to do a home one and a vehicle one. Oh, boy! The cat litter is a good idea :)

[@cruiser122s.d.8]

Great video!!! I really do suggest that your wife have a survival kit, too. If anything ever happens and you guys are/have to be separated, then you both have means to survive. Every person in my family has their own survival kit & bugout bag/go bag.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for the comment and for watching! We have multiple kits now built out from personal to vehicle, and are working on IFAKs not only for us but also for our new dog. I am curious though: do you have a bag that you recommend?

[@TheZoomoftheWell]

and reconsider the bunker!

[@johnbelmore1178]

Getting rid of the tinderquicks and adding cotton balls with Vaseline is a good idea they're very light and burn hot for a few minutes

[@212caboose]

Orange is highly visible... Until the fall, where it blends in with the changing leaves.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I hear ya. And we’ll adjust accordingly, but we’re good for 75% of the year with the orange. Thanks for the reminder!

[@richardpeacock3543]

Totally off subject of the video, but it was cool running into you guys at Cosmo in December!!!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Well hello there, Peacock! Thanks for dropping by. Say hi to Brooke for us :)

[@LasVegasandBeyond]

I think we need you two need to go travel with The Frontiersman and Tina, and test it all out

[@TheMidlifeRide]

That's a great idea, actually. Chris just asked me if I would do an overnight outside and I really can't wrap my mind around that. Maybe I'd feel more comfortable with a group.

[@randyyeager]

Tarp (cover), saw, axe Cutting tools, headlamp, real flashlight, sleeping bag, stainless steel bottle for purifying and carrying water.

[@justintrimpey8862]

Great job on the video

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching!

[@justintrimpey8862]

@@TheMidlifeRide you're very welcome

[@TheZoomoftheWell]

The pre-made kits remind me of toy sets when I was a kid. Like the spy kid sets. or Rambo toy sets.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Agreed. The IFAK kits hit a little closer to the mark, but I even went DIY on that route too.

[@VegasBestIdeas]

There's more to life than Vegas?! 🤷😉😆 Definitely some good info & stuff to have 👍You guys are all prepared to come visit us in Sask in the middle of nowhere here and the freezing cold (it's minus 43 tonight) 😘❄️

[@Vegas.777]

-43 yikes I would never get out of my warm bed

[@TheMidlifeRide]

We love you guys, but we'll pass on the freezing cold weather :) And, yeah. I warned Chris that there would be some outrage about that comment!

[@VegasBestIdeas]

@@TheMidlifeRide lol agreed don't ever visit us in the winter, but you should try to one summer, it's actually really beautiful and nice here then 😘💙

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@VegasBestIdeas I’m pretty sure Chris is going to Canada this year for work and I did check with him to see if I could tag along and visit you, but he’ll be crazy far away from where you live. Toronto, I think.

[@VegasBestIdeas]

@@TheMidlifeRide oh darn, yes Toronto is father away from us than Vegas is! 😉

[@KiaBelle]

Lol, you've found trouble, Chris! 🤣 aww no whiskey, maybe some wine, Cathryn! I believe this is a great video.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks, Kia-Belle! Definitely NOT wine, it makes me so thirsty. I think some vodka would be fine, though :)

[@KiaBelle]

@@TheMidlifeRide lol yes to the vodka!!!!

[@THEBLACKANARCHIST]

Lmao i don't think anyone would mistake you as a crip or a blood😂😂😂😂😂

[@LasVegasandBeyond]

Wait!?! There’s more to Life than Vegas?😂 Nice Crocodile Dundee imitation

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I absolutely cringed when he said that. I bet we lose at least 200 subscribers. I like the imitation, too. Might have to find him a little costume and test the waters. Lol!

[@thumperthumper5322]

Need to add a headlamps.. A Shamogh and a buff .one for each of you

[@jaymanning1405]

Put some reflective tape on the back of the mirror.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Good idea!

[@FrontiersmanAdventures]

I love this video already! less than 2 minutes in! I love hiking, and traveling, and yeah...bigfoot. Wow...I love, love, love that picture of you guys in the Newspaper! What a very scary situation. Wilma was a bitch. Yes, the cold snap that came in to the East was awful. My son's pipes burst, and he still is not back into his house. I build my own kit, and carry it in my car whenever I go anywhere, and if I feel I am going to be gone longer than a few hours, I will keep everything in my backpack. However, the most scared I have been was when I was Hiking through Peek-a-boo slots. The laser strike seems awesome. Leatherman's are great. I do need a compass. (Haha! Hey honey!) flashlight, lighter - check! All good stuff that I have always carried in my vehicles. Definitely need lots of pockets, especially when you are vlogging! Never say die whiskey! Yes...whiskey actually can replace all those pills, and it can fight infection!

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Sorry about your son’s pipes bursting, what a pain! Glad to hear that you have a kit in your car, though I have to ask…where was it when you went into the DEATH CAVE? 😂 No way we’re getting rid of the pills-just thinking about drinking whiskey gives me a headache:)

[@FrontiersmanAdventures]

@The Midlife Ride - Hopefully Daniel will get back in his house soon. The Apache Death Cave is in Arizona right off of I-40. I didn't carry anything down there, because I felt I would only be down there for a few minutes. But, there is a network of Caves down there. I went back up because I didn't bring water or snacks. If I would have broken my leg or something, I would have needed my backpack. But the young girl from New Mexico was looking out for me!

[@derickavila7209]

Not a bad start,I think u should get a pack so u can carry a little more gear,but I think u could really pull off the grey man style of survival

[@TheMidlifeRide]

What can't be fit in our pockets will be stored in the pot and carried in the backpack. We can certainly fit more gear if we decide we need more. It will likely depend on the adventure. Thanks for watching!

[@randyyeager]

the whole point of having a survival kit is to use it instead of having to survive without. So, it should make a survival situation easy. Like, it shouldn't feel like a survival situation.

[@hjgraybill]

Nice

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching:)

[@drhamilton3231]

Good video lots of good information. I tend to stay in the concrete jungle to avoid these survival issues. 😁

[@Vegas.777]

I'm right with you, my idea of roughing it is a 3⭐ hotel in Vegas.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Well, I hate to tell you but Chris is trying to put together a survival kit for the Vegas Strip. Good grief. I'm like, if we need something, can't we just buy it then? I know he's right, though. If there was a real emergency of some sort, it would be unlikely we'd find what we need with everyone else panicking, too.

[@drhamilton3231]

@@TheMidlifeRide you should be good tell Chris their is a Target, CVS, and ABC Store on the strip. 😁😂

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@Vegas.777 I know, right? I'm not about to be sleeping outside by choice. I think this stuff is preparing for us to get stranded somewhere, unable to find suitable shelter.

[@jameskox872]

​@@drhamilton3231 . . What if the grid goes down and these places go down like in major weather like flooding and tornadoes and hurricanes an earthquakes . . . That happens . . . Your going to be sitting there crying what I'm going to do now then all these modern conveniences are not available . . . Well you'll be sitting there doing without and looking like a damn fool . . . And pretty sure your the kind of person that thinks oh survival situation won't never happen to me . . . Won't happen to me is the last famous words of a lot of dead people that thought just like you . . . Power goes down . . 99% of businesses shut down . . . Then what do you do hero . . . How do you eat if there is no restaurants and grocery stores open . . And even if you got food at home it won't last long . . Especially if the power is down for a long while and stores and restaurants was to get destroyed in a bad situation . . . Like major flooding . . . Iif a major crisis was to happen . . . You won't last long . . . You're just too accustomed to motels restaurants in modern conveniences . . . Take the modern conveniences out . . . and you'll be dead pretty quick . ... Oh that will never happen . . . famous last words of fools .

[@Vegas.777]

Sneak the whiskey in she'll appreciate it if you get stuck somewhere 😂. I'll stick to my 5 ⭐ camping

[@TheMidlifeRide]

I seriously can't imagine a situation where I'd appreciate whiskey. Maybe that should be my goal for the year - tasting whiskey until I acquire a taste for it!

[@carltonwoodward]

First Aid? Water purification?

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching! Our IFAK is a separate kit all by itself: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWSZnI2aZbepkKssi=QG15Mc0okMqyFOjb And with the kit in this video being more a personal survival kit, fire will be the main source of water purification. But, we put a water purification straw and tablets in our complete survival kit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHLImWCrfL96qa8si=SMCxTbDWGmwri_oT

[@msslotsakamichaelsalerno8162]

I've got Tito's and diet squirt... I will survive... in the words of Gloria Gaynor... lol

[@TheMidlifeRide]

We don’t doubt it for a second!

[@LasVegasandBeyond]

Hahahaha, Never Say Die 😂😂😂

[@TheMidlifeRide]

A name so fitting for this video, and a total coincidence that we were gifted a bottle while he was working on this project.

[@ToungeLaxier]

First thing is dont surround yourself with bright orange objects, someone will take them from you.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks! I'll be sure to watch out for thieves when in a survival situation.

[@chuckp4710]

I just sent you the email Chris.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Got it! Will respond in a bit:)

[@slowupspeeddown1242]

Crips or bloods 😂😂

[@randyyeager]

You spent a crap load of money. No need to spend that much cash.

[@Scleavers]

Especially that knife. I'm saving to get one next year 😅

[@chipallen7792]

Your world is being destroyed

[@WiseMalik]

So much to say... Lol... i'll comment later when I get more time...

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Thanks for watching, Malik! Can't wait for your thoughts on this one. Not sure what I'm going to do with this man :)

[@WiseMalik]

@@TheMidlifeRide Well.................. Me!!!! I am this man too... LOL... I am gonna start on our survival strategy and build a kit of our own... this is so my type of thing... ...also.. I feel old when I wear cargo shorts... but I love them... Denise has shamed me from feeling anything less than an out dated mess when I wear them... LOL....but if we needed 30 pockets in an emergency who's got em'? huh??? LOL... I get on these "protection" runs and start updating all the little things that keep us safe sans carrying a gun. (not sure that keeps people "safe" ) survival is next.... Thnks for the "MidLife" content guys... We ALL love Vegas like you said but the MidLife is about more than the adult playground... You guys rock... Thanks for your content.

[@TheMidlifeRide]

@@WiseMalik I feel better knowing that you don’t find this ridiculous and unnecessary. Why is that? 🤔 You are NEVER too old for cargo shorts! Trends are for tweens :) Glad to hear you’re going to start a survival kit, but as with our own, we hope it never has to be used!

[@thejewishredneckprepper4675]

Shalom

[@TheMidlifeRide]

Aleichem Shalom