Can Your Survival Kit Save You - Or Send You To An Early Grave?

Not surprisingly, most people don't know how to use the assortment of items they find in an off the shelf survival kit. Let's go through the kit and look at some of the gear and talk about how it's used.
Included items are:
Compass, survival blanket, signal mirror, rope saw, water treatment tablets, multi-tool, whistle
Amazon Wish List: www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls...

[@shrubjr893]

I have a pocket survival kit. I've chosen each item individually and carefully over many years, I have actually used each item in the woods and even practiced in terrible weather. You are soo right with this video! These skills are perishable, and its the skills that keep you alive. Get out there and practice with the stuff in your PSK!!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thanks for commenting. Love hearing from people who actually practice with their gear!

[@carolinezipp4383]

Excellent sound advice. You even corrected a couple of my guesses. Thanx for the great word and the great video. Yes, I would like to hear what you have to say about building your own kit. Thank you again!!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thank you. I truly appreciate the support.

[@milesoutrighthere9989]

The stick on the saw....blew my mind, I had no Idea. I'm dead...with finger blisters.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

But now you know!

[@ralphlatorre203]

I recently found your channel and find your information very useful. Of the items you mentioned, I only use a whistle and space blanket. I don't have the blanket to use as a blanket but to line the back of a shelter to reflect heat from a fire. I keep a candle too as it will throw back some heat in an enclosed space like a car stuck in snow. Line the interior and light the candle, leaving one window slightly open. I learned that from an older video by Mors Kochanski. I've tested it and it works pretty well. As far as other pocket sized items, a lighter and ferro rod. I rely on full sized tools l like knives and folding saws. Excellent video and channel. New subscriber!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thanks! I’m glad you’re here. Those are great tips!

[@j.j.savalle4714]

Great overview of the survival kit basics! So many vids say what to have but not the main use of it. Was cracking up at the mirror 'looking good' option before the cameras showed up! For sure some practice with the items is also key.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

So glad you enjoyed it. Sometimes the basics just have to be said.

[@bloonic64]

A survival kit is only as useful as your knowledge of WHAT is in it and HOW to use the items inside. A torniquet for example can definitely save your life IF you know how to use it, otherwise you fumble with it and bleed out or leave it on for to long and lose your extremities. Always try to practice with all your gear and be familiar with it, know WHERE it is in the kit for when you need it and put it BACK where you got it so as to not lose it. Love the video, keep up the good work!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thank you for that great input. You are so correct!

[@1978jasondickerson]

Definitely do the video on the kit build. great video as always!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thank you. I will get to work on making that happen

[@tryllyam]

I don't have one of these kits, although this video may get me to build one of my own. (I just got to the part at the wrap up where you offer to build one. Please do!) I do however have a whistle from the American Whistle Company in Columbus, Ohio, which makes many of the referee whistles you in sports settings. They are some of the loudest whistles made and are great personal protection items for women to carry if they want to be loud.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

They are the most misunderstood piece in the kit. Sounds like you have a good one!

[@telsh7]

I like how you're dispelling myths and talking frankly about the gimmics that you *don't* want to bet your life on. Just found your video- by the end I liked, subscribed, and hit the notification bell. Great video, keep it up!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thank you so much. I truly appreciate the kind words!

[@maurac953]

Thanks for this great information! Yes, I'd love to see your take on a good customized survival kit. Appreciate your hard work on these videos!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thank you. I’m working on making that happen soon.

[@Eidolon1andOnly]

Fun fact: The button compass got its name for literally being hidden inside of a button. They were originally developed by the RAF during WWII and meant to help downed pilots and escaped POWs navigate out behind enemy lines.

[@Eidolon1andOnly]

Wire saws also work best as being made into frame saws.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Great points! Thanks!

[@jesseduncan9612]

Excellent advice and spot on about the whistle. I attended a basic search and rescue course a few years back, and the lead instructor went over the typical pre-packaged survival kit and said the same thing, the whistle was about the only useful item in the kit, and most of the people they had searched for never thought to use it. And please make the video on the home made survival or get home kit if you haven't already.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I have not made that video yet but I have been building the kit for it. I need to get on that.

[@canadafree2087]

US Military wire saws come with handle and you can replace the blade and/or use a broken blade as a shorter saw. You can buy the saws and replacement wires from the company that makes them. Wire saws should be used with a D shape stick like a bow saw to keep the wire straight. I used a Mylar blanket inside a sleeping bag at -20 C, it was a PITA to unfold inside the bag. I prefer Heetsheets now. Great video.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thanks for the input and support. I’ll need to look into the Heetsheets and see what that’s about.

[@canadafree2087]

@@dadbudgetadventures Emergency blankets made from a type of plastic, tougher than Mylar. I like the USA made ones, sadly I can not attest to the quality of the Chinese ones which is all they sell now.

[@justjonoutdoors]

I’d love to see you build a custom kit. I’ll match you with a breakdown of what’s in mine.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Working on it now. Trying to design my perfect kit.

[@justjonoutdoors]

@@dadbudgetadventures I don’t think there’s such a thing as a perfect kit - just what we have on us right now…

[@dadbudgetadventures]

@@justjonoutdoors not perfect, but you can certainly maximize the potential for survival by tailoring one to your individual needs. That’s half the fun.

[@AzraelsTear]

Those emergency "blankets" work as a condensation/solar still if you arent near a clean water source, wont be enough to create all the water you need, but will extend your life. I have also seen them used to make a solar stove to cook, but if you have a way to make fire its not worth it for that.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

They have so many uses. Solar still for water is a really good one.

[@daveh7720]

I always thought you'd need a clear plastic sheet to make a solar still. I didn't think the reflective sheet would pass enough heat to work. Thanks!

[@AzraelsTear]

@@daveh7720 I think it would work better, if you are trying to make water evaporate and collect on the material, place the reflective surface down, it will hold in the warmth against the ground and encourage moisture that exists there to evaporate and then collect on the cooler surface of the plastic when it touches it. But you could also use it in a vegetation still as well, where trapped heat will pull moisture out of plants and collect it on the surface of the plastic. Lots of uses. I have even recently seen someone talk about using these space blankets as a solar oven to heat food or water with. I recently picked up a couple extra to keep in my various travel bags. 🍻

[@valeriedoyle]

I didn't know any of this. Thank you!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Glad to contribute!

[@TheDenverJay]

Just found the channel, good job.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thank you. I’m glad you’re here!

[@justjonoutdoors]

A mylar blanket can be used as a makeshift chest seal if you get a puncture wound that breaches the chest cavity.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

That’s kinda brilliant. Good thinking!

[@Grizzly907LA]

Instead of worrying about that, why do you just pack some chest seals in your kit?

[@justjonoutdoors]

@@Grizzly907LA because a chest seal can’t keep you warm or rain off your head - who said I don’t?

[@Grizzly907LA]

@@justjonoutdoors That's you have a tarp or usgi poncho . A sheet of tin foil isn't going to last five minutes.

[@justjonoutdoors]

@@Grizzly907LA With 6 decades in the field, I’ve spent more than one night under a “sheet of tin foil” as you wish to call it, and was glad to have it. The fact that it will accomplish other things as well is just a bonus. You can poo-poo them all you want - I have seen them save lives, and they have made mine much less miserable than it might have been.

[@rickershomesteadahobbyfarm3291]

I just subscribed. I would definitely be interested in seeing a survival kit that you built.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Thanks for joining the journey. I’m glad you’re here. I will see what I can do to make that video happen soon.

[@steverundman5853]

Mylar blanket issue, I watched another video that showed wrapping yourself in a Mylar Thermal blanket will make you undetectable to thermal cameras, if there are rescuers looking for you, they are flying over looking for a heat patterns where they think you might be. These blankets block your heat pattern from visibility. Just food for thought. SR

[@dadbudgetadventures]

It’s definitely a situation where you have to weigh the good and the bad. There’s not a perfect answer for that paradox.

[@MndScream]

Lots of good info AGAIN Mr. L. Plus I'd never thought about the sticks in the saw trick. That's very clever. I've never had to drive into my survival kit but I always try to make sure I have as many options as I can in a relatively small space. I always include a P38, waterproof matches and I've found playing cards have many uses.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Good info. I definitely need to put a P38 in when I make my custom kit!

[@frankhinkle5772]

I would like to see your version of a survival kit. I have bought a few of these pre-made kits, and I am generally disappointed in them. You often don't get to see the contents beforehand, but I buy them based on the pouch itself. I know about how much the empty pouch would cost me. If it is a good price on the pouch and I only keep half of the contents, it might still be a worth while purchase.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

I need to get back on that project. Gonna make it happen soon.

[@cheetahb5]

With the survival mirror (thank you Mr. Wizard) you sight your target through the hole. In the backside mirror you will see a dot of light, most likely on your face, from the light source. Simply tilt the mirror, while keeping sighted on your target, until the dot of light goes back into the hole. Now you are sending the light source directly onto your target. I found the video of that episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5qwmXh_pbukf5Y

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Yep. That’s about it.

[@irenerex932]

Good INFO THANKS

[@dadbudgetadventures]

You’re welcome!

[@alecsandru8588]

My first aid kit is the size of that mini-something. Sometimes, when it comes to those survival kits, I think the pouch in itself is at least as expensive as the materials inside. A good multitool, or at least a half-decent one will give you immense options. The big idea is if you are in your car you can have a bit more decent equipment with little to no room. If you are on your own, well, carry a bit of weight and get some good equipment because your life will depend on it. And good stuff usually lasts you a lifetime. I would add some sort of fire-starters :)) A tiny ferro-road with some cotton pads and hand sanitizer will be like magic, also helps with wounds and dirt. :D But yeah, you nailed it!

[@dadbudgetadventures]

You are absolutely correct. People have to think more about practical application and less about how cool it looks.

[@solomonlynn7456]

I've always carried cotton balls heavily swabbed in petroleum jelly in 35mm film canisters. Ferro rod and Swiss Army knife. Officers model with the small saw.I prefer a small .22 side arm to a whistle but I realize that may bot always be an option. After watching this I may throw one in the old "light bag".

[@billg7101]

👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@Grizzly907LA]

Most of those survival kits are pure garbage. It's cheap crap and overpriced. It's better to build your own survival kit with items that work, and that you need. A survival isn't going to fit into a nice, neat little pouch.

[@dadbudgetadventures]

Absolutely. Mine is a whole lot bigger than the ones you buy in the store