There have been a number of posts to the (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) commenting on what individuals would take/have with them in the case of an emergency/ditching during a trip.  After doing a bit on internet searching about ditch kits, I've run into a number of YouTube videos on the topic of what would be placed in a personal ditch kit.  The focus of many of these videos is what you would take that could be placed inside an altoids-sized containers.  The idea of limiting the size to the altoid tin is two-fold:  (a) having a container that is small enough to easily fit into a pocket so that you will always have it with you and (b) to have a "self contained" unit sufficiently light and durable to sustain some level of use/abuse.

Some of the "kits" are relatively inventive in both design and contents.  Some of these kits have material wrapped around the outside (e.g., garbage bags, flat-folded duct tape, rubber bands, and paracord).  Some of the tins have been polished to a high shine to serve as a signal mirror.  Some use electrical tape around the outside to make the unit "waterproof."

Of course, many of the contents would be anticipated, but some gave me reason to pause and ask "why would I want that?"  So, here are a few of the things that I think most of these kits should/would include:

1) button-sized compass
2) cutting implement-straight blade (small Swiss Army knife, razor blade, exacto knife tips ...smaller blades seem to be mostly taped inside the top of the altoid lid
3) cutting implement-saw (ring saw, skilsaw blade, hacksaw blade, etc)  Some of the saw blades were cut down to fit inside the tin.  Some had the "hand end" covered with a bit of tape.  One unit had a small bolt and a hole in the altoid tin so the saw blade to be attached and the tin used as a handle.
4) fire making tools (matches and striker strip, small lighter, fire steel w/o handle, magnesium strip, cotton balls, etc.)
5) medical supplies (band aids, topical ointment, alcohol prep pad, insect-sting pad, pain killer tabs, etc)
6) containers (small plastic bags, condom, surgical glove, aluminum foil)
7) food & water related (bullion cube, snare wire, fishing implements, water treatment tabs, etc.)
8) signaling (pencil, paper, codes list/Morse code table, mirror, whistle, etc.)
9) repair (needle/thread, string/twine, straight pins, safety pins, spare button, etc.)

Of course, there were other things included (e.g., reasonably large nail), but these were among the most frequent things that appeared.  A couple even had a small flashlight included.  I really liked the minimalist approach to a flash light--led with 1" leads and a button battery--tried it, it works!

OK, now that you've seen the list, what would you include?  What's missing?  Remember, it all has to fit INSIDE an altoid-sized container!

dd

Old Salt wrote on Nov 17^th, 2010 at 5:29pm:

While I agree with the logic here (not placing one's self in harms way), I also paddle solo, which makes this consideration one of prudence.

dd

Pelican makes some Altoid sized boxes...a bit beefer that than a ziplock incased tin.  How about a fire piston in the pocket? A Spot where applicable. Dont forget it on the portages. Just saying....

Only one condom??? Seriously? In the BWQ? Is that an extremely optimistic or pessimistic attitude in winter,spring, summer or fall? Solo or tandem? Group trip? Reality bites and it's good to be prepared..

I once dumped on a simple fish guts run on big group pre-season trip. By time I made it back to camp I was dry and no longer shivering uncontrollably. The group leader thought I was kidding. Second in command noticed my lips were blue. We fished the pot out of 8' of water the next day. If I could do it over again I'd swallow my pride and scream for help immediately because at the time, over a dozen people were within easy earshot.

Mad_Mat wrote on Nov 18^th, 2010 at 1:57pm:

Well, I DIDN"T say that what I've seen others place into a ditch kit was a good idea.  I've tried a couple of ring saws, and while they didn't come apart, I felt that I'd have a better chance playing beaver and trying to chew a branch apart.  The saw blade is only marginally better, but in one of Les Stroud's shows, he used the saw blade on his multi-tool to cut down a few thumb-sized saplings to make the frame for his shelter (but sometimes I felt his show was "move 10 feet and make a shelter").

In reality, I just picked up a (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links).  The question remains as to whether I'd wear this around my neck, get a belt clip or just put in in one the pockets of my PFD.  The write-up indicates the item to weigh 2.5 oz., but that's only for the knife ... with sheath, its more like 4 oz.  Since it just arrived in the mail yesterday, I haven't had a chance to give it any exercise, but it appears substantial enough to do some serious work.  I'm hoping to make this more of a utility knife that gets used on some degree of regularity and leave behind some of my "less capable" knives.  (I did find it online for under $30 ... just barely.)  

AND, joy of joys, at least the knife part is made in the USA!

dd