I've never tried filling a condom with water, but unless it was from a running source, like a little spring etc, wouldn't it be a hassle to fill from a standing source :question

I'm wondering if a quart freezer type zip lock bag might fit in that kit.
Folded flat, it shouldn't take up much space.
Easy to fill and tougher than a condom to be sure.

I have a stainless steel emergency drinking cup, that folds flat. When opened it looks like an old school pointy bottomed paper water cup you used to see around office water coolers. I have it in somewhere in my gear room, just can't recall location exactly When I dig it out, I'll see if I can find mfg. It might fit in your kit and you could heat water, boil critter soup in it with a little effort. I've had it for years, but a Google search turned up 0, so maybe it's no longer made.

Nice effort. I think we could debate choice of contents till the cows come home, but the important thing is your being pro-active, instead of re-active.
Plan for the worst, hope for the best is a good motto for the wilderness traveler

rlageman3 wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2011 at 8:57pm:


Okay, that's simple enough, but how about transporting it filled it if your on the move?
You'd have to secure it some way so it doesn't stretch and break.
Maybe a zip-lock bag AND some condoms for more versatility.

DentonDoc wrote on Jan 30^th, 2011 at 9:33pm:


Follow-up (on the 6 X 10" lens):

Nice sunny day outside today ... mid-60's.  Thought I'd get back to playing again (and leave you guys alone for a while ... no luck there!)

I haven't tried to boil water yet with the larger lens, but that could be a little bit of a problem.  I had previously (partly cloudy day, indoors) tested the focal point of this lens.  I succeeded in melting a nice arc on a dark plastic bottle.  (Yeah, the sun does make an arc in the sky this time of year).  So to reach a sustained boil, you WILL need to re-position the lens position ever so often.

So, today I thought I'd get back to some basic fire making ... larger lens, no char cloth.  I took a small piece of t-shirt (cotton), some dry grass, a couple of leaves and a small piece of birch bark to catch the flame when it started).  Once the focal length was set correctly (about 2 1/2 feet with this larger lens), the material started to smoke almost immediately.  But I gave it a good 30 seconds before I began to add more oxygen.  Within a minute I had a flame.  

Who says science can't be fun!  

dd

BTW:  My bum wheel has just about mended, so I'll be back to walking soon and will leave you poor folks alone!  

Well, I think I'm finished with by ditch kit arrangement.  Here are some pic's of the final set of components.

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There are a few changes here from my original list of components (and picture).  I've downsized the fire steel, compass and mirror.  I've added an actual fire steel striker (right of smaller fire steel, char cloth (left of smaller file steel, small baggie showing foil wrapper), water purification tablets (near center; left of smaller mirror), single-edge razor blade (right of pill case, with smaller cap), and aluminum foil (1' X 2' sheet rolled inside small baggie; lower left).

The overall arrangement is shown in the pic below:

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Top is a small fanny pack (POE WxTex Alki--water resistant) which will hold all of the contents shown plus my leatherman tool (if I take it off my belt).  Even with these contents, there is still room inside for a few "comfort" items (bug repellent, sun screen, tube of petroleum jelly, a few med's and maybe a food bar).  I'm still thinking of placing most of these items in the pockets of PFD, but I'll have to see how that might impact my paddling stroke.

From left-to-right along the bottom are:
1) "Becker-Necker" K-bar knife w/sheath above.  The sheath also has paracord and a lace-lock slider. (I'll actually wear this around my neck if I store the other items in my PFD.)
2) Aquamira Frontier Emergency Water Filter (good for 25 gallons); atop a snack baggie for storage (actual drinking tube is nearly invisible in this shot, filter part shown more clearly).
3) Emergency Mylar sleeping bag (I also inserted a crock pot liner bag inside the zip-lock bag the sleeping bag comes in.  The crock pot bag could be used for water storage and/or heating water.
4) The ditch kit from above

dd

Where did you find the tiny condoms? (above the band-aids)
Oh, Aquamira... Sorry.

The foil is an excellent addition I've never fully considered. I'd want a better compass (and a tiny map), would dump the bobber and, oh I don't know, a paper clip or two. I'd consolidate the lures and hooks with painter's tape and lose the hard container. No bare hooks?

All in all? Looks good! I hope you never need it and that the simple process of putting it together -thinking what if- provides the most benefit. For me, it's bigger than I'd keep with me and smaller than I'd want if ever needed. We all know how that goes.

On the Mylar bag that's so nicely folded. Did you buy two and try one out. I'm curious if you spent any time in one.

What's a crock pot liner bag?