How to make a survival kit out of an Altoids tin

Stuff inside an altoids tin, this kit is easy to keep on hand at all times and a true Pocket kit.

This is ideal for anyone who wants to have the essential survival gear along each time they head into the field. Everything fits in the Altoids tin (above). It fulfills all the component groups except for shelter and protection, but add a survival blanket to your pocket and you'll be covered. Keep looking through the following photos for details on all of this kit's components.

Food and Water

for a Water bagjust use a Reynolds Oven Bag as that does the trick just cut down to fit in the tin. 20 Potable Aqua water purification tablets, repackaged in a mini glass vial works great for purification of water. 50 feet of fishing line wound around machine bobbin. Fishing tackle kit in a plastic bag. Inside are assorted hooks, swivels, and split shot. 10 feet of 24 gauge snare wire.

Navigation and Signaling

Custom made signal mirror. Commercial versions are all too thick to fit in this kit. I used something out of a makeup case I found and made a sighting hole. liquid filled button compass. It's the best quality instrument that will fit in the surival tin.

Light and Fire

Steel striker with Mini Match magnesium fire starter. One side of the starter is magnesium and the other is flint. Waterproof windproof matches with a striker are best but any is better then nothing, placed in a mini zip-seal bag, then rolled and taped. small cotten balls They're great for stuffing in all the extra spaces of a survival tin to eliminate rattling. A pink lady Candle I cut a 1/2-inch diameter candle down to the height of the Altoids tin, so it fits in one corner. Photon Micro-Light a bright LED flashlight.

Medical Supplies and Tools

Commando Wire, a small survival cable saw. 2 blades. You should always have a real knife on your person; these blades are for backup. Small packet of antibiotic ointment. 2 butterfly closures.

Multipurpose Stuff to Add to the Survival Kit

Several yards of nylon string. 2 magnetized sewing needles for sewing or making an emergency compass [ to be floated in water on a leaf and the needle will face north]. Small laminated card with instructions for water purification tablets. A magnifier. The lens can start a fire by magnifying the sun's rays to a point on tinder starting a fire. Safety pin, for repairing clothes and straps. 2 feet of aluminum foil for making a cup, signaling, cooking fish, etc.

Three Steps to a Life Saving Altoids Survival Kit

1. Skills to think about

Focus not on the components but on the tasks you will want to perform with them. In a survival situation, you'll need to do most of the following: build a fire, construct a shelter, purify drinking water, gather food, signal for help, navigate back to civilization, and administer basic first aid. Once you know what types of functions you must be prepared to carry out, you can select the proper items.

2. Tools to pick

Choose at least one component from each of the groups below. Some items can meet the requirements of more than one. Fine tune your selection to match the season and/or location , and remember that you may want more than one item from certain categories. For example, I always bring at least two or three ways to start a fire. Fire and Light: matches, disposable lighter, flint and striker, magnesium fire starter, tinder, candle, and a magnifying lens. For the latter: flashlight, headlamp, and chemical light sticks. Shelter and Personal Protection: survival blanket, poncho and rain gear, tarp, tube tent, parachute cord, headnet, hat, extra clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, and bug repellent. Water and Food: basic needs are water purification tablets or a filter, and a water container. Add snare wire and fishing kits for food collection, plus emergency rations, a small cup or pot, and a small stove. Signaling: signal mirror, whistle, smoke signals, flares, dye markers, and emergency strobe. Navigation: compass, maps, and GPS unit. Knives and Tools: knives, saw, trowel, and shovel. Medical: first-aid supplies for wound management, like bandages and first-aid ointment. Plus antibiotics, pain medicine, and personal medications. Multipurpose: aluminum foil, wire, duct tape, large garbage bags, bandanna, surgical tubing, zip-seal bags, dental floss, sewing thread and needles, glue stick, and safety pins can all fill more than one function. Miscellaneous items include a survival manual, knife sharpener, thermometer, pencil and paper, toilet paper, and a cellphone.

3. Putting your Altoids Survival Kit

Determine what size kit you want to carry, then decide on what you'll pack everything into. This can be a Altoids tin, a waterproof container, or a soft case such as a belt pouch, waist pack, or backpack. For mini kits, I usually prefer a tin, like the kind that Altoids come in; since you don't have room for a cup, you can use it to boil water. To make a mini kit, select the smallest components from each group. Be innovative when choosing items. Repackage them compactly if necessary, and whenever possible, select things that can perform more than one function.

Here is a video I made