My Purse/Pocket Survival Tin

Exactly why do I keep a little tin of useful survival items with me at all times?

The same reason why I keep a mini flashlight hanging around my neck, a gerber knife on my pocket, and a paracord anklet (CLICK HERE for instructions to make your own) around my sock. Just in case I need them. I like to be prepared. Not a day has gone by that I haven't used my flashlight and knife since attaching them to myself. They have proven to be incredibly useful tools on a daily basis, especially while I'm housekeeping (believe it or not).

Can such a tiny survival kit of so few items really come in handy at all? How could I survive with the stuff in a little tin?

I've already needed my little survival tin several times while I was out and about, whether it be for a bandaid, a lighter, an Ibuprofen, or some neosporin. I'm positive that I will continue to use it many more times throughout the future. You can fit a surprising amount of useful stuff into such a small container, such as fishing gear (provides food), water purification tablets or bleach (provides clean water), wilderness tools (for navigation, fire-starting, etc), and medical supplies.

You should know by now that I'm a big "research" person. I like to be extremely thorough and learn as much as I can about whatever topic interests me at that moment; therefore, when I first started getting into survival information and preparedness, I did a lot of online research, reading about bugout bags, bugout vehicles, and survival tins. When it comes to these mini "pocket" survival tins, I learned that MOST people make their kit inside an Altoid's tin (or sardine tin). Many sites actually sell a pre-made survival kit in an Altoid's tin, although I would think that most people would rather just make their own kit (cheaper and more personalized).

While I was helping to clear out an Estate last fall, I found an old metal Camel cigarette box that I figured was perfect for my personal survival-kit. It isn't very thick (so it won't hold much), but it will hold enough, and it will slide easily down right into a back pocket or purse.

There are just so many different things you can choose to put inside a little survival kit... folded duct-tape, magnifying lens, signal mirror, water purification tablets, whistle, small tinder/fire-starters, button compass, alcohol prep pad, the list goes on and on. If interested in making your own mini survival tin, these are several fun links to check out that contain lists of what some other people have put into their kits:

http://www.equipped.com/prsnlkit.htm
http://www.donrearic.com/survivalkit.html
http://www.survival.com/best.htm
http://www.bepreparedtosurvive.com/Pocket%20Tin%20Survival%20Kit.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~mffowler/small_complete_kit.htm
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=survival+tin&search_type=&aq=f

This is what I ultimately decided to put in mine:
(several things are secured within a plastic straw that has been sealed shut by melting it and then pressing it closed at both ends)

folded heavy-duty tinfoil
4 bandaid butterfly-closures
2 regular bandaids
3 birthday candles
safety pin
several fishing hooks
3 sinkers (secured in a plastic straw)
mini BIC lighter
dental floss (for fishing, flossing, or sewing)
mini knife
mini flashlight
2 razor blades (secured in duct tape)
neosporin (secured in a plastic straw)
2 sewing needles (secured in a plastic straw)
Clorox bleach (secured in a plastic straw)
4 Ibuprofen tablets (secured in a plastic straw)
fresnal lens, protected in pouch (for fire starting)
P-38 can opener
3 Gerber breast-milk storage bags (for holding water to purify it) (they seal shut and hold about 1 cup)

By having this little kit and knowing how to use everything in it, I just feel more prepared, no matter where I am.

** Regarding purifying water with bleach:

Only use "regular" full-strength Clorox bleach containing 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite (read the label). To purify one gallon of water, use 8 drops (OR 1/8 tsp) for CLEAR water, and 16 drops (OR 1/4 tsp) for CLOUDY water. My little Gerber storage bags each hold 1 cup of water, and there are 16 cups in one gallon; therefore, I only need to use 1 drop of Clorox bleach per 1 cup of water.

**Regarding fishing:

If you've got your little kit and you need to go fishing in order to eat, be sure you know how to tie your fishing knots...

http://www.tnoutdoorsmen.com/knots.htm
http://www.myoan.net/fishingart/knots.html