How to Make a Survival Kit

Having a survival kit with you at all times could be the difference between life and death if you find yourself in an emergency. To be extra safe, make a few survival kits and plant them anywhere you might need them in a hurry: car, kitchen, jacket pockets, garages, bicycles and anywhere else you can think.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Find a small container such as a tobacco tin or an Altoids tin. The idea is to have something small enough to carry with you comfortably.

2. Pack first aid equipment, such as small bandages, antibiotic tablets and ointment. Add anything extra specific to your conditions. For example, include an inhaler if you are asthmatic (although it probably won't fit inside a small tin, so you may have to increase the size of your survival kit to customize it for your items).

3. Include items necessary for gathering food and water. Pack water purification tablets, fishing hooks and line, potassium permanganate (which purifies water), a plastic bag and salt.

4. Remember fire-starting items in your survival kit. Include waterproof matches, a magnifying glass, a lighter and a candle.

5. Gather other miscellaneous items like safety pins, thin wire, a mirror, a compass, needles and thread, a scalpel, a small LED light, a pencil and wire saw.

6. Fit all the items into your small container and place the lid on tightly and securely. For added protection, tape around the edges to prevent the lid from coming off, or water from getting inside.

Tips & Warnings

• Waterproof regular matches by dipping the heads into candle wax. Scrape the wax off before use.

• Salt is essential for replacing what you lose in sweat and urine.