Product Review: Pocket Survival Pak

I purchased a Pocket Survival Pak (PSP) from a display table at the Wilderness Medicine Conference.  This is a self-contained personal survival kit developed by Doug Ritter, author of the previously mentioned Equipped to Survive website. On that site he describes how to build your own kit, (and this other post reviews a book that can also guide you in this endeavor), but you may not want to go to all that trouble.  In that case, a pre-packaged kit may be better than nothing.

The PSP is packaged in a clear, zip-top, tough plastic case that is 4.5 x 5 inches and just over an inch thick. It fit easily into a cargo pocket on my pants with room to spare.  It is light enough that I could easily forget it was in there.  This means it would not be much of a burden to toss into a daybag, purse, briefcase, etc. The advantage, of course, is that you may be more likely to keep this on your person, and therefore, more likely to have it if you need it. As you will see, because of its size, there are some things that can't be included.

Shelter - OK, like this one.  You'd have to improvise your own shelter.  The kit does have survival tips printed in small type that include tips for building your own wilderness shelter. The package recommends bringing a garbage bag to enhance your shelter. The kit does contain nylon cord and thread as well as a spool of wire that could be used to lash posts together to build a more secure lean-to shelter.

Water - Again, there are tips for collecting water, both nothing to store it in (other than maybe a gulp or two in the plastic case).  There is a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil that could be shaped into a cup to boil water to purify it.  It looks like there is room for a non-lubricated condom and a couple of Micropur water purification tablets.

Food - There is a small fishing kit in a plastic tube that includes small hooks, swivels, and split shot sinkers.  Combined with the nylon thread, it can be used to fish (obviously) or bait birds.  The roll of wire could be used to make a snare to trap larger animals like squirrels, rabbits, etc.  There are some other tips for gathering food in the survival tips brochure.  There might be room to add a flat bullion packet to flavor your collected water.

Fire - This kit contains a Spark-Lite firestarter - think about the sparky end of a butane lighter without the butane.  The sparks can be used to light one of the four included Spark-Lite cotton tinder bundles.  There is room in the kit for cardboard matches and striker if you'd prefer a direct flame source.  There is a flat Fresnel magnifier in there which can be used to light a fire on a sunny day.  The survival tips include fire-building techniques and the tips brochure itself could be burned as tinder if needed.

First Aid - No obvious supplies in the kit, though you could improvise bandages and slings with the little roll of duct tape and the included safety pins.  There is room for a couple of Bandaids and a small packet of Neosporin.

Signalling - There is a signalling mirror with included instructions on how to signal passing boats and planes.  There is a flat Fox 40 micro whistle that can be heard miles away.  There is a small pencil and 2 pieces of paper that could be used to leave notes.

Misc - In addition to the multi-use items like nylon cord, duct tape and safety pins, the kit includes a small scalpel blade and a button compass.  You'd be better off with a full-sized knife or multi-tool and a larger compass, but these may be all you have. (Note: the compass looks like it is broken when you look at it in the packet, but it appears that the foil messes it up.  When I pull it out of the packet and hold it, it works just fine.)

I think that this is an excellent kit. I am going to enhance mine with a few items at try to keep it with me on days off and weekends.  It is too big for my workweek slacks, but I am planning on assembling another kit for my briefcase that I take to work everyday.  Likely some version of the Personal Emergency Kit I described previously.