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Aviation Survival Kit Review
Exploration Products
DeHavilland Survival Kit


Exploration Products "DeHavilland" Survival Kit
Photo of Kit Contents List Specs & Ratings
Explanation of Survival Equipment and Supplies Ratings

Explanation of Survival Equipment and Supplies Ratings

In most cases the reason for the rating given a particular item will be obvious based on our normal evaluation criteria which can be found by clicking on the Group Heading link and reading the relevant text regarding that item. In cases where a low rating is not obvious, for example, if an otherwise good product is damaged due to poor packing, the reason will be given in the listing. Explanation for the overall rating of both quality and value for the Survival Kit will be found in the Conclusion which follows the kit contents listing.

Excellent (superior quality and/or performance)
Good (decent, reliable quality and/or competent performance)
Adequate (just sufficient or satisfactory quality and/or performance)
Mediocre (substandard or questionable quality and/or performance)
Poor (inferior quality and/or unreliable performance)
Very Bad (shoddy or seriously deficient quality and/or performance, unacceptable)

Two Person Exploration Products DeHavilland Survival Kit
Exploration Products DeHavilland
Survival Kit
Click on photo to view higher resolution photo of Survival Kit (67 Kb)
Click HERE to jump to Image Map Photo of Kit with Linked Contents List
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Contents of Two Person
Exploration Products DeHavilland Survival Kit
Qty.Survival Equipment or SuppliesRating
SIGNALING GROUP
1
Survival Inc. Starflash Signal Mirror, 2 x 3 inches
Excellent
1
Storm Safety Whistle
Excellent
EMERGENCY DEVICES GROUP
1
Camillus Air Force Survival Knife w/ Leather Sheath, 5 inch seep clip point blade
Mediocre
1
Pocket Stone incldued with Air Force Survival Knife
Mediocre
1
SOG "Paratool" Multipurpose Tool
Adequate
1
Utility Knife (to open vacuum packed equip.) (not pictured)
Excellent
1
Supreme Products "Pocket ChainSaw"
Good
25
BCB NATO Wind/Waterproof Matches (one vial)
Good
1
Pelican 2-AA Flashlight
Adequate
4
AA-cell Alkaline Batteries for flashlight (2 sets)
Good
1
Ultimate Survival "Blast Match" Fire Starter
Excellent
8
SK-1 Tinder Cubes (two 4-packs)
Adequate
1
Esbit Pocket Stove w/ 6 Fuel Tablets
Excellent
1
Nexus Star 7NL Compass
Good
1
Fishing Kit [click to view photo of kit]
Good
Includes the following:
8
Weights, Assorted Sizes
Excellent
12
Hooks, Assorted Sizes
Excellent
5
Swivels, Assorted Sizes
Excellent
3
Flies, Assorted sizes
Good
2
Jigs, Feather
Good
4
Leaders
Excellent
1
Trotline
Excellent
10
Bait
Good
1
Bobber, Small
Good
50 ft.
Fishing Line, 20 lb. test
Excellent
50 ft.
Fishing Line, 50 lb. test
Excellent
4
Safety Pins, Assorted Sizes
Excellent
2
Single Edge Razor Blade
Excellent
1
Aluminum Foil, 3 sq. ft.
Excellent
1
Small Pill Vial (used as large bobber)
Adequate
1
Fire Starter Cube
Good
2
Salt packets
Adequate
2
Pepper packets
Adequate
1
Large Pill Vial (container for kit)
Adequate
1
Fishing Kit Instructions
Adequate
1
Gill Net
Excellent
50 ft.
Brass Snare Wire
Good
SHELTER & PERSONAL PROTECTION GROUP
1
Plastic Orange Tube Tent
Adequate
2
MPI Space Emergency Bags
Mediocre
2
Deluxe Mosquito Headnet
Good
1
Cutter Insect Stick, 28.5% Deet
Adequate
1
Coppertone Sport, SPF 30
Adequate
1
Natural Ice SPF 30
Excellent
MEDICAL GROUP
1
Adventure Medical "Optimist" First Aid Kit
Adequate
Includes the following:
4
3 x 3 Sterile Dressing
Excellent
2
Non-adherent Sterile Dressing
Excellent
1
Conforming Gauze Bandage, 2 in.
Excellent
1
Adhesive Tape, 1/2 in. x 10 yds.
Excellent
3
Adhesive Bandage Strips, 1 x 3
Good
2
Elastic Knuckle Bandage
Excellent
2
Q-Tip Cotton Swabs
Adequate
2
Latex Surgical Gloves
Excellent
3
Antiseptic Towelettes
Good
2
Butterfly Closures
Good
1
Tincture of Benzoin Swabs
Good
2
Triple Antibiotic Ointment packets
Good
1
Moleskin, 3 x 4 in.
Good
1
Sani-Dex Hand Wipe Towelette
Good
1
Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps
Good
8
Ibuprofen 200mg (analgesic)
Excellent
4
Diphenhydramine 25mg (antihistamine)
Good
1
Secta Sooth Sting Relief swabs
Excellent
1
Biohazard Label and Resealable Bag
Good
1
Pamphlet - "Guide to Wilderness and Emergency Medicine"
Adequate
4
Trauma Bandage 4 x 7 inches
Adequate
WATER & FOOD GROUP
2
Mainstay Rations, 3600 Kcal
Excellent
16
Mainstay Water packs, 4.225 fl. oz.
Good
1
Potable Aqua, 50 tabs
Good
1
Two Gallon Folding Water Bag
Good
1
Large Sierra Cup, 16 oz.
Excellent
2
Plastic Cup, 8 oz.
Good
2
Lexan Soup Spoons
Good
4
Coffee Packets
Good
4
Bouillon Cubes
Good
12
Hard Candy, assorted.
Good
1
Chewing Gum (5 sticks)
Good
MISCELLANEOUS & MULTI-PURPOSE GROUP
1
Mil-spec Parachute Cord, 550 test, 100 ft.
Excellent
4
Kleenex Tissue Travel Packs
Adequate
1
Duct Tape 2 in. x 20 ft.
Good
1
Aluminum Foil, 18 sq. ft.
Good
1
Roll Surveyor's Tape, orange
Mediocre
1
Coghlans Sewing Kit
Good
1
Manual - "SAS Survival Guide"
Good
1
Outdoor Research Sport Tote, Cordura and nylon packcloth
Good


Specs & Ratings
Exploration Products
DeHavilland Survival Kit

Weight: 15.6 lbs. (7.1 kg)
Size: 16 x 9 1/2 x 8 in. (40.64 x 24.13 x 20.32 cm)
Price: $395 (updated 1/04/2006)
Manufacturer: Exploration Products

Conclusions

NOTE: Some components have been replaced since our original review and the photo does not reflect the kit contents as of 01/04/2006 when this review and the contents list was updated.

Of the examples of two person aviation survival kits reviewed here (three of which have been discontinued), the DeHavilland kit from Exploration Products is the best. Still, we only rate it as "Good." It is generally well conceived and nicely executed, but there is certainly room for improvement, especially in the case of the Tube Tent and skimpy Medical Group. The replacement of the original solid and functional knife 9no longer available) with the mediocre USAF Survival Knife is unfortunate. We like the vacuum bagging of all the components, but the material used (Tilia) isn't as tough as one might like.

This is not an inexpensive kit, and it isn't perfect nor the most amply equipped, but it is a good value, you do get what you pay for. The generally better quality of the packaging and much of fundamental survival equipment is reflected in the higher price. While there is certainly room for improvement, as noted, it is a reasonable compromise of size, weight and capability for many pilots who do not demand the very best. It makes a good base for supplimentation into a better quality kit.

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