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Adventure Tools "Global Survival Kit"

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(UPDATE July, 2001: Reported going out of business, not accepting orders)The Adventure Tools "Global Survival Kit" ($60) pushes the limit for personal carry, both in size, 5 7/8 x 4 x 1 1/2 inches (14.9 x 10.2 x 3.8 cm), and especially weight, well over a pound at 18.1 oz. (513.6 g). We should note that the weight of the kit supplied to us for evaluation is just over 20% greater than the 15 oz. (425.6g) that the company lists. While similar in size to my own large personal survival kit, the weight is much greater than that kit's 12.7 oz. (360.4g). Both are a pocketful for a jacket pocket, but the Global Survival Kit is also quite noticeable for its weight.

The generally well-appointed contents are contained in a very nice stainless steel tin, which at 5.8 oz. (164.6 g) is a small part of the reason the whole kit weighs so much. Two easy to use roller end-clamps secure the lid, which serves as the kit's signal mirror, though there are no instructions on how to aim it. The kit is not sealed or 100% waterproof, but will survive a quick dunk if promptly retrieved and dried. A nylon mesh bag with a drawstring and cord lock holds the kit, included to allow the kit's contents to be stored in the bag if the case is used for cooking, etc., a fair idea, though pockets will generally work OK in our experience.

An Outdoor Edge fixed blade "Wedge" knife, easily the pick of the crop that we've seen in such kits, is actually adequate for real survival use. However, we don't consider any such knife anything more than back-up for your principal carry knife. For its bulk, we're not sure it's the perfect choice, but otherwise no complaints. A whetstone is also included, a good addition, but somewhat heavy and bulky. There is also a 5 1/4 in (13.3 cm) long portion of a hacksaw blade, but no wire saw.

Fire starting materials include the Sparky magnesium/flint firestarter, six excellent Spark-Lite Fire-Tabs tinders, a book of paper matches, a poor choice in our opinion and not even protected inside a small plastic bag (though the waterproof tinders are--seems backwards to us), and a tea candle. The candle promptly melted when inadvertently left outside in the case for less than an hour in the summer sun. That would make a mess of the kit, though it wouldn't really harm much. Still, we'd suggest removal if you anticipate carriage of the kit in a desert environment. The instructions suggest adding a lighter, but it wouldn't be easy to fit in the already tightly packed case. A plastic survival whistle nestles in one end of the kit.

There is a bobbin of fishing line and a nice assortment of fishhooks and weights. Dental floss is included, useful for lots of things, but it is Gore's "Glide" brand, which being comprised mostly of Teflon is not quite as strong as traditional waxed floss, nor will it hold a knot worth a damn, and we tried dozens. There are also two lengths of nylon cord and a very nice snap hook with an attached split ring. Both could prove handy to have.

A bottle of Potable Aqua and a 24 x 18 inch (61 x 45.7 cm) plastic bag provide for water purification and storage, or the bag could be slit to make a solar still.

Medical supplies include a few elastic adhesive bandages, butterfly bandages, two packages of Neosporin antibiotic salve, and antiseptic swab, and some acetaminophen and ibuprofen tabs, all in a zip-lock bag. Another zip-lock bag contains a a couple packets of bullion, a sugar packet, salt and pepper packets and two BoNay herbal tea bags, supposedly good for all sorts of ailments. There is also a small bottle of Tabasco hot sauce, nice to have to mask unfamiliar food tastes, but of questionable priority in a small personal size kit. The survival instructions are laminated for water-resistance, a good idea.

(UPDATE July, 2001: Reported going out of business, not accepting orders) The Adventure Tools "Global Survival Kit" really pushes the limits for a personal size kit on size and especially weight. The contents are well protected by the sturdy tin and generally good, though some things, such as the unprotected paper matches, don't meet the rest of the kit's quality. The inclusion of food items is questionable for a kit this size, but no harm there. There is a good deal of bulk that could be reduced, though admittedly at greater expense, and it's already the most expensive kit here, by a lot. Overall, we rate this kit as a solid "good".

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Publisher and Editor: Doug Ritter
Email: Doug Ritter
URL: http://www.equipped.org/gskit.htm
Revision: 03 June 1, 2002
 

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