Inspired after reading and reviewing Build The Perfect Survival Kit by John D. McCann, I decided to put together a belt pouch survival kit. While this is still a work in progress, here’s what I’ve done thus far.

I started with a Fieldline camo print belt pouch I found at Walmart a while back. I paid around eight bucks for it, if memory serves.

While perhaps not as robust as a Maxpedition M-1 waist pack, it was also less than half the price.

Personally, I love to use small tins to organize my kits when possible. This pouch was able to fit three tins with a bit of room to spare so that’s where I started. As you’ll see, I used one actual Altoids tin and two generic tins that are the same size as the Altoids one.

Tin #1

This one consists mostly of fire starting supplies.
–Small ferro rod with striker
–Pencil sharpener for making wood shavings
—Tinder tabs (3)
—Micro Inferno fire sticks (3)
–Butane lighter
–Signal whistle (not fire related, obviously, but it fit nicely into the tin)
—Paraffin covered matches

Tin #2

This one contains a bit of medical supplies.
–Bag containing ibuprofen, Pepto-Bismol tablets, and caffeine tablets
–Anti-itch ointment
–Iodine
–Antiseptic towelettes
–Adhesive bandages

Tin #3

This tin has some miscellaneous gear.
–Small knife
–Button compass
–Razor blades
–Small LED light
–Magnet

After fitting the three tins into the pouch, there is still a fair amount of room to spare, so I’ve added some other goodies.

–Paracord (12 feet)
–Granola bar
–Jute twine (for tinder as well as cordage)
—Streamlight Stylus Pro flashlight
—Exotac Matchcap with storm matches inside
–Swiss Army knife
–Signal mirror

Here is the fully loaded pouch.

The 12 feet of paracord gives me a total of 96 feet of cordage (12 feet x 7 inner strands, plus 12 feet for the shroud). I have two cutting implements, two different flashlights, several means of starting a fire, a bit of food, two means of signaling for help, basic first aid supplies, and if I really needed it, iodine for disinfecting water.

I’m missing something from the shelter category but if I toss an emergency blanket in my pocket, I’ll be covered on that front. I’m also needing something as a container for water, which will likely be an Aqua Pouch, as well as some water purification tablets. A set of extra batteries for the Streamlight Stylus Pro will also be added to the kit.

All in all, I’m pretty happy with the belt pouch survival kit thus far. As with all my kits, there is a constant tweaking process involved.