My Survival Vest

This is my version of a survival vest, which can augment a bug-out bag if needed. You don't have to go to this extreme, but for me its a piece of mind when I'm away from home. You may have your own idea of what a survival vest should consist of and that's great. At least you are thinking and hopefully putting together your own type of vest or kit. It is better to have something than nothing.

Each pocket of the vest is labeled with a letter. Below is a list of what I carry in those pockets.  The vest weighs about 23 lbs. depending on season. The vest was sprayed with a water proofing spray used for canvas tents and outdoor clothing.

Front Of Vest

POCKET A:

Small first aid kit containing:
1 small Bic lighter
2 butterfly closures
6 band aids
(2) 2x2 sterile dressings
1 sting relief pad
1 double antibiotic ointment
3 antiseptic towelettes
1 moleskin
4 Motrin tablets
2 safety pins

POCKET B:

sharpening stone

1 knife sharpening stone

POCKET C:

#1- Compass with magnifying glass
#2- Signal mirror

POCKET D:

#1- Pocket compass with thermometer and wind-chill chart
#2- Survival whistle
#3- Heavy duty aluminum foil 2' x 2'
#4- Wisp toothbrush with toothpaste (4 in one pack)
#5- 3 each REV-3 energy drink powder (lemon flavor)
#6- 1 each bar of soap (motel size)

POCKET E:

#1- Snake bite kit
#2- Aloe gel lotion and sun block cream
#3- Aspirin, Motrin, and Imodium tablets
#4- Extra band aids
#5- Water purification tablets
#6- Carmex lip balm
#7- Medical tape
#8- Toilet paper (3each)
#9- Alcohol towelettes
#10- Micro light
#11- Bic lighter
#12- Leatherman micro tool

POCKET F:

#1- Water proof container (contains meds needed on daily basis, i.e. high blood pressure pills, etc.)
#2- Magnesium fire stick
#3- D-ring for rappelling
#4- Fire striker fire starter
#5- Back up pocket knife with assorted add-ons.
#6-  Extra 10 rounds of .22 cal and 3 rounds of #4 shot .410 shells for my M6 Scout survival rifle. Kept in a mint tin with gauze to prevent shifting around. Outer edge is seal with electrical tape to help keep dirt and moisture out.  (Replace with ammo of your choice)
#7- Pencil wrapped with 3 feet of electrical tape.

POCKET G:

#1- Survival fishing kit: hooks, line and sinkers.
#2- Spare knife sharpening stone.
#3- Mini flashlight (diode bulb type) with spare batteries.
#4- 2 each fruit energy bars (Ten X- Blast).
#5- Monocular with case.
#6- Cell phone (not shown).

POCKET H:

#1- Tri-bandage arm sling. Can also be used as a pirate type head gear like I wear in my videos and when I'm out and about in the wilderness.

#2- Compressed bandage with attached gauge.

#3- Snares made from snare wire 6 each.

#4- Baggie containing dryer lint for fire starting.

#5- Extra heavy duty aluminum foil 2' x 3' sheet folded. (Can be used for a cooking container or wrapping food for later.)

#6- 2 each drinking straws with 2 inches cut off to fit pockets.

#7- Hand saw.

Inner Vest Posckets

POCKET I-

1 Each light weight rain poncho.

POCKET J-

1 each QuikClot sport pak. Used for serious bleeding.

POCKET K-

1 Each Tube tent (two person capacity)

POCKET L-

#1- SAS Desert survival handbook.
#2- Water proof notebook for taking notes, leaving notes, etc.

POCKET M-

2 Each one gallon clear plastic baggies; 3 each one quart clear plastic baggies. (can be used to store water or food or for what ever needs to stored.
1 Pair of thin leather gloves (not show)

Rear Vest Pockets

POCKET N-

#1- Aquamaria portable water filter straw. This product with clean 20 gallons of water.
#2- 50 feet of 550 para-chord.
#3- Dental floss, waxed.  Good for cleaning your teeth, cordage, and for tying feathers and arrow tips for making arrows.
#4- Off mosquito liquid.
#5- Clear plastic tube with lid and 3 feet of rolled duct tape. The clear tube can be used to store extra medication, char cloth, cotton balls cover in Vaseline for fire starting, needle and thread, etc.
#6- Glow in the dark chem-lite, green in color, 6 hours of usable light.

POCKET O-

#1- Mosquito head net.
#2- Emergency space blanket.

POCKET P-

#1- 1 quart sandwich baggie containing: 1 packet chicken soup; 1 packet French onion soup; 1 packet cream of celery soup; 1 packet orange powder drink; 1 packet raspberry powder drink; 1 packet instant vegetable rice; 2 tea bags; 1 instant coffee packet; 1 creamer packet; 1 salt packet; 4 sugar packets; 2 wet napkin packets.

#2- 1 mint tin containing: 6 chicken bullion cubes; 2 salt packets; 1 sugar packet; 1 creamer packet; 1 instant coffee packet; 1 packet Tabasco sauce; 1 hard candy; 1 packet gum.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

The following survival items are not in the vest, but are with me on my belt or carried in my pack when I know I'm going to be in the wilderness:

M6 Scout Survival Rifle

The M6 Scout Survival Rifle is no longer manufactured. You might get lucky and find one at a gun show or pawn shop. This rifle is a .22 cal, .410 cal over and under barrel configuration. Its has a magazine that carries (15) .22 cal ammo and (4) .410 cal ammo.  Its folds in half and fits perfect in my bug-out bag or hiking backpack.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Smith & Wesson Homeland Security

This is my survival knife of choice. Its stays with my vest as a companion item and is worn on my belt or attached to the vest when in storage. The blade is Titanium .440 steel. Its is very durable, keeps a good edge and fits well in my hand. The sheath is well built with a diamond studded sharpener attached.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Winchester Multi tool

At a minimum I carry a multi-tool on my belt and a small pocket knife in my pocket. I am partial to Winchester and Leatherman multi-tools because they a very sturdy and have not failed me yet.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Some other items to add would be an extra pair of reading glasses if you are not able to see without them. They should be stored in a crush proof case.

Just remember that when designing your survival vest and kits that they address the following needs:

1. Fire Starting
2. Signaling
3. Food procurement (i.e., knife, cordage, etc.)
4. Water procurement, purification and storage
5. Shelter building (i.e., cordage)
6. Navigation (i.e., compass or GPS)
7. Basic medical needs

Stay Prepared!  Stay Alive

Charlie