Altoids Tin Update (02 July 2012)

After coming back from camp, I'd found out that one of the members of EDCF held a competition to see how many times I'd used my tin over the course of my 2 day/2night camping trip.  Turns out that within that short time frame, the tin was used 10 times (that I could recall):

1. needle/thread/threader to sew my team flag
2. bandage/alcohol swab for a camper's scraped knee
3. needle/thread/threader to sew team flag to a stick
4. bandage/alcohol/needle for a splinter
5. super glue for a broken phone case
6. super glue for a team competition
7. ibuprofen for a headache
8. lighter to seal paracord (used to tether down a tent)
9. needle (sterilized) for minor "surgery" to a foot (camper had a teeeeeeeeny pebble/fragments of rock lodged in there after stepping on one )
10. interdental brush for teeth cleaning

Upon reading about this, another member asked that I posted up a picture of said tin.  I figured with that, it was time for an update.  :)

Most of the contents are still the same.  I'd added a couple things here and there or replaced others with "better" items.

From left to right (somewhat):

• quarters, 4: Usually used to make copies and prints at school.
• Vic Classic: I'd found that even though I had another Vic Classic on a "tools" keychain, I didn't always grab it as I'd found it too bulky. The tin always stays on my person (or in my bag) and it was just easier to add one to the tin. I love its scissors. 
• 200 lb test, ~10 feet: Just in case I need to tie stuff together. I've yet to use it. It's done "donut" style around a small keyring.
• "fauxton": It comes in handy. Not quite as handy as the Tempo on my keychain, but again, I don't always grab that keychain.
• safety pins, 3: Just a quick fix for any torn clothing or missing buttons. I've used them plenty.
• alcohol prep pads, 2: I've used this as a quick firestarter, cleaning up small injuries (I've yet to get antiseptic wipes, so these will do for now, as I only use them on small scratches), and even disinfecting the needle for splinters (that's last minute. I normally carry sterilized needles for that reason).
• bandage, fabric: You know. For scratches and stuff. I also carry a couple in my wallet, so this is a backup to that.
• Bic mini: Usually used for paracord crafts though I've also offered it to anyone who has asked for a light.
• paper clip: I've only ever used this once at school when I couldn't find my stapler and had to turn in my homework.
• razor blade: multiple uses. The most recent use was to open up a blister pack for my friend. It was one of those packages from Costco and I didn't want the SRM to rip through it, as it had a camera inside (her graduation gift!).
• electrical tape, ~3 feet: I prefer this tape to most others. I used to carry duct tape in here but it now resides on the tool keychain as a fob (seen here)
• rubber bands, 2: just 'cause.
• interdental brush: I'll be honest... I'm only 22 but have had a root canal.  I'm kinda happy it wasn't really my fault? Turns out that the dentist actually chipped one of my back teeth during an exam. At the last checkup, they had to do the root canal. TMI, but these are brushes are great for cleaning out that tooth since the crown causes food to get stuck.  These get tossed after each use. This green one is there 'cause I couldn't find the ones that had the cover. I know it's around here somewhere...
• antacid chews, 2: After headaches, my second most symptom complaint is an upset tummy. These are Wally World's generic version of the Pepto chews. Works fine and I love that each tablet has the expiration date printed on it.
• Derma-Safe razor: Love this thing! Another backup blade. Great for tasks that need something as precise as a razor with the comfort of a folder. 
• super glue: 'cause I love it and it has come in handy SO. MANY. TIMES!
• ibuprofen, 3
• generic version of Zyrtec: for allergies. 
• sewing kit: thread wrapped around a small piece of cardboard, needle, and threader. Each are taped to the lid and each piece of tape has a "tab" so that I could easily put the items back in place after use.
• emergency contacts, (not shown): On a half-slip of post-it paper, I have my emergency contacts as well as a "If found, please return to..." message just in case. 

And this is how everything fits.  :)  There is absolutely no bulging and it stays shut without a problem. It's not overstuffed whatsoever. The items I'd chosen to put in here are things that I know I will use all the time and is not meant to be a "survival kit" of any kind. It changes from time to time, but a lot of the items in there stays static, as I've found that these items work best for me on a daily basis. 

As always, my little "disclaimer":

The items I'd chosen are also items that are easy to pack. As long as the 4 largest items are put in first (lighter, folding razor, fauxton, quarters) everything else can just be dumped in and I don't have to worry about have to strategically place anything in. I wouldn't want to spend any more time than necessary to place my items back into the tin after use.

And as always, if you're interested in making your own tin, please check out my blog post, which lists all the items I've gathered (after MUCH research) that could fit into an Altoids tin. Pick and choose what you please and feel best fits you. 

Updated EDC Tin (02 May 2012)

After entering TEOTWAWKI's Altoids tin contest and explaining the contents of it, I had decided to give it a makeover. I wasn't completely happy with my "original" setup since most of the items I had in there didn't apply to my everyday life.  They were mostly things I'd found interesting or "too survival-ish" for day-to-day usage.

If I had applied these items to my "survival" kit, then they would be mediocre, duplicate supplies that would already be on my person or very close by.

Everything all nicely packed.  :)

This newer kit covers the basics of things that I use nearly everyday and supplements my main EDC/PFAK setups.

The items I've decided to include in this kit are as follows:

(1) razor blade
(1) antibacterial wipe
(2) alcohol wipes, 72%
(2) standard sized bandages, both fabric since they're my preferred types
(1) tube of super glue
(1) bundle of 550 cord guts, 8 feet
(1) small pencil
(1) electrical tape "pill"
(1) baggie of medication

• (4) pink bismuth tabs; generic Pepto chewables
• (4) ibuprofen tabs; generic Advil
• (2) allergy tabs; generic Zyrtec
• (1) floss pick
• (1) interdental brush

(1) tiny bottle of triple antibiotic cream - filled in a tiny 0.1 fluid ounce liquid breath mint bottle

Everything laid out.  :D

The way I'd decided to arrange my tin is different than most. I prefer to keep my flatter items on top, while others prefer to have theirs at the bottom of the tin. While I understand that they do this to save space and add more items, I'm more concerned with easy access. The bandages and wipes are probably the most used items in this setup, next to the lighter and electrical tape. Then probably the razor if I needed to do something more precise than my primary blade can handle.

:)  With the flatter things on top, I can more easily access the most used items.  The moist wipes also makes a great "cover" that keeps everything from rattling.  It's the perfect size to do so!

All of these items were able to fit perfectly without the lid coming up whatsoever.  I've tossed this kit into my bookbag and even with all the jostling, has not opened up on me once.

Altoids Survival Kit Items (Extensive List)

I'm always looking for items to add to my EDC or kits (First Aid, Altoids, Go-Bag, etc.).  Most people only post what they keep in their kits and because of the vastness of the interwebz, everything gets jumbled and lost.  For the sake of keeping things a bit more organized and to refer back to in the future, I wanted to make a list of everything I've read that has been kept in an Altoids tin (survival/EDC based).  So have fun with it and pick and choose from the list as needed to create YOUR Altoids Survival Kit!  :)

FIRST AID/HYGIENE/COMFORT:

• bandages (various types and sizes)
• tampon
• can also be used as a fire starter - that stuff is dense!
• gauze pads (2x2, usually)
• medical tape
• butterfly stitches/closures
• super glue/Nu-Skin (Dollar Tree has the super glue in packs of 3 and Nu-Skin in packs of 2)
• medications (prescription if you need them)
• allergy medication (Benedryl)
• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil; Dollar Tree also carries these individually wrapped in 3 sets of 2 tablets - six tablets total)
• aspirin
• anti-diarrhea would be good (Pepto chewables are pretty awesome)
• multivitamins
• Emergen-C packets
• alcohol wipes (great for cleaning up your knives on-the-go)
• wet naps
• hand sanitizer
• sanitizing wipes
• tweezers
• antibiotic ointment (small "doses" can be made with straws, as shown by Brian)
• burn gel
• hydrocortisone ointment
• Tiger Balm
• eye wash/saline
• poison ivy pre/post wipes
• sunscreen/sunblock packets
• first aid literature
• sting ointment
• insect repellent wipes
• cotton swabs, cotton balls
• lip balm (Minimus has a couple different brands in "single use" packets!)
• Vaseline/petroleum jelly
• nail clippers
• nail file
• iodine
• floss/floss picks
• Colgate Wisp
• latex gloves
• IMHO, nitrile would be better, as you never know if/when you encounter someone with a latex allergy
• Celox/QuikClot
• extra set of contact lenses
• contact lens/saline solution (0.6mL)
• essential oils (see comment by Daniel Felsted)

KNIVES/TOOLS:  

(MT = multi tool; the brands and models listed seem to be most popular amongst the interwebz)

• Spyderco Bug/Honeybee/Grasshopper
• Victorinox Classic
• various other models will fit as well
• 11-in-1 survival card tool (usually $1.00 shipped from various sites)
• Victorinox SwissCard/Tool Logic one
• Leatherman Squirt (MT)
• Gerber Paraframe Mini
• Gerber Clutch (MT)
• Gerber Suspension (MT)
• Gerber STL 2.0/2.5
• razor blade (this folding straight razor from County Comm is pretty cool)
• piece of hacksaw blade
• Boker Keycom
• Boker Gnome
• CRKT Shrimp
• SOG Micron
• P-38 or P-51 can opener
• small screw driver/flathead
• Spyderco Dragonfly (I think that fits.  I've seen people mention it, but I don't own one to know for sure.)
• SRM 605
• Leatherman Micra (MT)
• credit card knife of some sort (SpyderCard, Boker Plus Credit Card Knife...)
• lock picking tools
• CRKT RSK mK5 (it is designed to fit into a kit such as this and actually comes in its own tin!  :D)
• scissors (they have folding ones out there)
• mini screwdrivers
• scalpel
• utility blade (the type that breaks off to reveal a sharp point when the first gets dull.  Like on a box cutter)
• tiny monkey wrench (I've got one that's about 3" long)
• mini pry bar
• Swiss Tech keychain tools

KNIFE/TOOL MAINTENANCE:

• strop
• old leather belt cut to size
• paper loaded with stropping compound (I use Porter Cable's #4 and #5)
• oil
• DMT Dia-Sharp card(s)

FIRE:

• BIC Mini
• matches
• waterproof matches + striker
• strike anywhere matches
• regular matchbook
• storm proof matches
• fire steel (I get mine from Meritline for $1.60 shipped when on sale)
• tinder/fire starter
• cotton/dryer lint + petroleum jelly
• I like making these and stuffing them into drinking straw containers (Google:  "FireStraws")
• Tinder-Quik
• WetFire
• Coghlan's Fire Paste
• candle (don't leave in the heat)
• birthday type - the core of the "trick" type help the flame to stay when there is a bit of wind
• small emergency
• tea light
• small bit of magnesium 
• block or slivers/shavings
• split pea lighter
• fresnel lens or magnifying glass

LIGHT:

• Maglite Solitaire
• photon keychain lights (or "fauxtons" from DX or the like)
• Fenix E01
• Streamlight Nano
• mini glow stick (doesn't give off much, but still better than none)
• Maratac AAA
• LED + 3V button cell battery (works like a photon, but takes up less space)

WATER (collection, purification...)

• collection
• non-lubricated condom (water collection - can hold a few gallons)
• milk bags
• heavy duty zip lock bags, marked to 1L for water treatment
• purification
• iodine tincture
• bleach
• tablets (Katadyn, Aqua Mira...)

"FOOD":

• condiment packets (whatever floats your boat!  This list is just for your to get your creative juices flowin'.  I pack condiments that will compliment the emergency foods that I pack)
• salt - very important for rehydration
• pepper
• sugar
• ketchup
• mustard
• honey mustard
• barbeque sauce
• hot sauce (Tabasco, Tapatio, Taco Bell stuff...)
• soy sauce
• mayo
• relish
• honey
• dressings (make sure refrigeration is unnecessary)
• instant coffee packets (Starbucks VIA, Trader Joes...)
• make sure to pack sugar and creamer if you don't like black coffee
• teabags
• candies (peppermint, jolly ranchers, tootsie rolls...)
• gum
• mints
• chicken bullion packet
• drink mix (Crystal Light, Hawaiian Punch, Kool-Aid, etc...)
• small spork (CRKT Eat 'n Tool is fairly compact and inexpensive)
• coffee filters

REPAIR/STICKY STUFF/TIES/FASTENERS:

• sewing kit
• thread
• dental floss can work in a bind
• needle
• safety pins
• threader if you need it
• buttons
• tape (usually a couple feet rolled onto itself or wrapped around an old credit card...)
• duct
• electrical
• gaffer
• blue painter's tape
• glue (if necessary, make straw containers!  :D)
• super glue
• white school glue
• wood glue
• hot glue stick, cut down to size (use your lighter/matches/fire to melt and glue)
• ties
• twist ties
• bungee cord
• 550 paracord
• whole cord 
• just the guts, if you're tight on space
• (jute) twine
• nylon cord
• zip ties
• Nite-Ize Gear Ties
• hair ties
• steel nail
• small carabiner
• fasteners
• paper clips
• bobby pins
• binder clips
• rubber bands/ranger bands/cuts of bicycle inner tube
• small bit of Velcro
• eyeglass repair kit

ELECTRONIC:

• SD/micro SD card or USB flash drive with encrypted important information
• emergency contacts and allergy information is good too if you don't go with the paper route
• extra batteries
• for your phone (charged)
• AA / AAA for flashlights and other devices
• button cells
• ear buds

WRITING:

• paper (Rite in the Rain is awesome, though a bit pricey)
• folded up sheets of Post-It notes are useful
• writing utensil
• Fisher Space Pen
• grease pencil
• wax crayon (don't leave your kit in the heat)
• chalk
• modified BIC mini
• mini Pilot G2
• golf pencil ("IKEA" pencil)
• Don't forget that in a pinch, you can use shavings from the pencil as tinder.  :)
• Sharpie Mini
• Inka pen
• your favorite pen refill, cut down to size
• telescopic Zebra pen

OUTDOORish type things:

• safety whistle
• small thermometer
• button compass
• snare wire
• signal mirror 
• Tops has the smaller dog tag styled ones that are pretty neat
• foil
• wire saw

OTHER:

• toothpicks
• toilet paper
• toilet seat cover
• ear plugs
• fishing kit
• fishing line, dental floss
• hooks
• sinkers
• bank line
• currency
• coins (parking meters, pay phones ???)
• bills (usually a $10 or $20)
• pre-paid debit card
• pre-paid [international] phone card
• emergency contact information (laminated would be great!)
• and allergy information, for that matter
• morse code card
• picture of your loved one :)
• sand paper (good for quick 'n dirty sharpening of tools and knives)
• survival literature (found a great one, but lost the link!  Will update when found)
• knot cards
• small watch (no band)
• ceramic sharpening sticks
• hand cuff key
• small ruler
• compressed sponge
• paper towel "pills" (I've seen them at Asian stores and a few times at the Dollar Tree; they're slightly larger than an Altoid mint.  You add water and poof!  It becomes a paper towel.)
• reflective bands
• simple door alarm
• cheap 'n easy, quick n' dirty "trip" alarm type of deal
• balloon
• forever stamp
• extra house key

FOR THE KIDS: (since some of us have to keep kids entertained...)

• crayons (just don't leave it out in the sun)
• folded sheets of coloring pages
• activity print outs (tic tac toe and stuff)
• dice
• mini cards
• stickers
• random toys from the party favor section works great!
• balloons

Some Notes:

• A lot of these "single serve" items can be made via the straw method (demonstrated by Brian), purchased from sites such as Minimus, or begotten from fast food joints (please be courteous, though).  Again, use your imagination!  I've seen people use the straw method for dry items such as spices for camp cooking, to storing a small bit of oil for lubricating tools on-the-go, to even toothpaste, soap, and needles.  Do be careful with certain solutions that may disintegrate the plastic though (such as WD-40).
• many of these items can be salvaged from things around the house or from the local dollar store.  
• Again, this is just an extensive list of things other people have included in their kits.  These will NOT all fit into a single Altoids tin.  Pick and choose the items that work best for you.  I've seen some people make separate kits rather than an "all inclusive" kit (i.e. one tin for all first aid items, another for fire making, a different one for food items...)
• Many items are multipurpose (ex: dental floss can be used as emergency fishing line or sewing thread)

SOURCES OF [Altoids-like] TINS:

Just in case you can't get Altoids locally, you can always buy them online.  But sometimes the shipping doesn't justify the purchase, right?  So... here are some alternatives!  :)

Locally:

• Sucrets (cough drops)
• Fisherman's Friend (also cough drops)
• Newman's Own Organics mints (the ginger one has a neat dragon on it!  :D That's what I've got.)
• 365 Peppermints (from Whole Foods)
• VerMints

Online:

• if you MUST have a blank one, County Comm sells 'em.
• CRKT RSK mK5 (comes with the knife + tin)

** This post will be updated as I find new items.  :)  Enjoy!  Don't forget to post a picture of your kit.  :D