I use to contribute, heavily, to a survival site that had a "personal survival kit competition". I didn't participate, but thought the participants came up with some great ideas. Basically, you don't win anything except "bragging rights". However, you also get to learn about your gear / rethink your strategy / learn from everyone else.

The concept would be to set a time limit (2 months, for example), assemble your kit, take pictures, and post in this thread (pictures of your kit, the contents, a list of the contents, and the purposes of unusual gear - we know what knives are for so we wouldn't need you to explain that. However, if you have ...sand paper... we might want to know why).

I don't like being "that guy that always posts kit lists" so I thought an friendly competition would be fun?

I propose the following rules:

1) This is open to everyone.
2) There are no prizes except getting to put something in your sigline about winning the competition.
3) We set a time limit of 30 to 60 days for "entry posts".
4) We establish a size limit. NOTE: we can have different categories.
5) In order to be considered an "entry" the post has to include:

* picture of the completed kit;
* dimensions of the completed kit;
* picture of the kit's contents;
* list of the contents;
* description of unusual items

6) The "winners" are judged by whomever you want.

This might be a lame idea, but I thought it could force some of us to use our "its too hot this summer" time to build or re-build our kits.

Personally, I think it would be a good starting point to have a Personal or Basic Kit competition. Doing a full on Bug Out Bag competition is pretty exhausting?

Tom & Randy - I assume this doesn't violate any rule?

I am in.

I like it!

Three so far.

We need more participants. Don't be bashful folks - here's a chance to improve your kit.

I'm in...if I can get unlazy and take pics of my kit...no guarantees

I don't think it would violate anything Gary. You're not giving anything away, you're NOT doing a "For Sale" thing. Basically you are just seeking information and ideas, trying to get US to get serious about our safety/preparedness.

so I think the first size should be your everyday keep near you kit.

OK, predominately a FAK, but I also have some other stuff in it and there is still room. The main pouch still has room (big enough for 3 canned sodas side by side and one laying across the top). So I still have some room to add more "Stuff" Here is the bag, a 511 Push Pack in Dark Earth tone.



I guess I should call it a BOB Lite! If I am home it is too. If I am in one of our vehicles, it is too. It is an augmentation to the regular BOB that is still a continuing work in progress. One Day I will be pretty Satisfied with the BOB I am gradually working on for Myself and a smaller one for Patty.

In this BOB Lite I have the standard FAK items and some "Other stuff" as well.

You can see on the top left, a 3 led (2 white and 1 red) cap bill light and a Smiths diamond sharpening rod. Then the black 25oz water bottle and the whistle. The Swamp Warden is velcroed to the flap and a 3 power level ITI (plus strobe) 1aa flashlight on the right side of the bag on the outside of that zippered pouch.

MY MURSE KIT (511 Push Pack)

SAK tinkerer
Ontario Rat Model 1 (original) folder
Whistle
Small signal mirror
Smith’s diamond rod sharpener
ITI 3 power level plus strobe led light (aa)
Small Silva folding compass
Ball cap bill led flashlight
Swamp Warden velcroed to outside of the bag
4 Chemlight light sticks (2x30 min and 2x12 hour)
4x 6 inch Fat wood sticks
12 PJ cotton balls in 2 35mm film canisters
Fire starter kit (altoids box with tinder)
Leatherman tool
8X20 Simmons monocular
25oz. Water bottle
2 10 inch Velcro straps
Pair leather gloves
Disinfectant wipes (12)
Alcohol pads(12)
Equate triple Antibiotic ointment(1 tube)
Burn cream (1 tube)
Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aleve
Numerous assorted Band-Aids
4 4x4 gauze pads
25ft 1in Roll of medical tape
Roll of gauze (25ft x 2in)
2 inch gauze pads
Mercuroclear antiseptic/anesthetic
Quik Clot sponge
tourniquet
Moleskin
2 pair rubber gloves
1 small (2in blade) scissors
Imodium tablets
Benadryl capsules
Small razor knife
Bandana
Just added the following
Six inch mini pry bar
Coleman water purification tablets (and neutralizer)

You can get a surprising amount of stuff in a small place if you really try. Thanks for the inspiration guys!

OK, since that picture was taken I have made the 5.11 push pack into a dedicated BOB Lite.

The other one (Maxped Fat Boy) is now my FAK.

So NOW, my BOB LITE consists of:

SAK Tinkerer
Ontario RAT Model 1 (Original) folder
Whistle
signal mirror
Smith's Diamond Rod Sharpener
ITI 3 power level + Strobe aa led flashlight
silva folding compass
3 led ball cap bill flashlight
Swamp Warden
4 chem light sticks
4 6 inch fatwood sticks
12 PJ cotton balls in 35mm film canisters
altoids fires starter kit
Leatherman tool
simmons 8x20 monocular
25oz water bottle
2 10 inch velcro straps
pair leather gloves
Bandana
6 inch mini pry bar
coleman water purification tablets (and neutralizers)

And I might add that now I have room for a Texsport cooking kit

And I also now have room for some "Power bars" that I haven't added yet.

I think that I now need to do another IFAK and attach it to the 5.11 bag.

And then again maybe I just need to scarp that whole thing and get a bigger "Pack" so I can put the BOB Lite and FAK together in one bag. Maybe THAT is what I need a Maxped Pigmy Falcon II for.

We have a couple of participants, but not really enough to make it fun.

Come on folks, "Get 'er done"!

When I first put together my "Kit" (the first integrated BOB/IFAK) I figured it was something I would have and probably never use. Well I was wrong. I have use some things from it (mainly First aid portion) several times. And I have also used the fire making portion 5 or 6 times as well along with the gloves and twice the can opener portion of the SAK.

These "Kits" can and will come in a lot handier than you think.