Toys for the boys?

AMK Origin

This seems to be rather similar to the sort of 'survival kits' I made up as a kid, after reading Survival for Young People by Anthony Greenbank.

Only then, the usual container was an old tobacco tin.  You used to be able to buy ready-made kits (the likes of BCB).

Of course, it was pointless, and never got used, but it made me feel like a 'proper outdoorsman' when I was running around in the local woods...

This 'Origin' thing looks to be much the same, only with heavy plastic bits...

captain paranoia wrote (see)

AMK Origin

This seems to be rather similar to the sort of 'survival kits' I made up as a kid, after reading Survival for Young People by Anthony Greenbank.

Only then, the usual container was an old tobacco tin.  You used to be able to buy ready-made kits (the likes of BCB).

Of course, it was pointless, and never got used, but it made me feel like a 'proper outdoorsman' when I was running around in the local woods...

This 'Origin' thing looks to be much the same, only with heavy plastic bits...

I made my own after reading a wee freebie booklet in one of the boy's comics of the day (early 70's), Hotspur or Hornet or somesuch. It (the booklet) was packed full of genuinely useful outdoors "survival" tips. Damned if I can remember the name of it tho'.

And aye, that AMK thing looks a bit dangerous tbh.

Trouble no one about their religion;

respect others in their view and demand that they respect yours.

~Chief Tecumseh~

You used to get built-in compasses in your shoes too. Ah, those were the days.

"It's psychosomatic. You need a lobotomy. I'll get a saw."

Montgomery Wick wrote (see)

The condom came in handy once.

Matt C wrote (see)

Emergency water carrier?

Frothy water..Balk!!

captain paranoia wrote (see)

AMK Origin

This seems to be rather similar to the sort of 'survival kits' I made up as a kid, after reading Survival for Young People by Anthony Greenbank.

Only then, the usual container was an old tobacco tin.  You used to be able to buy ready-made kits (the likes of BCB).

Of course, it was pointless, and never got used, but it made me feel like a 'proper outdoorsman' when I was running around in the local woods...

This 'Origin' thing looks to be much the same, only with heavy plastic bits...

Anthony Greenbank - there's a voice from the past.  I had no idea that book was even still in print.  I absolutely loved it and, as I was in the Scouts at the time (think mid-1970s) we had a great time making plastic shelters, lighting fires and making up survival kits.

It is fun playing around with survival kits, even though, as you say, no-one ever really uses them.  I bought the basic AMK one and it's pretty good, as these things go.  The Doug Ritter website is also a good read.

In the UK, you're never really far from civilisation so the worst you're going to experience is an unexpected night in the open.  If that happens, a bivvy bag, a stove and some extra food is going to be far more use than a little tin full of odds and ends like a fishing kit and snare wire.   

At the risk of sounding like a knife snob, I wouldn't buy something I didn't know what the blade was made from!

I used to love my SAS Survival Handbook when I was younger. It's kind of carried through to the way I live now; no 'survival kit' as such but my rucksack that goes everywhere with me has all kinds of useful stuff in it.

 Pretty silly IMHO and always have.

 If you got into a situation you needed to use one, you'd be in sh*t creek and need the skills to use it.

 Not very many peeps do.         A 'leaflet' telling you how to use it, please.

 A friend who was aircrew in the RAF, trained in things like like that, didn't and wouldn't carry one. He/she said that was "pointless", the "only" things they'd take would be a mini compass, bandage, WP matches, a few plasters and "maybe" a saw.

I seem to remember that Survival Aids was founded by an ex-military entrepreneur, whose name now escapes me, who started the business by hawking small tins of survival bibs and bobs to outdoor retailers. I remember him telling me that he was assured that the idea would never catch on, but he confounded his critics and, I suppose, ended up selling his business for a handsome profit.

I've never understood why walkers and backpackers should need a survival kit contained in a small tin. How often are saws and fish hooks required in our British hills? But we men are fascinated by gadgets, irrespective of their usefulness; the ladies are much more practical and sensible. 'Toys for the boys' is a good description of the syndrome.

When leading ten-mile walks in lowland countryside, I've been advised to carry an emergency shelter, a comprehensive first aid kit, a plastic poncho, spare water and high-energy food. I've been informed that these items are required to cope with emergencies and are in addition to items such as map, compass and satnav which I would carry on almost any walk.

When walking and backpacking in upland areas, either alone or with a companion, the only emergency items I carry, over and above standard kit, are a survival bag, three Compeeds, a small roll of surgical tape, a small packet of wipes (much more efficient than toilet tissue, works when wet, and useful for cleaning cuts and grazes), a few turns of gaffer tape around my water bottle, two high-energy bars, a small multi-tool which cost £1.99, needle and thread, spare spectacles, head torch, and a tiny button compass. I map-read my route using a print-out from Grough software and carry the OS map in my pack. My Type 26 Silva compass, which must be at least thirty years old and virtually indestructible, is carried in my shirt pocket attached to a buttonhole by a lanyard with knots at four-centimetre intervals for measuring distances. These items weigh very little and in more than seventy years of walking and backpacking would have coped with every emergency that I've encountered.

I don't normally carry a phone (except when leading walks), flares or emergency beacons, snake-bite kits or emergency tooth caps.

Hugh

Explorer

You are so right! 

I live near a railway station on a road that leads to a path that is sometimes used as route by those undertaking their Bronze Award. It's not unusual to see slightly-built girls of Asian extraction carrying packs that seem to be almost as large as themselves. It's madness because it can put off young people from backpacking.

Also, if  teenagers are told that they need to carry an emergency shelter and a tent when taking their Bronze Award, it will make them less inclined to listen to their instructors in the far more demanding situations encountered if, and when, they graduate to the Gold Award.

Hugh

"How often are saws and fish hooks required in our British hills? " <sharp intake of breath and shocked expression> How will I defend myself against Silurians and Sontarans? Admittedly they'd be useless against a Dalek - especially the pastel coloured kitchen bin ones.

isn't the forced carry emergency equipment to make carrying such items a habit. once it's a habit it becomes a decision of what not to take rather than forgetting to take something.

> When leading ten-mile walks in lowland countryside, I've been advised to carry an emergency shelter, a comprehensive first aid kit, a plastic poncho, spare water and high-energy food.

It's unfortunate that UKC hidesome of their threads behind a member login, as the First Aid Kit thread was useful in this respect.  It was suggested (probably correctly, sadly), that the law might take a dim view of a leader who didn't carry a comprehensive FAK, even if most of it was pointless; see the recent thread on first aid kits for some comments on the BS FAK by a casualty consultant...

A group shelter would be used to protect a casualty (and support) whilst you or others go for help.

The other items are on the assumption that your group hasn't packed adequately.  Unless you check their equipment before you set off (and leave them behind if ill-equipped), I think you'll be considered liable.  Food shouldn't really be needed unless one of your group has medical needs; again, up to you to check their needs in advance.

I've suggested that each DofE participant carry a survival bag, even though the group should be carrying a tent; this is to deal with the possibility of the group getting split up (even though they're told not to, except in emergency).  What happens if the group has to split up for medical emergency reasons; who takes the tent?  What happens if the rescue party then needs to shelter?  What happens if the tent blows away?

The responsibilites when leading a group are much greater than when walking on your own, or with mates, especially if the group is of minors.

All that said, the chances of death in fair weather, non-remote, lowland walking are pretty low...  They might get a bit cold, wet, thirsty and hungry, but they're hardly likely to die.

In the end in comes down to avoiding stupid litigation and damages...