I may have mentioned before on this blog that I am prone to migraines. I tend to avoid using painkillers unless I have to, but recently my doctor told me my condition was such that I’d be advised to carry more painkillers with me. I’m always in favour of precaution and preparedness, as we know!
If I have to carry some painkillers it seems only prudent to also carry some other items of similar usefulness. Some of my jackets are short on pockets, and I spend a lot of time not wearing a jacket. The logical place to carry this kit was the cargo pocket of my trousers. You are less likely to be separated from your trousers, which is why in my articles on the soldier’s load I recommend the cargo pockets for survival kit, minor injuries kit and other important items.
I will stress here that what is illustrated in the photo is not supposed to be a comprehensive survival kit. There is no means to create fire or cut, since these are already carried elsewhere. And sometimes they are duplicated, or worse. I cringe when I think how many items I have on me that can be used to open beer bottles. This is basically a collection of useful items for everyday carry.
Cargo pocket carry means you do not want a container that is hard or bulky. I selected a cheap first aid kit. It came with a rather nice triangular bandage that was worth the asking price alone. I added placed this in my primary travel medical kit.
To the now emptied pouch I added the following:
- Some paracetamol, and some diclofenac, the latter being good for migraines.
- Some alcohol wipes (can be used as firestarters).
- An assortment of plasters.
- Container of dental floss -90 metres of useful cordage.
- Small bag of safety pins, hair pins and paperclips. Useful for broken zippers or improvising tools. I need more of the larger, springier paperclips since these are more useful.
- Two short lengths of chalk. One light/ white, the other dark/ coloured. For leaving messages and route marking.
- Pencil, wound with about a foot of electrical tape. I should have added the tape first and used the rubber to cap the pencil point. Hindsight is wonderful!
- Foil space blanket. In its own ziplock bag for protection. This squeezed into the pouch, but could be carried outside it within the cargo pocket.
Note each component, other than the pencil, has its own ziplock bag.
Not shown: You could add a small compass to this kit. I already carry a clipper compass elsewhere on my person so this was not a high priority for me. I am also going to add a suitably sized card with Morse code on it, but have not yet had time to print one out while near a laminator.
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The Books
The Books
