Thoughts: AMK Survival and FAK

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After 10 years I am getting back into a lot of solo hiking (mainly 7-8 hour trips. I need to put together a Survival Kit and FAK (SAFAK?). I frankly don’t have a huge amount of time to put together a custom kit so I am looking at comercial options. So far I have narrowed my options down to two kits both by AMK.

Some considerations are Australian availability of the kits, Australian bush conditions and purpose.

Survival Kit: AMK Survival Pak Plus

• 1 Duct Tape 2″ x 26″
• 1 Sewing Needle, #16, Yarn Darner
• 1 Sewing Thread, Bobbin #69, Nylon
• 1 Waterproof Survival Instructions
• 1 Aluminium Foil, Heavy Duty, 3 Sq. Ft.
• 1 Compass, Button, Liquid Filled
• 4 Fish Hook, #10
• 1 Fresnel Magnifier
• 6 Micropur MP1 Water Purification
• 1 Nylon Cord, #18, Braided, (10 ft. 100lb test)
• 1 PICO Lite LED Flashlight
• 1 RSK Mk5 Survival Knife
• 1 Safety Wire, Stainless Steel, (6 ft of 0.020″)
• 1 Signal Mirror, Rescue Flash
• 1 Snap Swivel, Size 12
• 1 Spark-Lite
• 2 Split Shot, Lead B
• 1 Sterile 1L Water Bag
• 4 Tinder Quick
• 2 Waterproof Paper
• 1 Whistle, Rescue Howler

For my situation, I need to be able to survive 1-2 nights if injured or lost. I normally hike in conditions where fishing and hunting (snares) are illeagal or not possible So I would remove the fishing kit. I would add the folowing:

• SOL Emergency Bivy
• 2x 1200 calorie Mayday Food Bars
• Nato matches
• 2x solid fuel tablets

This covers shelter, repair, signalling, food, water collection, lighting and fire. I already carry on day walks:

• SAK Dual Pro and LM Multitool
• Mobile Phone (I get sinal in most places I walk.
• Compass and Maps
• Wet weather gear
• food and stove
• water

First Aid Kit: AMK Ultralight/Watertight 0.5

• Bandage Materials
  • 4 Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 1″ x 3″
  • 2 Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, Knuckle
  • 2 Bandage, Butterfly Closure
  • 1 Bandage, Conforming Gauze, 2″
  • 2 Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 2″ x 2″, Pkg./2
  • 2 Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 3″ x 3″, Pkg./2
  • 1 Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterile, 3″ x 4″
• Blister / Burn
  • 1 Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped (11 pieces)
• Instrument
  • 2 Safety Pins
  • 1 Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps
• Medication
  • 2 After Bite Wipe
  • 2 Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg)
  • 1 Aspirin (325 mg), Pkg./2
  • 2 Ibuprofen (200 mg), Pkg./2
• Wound Care
  • 3 After Cuts & Scrapes Antiseptic Wipe
  • 3 Alcohol Swab
  • 1 Tape, 1/2″ x 10 Yards
  • 1 Tincture of Benzoin Topical Adhesive
  • 2 Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Single Use

Cover my needs as a solo hiker for most situations. I would add:

• Folding scapel
• Sam splint
• More medications
• 15ml Betadine dropper
• 10 cm compression bandage for snake bites

Any thoughts on this setup?

List adjusted in blue from discussion.

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