Here are a few suggestions on the contents that could be carried that could be useful for emergencies.
– Bandages (simple first aid or for alternative taping/binding)
– Alcohol prep pad (first aid or tinder for fire)
– Fresnel lens (a.k.a. wallet magnifier or solar fire starter)
– Credit card knife (as a cutting tool or for possible defense)
– Single edged razor blade (a very compact cutting tool)
– Multi-tool card (the one shown has 11 functions)
– Duct tape (wrapped around card – unlimited uses)
– Currency (backup funds or as wallet decoy in case of robbery)
– Gum wrapper foil (when cut in narrow hour-glass strips are used with AA or larger batteries to create flame)
Not shown
– Bobby pins (as clips, lock picks, or tweezers)
– Mirror (for signaling or covert observation)
– condom (water container)

As indicated above a second wallet has a potential benefit of being sacrificial in the event of a robbery. Submitting a wallet with exposed cash to an anxious robber might satisfy their demand without sacrificing your primary wallet that may contain larger amounts of currency, credit cards, and personal information. You just need to standardize which pockets each wallet is kept in to know which pocket to draw from.

It is important to remember to eliminate certain items in your EDC that might be prohibited by TSA or other safety check points when traveling by commercial airlines or when entering other restricted areas.

You may already carry some of these items in your own EDC but a second wallet may provide more options. Your suggestions for other items to include are welcome and can be entered in the comments section.

I bought a packet of lighter flints and after examining the dispenser I noticed that it contains six flints that were lined up end-to-end and I wondered if they could be mounted similarly outside of the dispenser and used like conventional rods. The problem was, what kind of platform could they be mounted to?

It dawned on me that keys have built-in grooves based on a locks wards and that the mini ferro rods could be lined up inside a groove and glued in place. I got some instant drying glue (cyanoacrylate) and glued them end-to-end to form a rod then glued them as well along the groove. The six pieces in the dispenser fit perfectly along the length. After the glue dried I put down a cotton ball on the concrete floor, placed the key upright on it, and used a blade to strike along the new ferro “rod” successfully creating a fire.

After creating several fires the mini ferros began to flake off so I went to a hardware store and asked the employee for a used key that had a “deep grove”. After explaining my project he found a good match (which he gave to me for free), and with more surface contact for gluing the mini ferros stuck better and longer. I used only five ferro pieces this time so that I could use a technique to build up the glue at each end of the row as described in my article “Amazing Baking Soda & Instant Glue Emergency Repairs” to give it extra linear support.

The “DIY ferro key” may have a short life span but if used successfully only once in an emergency situation is worth having as an Every Day Carry (EDC). When out and about it would pass discreetly through occasional check points so that it would always be available to you. Although knife blades are the easiest to use as strikers, many hard/sharp objects will work such as a P38 can opener. This is a fun project that could be a life saver in an emergency situation.

1 Waterproof EDC container
1 Paracord
3 Fishing lines
2 x Hooks
2 x Weights
2 x Floaters
2 x Sinkers
2 x Swivels
1 Knife
1 Tinder cotton
1 Ferrocerium rod
2 Safety Pins
1 cable saw
1 Whistle
1 Carabiner

I decided to take this PSK to a private pond to see what it could do. Knowing that it had fishing gear I decided to use the cable saw to cut a fishing pole from a nearby sapling. Although I chose to just hold ends of the saw in each hand it could be implemented with toggles at each end or affixed to a curved branch to make a bow saw. I found that the cable should be kept under a ninety degree bend for best cutting results. It did a great job of cutting my pole.

 
The hooks and line came in three parts: 12 feet of just line and two 12 foot lengths with hooks attached. The single line unwrapped easily but the lines with hooks became tangled and took some time to untangle before I could use them but no matter how long that took they were vital parts for fishing so definitely worth the effort. I attached one of the hook lines to the end of the fishing pole, attached a worm and began to fish. I caught a bass!

I decided to try and make a fire with the ferrocerium rod and used the saw/knife blade as a striker. I gathered some dry fluffy weeds for tinder but was unable to get a flame. Then I remembered the tinder cotton and fluffed out one end. It caught the sparks immediately and I had a fire going right away.

I was able to cut a fishing pole, attach a line and hook (and caught a fish!), and built a fire upon which I could cook. The paracord and cable saw could have been used to construct a shelter. I was impressed that a kit so small had so much to offer in providing food and shelter in a survival situation.

Click HERE for more information about this EDC Keychain. Survival Hax is offering a discount to my readers so if you decide to purchase one (or more) be sure to use the promotional code EDCKEY50 on the checkout screen.

When I acquire a foil wrapper I usually place it in my wallet, right next to the paper currency, then I’ll always have this ignitable resource should I need it when I have access to a battery. It occurred to me, why not store foil with a battery in my devices so that it is readily available when needed? Obviously it needs to be kept in a way that will not “short out” accidentally and cause the destruction of your device or an unplanned fire. For my flashlights I fold the wrapper foil-side inward on it’s self then wrap it around one of the batteries before inserting it into the handle. It can be a tight fit but is generally easy to insert and retrieve. Some compact flashlights contain a battery clip that holds three AAA batteries and the folded foil wrapper can be wrapped around it before storing inside the flashlight handle.

There are other portable electrical devices that use batteries such as cell phones, DVD players, radios, etc. that have a battery compartment in which a folded foil wrapper can be stored but exercise care when storing the foil. Be sure to fold the wrapper and position it in such a way as to prevent any shorting and may perhaps need adhesive tape to keep it in place. When initially storing your device after the foil has been installed it may be advisable to place it in or on a non-combustible surface to observe it for a few minutes and feel it for any heat to make sure that no accidental conductivity is taking place.

This video demonstrates the use of the hour-glass shaped foil strip shown above to make fire. I find that it works best to hold it vertically to create a flame.

The first thing that I examined was the LED light. It was surprisingly bright. It uses button batteries that are stored within the head portion. To turn the light on you twist the head clock-wise and tighten it down. The connection was quite loose so I got some Teflon tape and made a wrap around the threads that snugged it up so that it wouldn’t unscrew and accidentally come off as so many of my mini lights have done in the past. The Teflon tape also acted as a moisture barrier. If the light is lightly tightened it can be turned on by just pressing it downward and could be used to send Morse Code signals by tapping with your thumb.

Next I examined the glass breaker. At first glance you might mistake it for being the pen tip but it is much wider with a more robust tip. A few days later I went to an auto junk yard and got permission to test the glass breaker on a car window. The window was penetrated instantly and easily when struck. The glass breaker portion covers the pen portion and is unscrewed and removed to reveal the pen.

The pen’s ferrel portion located above the pen tip is ringed with concentric grooves so it stays in position between your fingers as you write and is quite comfortable. The cone shaped transition piece between the ferrel and point can be removed in order to replace the ink pen cartridge.

Just above the pen is the junction to the knife blade. Just screw off the lower glass breaker/pen assembly and withdraw the blade. It too was a little loose so I put some Teflon tape there too. It is one and a half inches long with a sharp straight edge on one side and a serrated edge on the opposite side. The point of the blade has a swedge or false edge that allows it to have good penetration when thrusted. The knife blade was quite sharp and the serrated edge worked well when cutting cordage and other items.

Another feature of the pen is a strong clip that keeps the pen secure whether clipped inside a pocket or on a lanyard.

The Tactical LED Pen when fully assembled doubles as a Kubotan and can be used as a self defense weapon. Self defense methods using this are best learned from professionals before engaging this way.

I was very impressed with this Tactical LED Pen and it has become my new Every Day Carry (EDC) buddy. Click HERE for more information.

A couple of months ago I published an article “Survival Wrist Band – Fisherman’s Version” that used brass barrel snap swivels. As I examined the wrist band it dawned on me these would make great attachments for my “every day carry” (EDC) set. What was needed was a way to attach the brass barrel snap swivels to each item so I took a trip to the sports department in a “Big Box” store and found small split rings that are used to connect hooks and accessories to various lures.

The split rings are quite stiff and a bit of a challenge to install, but the reward is that each item is now coupled with a brass barrel snap swivel enabling it to be detachable and basically tangle free. The brass barrel snap swivels also allow each tool to be attached to other items like zippers, luggage, hand bags or camping gear. Where could you attach yours?

She explained that she had gone fishing recently and during the quiet moments she busied herself by rummaging through the tackle box. She found some brass barrel snap swivels that are used as a convenient attachment between a fishing line and lures. Having several in her hand she began to connect them in daisy-chain fashion into a closed loop. She found that four swivel snaps fit nicely around her wrist.

She offered a number of applications for it’s use in an emergency situation. Here are a few as examples: as a fishing hook, as a retrieval grappling hook, as a safety pin, as a clasp to secure opposing zipper pulls on luggage, or as a zipper pull. Other uses might include using it as a fashion accessory or for attaching small items to your Every Day Carry (EDC) keyring.

I would love to hear your comments on other ways that you may have used them or perhaps suggestions for their potential use.

You can make your own cache by removing the cap of the lip balm and elevating the wax out completely. The cylinder of wax will have a plastic cup at the end and you can gently remove it. Then, fold your currency in half lengthwise. A hair pin can be slipped over the bill’s midpoint and rotated like a spindle to create a small tube which in turn can be placed into the empty lip balm container. When the cap is replaced, no one will see the contents or suspect your lip balm of being a cache of currency. For an even more hidden appearance you can cut off the wax just above it’s plastic cup and replace it in the tube over the currency so that it appears completely normal when the cap is removed.

In regards to the wax, in a hot environment it might melt and moisten the contents that are hidden, but it doesn’t invalidate the currency. It can also be used in a number of other ways such as for it’s original purpose, or to float an improvised needle compass, to enhance kindling for making a fire, or for any number of other things.

So consider taking that extra step of monetary backup. It takes very little space and could just save the day in an emergency.

My latest article appears on the 3rd page of the year-end issue and is entitled “Survival Prep On A Shoestring Budget“. While many folks are thinking ahead about emergency possibilities, they are concerned about how to approach acquiring provisions and tools. In my article I offer a beginning point of “Every Day Carry” items that is an initial start to preparedness.

You can learn more about PREPARE magazine by visiting their website at preparemag.com where you can register for a complimentary subscription. In their effort to offer both digital AND hard copy magazines, they are running a campaign offering benefits to contributors and partners.