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Kits and Planning · Guide

Pill bottle survival kit

A contents list for a small survival kit packed in a pill or supplement bottle, with the use for each of the 16 items.

Quick facts

Container
Pill or supplement bottle, typically waterproof
Fire
  • Fire plugs plus Bic lighter
  • matches
  • or small ferro rod
Tools
  • Small multitool
  • small knife
  • carabiner
  • zip ties
First aid
  • Leukotape P
  • Band-Aids
  • honey packets
Food
Fishing gear; salt, sugar, pepper packets
Repair
  • Duct tape
  • safety pins
  • needle
  • thread

The pill bottle survival kit: a compact, ingenious solution that condenses tools and supplies into a portable (typically waterproof) supplement or pill bottle.

Below, I'll cover each item in this kit and its versatile applications:

Cash

Having a stash of cash on hand is invaluable in emergencies. Whether it's for purchasing supplies, securing transportation, or as a last-resort resource, cash provides flexibility when electronic transactions are impossible.

Small Multitool

A small multitool packs a punch with various tools like pliers, screwdrivers, and knife blades, making it indispensable for repairs, tasks, and even survival situations.

Small Knife

A compact knife serves loads of purposes from cutting and slicing to self-defense if needed, offering a fundamental tool in any survival arsenal.

Fire Plugs (Fire Starter)

Fire is a lifeline in the wild. Fire plugs are compact tinder plugs that catch a spark and burn for minutes. Cotton balls worked with petroleum jelly are the homemade stand-in.

Bic Lighter, Matches, or Small Ferro Rod: Ensuring redundancy in fire-starting methods, a Bic lighter, matches, or a small ferrocerium rod provides reliable options for igniting flames in diverse conditions.

Small USB Cord

In the digital age, a small USB cord becomes a lifeline for charging essential devices like smartphones or GPS units, facilitating communication and navigation.

Fishing Gear

A compact fishing kit with hooks, fishing line, and lures offers a sustainable food source, great for nourishment in survival scenarios.

Duct Tape

Renowned for its versatility and strength, duct tape is a go-to for repairs, first aid, or crafting makeshift shelters.

Leukotape P

This durable adhesive tape, commonly used in sports medicine, is ideal for blister prevention and treatment, indispensable for foot care in demanding conditions.

Band-Aids

Providing basic wound care and protection against infection, Band-Aids are essential for minor injuries in the field.

Salt, Sugar, Pepper Packets

Individual packets of these seasonings add flavor to meals, replenish electrolytes, and enhance morale in challenging situations.

Honey Packets

A natural sweetener and quick energy. Honey can also cover a shallow wound or minor burn in a pinch. Never for a baby under one year old.

Safety Pins

Versatile and handy, safety pins serve loads of purposes from repairs and securing items to makeshift fishing hooks or traps.

Needle and Thread

Great for repairing clothing, gear, or shelters, a needle and thread ensure essential repairs in survival situations.

Small Carabiner

A small carabiner offers a quick and secure attachment point for gear, facilitating organization and accessibility.

Zip Ties

Lightweight and durable, zip ties are invaluable for securing gear, creating repairs, or organizing supplies in a survival scenario.

Questions this answers

Tap a question for the short answer.

How do I make a pill bottle survival kit?

Pack a pill or supplement bottle, which is typically waterproof, with 16 small items: cash, a small multitool and knife, fire plugs plus a lighter, matches, or ferro rod, a USB cord, fishing gear, duct tape, Leukotape P, Band-Aids, seasoning and honey packets, safety pins, needle and thread, a carabiner, and zip ties.

What goes in a mini survival kit?

Mine holds cash, a small multitool, a small knife, fire plugs, a Bic lighter, matches, or small ferro rod, a small USB cord, fishing gear, duct tape, Leukotape P, Band-Aids, salt, sugar, and pepper packets, honey packets, safety pins, needle and thread, a small carabiner, and zip ties.

What is the smallest survival kit I can carry?

A pill or supplement bottle kit is about as compact as it gets. The bottle is portable and typically waterproof, and it still holds 16 items covering fire, tools, first aid, fishing, repair, and cash.

What is leukotape used for in a survival kit?

Leukotape P is a durable adhesive tape from sports medicine. In the kit it is for preventing and treating blisters, which makes it the foot care item when you are covering ground in demanding conditions.

What fire starters fit in a pill bottle?

Fire plugs are compact tinder plugs that catch a spark and burn for minutes, and cotton balls worked with petroleum jelly are the homemade stand-in. Pair them with a Bic lighter, matches, or a small ferro rod so you have a backup way to make a flame in different conditions.

Keep going

Read nextFix-all repair kit: tapes, fasteners, plumbing and electrical bitsA checklist of tapes, fasteners and small plumbing and electrical items for a fix-all kit, with typical and improvised uses for each item.Tools and Repair · Guide

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