How to Make an Airplane Safe Survival Kit

This post details how to make an airplane safe survival kit. Having to omit dangerous goods such as sharps means this is inferior to most survival kits. At the very least, buy a knife and a lighter ASAP when you land.

How to Make an Airplane Safe Survival Kit

This airplane safe survival kit also includes a medical kit, but does not include the survival keyring.

Every item in your airplane safe survival kit (or any survival kit) should have at least 2 purposes… and they can have many more with a little improvisation.

Airplane Safe Survival Kit Contents

As with all survival kits, what you put in yours should adapt to your lifestyle. If I didn’t need it to be an airplane safe survival kit I would most certainly add more fire starting items and a good knife.

Mess Kit

This is a container to put everything in. It should be waterproof and the ability to at least boil water in it. Aluminium is good and light, and it helps if it has a handle. The one I use, and it is perfect, is the Trangia Mess Tin.

The Trangia Mess Tin is ideal

US Dollars

US dollars are the most widely accepted currency all over the world. I keep 2 $20 bills, since some countries will not accept over $20 bills. I also have an all-purpose emergency credit card in there.

American Dollars are the most widely accepted currency in the world. Denominations of 20 or less are best.

Paper

Recording any information you gather is vital in a survival situation. I advise to carry a notebook and pen/pencil in your day pack, but also carry some paper in your airplane safe just in case. Paper can also be used to start fires.

If traveling it is a good idea to have copies of your passport credit cards. You can use these photocopies as the paper in your survival card.

Paper for tinder, taking notes etc.

Pencil

A pencil is more reliable than a pen which could leak and run out. The pencil can also be shaved to use as tinder.

Also good for note-taking and tinder. Crush the graphite and use it to lubricate stubborn locks.

ParaCord

Paracord is extremely strong and can be used in a multitude of ways. As one, it is strong enough to hold a person. Inside, it is made up of several smaller strings which can be used as sewing thread, fishing line etc.

You can also use para cord to cut things, depending on what you are trying to cut. Shelter building, general repairs etc.

Paracord is extremely strong and useful

Compass

A good quality compass is invaluable as a survival tool. Learn to use it properly. Sivla are Suunto are well known for quality compasses.

A high quality compass ins invaluable in a survival situation. Make sure you learn how to use it.

Condom

Apart from the obvious reason, a condom can also be used to carry water, as a waterproof container, to tie things etc.

Condoms come in handy because liquid can’t get in or out of them.

Gaffa Tape

Gaffa Tape has an abundance of uses including medical uses, and is only limited to your imagination.

Gaffa Tape aka Duct Tape.

Glucose Tablets

Sugar. Your body needs it to survive.

Glucose tablets. Any sugar will do the same thing e.g. jellybeans, chocolate bar etc.

Stock Cubes

Salt. Your body needs it. Mixed with some hot water, a makeshift soup can be a real moral booster.

Note: In the ‘real world’ too much sugar, salt and/or fat is considered bad. In a survival situation those are the 3 things your body needs most. Also, a sugar cube and stock cube may not seem like much but as long as you have water, your body can survive about 3 weeks without food. If it comes down to it, a little sugar and salt can go a long way.

Water Purifying Tablets

Maybe water purification tablets only have one use, but it’s a good one. Read the directions.

Water Purification Tablets. Use as directed.

FRED

FRED stands for Field Ready Eating Device, or Fucking Ridiculous Eating Device. Despite the nickname, it is actually very handy. It’s a bottle opener, can opener, box cutter and spoon in one compact device.

Pick one up at any outdoors store or online for a couple of bucks.

Field Ready Eating Device aka F*cking Ridiculous Eating Device.

Note: Although I’ve never had a problem with it before, this item got taken off me in Australian customs so it is no longer part of my kit. I figure if I really need to open a can any knife will do,and failing that, a rock.

Super Glue

Can help to start a fire (is really flammable), as well as being awesome for repairs. If taking it on a plane, I put this with my toothpaste in the clear zip lock bag.

Super Glue. Don’t forget to put it in your liquids back when going through security at the airport.

Sewing Needle

Good for sewing (obviously) and can also be used as a fishing hook if crafted well. Have one or 2 strong sewing needles. The job might not be pretty, but in a survival situation, a strong one can do more than a little one.

Use fishing line or dental floss as thread.

I guess it is possible that TSA will take the sewing needle of you, but I’ve never had a problem.

A sewing needle with dental floss as thread.

Fishing Line

Used for fishing, as sewing thread, tying stuff etc. Like the sewing needle, stronger can do more stuff.

Rubber Bands

I use these more than expected. They are very handy.

High Vis Velcro Strap

I found this item whilst riding to work in Newcastle. I think its actually purpose is for bike riders, to put around their leg so cars can see them easier at night. I wrap I around my air travel safe survival kit to help keep it closed. I’ve never used it in any other way, but I’m sure it will be invaluable if I ever need to be rescued.

My hi-vis Velcro strap wrapped around my airplane safe survival kit.

These next two items I don’t actually keep inside my airplane safe survival kit, but they go in my day pack and I count them survival items.

Poncho

A good poncho is extremely under-rated. I use mine frequently in times of sudden downpour, and even take it hiking instead of my North Face Jacket sometimes.

In my opinion, they are better than your Gortex rain jacket. They don’t keep you warm, but just put a jumper on underneath it! You can get emergency ponchos to fit inside your kit but a large, strong poncho can also be improvised into a shelter or groundsheet if needed.

My Poncho and Survival Ground sheet all packet up is MUCH smaller than a raincoat, tent or sleeping bag, and does the same job.

Casualty Blanket

Like the Poncho, you can get really small emergency ones of these to fit in your survival kit. I like to carry a ‘heavy duty’ one, which fits nicely into my daypack. It’s a groundsheet, shelter, blanket etc. The difference between this and the poncho is that this has that foil reflective quality which will keep in your body heat, and can also be a very effective signaling device.

I do not carry a tent or sleeping bag. Granted, if I go on any hike where I would need these things, I’ll hire them, but for the most part, if I have a Poncho coupled with a heavy duty survival blanket, I can make a pretty good improvised shelter and will not freeze to death.

Having a ‘heavy duty’ survival blanket and poncho may be bigger than the emergency ones, but they are much lighter than a tent or sleeping bag or rain jacket, and do the same job as all three.

Obviously if I plan on going for a serious hike I would consider hiring some more appropriate gear, but I have used just these for one or two nights emergency camping and it wasn’t too bad.

My Poncho and Survival Blanket. No need for a tent or sleeping bag if I have these two things.

Airplane Safe Medical Kit

My airplane safe medical kit is kept in a zip lock bag, and then coupled with the airplane safe survival kit inside a dry sack. The dry sack makes sure everything stays super dry, and also allows me to clip it to my belt if I decide it is all I want to take on a short hike or something, although I have never actually done that.

Inside this dry sack includes the survival kits and medical kit.

The contents of you medical should reflect your knowledge. There’s no point having a stethoscope if you do not know how to use it.

Assorted Band Aids

An assortment of sizes is useful. Remember that large ones can be cut down, but small ones cannot be enlarged. They can also be cut into butterfly sutures if needed.

An assortment of band aid. Different sizes and shapes.

Tweezers

Pick out splinters, debris in wounds etc.

Tick tweezers are small to carry and not just for ticks.

Magnifying Glass

You can get mini magnifying glasses, I wouldn’t stock a big one. Other than seeing ticks and other small things, it can be used to start a fire.

A tick removal kit is cheap and comes with mini tweezers and magnifying glass.

Assorted Pills

I keep these in a tobacco tin. What you put in it is up to you. I have drugs for diarrhea (Imodium), constipation, travel sickness, antihistamine and pain relievers (ibuprofen).

If you can get your hands on it I also include some higher grade behind the counter pain relievers and a course of anti-biotics. You doctor will usually give you a prescription for these things if you explain to him/her that you are going traveling/hiking for an extended period of time.

My assortment of pills. Nothing illegal of course. Mostly over the counter drugs.

Mini Scissors

These sometimes get taken by the TSA, but they are cheap and readily available. Very useful even for non medical needs.

Tip: Sewing needles, safety pins and other things that have a small chance of getting stopped by customs, I keep together and separated for easy access at customs so I can show them all easily without having to dig through my luggage.

Vet Wrap

Vet wrap is like a roller bandage that sticks to itself. It is great stuff, purpose built for animals, mainly horses I think. It can be used for all sorts of things.

Cotton Buds

Useful for cleaning wounds etc.

Not recommended to clean your ears, but great for wound cleaning.

I put these following slaves/creams in my toiletries when scanning through the TSA.

Surgical Gloves

Surgical Gloves are extremely important for preventing infection. They can also be used as a waterproof container, or even to transport water (since it is waterproof).

Surgical gloves are imperative to prevent infection.

Tissue Paper

Toilet/tissue paper is immensely handy and you should keep it in multiple places. Toilet paper, tissue paper, starting fires, write on it, clean stuff in general etc.

I know you know what toilet paper looks like

Hand Sanitizer

This is handy for general hygiene before eating or touching anything questionable. It’s also flammable if you need help starting a fire. Could probably also be used as antiseptic if needed.

Lip Balm

There’s nothing worse than chapped lips. Well, actually, there’s lots of things worse, but if it can be avoided, why not.

Savlon

Antiseptic cream

Sunscreen

To protect your skin from getting burnt (obviously)

Itch Relief Cream

Any topical numbing agent, also works for minor burns, rashes etc. Diphenhydramine is common.

All my liquids, airplane ready. I’d also put my toothpaste, moisturizing cream, mouthwash and super glue. Yes, it all fits.

Things I’d Add

If getting through customs isn’t a concern, and especially if I intend on ‘going bush’, I add the following things.

Knife

Nothing beats a good knife in a survival situation. Two or more is even better.

My complete medical kit.

MultiTool

I have a Leatherman Skeletool, but there are loads of options depending on your needs.

Skeletool. Unfortunately not Airplane safe, but one of the best things I leave behind.

Lighter, Matches etc

Lots of fire starting stuff, including fuel tablets. Actually, I have fuel tablets in the TSA safe kit and I’ve never had them taken off me, but they should be.

Fishing Hooks

Fishing hooks and some sinkers etc.

Well that’s it for this post on how to make an airplane safe survival kit. Remember though, no matter what you put in yours, the best survival tool is your mind. You can check out…

What do you put in your airplane safe survival kit?

The post How to Make an Airplane Safe Survival Kit appeared first on Survive Travel.