Survival Kit in a Pill Bottle

Survival kits are something we all should have, but it's hard to know not only what to put into one but how to store it.  Putting the contents in a pill bottle is an excellent way to make sure you have items on hand, and it's small enough that you can stick it in a purse, jacket pocket, backpack, or toss it in your glove compartment. We like to hike and usually have a couple of these to take with us in case we become injured or get stranded.  Also, since it is winter, and a person may get lost or their car stalls and they become stranded, these are nice to have in your car.  

These are not all inclusive, and they can be customized for your specific area, outing, or sport.  I tend to pack them for use in a cold climate, as that is when people are most likely to be stranded.  I have made one and listed the contents below.  The pill bottle is just a tiny one that holds approximately 2 oz.  The larger the pill bottle you use, the more you can get into it.  The items included are just enough to get you through and fortified until you can be rescued.  

Some of the items are not in the photo as I began adding things if I still had room.  You may also do the same and add more items if you have a larger pill bottle available.  Keep in mind that pill bottles are not usually waterproof, so you may wish to use a ZipLoc bag instead.  

One addition that I would suggest are chlorine water purifying tablets.  I do not have these but plan to add them to the bottle in the future, once I can get some.  See explanation of uses and photos below. Also a magnesium fire starter is an excellent thing to have on hand; however, most are too big for my pill bottle.  Again, I suggest having one of these in your glove compartment, in a back pack, or carry one with you if you are hiking.  Finally, a razor blade can be useful, but pack with care.  You don't want to slice your finger open trying to get items out of your kit. 

My survival kit includes: 

A 2 foot piece of aluminum foil, folded into a tiny rectangle

A 3 foot piece of duct tape, rolled up

1 sealed alcohol swab in foil

One birthday candle 

2 Benadryl tablets (in plastic wrap)

2 Aleve tablets (in aluminum foil)

4 matches with a strike strip (waterproof are recommended if you can find them)

1 wire twist tie

1 safety pin 

2 small paper clips

Dental floss (several feet) wound around cardboard

1 package of Neosporin 

1 tiny package of salt 

1 needle in a strip of cardboard

Thread wound around needle 

1 beef bouillon cube 

1 band-aid 

1 small piece of cotton batting 

 Uses of items: 

Aluminum foil:  Can be used as a reflector or mirror for a signal.  It can be used to line your clothing to reflect heat back onto your body.  It can be formed into a cup or bowl in order to melt ice.  It can also be used as a reflector for a fire, flashlight, or candle.  Use it over a fire to cook items. 

Duct tape:  .... enough said.  What can't you use duct tape for?  

Alcohol Swab:  Use for first aid or use to assist with lighting a fire.  Save the foil packet for use with cooking or other storage. 

Birthday candle:  Use as a light or to start a fire.   The wax comes in especially handy if wood or other material is wet. 

Benadryl tablets:  Can thwart an allergic reaction from  stings, bites, or encounters with plants or other substances that cause an allergic reaction. 

Aleve tablets:  Aleve is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic that lasts for 12 yours.  Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or aspirin may be used but do not provide relief for as long a time as Aleve. 

Matches and Strike strip:  Use to start a fire for warmth, to melt water, for cooking, or as a signal.  

Wire Twist tie:  Use to secure other times, suspend things, tie items, etc. 

Safety Pin:  Can be used to repair clothing, secure items together, or can be formed into a makeshift fish hook. 

Paper Clips:  Ditto safety pin and can be bent and reformed for other uses, such as a fish hook. 

Dental Floss:  Can be used to stitch items, used as fishing line, and can be braided together to form more of a rope type item.  

Neosporin:  Use for first aid for cuts and since it is petroleum based can be used as a fire starter, in a pinch.  The inside of the package is foil and can also be used as you would aluminum foil.

Salt:  Can be used to melt ice, provides sodium content for water retention in the body, and can be used as a preservative for raw meat/food.  

Needle and thread:  Can be used to repair clothing or stitch items together to provide more protection or warmth.  

Beef (chicken, vegetable) Bouillon Cube:  Add to 1 cup of water to make broth.  Can be sipped alone or used as a base to add herbs, plants, or other game for a meal. 

Band-Aid:  Use to cover a wound. 

Small piece of cotton batting:  Can be used in bandaging or can be used as fluff to start a fire.  

I am sure there are other items that can be used, but those are the things that are in my personal pill bottle survival kit.  Customize them to your activity.  You might want salt pills and sunscreen for a desert trek or mosquito repellent cream if you're headed into the deep woods.  Whatever fits in your bottle is wonderful.  Hopefully what I have listed above will be a start for designing your own kits for your family.