Survival vest

by Phyllis
(New Jersey shore)

One thing about survival kits that always bothered me was the possibility of losing them if you take a good fall. So, I bought a fly-fishing vest, which has enough pockets to make sure I can wear my supplies.

It has 10 zippered pockets and secure loops to hang items from. And a shallow pouch on the back for larger flat items, a lightweight plastic tarp or dropcloth, rain poncho and a couple of pieces of aluminum flashing I use as a pot stand or even a rudimentary hobo stove that 'slit-fits' together. And one construction grade trash bag that really works well as a ground cloth for keeping you dry and keeping 'stuff' you're bedding down on or sitting on from poking through.

I have 2 space blankets, paracord, 4 altoids tins: first aid kit, survival kit, survival food tabs, Water purification.

Each is in its own pocket, so they don't add a lot of bulk. Other pockets hold firestarting gear, mess kit, knife, flashlights (really powerful 1-led 'flat-light' keychains that stay on when activated, freeing your hands) I've attached several: to the zipper pull and a couple of the loop hangers.

Also, duct tape, electrical tape, zip ties, folding saw, wire and more. The whole thing weighs about 3 pounds when loaded. But usually, I go out with it weighing around 2 pounds.

I like to go into the woods in Maine to take photographs and do some painting. The vest allows me to take a lot of survival gear without having extra pieces to carry along and possible lose.