How to Build Your Very Own Altoids Tin Survival Kit

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Everyone should have a personal emergency kit with them anywhere they go and what better and cooler way to pack their gear than in an Altoids tin can. Altoids are popular among the prepper community not just because of the halitosis-fighting mints, which would prove useful when you bug-out and you can’t afford to stop to brush your teeth.

What makes these breath mints popular among survivalists and outdoor buffs is that it’s perfect for building your very own Altoids tin survival kit. As a matter of fact, they have come to be known in the community as bug-out Altoids tins or BOATs.

Altoids tins are small enough to keep in your purse or pocket yet spacious enough to contain essential albeit pocket-sized survival gear. They are so portable and space saving, you can bring more than one kit. You can pack medical supplies in one Altoids tin and small survival gear in the other, for example.

Altoids Peppermint Mints

Why it’s important to build your own Altoids tin survival kit?

The first thing that may come to your mind is, “Why not?” though the most obvious answer is simply to be prepared for whatever emergency that comes your way. It’s important to make your own emergency kit and not just depend on the pre-assembled survival kits in the market. By building your own Altoids tin emergency kit, you get to choose all the important survival gear. When you buy from the market, you get what the seller or producer decides to include in these pre-assembled kits. You can build your survival kit according to whatever outdoor activity you plan to do or to how it would suit your particular medical needs. In other words, you can personalize your Altoids tin survival kit. Additionally, DIY survival kits are way cheaper than commercial ones.

How to plan for your Altoids tin emergency kit?

Planning is an important part of assembling your own emergency kit. Two main considerations in building your kit is to know what you need and what you can fit in your Altoids tin. First, determine what you are preparing for. Consider your environment, activities, medical condition, and such. Then you must choose pocket-seized versions of the survival gear you need.

The goal in building an Altoids tin survival kit is to pack gear and supplies that are useful in more ways than one. You also have to arrange the gear in a way that no space is wasted. Start off by packing the largest of your chosen gears and supplies then work from there. Fill up the spaces with other items. Don’t leave any space unused to avoid annoying rattling sounds.

Fortunately, Altoids tins are so portable and space saving, you can bring more than one kit. You can pack medical supplies in one Altoids tin and small survival gear in the other.

What to put in your Altoids tin survival kit?

You need something to put on the top and bottom of your Altoids tin to act as buffer. Of course, you don’t need bubble wrap to do the job. It’s simply not useful enough and takes up valuable space.

Band-Aid Brand Hydro Seal Waterproof Adhesive Bandages for Finger Cuts, Scrapes and Blisters

What you can do is pack band-aids, bandages or small gauze pads on the lid and on the bottom of the tin.

Q-tips Cotton Swabs

Aside from these, you need other supplies for your medical needs. Pack alcohol swabs, wipes, medicines, ointments, toothpick, Q-tips, and an antiseptic.

Whatever emergency situation you may find yourself in, having a source of fire may spell a huge difference on your survival. Fire helps keep you warm, cook food, purify water, and create distress signals.

Bic Classic Full Size Lighter Maxi Full Size 5 Pack

Include waterproof matches, lighter, and a fire starter in your Altoids tin. You can also add tinder and a fire accelerant.

Condoms Variety Pack
Condoms Variety Pack 50 : Trojan, Lifestyles, One, Atlas, Beyond Seven, Crown, Trustex, Impulse, Fantasy, Caution Wear, and More

Staying hydrated is essential to survival so you need something you can put water into. Your Altoids tin can only carry so much. Pack a plastic bag or even an unlubricated condom to hold water and water purification tablets to, well, purify water.

Paracord Planet Mil-Spec Commercial Grade 550lb Type III Nylon Paracord

If you’re lost in the woods or stranded in some isolated place, you need to find or build shelter as soon as possible. A paracord will come in handy in building one. It’s also useful in catching food, making splints, and a host of other survival hacks.

Stren High Impact Fishing Line

If you happen to stumble upon a body of water filled with fish, it’s good to have a fishing line and hook in your Altoids tin emergency kit. The fishing line can also be used as a tripwire and snare for small animals. When you get hurt, it can be used to suture a wound.

Victorinox Swiss Army Tinker Pocket Knife

You’ll also want something sharp in your survival kit for cutting, slicing, and defending yourself. A small pocket knife or multitool can fit in an Altoids tin but, for good measure, you can also tape a razor blade on the bottom of the lid.

Streamlight 66118 Stylus Pro LED PenLight with Holster

You can’t rely solely on fire to lights the way. Your survival kit should have a small LED flashlight and maybe even a tea candle or a few birthday candles.

HEIMDALL Safety Whistle with lanyard

If you’re finding it hard to find your way out of the woods then search and rescue parties are likely having difficulties locating you. Include a whistle, a small mirror, or any signalling device in your kit.

Ultimate Survival Technologies Star Flash Micro Mirror

Incidentally, you can create a mirror out of your Altoids tin. Simply sand the bottom off the tin until you get a mirror finish.

Other items you can fit in your Altoids tin survival kit

What you include in your survival kit will depend entirely on you. Add more as the space permits. Other things you can include are a small pen or pencil, paper, Ziploc bag, dental floss, jute twine, bottle opener, aluminum foil, thermal blanket, safety pins, duct tape and cash.

It’s not enough that you packed the necessary survival gear in your Altoids tin. You should know what each is for and when to use it. Do your research on the many uses of the items in your survival kit. Better yet enroll in a class that teaches different survival skills and tips.

Just a disclaimer – We have partnered with these companies because we use their products and/or proudly trust and endorse them – so we do receive a commission if you make a purchase or sign up for services. Often, we are able to negotiate special discounts and/or bonuses, which we will pass on to you via our links. We often get short notice on sale items available for 24-48 hours as we will pass these savings onto you.

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Gentleman Pirate Club aims to share valuable knowledge and tips on how you can prepare and survive emergencies and other dire situations. We think of different scenarios and show you the many ways you can survive them. We also believe in self-sufficiency as a way to prepare for whatever lies ahead. As our ship sails in these waters, we look for valuable treasures. When we spot one, we tell you where it is.

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