Personal Pocket Kit (PPK) ver 2.0

[Lanceman]

After trekking with a camera for many years, I find that it is essential to have a personal pocket kit (PPK) in my pocket all the time. The items in this kit enable me to deal with any small emergency that I am likely to face while in the forest, or effect repairs to my equipment. The link below will show what I carry, do develope your own based on your personal needs and the places you go to.

http://xerxespa.blogspot.in/2016/03/per ... kking.html

Comments please on how to improve.

[hellfire_m16]

Hi Lanceman,

Interesting Kit and nicely penned down. What is the size of the pocket kit?

[Lanceman]

Thanks, The size is about 14 x 8 x 3 centimetres. about 5.5x3.5x1.5 inches

[essdee1972]

Sir, at that size, is it possible to use this as EDC, with semi-formal (no jacket / tie) or business casual (denims/chinos)?

[Lanceman]

Sir, at that size, is it possible to use this as EDC, with semi-formal (no jacket / tie) or business casual (denims/chinos)?

Hey Essdee, no I don't think so, too much of a bulge, this is more for trekking/hiking, outdoors. I am in the process of putting together an urban kit, the challenge is size.

Need to reduce the following
water sterilisation tabs
fire starter
less aggressive knife
whistle

Need to add the following:
pen drive

any thoughts on an urban kit?

[hellfire_m16]

Yes, an urban kit would be nice as many of us spend a lot of time in the urban jungle.

[kshitij]

Interesting topic.
The first kit I put together was for my motorcycle trip from Manali to Leh. That kit would not really fit the PPK bill. But since then the small creature comforts that the kit provided has got me to make multiple kits that i tend to carry on everything from weekend camping trips, motorcycle rides and even the weekend plinking outings.
Will share some pictures and descriptions of the kits/gear bundles i have put together and hope that I not labeled a nut job

[AgentDoubleS]

Lanceman, you are a lot more experienced than I am so more as an addition to this subject rather than an advice to you here are my thoughts:

Torch: I use a Fenix LD 15 single AA torch as well which works brilliantly. It has a twisting switch on mechanism so chances of an accidental switch on and battery drain are minimal. Additionally it has a low lumen option that really helps if the bettery is running low. Very essential to squeeze out there last bit in a critical situation.

Cells/batteries: i try to keep the equipment run on the same type of batteries. If my head lamp runs a particular size, my backup torch would run the same size. I almost never own CR or other hard to find batteries. More importantly, I prefer rechargebale 1.2v Sony Eneloops. IIRC I have the 2400 mah. They last quite long, drain out slowly(not abruptly like 1.5v) and dont lose charge for months. Also helps with the low lumen ld15 which the 1.5v battery wont.

String: i use milspec parachord. In fact, it might be a good idea to change even the shoelaces to parachord to use in an emergency. That way you can cut part of them and still have laces and a significantly stronger string.

Cheers,
SS

[kshitij]

Kit 1

This is smallest of my kits and is basically carried mostly on day trips like birding trips to the outskirts, small treks, factory construction site visits etc or overnighters when i am travelling alone.

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I use a quechua pouch to carry the bits in. The pouch is small enough to be unobtrusive and large enough to carry all the items with enough space to put my wallet and cellphone in it as i like to keep the pockets as empty as possible.

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The more or less permanent contents of the kit. The bandaids sit in the front zipper, the pendleton mini hunter sits in a partition in the main compartment that keeps it out of the way while reaching for other items and the small bundle along with the small altoids tin sit in the main compartment which also takes my cell phone and wallet.
*the altoids tin contains few tablets for different things and couple of water purification tablets too.

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The contents of the bundle shown in the above pic.
It includes a folding knife, some cordage, a nitecore tube flashlight, flint striker, quick tinder, whistle and a compass.

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Few other items that sit in the side pouch and the compartment below the zipper flap of quechua.

Lanceman sir, with your permission i would like to share my other kits too that are slightly larger and may not fit the PPK tag.

[hellfire_m16]

This topic is getting very exciting. I have also started to contemplate a small kit for the urban scenario but, like Lanceman rightly stated the challenge will be the size. Carrying one in the pocket whistle in office formals with pockets all ready stuffed is a concern.

Kshitij...the Quecha Kit looks quiet comprehensive for a single day carry. Thanks for sharing. Will be interesting to see your different kits too.

[Lanceman]

Guys, please let your imagination free, Kshitij, please post whatever kit you have, surely someone (ME) will gain. Hellfire, let's work out an urban kit, interesting exercise. For starters a pendrive must be there, what else?

Added in 9 minutes 48 seconds:

Lanceman, you are a lot more experienced than I am so more as an addition to this subject rather than an advice to you here are my thoughts:

Torch: I use a Fenix LD 15 single AA torch as well which works brilliantly. It has a twisting switch on mechanism so chances of an accidental switch on and battery drain are minimal. Additionally it has a low lumen option that really helps if the bettery is running low. Very essential to squeeze out there last bit in a critical situation.

Cells/batteries: i try to keep the equipment run on the same type of batteries. If my head lamp runs a particular size, my backup torch would run the same size. I almost never own CR or other hard to find batteries. More importantly, I prefer rechargebale 1.2v Sony Eneloops. IIRC I have the 2400 mah. They last quite long, drain out slowly(not abruptly like 1.5v) and dont lose charge for months. Also helps with the low lumen ld15 which the 1.5v battery wont.

String: i use milspec parachord. In fact, it might be a good idea to change even the shoelaces to parachord to use in an emergency. That way you can cut part of them and still have laces and a significantly stronger string.

Cheers,
SS

hey SS, so cool. I think exactly the same as you,
TORCH: The Inova also has a twist switch and a dim setting, battery lasts for ages.
BATTERIES: My Inova torch and Petzl XP+ both use AAA, these are what I carry for any outdoor trail. Further my powerful Led lenser P7 for night spotting trails also uses AAA, I have two sets of four rechargeable AAA and on long treks carry a set of non-rechargeable AAA. Being without a torch is not an option. On my recent trek into Great Himalayan Park, I used one set of rechargeables for my head torch on dim setting right through, every night for about 3 hours per night.
STRING; In Mumbai I found a wholesale supplier who sold me 30 metres of Dyneema cord (very similar to Kevlar), it is amazing, but I have to make one piece smaller for my PPK, About 3 metres or so. My advice, very, very hard learned, is that don't EVER tamper with your laces, dont shorten or cut them, carry one spare pair on long hikes. It is impossible to walk with shoes without laces or where the laces are short or loose. Please accept this from a man who has walked all his life. A small aside: Your shoes are the most important part of your kit, make sure you have no doubt about them before walking.

[hellfire_m16]

I second Lanceman...Kshitij please share pictures of all your kits...for one, to appreciate and secondly to learn.

Lanceman, I was thinking of the below mentioned item's for a Urban PPK please do share your thoughts on the same:

A small but effective pocket knife. ( I have been EDCing a minimalistic - Victorinox Spartan and Magalite Solitare with a Wildcraft Carbiner from ver a decade...where I am from, I have never had any issues with pockets knives and 4-5 Inch folders...was recently in Delhi and in every second place I had to surrender my Spartan...hence was thinking of a small knife effective multi function pocket knife).

Basic medication like paracetamol, antiacids, Eldopar or similar.

Three meters of Paracord or a similar item.

A small light (Though most phones have inbuilt lights smart phones tend to loose their charge quickly).

Phone battery backup or maybe a spare phone with a SIM from a different service provider.

Folks please share your inputs as well.

@ Lanceman could you suggest a small carry kit...something which is available in India. Was thinking about a carry pouch of a small digital camera but, will look a little odd roaming in the office with a camera pouch attached to the waist

[kshitij]

Kshitij, please post whatever kit you have, surely someone (ME) will gain.

Sir, I seriously doubt if i have anything for you to gain from.


The reason I have made multiple kits is because i dont like packing and unpacking things for every trip. And if i were to pack things i think i might need before every weekend trek or camping trip, I'd end up carrying more unnecessary things than i already do

Kit 2.
This is what i typically carry for the overnight camping trips. Not that i may need most of it but having them around is rather cool and they adds up little.

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The front and back sides of the unbranded waist pouch that came as part of a backpack. It has two zipped pouched on either side of and a zipped compartment in front of the main compartment.

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The front compartment shown above has the following:

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A canvas roll which contains:
1. Sewing kit with three bobbins of high stength thread, assorted sizes of needles, assorted size of buttons, a folding scissor.
2. A fishing kit with assorted hooks and weights, 100ft 40lb fishing line, silicon worm baits (which look and feel pretty close to the real thing!)
3. A full roll of aluminium foil neatly folded up.
4. A small kabar piggyback knife.
All of the above get rolled into the canvas case like this:

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The above battery bank also goes into the front pocket. It claims to be water proof and solar chargeable. Also the small "field sharpener" which isnt great but may help in a pinch.

Added in 8 minutes 29 seconds:

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The right side zipper has a lighter, a pack of glucovita, a poncho, floss, a compressed towel, small pepper spray, some glue and a large garbage bag.

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The left side has a small boker arrow knife, an aluminium whistle, another lighter with some electric tape wrapped on it, vaseline, savlon, glycerin, a back up crank flashlight, some more compressed towels.

Added in 10 minutes 23 seconds:

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The main compartment has a spare photocromic glasses(in case i happen to break or lose my eye wear), a fixed blade, a small headlight, a waterproof container with some matches and candles in it, a roll of duct tape, 2 20ft cordage bundles, 100ft of paracord, medical kit, two space blankets, a pack of wet wipes, couple of zip lock bags, a lifestarw and some cloth tape.

*the medical kit contains: tablets for all the regular downers, assorted bandaids of different sizes, alcohol prep pads, small tube of hand sanitiser, small tube of antiseptic cream, a packet of electrol, few water purification tablets, 2 n95 masks, a pack of insect repellant and few other small bits.

** the main flashlight from the kit is missing in the photos since i had to lend it to the wife for something.

20160401_122407-1.jpg

Few items that are placed on the outside of the pack,
My esee 6, couple of ABS carabiners, a metal carabiner with a small button compass, two velcro ties, a maker pen and a ferro rod.

Added in 27 minutes 19 seconds:
Of my third and final kit, i will only post some old photos i have since it will take a long time to even list the contents let alone properly photograph and document it

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The backpack is unbranded and was got off ebay. It came with two molle pouches to be attached to the side and the waist pack shown previously(kit 2). Happy with the overall quality though all the zippers had to be replaced.
And no, the Esee Junglas isn't molled to the bag that way when i do take it along with me

[Lanceman]

Amazing Kshitij, prepared for everything. Only advice I have is have at least one needle pre-threaded, very difficult to thread a needle in dark, cold or stress situations.

[kshitij]

Thank you sir Will keep one of needles threaded.
I kept adding what ever i needed during my camping trips and removed what ever was least used. So right now my kit more or less covers everything i might need.

As for the urban kit, i guess a small flashlight and knife is essential. A knife with a flat head and phillips screwdriver would be perfect...