When I challenged you all a couple weeks ago to a 5-gallon bucket survival kit build-off, I was really excited to see the results of what you guys could come up with….and I wasn’t let down. We had some really good submissions, and I’m going to highlight a few here. From looking over them, it was cool to see what people put in them to tailor them to their own needs, yet there were a lot of similarities or variations on a theme. But they all had one thing in common: They were all extremely functional and useful, and anyone with a bit of knowledge could grab any one of them and head out the door, knowing their asses were in good shape. I’ll tell ya, though, it was hard picking a winner. But here he is, and I chose him for two reasons: He took the time to make a video of his bucket and proved that it did indeed fit all his gear in, and also because I thought his idea of including a small .22 pistol was a great idea, on top of his covering all the other basic criteria I’d set out. The link to T.C.’s video is HERE, check it out. Cool trick with the bucket handle too. The list of his contents is as follows, copied from his email to me.
Shelter
3 mylar blankets
100′ paracord
tarp
duct tape
trash bag
Compass
1 compass
Knives
CRKT M16
CRKT stiff KISS
Signaling devices
cell phone
ham radio
2 whistles
SR22
2 mags
225 rounds of .22
methods to start a fire
96 matches
2 lighters
fire starter
magnifying glass
small ready water supply
3 water bottles
filtration method
Coughlan’s water filter
Food
2 cans beef
6 cans sardines
1 can pineapple
dried eggs
salt
light sources
Surefire G2
Maglight
Techlight
headlamp
extra Maglight batteries
extra Techlight batteries
Entertainment
card deck
New Testament
First Aid kit
4 Advils
2 pair rubber gloves
2 alcohol wipes
medical tape
3 gauze pads
tweezers
triple antibiotic
Other
2 ski masks
binoculars
fishing line
20′ TP
1 pair leather gloves
a copy of my DL
area map
extra eyeglasses
So, T.C., (I don’t want to give out full names here), email me at trwshtf@gmail.com and we’ll get your prizes on the way!
But, I’ll tell you, it was hard choosing him, especially when there were other great submissions like Bryce’s, who went the simple route, but it was comprehensive….plus he added an ALICE pack to carry the gear in if he needed the bucket for other things. I liked his addition of extra clothes (fresh socks are a godsend sometimes) and the trauma kit. Here’s his explanation:
”
Some of Bryce’s pictures:
This bucket kit came through from Warren, and it’s a great one. I really like how he took a woman’s possible needs into consideration, plus he added some neat ideas like a pry bar (have to get a car door open in an emergency?) and a folding saw to the mix. His plan is to build a couple of these, as well as using empty kitty litter pails (good idea!) to make lightweight medical kits that his daughters can pack. He also noted WHERE he sourced his gear from, which is nice.I really liked this kit, and like I said, it was tough choosing between them all.
”
And last but not least of the email submissions (going in order by my inbox!) Craig submitted this kit. His first-aid kit is excellent, and he included a folding stove and fuel in his kit…any one using those penny beer-can stoves (like me!) knows that they can be a PITA to use if things aren’t exactly level and hard-packed…the folding stove is a great addition. It can also be used as a heat source if needed. He used a crusty old drywall bucket for his, so bonus camouflage points. This is a great kit, and I think a model of what would make a killer generic grab-for-anyone Bucket ‘o’ doom.
Water
Craig’s pictures:
The illustrious j.r. guerra in s. texas submitted this great kit outline via the comments section of the challenge post. I hate ticks with the fiery passion of a thousand burning suns, so I like his idea of using cards to pick ticks off! No pictures, but here’s what he has to say:
“I’ve already given this one a little thought. Reviewed contents of these kits and this is what I’ve come up with for ‘Nice To Have’ for our area :
SHELTER – Heavy Duty Space blanket / 55 gallon industrial trash bag (2) / Hammock / Rain Poncho w/ liner. All contained in waterproof ‘wet bag’.
FIRE – BIC lighter(s), Fire spark rod w/ striker, magnifying lens.
HYDRATION – Steel bottle or Steel canteens (2) w/ nesting cups (2) / foldable water bags (2) / water purifier pills / coffee filters (30) / sillcock key w/ washing machine hose adapter for water bags (urban areas).
TOOLS – CS bowie 12″ Machete / belt sheath knife (your personal choice) / pocket ‘Camping’ pattern knife / SAK Classic pen knife / Speedy Sharp sharpner.
MISCELLANEOUS – Folding saw / bank line (100′) / para-cord (50′) / G.I. trip wire (40′) / G.I. compass (w/ button backup) / Leatherman Tool or SAK Multi-tool / toothbrush / soap. Repair Wallet – Sewing needles (2 leather, 1 canvas, 1 cloth, 1 suture) / thread (10′ white – black, 20 heavy duty) / safety pins / heavy duty blanket pins / 5′ duct tape / extra ‘string bag’ back pack.
MEDICAL – TWEEZERS / burn salve / anti-biotic salve / syringe for wound irrigation / Isreali CAT bandage for ‘bad wounds’ / saran wrap / rubber bands (10 various size).
CLOTHING – 1 shirt / 1 pr. pants / 3 pr. socks (wool blend) / leather gloves / boonie or bucket hat. Thermal shirt for winter.
ENTERTAINMENT – cards – picking ticks off one another :^)
SIGNALING / LIGHTING – Signal mirror (2) / UVPaqlite UVO necklace (2) / Gerber -Fenix – other AA flashlight (2, one red light capable).
Pretty heavy bucket – good thing two are there to spell each other carrying it. Thanks for sponsoring contest – good luck to all!”
Ladies and gentlemen, these are ALL great kits, and I thank every one of you who took the time to build a kit, document, and submit it. There are some awesome ideas in there, and I’m glad there were enough submissions to really get a good idea of what people might need, and for readers to pick and choose what might (or might not!) work well for them personally. I’ve got a cold-weather bucket worked up, and I’ll post mine this weekend for you guys to check out. Again, thanks for all the submissions! Hopefully it’s inspiration for some readers to realize that a killer, portable, innocuous-looking survival kit can be made without a lot of hassle and expenditure, and be ready to go at a moment’s notice.
What did you think of these kits? Shout it out in the comments! Anything you’d add? Anything you’d leave out? Let us know!
Stay safe!
-TRW
sirlancelot February 12, 2014, 8:11 am
The extra clothes are a really smart idea. Couple years ago a heavy snow storm hit right around the evening commute and the shuttle bus couldn’t get us to our cars 2 miles away from the office building.
Walked through heavy unplowed snow, got to my jeep, shoveled it out and started shivering in my now very wet clothes.
Took 4 hours to get home. The energy bars and water made a light dinner, but the wet clothes were miserable
j.r. guerra in s. tx. February 12, 2014, 8:23 am
That is a well thought out bucket kit – the judge(s) chose well. :^) Way to go man.
R.C. February 12, 2014, 1:14 pm
Excellent kits, every one. I have scoured the interwebs today bookmarking suggestions I hadn’t considered, thought of. Thank you for that!
One thing I didn’t see, and perhaps this wasn’t stressed, was that while every thing in a sealed bucket is essentially water tight, not every thing in those buckets were.
Granted many just took the time to put their ideas to paper (digital paper even), and are fleshing out their plans (which I suspect was also the premise of this contest), I would only add that for the items of hygiene, first aid, food, etc, you would consider either vacuum sealing those things, or putting them into ziplocs, or watertight containers because I know from my own experience with murphy’s law, just because you put a lid on it, doesn’t mean it won’t leak.
I use this same thought process for my BOB/GHB. My socks, spare clothes, first aid, food, is all in some kind of water tight container/pouch/sack. I know it gets tedious covering every thing, but I am really a lazy person (believe it), and know that just when I need to use something, it will be wet, and I am FUBAR!
RE: Kitty litter buckets… you have neighbors with cats, they have tons of these, all you need to do is ask, they come with lids, and just beg them to save them for you. FREE IS FREE. :D
Thank you all for the effort, and the lessons.
cheryl_ann44 March 9, 2016, 3:45 pm
I agree with Murphy’s and waterproofing everything also means that you potentially have sealable storage later–only thing I would have to add to my 5 gal bucket is many gal zip lock baggies
smokechecktim February 12, 2014, 2:04 pm
I can see taking this to the next step. Why not store most of your supplies in a similar arrangement (with labels). I think most gear can be stored is 5 gallon buckets, much like a lot of foodstuff. This would aid in moving most of your gear and food should you need to load up your truck and move quickly.
SD3 February 12, 2014, 8:41 pm
They’re great kits for sure. I have a significantly “less awesome” one myself, but those kits aren’t going to save anyone from what’s coming.
A national purge of ‘wrong-thinking people’, preceded by an economic collapse is about 10 years away. You will herded to support centers “for your own good”, where you will subsequently be disarmed. An attempt to re-educated you will be made. The unwilling & ‘un-teachable’ will be quietly “dealt with”. The more compliant will be rewarded with new lebensraum & positions with broad authority to ‘maintain order’.
Anonymous February 12, 2014, 10:05 pm
While I agree with the inclusion of a handgun, for the price of the SR22 you could instead choose a stainless Ruger P95 and move up to 9mm, unless the .22 is intended for possible hunting, in which case I’d look for a .22 with a longer sight radius – perhaps one of the many single action revolvers out there. They have the added bonus of not relying on magazines, which could be a nice plus in a long-term scenario.
country79 February 12, 2014, 10:38 pm
Awesome! Didn’t know if my bucket would be mentioned. Thank you for a great site. Living in Oklahoma, I keep a carhart coat and bibs in the vehicle 365 days a year. Ive seen ice in June for two days. Winter gear always.
Christi February 26, 2014, 5:40 pm
Wow, great tips from the pros. I am definitely not talented enough to make my own survival kit which is why I found some great survival gear kits here. But I’m going to try some of these ideas they are awesome.
Jackie Blackburn September 22, 2018, 9:10 am
Moat importantly, are you PREPARED to meet your Maker?