Published March 18, 2008 02:56PM
Sometimes, packaging is everything: The Survival Kit in a Sardine Can doesn’t really have all the things you’d need in a true survival situation, and what it does have comes in tiny amounts, but dammit if I don’t want one anyway. How can you resist its efficiency and button-cute design?
The Sardine Can contains one of the following: non-aspirin pain reliever, adhesive bandage, alcohol prep pad, antibiotic ointment, book of matches, compass, chewing gum, sugar, salt, energy nugget, duct tape, fire starter cube, first aid instructions, fish hook & line, note paper, pencil, razor blade, safety pin, reflective signal surface, tea bag, waterproof bag, whistle, and wire clip. It’s waterproof, floats in water, supposedly crushproof, and you can use the empty can as a mini-stove or bowl, assuming you can get a fire going.
Seems like a lot, but on closer inspection, the “adhesive bandage” would barely cover a blister, the matches look pretty weak, and I don’t have a lot of faith in the included reflective surface. But hey! Did I mention it comes in a sardine can?!
You’d probably be better off assembling your own survival kit with ample amounts of ultra-reliable survival items — even better if you can tailor it to your specific trip conditions (i.e. winter camping, climbing, etc.). But this guy would know a bit more about that.
Still, with such small dimensions (4.25″ x 3″ x .9″), minimal weight, and low price ($12.99), the Sardine Can survival kit isn’t a bad backup. You could always have a few on hand to give out to your forgetful/lazy hiking companions who never bring their own.
And it makes a great gag gift for the survivalist/outdoorsman/apocalyptic prophet in your family. — Ted Alvarez