Review: Gerber - Bear Grylls "Ulitimate" Survival Kit

Here is the second of the Gerber "Bear Grylls" branded survival kits that I purchased through Catch of the Day and wanted to share the contents and my thoughts with you. First up, I got a couple of comments from the first Bear Grylls "Basic" kit that I reviewed. I wanted to just say again, that whilst the kinds of antics that Mr Grylls gets up to on his shows might seem to be silly, gross, dangerous, or totally contrived. what he is demonstrating is what you should be -capable- of doing. Sure he has a film crew right beside him, so he doesn't -need- to drink his own pee, or eat his freshly snagged grass snake raw, but he can, and you might need to one day, that's the point. He's made enough of a name that he can put his name to products, and its those products that I want to focus on. When you're wet, hungry and lost, and it's dark, you wont give a damn if you thought the guy looked a tool on TV. Having some good gear stashed in the bottom of your pack will go a long way to improving your situation.

So, with that said, on with the show! This is the "Ultimate" kit. As with the "Basic", it is housed in a ripstop nylon pouch, this time with a whistle fitted to the drawstring. a nice addition. Inside the kit is a resealable plastic bag, containing the rest of the kit.

• First and foremost, I was impressed to find that it included a Space Blanket; the aluminised plastic shiny mainstay of survival kits everwhere. Not only will it keep you dry, but will keep you warm in very cold environments, offer shade in hot ones and act as a bright signal for rescuers to spot. Brilliant. I haven't had one for years, since moving from Canada in '92 and I've felt its absence.

• A little LED keyfob gives a easy source of light (there was a trick to it, PULL to light, there is no switch). 
• A second chunky signalling whistle is always a good addition to a kit, whistles are easier to get a loud, piercing and recognizable noise from than yelling in most instances, I've found. 
• The addition of a multi-tool, in this case, the Gerber Clutch, adds Needle Nose Pliers, Wire Cutters, Fine Edge Blade, Phillips Screwdriver, Small Flat Driver, Medium Flat Driver, Bottle Opener and Tweezers to your repertoire in one compact package. It comes with a lanyard ring, to secure it and has a snappy response in its mechanism. 
• A firesteel and striker are as ever, a welcome addition to any survival kit. The striker includes a bottle opener, great for knocking back a cold one after you stumble into an abandoned diner. 
• Top right in the picture is a wire saw. I LOVE these things, great for cutting branches, broken timber, limbs. I've cleared obstructions and sawn branches for projects with them. Quieter and more precise than a hatchet or machete.
• Fishing kit, including line, four hooks, split shot and swivels. I've carried some fishing kit in a mint tin for years, without having need for it, but I like to think that its one of those things ... who knows, one day maybe I'll just fancy dropping a line in a pond.
• More of the extra long starter matches, and a striker, as in the "Basic" kit, a handy addition for when the firesteel is too daunting to use. The cotton ball for kindling is another nice touch.
• Waxed cotton thread, and a hank of nylon cord are a great inclusion, making a tent from the space blanket, snares, adding leverage to the wire saw. String is always useful. 
• A Helioscope, signalling mirror is a tremendous piece of kit to have in an emergency kit. Glinting light at a target is a great way to attract attention. Be sure you're doing it on purpose!
• A sewing kit is a nice touch, even if you don't have to stitch a hole in yourself, mending your clothes or pack can be a great boon in a touch situation.
• The shiny copper wire is for snares. Hard for little teeth to chew through, setting a snare is a good way to secure yourself a protein boost. 
• Lastly, there is Bear's handbook notes on the Priorities of Survival. Good campfire reading after a hard day fighting off muties.

I neglected to mention in reviewing the "Basic" that both it and the "Ultimate" also include, on the reverse, hand signalling techniques.

So, all in all, a pretty good stash of gear, and all fitting into a little packet, not much bigger than a thin paperback book. I'm glad I got it, it's going into the bug-out-bag that lives in my car.

Review: Gerber Bear Grylls Basic Survival Kit!

I came across a pretty good deal the other day on Catch Of The Day which I thought I would share with you here. I'm not usually one to buy into the "celebrity swag" but looking at the contents listed, I thought this would be a good investment, not only for my own collection, but also as a guide for what goes into a good "survival pack". I did Outdoor Ed whilst living in Canada, and I've kept a variety of packs going over the years. I've seen the Bear Grylls show, and some of the products that have been branded with his name, and whilst I may be skeptical of the contents of the show, I most certainly enjoy the extremes he is willing to go to to prove what one could do to survive. I also enjoyed seeing the swag of Gerber tools including Bear Grylls branded kit on AMC's "Walking Dead" but that isn't quite where we're up to yet. There is more to survival in a disaster than just hacking and chopping (as much fun as that may be). Other needs need to be met, and a kit like these can go a long way to seeing to those.

Included in within the bright orange ripstop baggie is a second, waterproof bag and the following: a signalling whistle, always a good inclusion, as yelling is hard, and anyone can make a loud noise with a whistle. I have a three year old, and if she can effortlessly give an ear-splitting whistle with it, so can you, even if fatigued, injured or otherwise occupied. a packaged set of long beaded matches and a striker, good for getting a fire lit in less than ideal situations. A cotton ball, for kindling. Waxed twine, which has many uses, be it binding, mending or setting snares. The copper wire is just that, snare wire, not easily chewed by the poor unfortunate critter that will serve as an impromptu meal, but much hardier than just waxed twine, a length of nylon cordage which whilst not paracord, would serve in a variety of circumstances, and is light and bright. A Bear Grylls branded fire steel and bottle opener which is a great addition to any kit, as they are all-weather, very long lasting sources of of fire.
Also included is a very sweet little Gerber Paraframe-Mini blade, sporting a drop point, half serrations, a skeletonised handle and frame-lock. This hungry little knife makes an excellent addition to any survival kit, so much so that I tried to push it on my partner to be part of their EDC, but was admonished to leave the kit whole, as intended. The final part of the kit is a little booklet with Bear's how-to's. I haven't had a look yet, I'll leave it as a surprise for when disaster strikes.

I haven't decided where to keep this kit, but I'm glad I have it.