Dave, I think if you were to ever open up a survival bushcraft fun in the woods class, you would become a billionaire. Wonderful videos 👍😊

Thinking of the young woman that went hiking alone up in the mountains last month, no hat, wearing running shoes, knowing there was a chance of bad weather, deviates off the trail and froze to death the first night and it is mentioned that she went through survival training. I wish she had watched your videos and gone hiking better prepared and lived. You are my #1 favorite creator. A trial run of a minimalist pack is an excellent idea rather than trying it for the first time under duress and watch the video about how to use a compass. I would add an extra pair of socks to the kit you created. Thank you for another great video. Love to you and yours from New Jersey.

You and Corporals Corner were the first two channels I subscribed to when I discovered KZfaq several years ago. He uses it as a source of important income and often complains about YT screwing him over. Since you have a reliable job you’re out there keeping it as real as real can be…LOVE IT! Thanks for all you do!

The Survival Tin thing is a strange one. The great Lofty Wiseman recommended a survival tin for Special Forces, something about half the size of an ammo pouch for regular forces and a full sized ammo pouch for civilians. Most people totally ignore this and go for the survival tin including myself as a child, was obsessed with them. This was developed from shoot and skoot missions and rescue folks who would not have packs just skeleton webbing, so I'm presuming that you are absolutely correct, the kits are meant to be supplemental with what you have on skeleton webbing. These days, I also prefer the backpack sized survival kits.

Hey Dave! You're videos are some of THE BEST out there. Very informative, professional, and some humor thrown in for good measure! The legendary Mors Kochanski said, "The more you know the less you carry." That wisdom holds true, as in the construction of the super shelter. Thank you for all your dedication in making your videos.The information that you put out does make a difference and will save lives! Keep up the great work!

Best over night survival video yet. Yes. Test your stuff or you can or will be sorry . Keep these excellent videos coming dave. 👍

Hey, Dave! This is the stuff that makes YOU one of the greatest youtubers out there. The fact that you are out there practicing what you preach, and even showing your failures sometimes, showing the world how to. It doesn't get any better than that, IMO. It's definitely a minimalist kit, and you made it work! That's awesome in my book. I am sick as a dog, laying in bed going in and out of consciousness, but I got out of bed just to type this. You made my day, bub. Rock on!

Good video Dave, and the best part is you spent the night out with the kit and actually used it for real. You make a good point - you have to practice using this stuff to really know what it can do. One thing that I found really makes a difference to your comfort and wellbeing with minimal gear is the weather. Where I am (Scotland) it's wet all year round so you need to make sure you can keep warm even if your gear and environment is drenched.

Great video. This minimum kit reminds me of a setup that I put together some years ago for myself. I didn’t have a lot of money to spend. So I Used a US military waist belt with the H suspenders, a military butt pack, a drop pouch, a one liter military canteen, a canteen cup, some cordage, and a military poncho. It was all OD green in color. That butt pack would hold about everything I needed to make it a couple of days in the woods. Your kit seems smaller, more compact. The impressive part about your video is that you actually deployed the kit, and put it to work for you in the woods. Dave, you’ve always done a great job of demonstrating your ideas on video. I look forward to seeing more. Thanks.

I never worry about how long your videos are, I watch them because I enjoy the content and checking out your ideas. I'm 64 years old and even though I've been woodcrafting and practicing survival techniques(hunting, fishing, trapping, prepping) for almost 60 years( since 1965) and I of course still have things I can learn and like to learn and from this community. I've been subbed to and watching your channel for years now, and it is one that I can depend on for honesty and fresh ideas. Keep up the great work Dave and thanks for the video, all your efforts and research and for sharing. P.S. A little tip....a bag of beef jerky and 1/2 - 3/4 of a quart zip-lock freezer bag of regular oatmeal weighs next to nothing and will fit into your pockets easily. Tear or cut a few pieces of the jerky into smaller pieces and add to your bullion cube broth boil/simmer to tender and then add 2-3 heaping tbsp. of oatmeal.....it makes a great survival breakfast meal.

For the little bit of weight of everything you carried (whether used or not) this is a magnificent kit! It allowed you to create a shelter, stay warm, and pretty comfortable for a survival situation. It also allowed for extra gear in case you needed to modify or add things depending on your needs. I don't think I would change anything with that kit. If anything, possibly a small saw such as a silky or such but with what you had, a bow saw could easily be crafted if you had a blade. Great video! I also liked that you said where to attach the kit and hang it on yourself in the small of your back. As a backpacker, I always cringe when I see someone hanging a bunch of things on their shoulders. Most backpacking packs are designed to shift the weight of the load to your hips. What you did in this video is exactly that. Carrying the weight there helps maintain balance and use your core strength to carry the load virtually unencumbered. I know this kit is only about 4ish lbs but over time it would feel much heavier if carried by hand or from the shoulders.

You're videos have so much depth Dave because you focus on PRINCIPLES more over gear and techniques. It will always be the survival principles that will carry anybody through. No better example than this video. Well done for the compendium of your work.

Yes, I agree. We call everything a "survival kit" but those pocket kits don't compare to a minimalist kit like the one you used here. IMHO the pocket kits or Altoid survival kits are good for a person to have in a pocket, or otherwise on their person. There are cases where someone loses their pack. Or they leave the trail to pee (etc) and can't find their way back. If something like that happens then the pocket kit could give them some chance to survive. But realistically, a person would want more. Yes, I agree. Few people have actually tried to camp out with their mini kit. They should. There are safe ways to do it. Camp in your own back yard, or a friend's back yard for example. Thanks, Dave for the awesome video. I believe it will help keep people safe. Also it was a lot of fun to watch as always.

"....you're not a survivalist, you're a hiker." 😂 Love that line brother! 👍 Seriously though... it's great to see you out there in your element doing what you do Dave! You totally nailed this one (as always). Really got a kick out of seeing that coffee pack in your kit there by the way... that would DEFINITELY be among the top items in my survival kit without a doubt, haha ;) Gotta have that mornin' coffee man! Thanks for sharing this one buddy!

I am earnestly thanking you for this video. Your survival videos are the best around. Most other "survivalists" involve the waste of a lot of calories and use techniques involving lots of paracord, digging, clearing, chopping, sawing, and other caloric using activities. In a real survival situation, economy of energy, supplies, nutrients and hydration are of the utmost importance. May I suggest that you add a couple of things to your kit: a few binder clips and an extra pair of socks. You should change out your socks each night. My dad was a WWII Army Lt, and he taught me the importance of clean, dry socks. If you develop blisters, that could become life threatening for a lot of reasons. God bless!!! Sorry it took me a while to find this video. I meant to watch it a while ago, but life got in the way, lol.

Speaking from experience, trying out my survival rig a couple times made a huge difference when it came time to use it. Was out on a lone day hike when a kidney stone made an unscheduled appearance. Couldn't get back to the truck before dark. Used my ham radio to let the wife know what happened, couple buddies came the next day to give me a hand out. Having used and perfected the survival rig made the somewhat miserable night in the mountains way easier.

I feel the altoidtinkit is for all a symbolic thing, for people to tell themselves that they can survive with just little stuff. It feels Great to have a self-composed little tin box in your pocket that gives you a (false) sense of savety. I'm 57 now but even though a girl I've always carried 'stuff' around in my pockets that 'might come in handy', like Huckelberry Finn did. Piece of rope, an elastic band, a small stone, a compas (I'm talking 7 years old, living in a big city ..) a pencil, small notebook, some wire, a nail, some gorp and a swiss pocketknive. I felt ready to face everything 😂 My pack is a lot bigger now, I actually have more packs (for on horse/the car/walking/on bike/public transport) and I Love to see what others, like you, find important, so thanks! for the video.

What an awesome video Dave! Shelter building, survival kit testing, overnighter. That was a real good one, you set the tone for 2023 :) Your shelter and bed setup looked so cozy. Take care

You're spot on about the bullion. I taught cardiology at a medical school for 10 years and if your sodium & potassium levels are not balanced you can screw up your heart rhythm. So yeah, keep your levels normal so the sodium potassium ion exchange pump works like it should.

Remember, anything that takes a battery will tend to not work as well in cold conditions. It's worth keeping your light in the bag with you. Best regards from frozen northern New England! :)

Thanks for bringing me along again Dave! :) I can't imagine it was a restful night, but a sight better than curled up next to a tree out in the open. Those little tins can hold an adequate fire kit, or a round airgun pellet tin can hold a fishing kit. Very hard to get all you need into one of them tins. In Florida you need shelter and/or bug juice to survive, water and/or water purification is also a big priority.

Good morning Dave. I enjoyed this. I've led a 4-H club for years and have always tried to walk the line of trying to figure out what the kids are willing to take (while they are beginning to learn) and what is practical. And, I'm always looking for ways to tweak things a bit. You had a more serious tone on this video so I'll try to give constructive feedback today. Your minimalist kit has a lot of good stuff & might have crossed the line of being so big it is better suited for a backpack (at least if wearing a jacket). Good job on the debris shelter. My 4-H kids set up something similar. When it comes to debris shelters, it is important to talk about time as a resource IMHO, which leads to the discussion about what is really practical. Once you've made & slept in a debris shelter, one quickly figures out it is better to carry a good tarp. For 1st aid, I carry band-aids, ointment & alcohol swabs in my Wazoo cache cap & belt. I carry a whistle & mini ferro rod on my keychain so a lot of those items are always on me at all times (lighter in my pocket). Great point about water. It took a bit of work for me to find a single-walled stainless steel water bottle that fits the side pockets on my el cheapo backpack. I remember that lady on the radio; someone having to boil water is not going to overhydrate. I like the bouillon cube idea and usually carry some Gatorade style packets to replace electrolytes. I like your point about your jacket because our clothing is an important part of our shelter system. I like your thought process about not wanting to get up in the middle of the night and understanding how you will feel in the morning. Your thoughts on Mylar are realistic. I've watched your other Mylar tests & you do a good job of letting people know what reality will be like. LOL😆🤣Yeah, it sure gets difficult to record inside a shelter. I had to bring some supplemental lighting for the 5 item challenge and didn't get a lot of sleep from feeding the fire all night. I remember waking up with leaves all over me. I wasn't able to bring a garbage back because of the 5 item limit. Glad you stayed warm brother! Yeah, I like to capture my breath like that to keep in the heat. I really appreciate you putting yourself out there Dave. I know it took a lot of time & energy to put this together. I imagine you were pretty tired the next day so I get the sacrifice you made. Yes! The great the suck factor the better a warm drink tastes. Great job! See you on the next one!

Great info David. The chicken stock cubes were excellent. I tried that sleeping bag with military poncho in cold. It might be best option, but I got to my jeep fast to thaw out.

URGENT. Received a message purporting to be from Dave asking me to make contact on a WhatsApp number. Thinking it to be legit, I engaged in a chat. I soon got invited to invest in a business opportunity- which I turned down. Asks for pics - I suggest a video conference - which is turned down as he is in a “meeting”. Does not sound like Dave at all. Has all the hallmarks of a con. BE WARNED.

That was awesome!!…..and fun, as usual. Thanks for bringing us along.😊

Thank you for sacrificing your mind, body & soul so we the viewers may understand what it takes to survive in the wood with bery little. A great revision for most of us. Could we have more of this overnight camping, cooking & coffee etc.? Cheers cobber. Greetings from Australia.

One of the best videos about the topic. Practical, common sense. Thanks!

Excellent job. A very good reference for anyone putting together a kit for the woods. Thank you for sharing.

It's always a great thing how someone who's done the same sort of things their whole life can always learn more tricks from watching other people. I've rarely used my canteen stove because of not having room for a fire but digging a hole under it is something I never did think of. Lmao.. Thanks buddy

Great kit for an emergency. You've got the basics covered for sure. As you mentioned it's a good idea to always have those items with you, preferably on your person when wandering in wild places. Enjoyed watching you give that kit a try!

Hi Dave! I had to stop the video at 6:29 Being told that Dave Fun in the Woods Pearson is not toting a machete is like being told a feller can't find boiled peanuts in Georgia! Like your other videos, there is plenty to learn, but my biggest takeaway is the value and importance of field testing one's ideas. As you point out, a real survival kit is one that is practical, gives one options, and has been field tested to see if it meets the need. If I am going to discover that my kit is a dud, I want that to happen when I have the option of getting my butt in my truck and getting warm rather than being in a real emergency and suffering or worse. All the best to you and Nick!

I love that you didn’t make this a “dollar store survival kit”. It’s nice to see what a real minimalist survival kit should/can look like.. and I agree, there’s no cheating in survival. Use everything you have/need. 😀 btw, I love those bullion cubes too!

Dave, this video was amazing. I’ve been watching for years and I never miss one, but this video really stands out. I’d love to see more like this. My other favorite was the bug out bag that was sent in for you to review as they’re both similar in a way. They both naturally push out your knowledge into words and have you casually give great tips and tricks. Thank you for all the great content.

hello dave I'm really looking forward to seeing the new video. Really very good content you always produce. Thanks for that and greetings from good old Germany.

So many theorise about all this stuff, and show it in videos when the gears clearly never been used. Youre one of the great Dave, you always show things practically, with honesty and without bullshit. Thanks for all your work.

Respect. There's tonnes of kit-based KZfaq videos, but this is the first I've seen where someone actually uses a small kit.

Haven't watched to the end yet, but I'm looking forward to watching David fold that mylar blanket back up :)

This sounds great. Can't wait to get home so I can watch this. Thanks for the video Dave! 👍

There might be more than one instance of the woman dying from the water constest, but the one you referenced is actually a lot more sad. She wasn't trying to win concert tickets for herself, she was trying to win a nintendo. For her little son... I've always been lucky enough to have the best Mom, and there's no one on this Earth that I'm closer with, so that story is just soul crushing. Every time.

Thanks for taking us along. I really enjoyed this one. I am almost ready to have a night in the woods you make it seem so easy. Keep them coming, Dave. Thanks

hey Dave, Hope all is well with you & the family. I see that you guys are going to get a bit of a cold snap down there, here in Southeren Oregon (I moved back in 2020 from Dunsmuir, CA, & I brought a 1300sf manufactured home up in Klamath Falls wth some inheritance $$ from my Late Mom & Uncle, and moved with my 9 kitties). Been thinking about you guys. Later,

Nice one. I too carry bouillon cubes as a electrolyte and comfort drink. Coffee and tea are good but the bouillon is so much better. I think you should do it again with Nick. Help define the ultimate minamalist kit. Thanks for sharing your night with us.

Dave, you said it, it was a success! Actually, if you consider an emergency situation and you wake up in the next morning, it was definitely a real success!... Great video! Thanks!

This is one of my favorite of your "kit" videos. I think because you actually used it in addition to just setting it up to demonstrate. Good stuff.

I really liked the vibe of this video. You had all that you needed to survive a cold night. Adjusting my kits today for my next trip into the woods. It is always good to be prepared.

Brother Dave, I've followed your channel for a decade give or take a day. This is one of your best videos yet, and that's saying alots because all you're videos have been very interesting and informative. Excellent setup you had. As for electrolyte replacement, the bouillon cubes is smart! I agree with you on replacing the electrolytes and what a good and tasty way of doing it. Thank you so much for sharing, and bringing us along with you on the overnighter. I needed this. Best I can do is a Thumbs up, and Sir you've earned that! See you next time. God's blessings Bro~John

Good Jacket, extra wool socks and waterproof gloves instead of blanket for me. Add peppermint hard candy (for stomach, sugar, Physiologically soothing in a tough situation.) Really nice compact kit, good for several days. Great demo. Thank you.

As always. Thank you so much! Your wisdom and advice is priceless. Thank you for sharing so much with us all.

That is one awesome set up, Dave! Love how small the bivy is, the boss leaf bed, and all the goodies in your kit. My cat is interested in that whistle! 👍🇨🇦😎

Can't miss that 'heyyyy everybody😊' Keep sharing 😊👍

Hi Dave. Thanks for another great video. I love that you build your own Kits and then test them. Brilliant

Thanks for taking us along Dave!

Cool stuff, Dave!

Well thanks for getting us lost Dave! LOL Those leave were comfortable but I was sure hungry in the morning. Bullion cubes do not taste like eggs, bacon and coffee. (joking) Seriously, thanks for posting another great and informative video.

It's good to see some one actually use such a kit. Often YT'bers show them but never prove if they would work!

Great advice on trying out your kit. You don't want to get out there and find you're lacking something you really need. Keep your kit sharp and your wits sharper!

Ann. 4:25 AM in Yuma Arizona 🌵. Great to see y'all again 😊

Thanks for another great video! I have a few of those Survival Frog "Tact Bivvi" bags, love 'em! I tested mine in 0° temps but I used my Walmart "50°" sleeping bag inside of it, slept in my underwear and sweated like a hog! I also have a VERY lightweight fleece sleeping bag. It works amazing inside the mylar bag in below freezing temps. I've also used the little mylar blankets as a reflector for my fire to keep my shelter heated. Between the two I've never been unbearably cold just using a baby fire like you used to boil your water. Thank you for sharing what you do! Have an amazing day!

Dave, I've watched your channel progress from way back. Interesting, informative and presented well. We all know you're a good guy. Blessings to you.

I have seen A LOT of videos from many different people regarding the bush craft/survival topic. This is next level and hands down the best survival video that I have seen yet. If anyone could only watch ONE survival video it should be this one. Great no nonsense style and content!! Thankyou.

Dave, once again thanks for actually going out and using a survival kit . One thing I noticed is they say " you have to have a 3 mil or even now 6 mil 55 gallon drum liner. I do keep (2) 3 mil in mine but you proved that for one night those thinner mil garbage bags work just fine. Also, now you know your feet got cold, maybe you could bring an extra pair of socks or even use that blanket you have to wrap them up ( at least for winter) . Thanks buddy

Hey Dave, It seems to me that the only thing you'd need to add is a second pair of woolen socks to keep your feet warm at night. If your feet are cold, the rest of you is cold. Oh, and the good thing about the bullion cubes is that it could act as a base for adding anything you could forage and add to it. They also last forever! I think it's a good idea to bring them along. Great suggestion.

Dave you are the only person who could possably keep the interest going for an hour your the man . Happy Trails

This is the #1 video for the average person.I think thee biggest problem with a survival kit is bringing too much or too little and not what you really need. I bet that many people who die in the woods have great geer at home but left behind because they get overwhelmed trying to pare it down. I loved it when you pulled out a candle and a big to make a fire. Bless you for keeping it simple. Honestly I hope many others copy your ideas here to spread the word on KZfaq to save more lives.

When I was a teenager at school, two of us drank a LOT of water (exactly how much I don't remember), We got 'drunk' on it. Couldn't stop giggling. Couldn't stand etc. At the time we didn't know what it was and we ended up ok. Looking back I wonder just how near death we were!

Outstanding video Dave

Thanks for your time Dave !!

Love it, Dave! I really like the overnight shelter videos. Very instructive and fun to watch! See you in the next one!

I know that it's best to try out your survival gear before you actually need it so you are at least confident in what you have . I keep Ramen noodles and a diabetic glucose tablets because I'm diabetic. That's pretty much the only difference. Thanks Dave for a great informative video as always Dave! 👍 take care and stay safe my friend !!!

Once Again another exellent video Dave.😁👊 Bravo.😝🤘 Thanks from New Zealand.🌏🌿🌿🌿 exellent Well Thought Out Kit and Components.👏👏👏👍

Your advice to test out one's own survival l kit is an excellent suggestion. Other than the pressure of building 5he shelter before dark and of showing your emergency kit, the whole trip was very relaxing. I hope it was as fun for you as it wS for me. Thank you!

I was very happy to see you had posted a video this morning. I agree with almost everything you said in the vid including the fact that if a kit is too big, most people won't carry it constantly. Even though the kit you put together is minimal, I believe it is too big to carry all the time. I guess it comes down to a decision between "survival" and survival with some creature comforts. The comfort items can take up a lot of space.

Great stuff mate. The mylar blanket and sleeping bag are in my EDC if I'm carrying a bag. Using the blanket like you did with natural materials is the way to go.

Greetings from Maine. This video is terrific. Brings up fond memories of building forts in the woods with my dad and brother. Your video is a breath of fresh air compared to "survival" KZfaqrs who are using the latest and greatest gear, and essentially camping on camera, not surviving. This video is such an important reminder that tried and true methods for survival should not be ignored. The mantra, "pack light, freeze at night" comes to mind. Don't leave the basic principles of a good survival kit at home just to save a few ounces when you go hiking, hunting, fishing, etc. You don't get to choose when an emergency strikes, but you DO get to choose what you bring with you to stack the odds of survival in your favor. Thank you again for a great video!

What an awesome adventure Dave. Thank you for sharing this and we shall see you in the next one.

Thank you Dave. Informative, minimalist and entertaining. Great content as one can always expect.

I love my tan waffle shirt and pants. Wear them a lot in the winter months. Waffle top paired with a wool sweater is pure magic. IMO

Greetings from South Germany. Thanks for your great Content... Over the Years!👍

Can't wait to get off work so I can watch this one. Looks exciting Thanks for the content Dave!

Mtn man here 👍👍 he did a fine job keep up the good work pouring rain here again in the mtns stay safe and dry

Good morning

Very interesting small kit you made. I feel a person could get lost while out walking or hiking then it become a survival situation. I've heard of that happening. To me a survival situation is where you weren't prepared for anything then you wind up in a survival situation. Like if someone if your girlfriend gets mad at you and leaves you out in the middle of nowhere. Or you get robbed and dropped off out in the middle of nowhere. When you're on a trip and wind up broke down in the middle of nowhere. Now what do you do then. If all you got is just what's in your pockets like your keys, wallet, you know EDC stuff. I always do my best to try and carry a little with me everyday. What do you think? Thank you Dave for the video very much. I'll see you on the next one brother.

Glad your back, always been my favorite!!!

That was great Dave. Thank you. Survival is mastering the art of suffering. Bet you got a good nap when you got home.

This was worth watching twice. Short term memory loss is NOT a wonderful thing.

Thanks for another great video and inspiration to try my own kits and skills. I'm 66 but a tough old bird. I'll be using a lot of what I learned from you. I'll mainly be hammock camping but still trying more primitive skills to see how I fair. Thanks for all the tips and tricks. Keep them coming. You are great appreciated.

Hey I appreciate you doin your thing out there & sharing your thoughts and experiences Much thanx!

One of your BEST videos yet! This answers a lot of questions about small kits and what to put in them😃

Knowledge Is Key & You Got That Brother Davey, We're Going To Have Extreme Lows This Evening -35'C Gonna Wear My Fur Lined Britches To Bed ! Great Video Brother ! Hay Nick ! ATB T God Bless

My ears bigmonkey ha ha ha at least we know it works peace and love from 1 leg UK England

No matter what and how serious it is u always have fun in the woods. U show everyone with a good mindset one will survive if the situation arises!

I enjoyed the video and I especially liked the minimal editing! It was real and honest. I learned some new things and you revisited some basics that I forgot about. I added garbage bags to my list for both camping and my bug out bag. Thank you!

🕯☕️👍

I personally enjoyed this video. It's great to know that the kits you put together work in more than theory. Plus the added benefits of knowing that you can still do it. God bless and stay safe.

This is become a tradition for our family. We watch this for the past couple of years. It’s been great each year I’m shocked you’re able to come up with another set of great stories that give us a little chill, and the set didn’t disappoint.

Hey Dave, What I like the Best about you is that you tell it like it is. No sugar coating, just the Plain dry facts. Keeping it Real... Keep it up Buddy.

Most excellent! It is 8 degrees out here this morning and at least a foot of snow on the ground. Other remedies for this time of year here for sure. But I love how you show this for the other three seasons! To tell the truth I only considered the mylar bag for wrapping my feet! I love your use of them!! I have a tool roll with just about everything I need that weighs in at about 10#, to be carried over the shoulder. My canteen has a cup the canteen sits in as well as a hankie to strain water. The cup can go over the fire. A compass is on the canteen and all that can go on my belt. My backpack has all the goodies, is small enough to wear on my back. If I had to really leave, the big backpack would go on my heavy duty plastic sled that my pup can ride on. So there are incremental packs to elevate to depending on the reason. My jeep will get me to where I need to go, which isn’t far. I chose a place to live without a high population to begin with. What I don’t have in my small kits are the electrolyte mix, small pkgs of coffees, etc. I do have the bouillon. So I can improve there! Thanks Dave:) So good to visit! ~~~ramboo alias, debbie

I’ve always advocated that people should try out your survival gear, in a controlled environment . That way you can adjust and find out what works, and what doesn’t. Great video. Cheers from Winnipeg

You really do make it look simple. Nothing beats knowledge and experience.

Nice video 📹 👍 Toe warmers are a must for a winter survival kit, they work great. Glad you had a good night. I look forward to seeing the next one. Have a good one 👍