You’re a SEAL Stranded in Hostile Territory: What’s in Your Survival Kit?

Time ^ | 2/21/13 | Mark Thompson

[LibWhacker]

SEALs aren’t supposed to find themselves in trouble that they can’t get out of. That’s why the Navy is seeking to buy 300 new survival kits for the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, sometimes known as Navy SEAL Team 6.

They’re the guys who raided Osama bin Laden’s compound in May 2011 and sent him on an all-expenses-paid trip to the bottom of the Indian Ocean. Save for the downed stealthy MH-60 Black Hawk chopper, the mission was a grand success. But, being military men, they have to prepare for worst-case scenarios. That’s where Wednesday’s solicitation for what they call Personnel Recovery and Survival Kits comes in.

“The Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) has a requirement to procure personnel recovery and survival kits (part number 0293-D) on a brand name or equal basis,” it says. “The brand name is SOLKOA [visit their website here]. If quoting an equal product, vendor shall provide all salient characteristics in order to be considered for award.”

[LibWhacker]

WHA...??? What'chyoo talkin' about? Legendary maker Chris Reeve makes indestructible hollow handled survival knives. Check out the Chris Reeve Project Knife destruction test here. Long video, so skip to 28:50 to see the most pertinent part.

Note that is an issue not even related to the handle per se.

Poor guy. Reeve knives are not cheap. Probably cost him at least $400. That's where they were last time I priced them.

[LibWhacker]

Thanks. I kind of agree with some of those comments. The whole kitchen sink in a little tiny package. I probably couldn’t find anything when it was needed (if I could remember all the stuff that was in the kit, to begin with).