[link to www.marthastewart.com]
She keeps asking him what the stuff is for..."6" of duct tape? What can you do with that?"

John McCann, owner of Survival Resources in Hyde Park, New York, where he teaches survival courses to adventurers of all ages, has developed an inventive survival kit small enough to fit in your pocket.

These 35 items, contained in McCann's survival kit in a tin, will help you survive outdoors should an unexpected emergency arise, whether you're going for a walk outside, or camping out for a few days.

Fire and Light
Spark-Lite Firestarter
One-handed fire-starter used to produce sparks to light the Tinder-Quick Fire Tabs listed below.

4 Tinder-Quick Fire Tabs
Waterproof, wax-impregnated cotton tinder, which can be ignited with a spark from the Spark-Lite Firestarter. They burn approximately 2 to 3 minutes, allowing you time to establish a fire using other available tinder and kindling.

4 Wind/Waterproof Matches
These matches are an additional means by which to initiate a fire.

Signaling
Cylinder Whistle
A small signal whistle can be used to identify your location to rescuers. It takes less energy to blow a whistle (3 toots are the international distress signal) than it takes to yell.

Mini Signal Mirror
A Lexan polycarbonate mirror can be used to signal rescuers and can be seen up to 20 miles.

Navigation
20-millimeter Button Compass
A liquid damped compass for navigating back to civilization.

Water and Food
Water Bag
Made from a Reynolds Oven Bag, it is marked with a 1 quart line in order to measure the appropriate amount of water for use with a water purification tablet. It can then be used to carry water while on the move.

4 Water Purification Tablets
The Chlorine Dioxide-based tablets provide protection from bacteria, viruses, and cysts such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

Fishing Tackle
Enclosed in a small plastic vial, it can be used to catch fish for sustenance. It includes two No. 8 hooks, four No. 10 hooks, one No. 14 snap swivel, and six BB split shots.

50-foot Braided Fishing Line
Used with the above tackle to fish, it can also be used for sewing.

Shelter and Protection
10-foot Parachute Cord
Rescue Orange Parachute Cord is used to wrap the completed pocket tin survival kit. It can be used to build a wilderness shelter. The cord is made up of 7 individual strands inside a nylon sheath. These inner strands can be taken out and used individually, providing up to 80 feet of usable cordage including the sheath.

Knives and Tools
Folding Razor Knife
Can be used for minor cutting requirements.

Folding Pocket Saw
Can be used for minor sawing requirements.

Medical
2 Butterfly Bandages
Used for wound closure.

Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Used to prevent infection in minor cuts and wounds.

Multi-Purpose
Safety Pins
Enclosed in the plastic vial for fishing tackle, two No. 1 and three No. 00 safety pins are provided for various purposes, from repairs to making additional fishing hooks.

Sewing Needle
One No. 18 large-eye needle is included for sewing purposes, and can also be used to extract splinters.

Square Foot of Aluminum Foil
Use to make a container to boil water, as a heat or wind reflector, or as a back-up signal mirror.

Fresnel Magnifier
Can be used as an additional fire-starter using the sun, or to read fine print if glasses become lost or damaged.

6-inch Duct Tape
Can be used for repairs and first aid. Its use is only limited by your imagination.

6-inch Brass Wire
Multiple uses from repairs to making snares to catch food.

Miscellaneous
Pencil and Waterproof Paper
1 pencil and 4 sheets of waterproof paper, 2 3/4-by-2 1/8 inches each, can be used to leave notes for rescuers, keep a log, etc.

Resources
For more information on John McCann's survival kit, or to purchase any of the items included in the kit, visit bepreparedtosurvive.com. Special thanks to McCann for giving copies of his book, "Build the Perfect Survival Kit," to our studio audience.