Up for auction is QTY 1 Office of Civil Defense Survival Supply SK IV Sanitation Kit from the 1960s. This was a crucial component of the United States' Cold War-era fallout shelter program. It was designed to provide basic hygiene and waste management for up to 50 people for one to two weeks in a sealed shelter environment, reflecting the grim realities and preparations for a potential nuclear attack.


Here's how you would describe it:

Purpose-Built for Survival: The kit's primary function was to maintain sanitation in confined fallout shelters where traditional plumbing would be unavailable. This was essential for preventing the spread of disease and maintaining a degree of comfort during a prolonged stay.

Self-Contained and Functional: The kit itself typically came in a sturdy, cylindrical cardboard barrel, approximately 22 inches high and 16.5 inches in diameter, often manufactured by companies like Continental Can Company. Once emptied, this barrel was designed to be repurposed as a makeshift toilet with the addition of a plastic liner and a commode seat.


Key Contents (variations existed, but common items included):

- Toilet paper: Multiple rolls were included, as basic hygiene was paramount.
- Commode seats: To fit onto the repurposed barrel.
- Plastic toilet liners: For waste containment within the barrel.
- Odorless chemicals/disinfectants: To help manage odors and sanitize waste.
- Plastic cups and lids: For various uses, including drinking and personal hygiene.
- Water dispensing siphon spouts: To aid in accessing water from other survival supplies.
- Plastic gloves: For handling waste and maintaining cleanliness.
- Sanitary pads: For feminine hygiene.
- Can opener: A general utility item.

Cold War Relic: These kits are highly sought after by collectors today because they are tangible reminders of the Cold War and the extensive civil defense efforts undertaken by the U.S. government. They represent a period of widespread public anxiety and preparedness for an unprecedented global conflict. In essence, the SK IV Sanitation Kit was a stark, yet necessary, symbol of 1960s civil defense, providing the bare essentials for managing personal hygiene in the face of a potential catastrophic event.

ITEMS MAY OR MAY NOT BE MISSING, BOXES *APPEAR* TO BE SEALED AND/OR NOT USED. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEE; SOLD AS-IS.
THE AUTHENTICITY OF THIS ITEM IS NOT GUARANTEED, NOR ARE THE CONTENTS OF THIS KIT. BUYER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.