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Wilderness Survival
Heading into the great outdoors is a lot of fun when properly prepared. When you are caught out without the proper gear, it can mean life or death. I would like to provide you with a good beginners list of some of
the items that your survival kit should contain that may make the difference between making it out alive or leaving your belongings to the next of kin.
It is also when you least expect it that disaster strikes. No manufactured survival kit contains it all for every trip you'll take or situation you will encounter. Take time during your pre-trip preparation to
closely exam what specific needs you will have on the outing and then adjust your gear accordingly.
Covering the bodies basic needs.
Having food, water and temporary shelter will help you survive for extended periods if you become injured or lost. Making water safe to drink is relatively easy and often one of the keys to staying alive until help
arrives. Several methods of purifying water are available for you, but ensure you purify water even if it looks clean.
- Use water purification tablets
- Pour 5 drops of 2% tincture of iodine in a canteen of clean water, and 10 drops in a canteen full of cloudy or cold water. (Let the canteen of water stand for 30 minutes before drinking)
- Boil water for 1 minute if at sea level, or boil for 1 minute for each 1,000 feet above sea level. To be safe, boil all water for at least 10 minutes
- Use a commercial water purification devices
Always keep in mind, the primary microorganism of concern in most wilderness recreation areas are tough, hardy cystic parasites that resist heat and cold – even freezing –
drought, chlorine, iodine, and just about everything else. Take no chances and be careful not to cause recontamination of your drinking water supply with poor storage methods or spillage into purified containers.
You should always carry a minimum of 3,600 calories of non-perishable food with as well, and a means to start a fire to prepare the food if necessary. Military MRE's are an
excellent source of the required nutrients and easy to pack along. Many other manufactures also provide great options these days and are available at most outdoor supply stores. Hard candy is also a great addition,
as it will provide sugar for energy as well as assist in keeping your mouth moistened.
Suggested Survival Kit Items
1. Carry pouch (leather)
2. 3,600 calorie non-perishable food ration
3. Hard candy
4. Flashlight and spare batteries
5. Metal container (cooking utensil)
6. Ground air signal card
7. Sewing kit (buttons, needles, pins, thread and patches)
8. First aid supplies
9. Nylon line
10. Fishing kit (line, leader, hooks, flies, sinkers and lures)
11. Knife (pocket type)
12. Stone (to sharpen knife and fish hooks)
13. Matches (waterproofed in wax)
14. Waterproof match container
15. Flint bar (glued to match container)
16. Sandpaper match striker (glue to match container)
17. Tinder (steel wool – OO grade or finer)
18. Aluminum foil (for cooking, etc.)
19. Snare wire (woven, flexible)
20. Plastic sheet (9 ft x 12 ft)
21. Plastic bag (water container)
22. Candle (flat canister type)
23. Razor blades (at least three single edge)
24. Water purification tablets
25. Magnifying glass (starting fires)
26. Leather flipper pouch
27. Surgical tubing (18 inches long – flipper)
28. Compass (built into lid of match container)
29. Map of area
30. Mirror (polished metal)
31. GPS and spare batteries
32. Flare (magnesium strip)
33. Heat tablets (for cooking and fire starting)
34. Bouillon cubes or energy tablets
35. Can opener (G.I. ration type)
36. Plastic whistle (police type)
37. Pencil and paper (to leave a note)
38. Carbide (miner's lamp type for starting fires)
39. Arrowhead (two bladed flat)
40. Survival wire saw
41. Finish nails (12 6d to set snare triggers)
42. Tacks (to cook game on fire spit)
43. Plastic electricians tape
Communication Ground Signals used for aircraft rescue
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