When it comes to survival gear, the right supplies can make all the difference in an emergency situation. A compass is useful for navigating and finding your way to safety. Paracord is great for securing animals, self defense, building a shelter or a fire, or even as a cord.
Shelter
Shelter is one of the most important survival items and should be a top priority in any situation. It protects you from the elements such as extreme temperatures, wind, and precipitation. It protects clothing, tools, and food supplies against the weather and animals. A well-built structure provides a temporary base in the wilderness from which people can operate, reducing the chance of losing valuable equipment and being attacked by dangerous wildlife.
You can build several different types of shelters using the materials you have available. If possible, you should include a survival shelter in your bug out bag and practice building it so that you know how to put it together quickly when needed.
The first step is to find a suitable location for the shelter. Look for flat ground, preferably near a water source. It should be away from animal tracks and anthills because they can both be dangerous. Once you’ve found the perfect spot, remove any branches that are on the ground.
Find a long branch to use as the ridgepole for your shelter. It should be at the same height as you. Use smaller sticks to form the arms and ribs of the shelter, and add thatching between the ribs. This can be made from moss, evergreens needles or grass. It will help to trap body heat and prevent rain and snow from entering the shelter.
Cover the shelter in debris such as leaves, bark, and twigs. This will reduce wind penetration and improve the ability to reflect heat.
Water
Water is a vital item to have in an emergency situation. It is vital for hydration and is also used in cooking, cleaning, and washing. Water can be obtained in many different ways, including by storing jugs and using a portable filter.
How much water you need to store depends on your location and the climate. You may need more water if hiking in the desert than in a forest. The number of people you’re with is another factor that determines how much water to pack. A solo hiker requires less water than a group of eight.
The best survival equipment will be durable, versatile and able to perform a variety of functions. You’ll want to keep the weight of the equipment as low as possible without sacrificing durability or function. Many survivalists also like to have a multitool in their survival gear, which makes it easier to handle different tools and tasks when needed.
You’ll want to think about how you can access the water you have with you. Many survival kits come with a variety of ways to get water, ranging from simple water purification tablet systems to more complex systems like a hydration system.
You can create a survival kit that is as small or as large as you wish, depending on what you need and how you will be affected. You can find plenty of survival gear for sale online, but it’s best to customize your kit to suit your personal needs. The more outdoor survival skills you master, the fewer items you’ll need to pack.
Food
Shelter, water, and nutrition are the three main needs that all survivalists agree upon. The order may vary depending on the environment but these items should be included in every survival kit. It is also important to consider the number of people who will be using the kit. A solo hiker will need less gear than an 8-person camping trip, for example.
It is important to have an additional source of water in your backpack, in addition to your hydration bladder. You might also want to bring a waterproof backpack cover, extra dry clothes and gloves, and a rain jacket, depending on your environment.
A good knife is also a must-have piece of survival equipment. Experts recommend that you choose a sturdy, sharp, and lightweight knife for outdoor hiking trips. A survival tool is a multi-purpose tool that can be utilized to cut ropes, secure your emergency shelters, make fishhooks, trigger traps or any other survival needs.
Although a survival blade is an essential hiking tool, you should practice with it first before using it in the wild. Many hiking and outdoor adventurers also include a tourniquet in their survival kits as an easy-to-use lifesaving tool.
A fire starter is also a must-have for survival situations. You can cook food and stay warm by having multiple ways to light a fire. This will also keep you safe from any wild animals that may be in the area. You can also carry a lighter or matches, or a flint-strike, as well as a carabiner that has a small blade. A whistle will also be useful as it can travel a long distance and alert wildlife.
First Aid
A survival kit is designed to provide supplies and tools to help a person endure an emergency situation in the wilderness. It contains items that can be used to stay warm, provide food and water, and signal for help. Depending on the duration of the adventure, it may contain some high-tech, modern gear as well as some more primitive tools and supplies.
Hikers who have a lot of experience in the wilderness will always suggest that people customize their survival equipment lists according to the circumstances of their trip and their personal level of comfort. They also recommend packing items that can be used for multiple purposes and carrying extra supplies in case a person gets lost or injured.
If someone gets lost in an unknown area, the survival kit will likely include a map, as well as a compass, to help them find the way back to their campsite or to a road to be rescued. It may also include a fire-starting tool, a flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries. If someone is unconscious or injured, they may need a first-aid kit that includes bandages, splints, pain relievers, and medical equipment.
Some survival kits can be attached to a backpack or belt. These “get-home-safe bags” are packed by hikers in case they are lost for a prolonged period of time. Others are worn around the wrist or hips and are small kits that contain a fire-starting tool, tinder, matches, medical equipment, a whistle and a compass.
Communication
Survival in the wilderness depends as much on your wits as on your gear. The right equipment in your pack can help you signal helicopters or aircraft for assistance, warm up and cook, melt snow for drinking water, trap animals, navigate unfamiliar terrain, and perform basic first aid.
Survival experts suggest packing duplicates of important tools so that you can have another on hand in case one breaks. This approach should be tempered by space and weight limitations, but in general, it’s a good idea to carry extra matches, a few extra firestarters, and spare batteries.
A tarp makes a great addition to any survival kit. It serves as a ground protection, shelter cover, place to cook, clean, and even a way to collect water. It can protect you from hail, snow, and rain in the event of a severe storm.
The unbreakable camping and hiking mirror is an essential piece of outdoor equipment for anyone who likes to go on hikes or camp. In addition to serving as a convenient tool for applying sunscreen, this handy device can reflect light from aircraft or automobiles and help you find your way in the dark.
A personal locator can send a message to nearby search and rescue organizations without the use of a cell signal or any other form of communication. Many devices are now capable of sending more detailed messages than just an SOS, allowing users to describe exactly where they are in the backwoods and give others a better chance of finding them.
