Survivalist Pro
Photo by Ena Marinkovic Pexels Logo Photo: Ena Marinkovic

What should be in a homemade survival kit?

The Ultimate Survival Bundle Tools. Survival Swiss/army knife. Pliers. ... Illumination. Tactical flashlight. Two sets of extra batteries. ... Clean water. Water purification tablets. ... Cordage and Tape. Duct tape. ... Fire-Starting Kit. Flint or magnesium fire starter. ... Keeping Warm. Space blanket. ... Basic First Aid / Medical Kit.

Is a Minigun belt fed?
Is a Minigun belt fed?

Ammunition for the M134 is in a belt-fed form originating from an ammunition box. The ammunition is held in a linked belt format in which the...

Read More »
How can I cut down my grocery bill?
How can I cut down my grocery bill?

10 Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill Plan Ahead. Before you plan out your menus for the week, check the store ads to see what's on sale. ... Be Savvy...

Read More »

A survival kit should be considered mandatory equipment for any outdoor enthusiast. Lackluster planning and poor preparation can lead you straight into an undesirable path; however, one can avoid such dangers by creating a well-conceived survival kit. Experienced hikers always recommend customizing one’s kit to suit each specific need and the circumstances one will likely face. Different locations, climates, levels of experience, and group sizes call for varying survival gear and customization. Our team has carefully curated the ultimate survival gear list from first aid kits to waterproof matches to meet all of your assembling needs!

Basic Survival Kit Supplies

The essentials are always a good place to start. From the east to the west coast, the Himalayas to Sahara, these are the survival gear must-haves:

1. Tools

Survival Swiss/army knife

Pliers

Stainless steel blade

Tactical pen

Trekking Poles

2. Illumination

Tactical flashlight

Two sets of extra batteries

Emergency candles

Small mirror

3. Clean water

Water purification tablets

Water filtration devices

4. Cordage and Tape

Duct tape

200 feet of Paracord

100 yards of monofilament fishing line

5. Fire-Starting Kit

Flint or magnesium fire starter

Water-resistant matches

Emergency tinder

Magnifying glass

6. Keeping Warm

Band-aids

Gauze

Antiseptic wipes

Antibiotic ointment

8. Rescue Signals

Signaling mirror

Whistle

Being a survivalist means adapting to any situation with the right tools, tips, and survival hacks. Various sites will recommend slightly different items for your essential survival kit, but the items listed above are the most commonly used.

Customizing Your Kit

Now that you have the essential items required for your survival kit ready, you may want to examine your specific needs and customize the equipment accordingly. You can begin this process by asking yourself the following five questions:

1. How many people will be sharing this survival kit?

It is vital to tailor your survival kit to the number of people who depend on it. A solo trip will typically require less gear than an 8-person camping trip. If the hiking party size increases, some gear will need to increase directly proportional to the number of people hiking, while others can remain the same. For instance, the whole group can use one fire starter, while space blankets cater to more individual usage.

2. What sort of emergency might you face?

Different potential emergencies will arise depending on the activity. If you plan to travel in the forest or the desert, the former calls for tick-removal ointment, while the latter calls for a sunburn cream. Every scenario will have its unique risks; sitting down and assessing these risks when building your survival kit is critical.

3. Where will you be using the kit?

Different locations present climatic challenges, which you will want to factor into your survival-kit-making decisions. For example, trips across the northern latitude will typically cause you to confront frigid temperatures. This weather may steer you into being more inclined to purchase emergency hand warmers and space blankets.

What are the dangers of juicing?
What are the dangers of juicing?

Dangers and Side Effects of Juicing to Be Aware Of You Could Risk Dangerous Drug Interactions. You May Increase Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes if...

Read More »
Why does Sony not sell PS5?
Why does Sony not sell PS5?

The reason? The ongoing chip shortage — yep, that's still a major issue — and shipping delays across the global supply chain. And based on Sony's...

Read More »

4. How much experience do you have outdoors?

Generally speaking, the more outdoor survival skills you master, the fewer items you need in your survival kit. Those who are quite skilled at starting campfires may not need to bring matches and emergency tinder, as a simple fire starter will suffice.

5. How long are you likely to wait before help arrives?

A state or local state park emergency would probably rescue you in a matter of hours. However, if you are trekking through the Yukon or trying to cross the Darien gap, you may need to wait weeks for rescue teams to reach you. The amount of time required to wait for rescue is also a good indicator of how much food or water one should pack. In addition to the considerations listed above, you may also want to add a few more essential survival items when stocking your kit:

Medical Conditions

If you take daily medications, packing an extra set in your survival kit is a possibility worth considering. Hiking trips are known to extend themselves for various reasons. Thus, it is always good to be fully stocked and ready to go! Over-the-counter medications, like high-altitude medicine, are also highly recommended by doctors for certain patients. Ask your medical provider for personal recommendations tailored to your health history.

Self-Defense

Unfortunately, some outdoor enthusiasts are threatened by nefarious people or dangerous animals. This leads some to keep a weapon or self-defense tool in their survival kit as a precautionary measure. A survival knife is a crucial instrument for self-defense. The best survival knife is characteristically sharp, has a non-slip grip handle, and is folding friendly. Experienced hikers highly recommend having one of these always at hand. Just be sure to follow all local laws and regulations before packing any weapon or self-defense tool in your survival kit.

Cash or Currency

Local towns and service stations may not take cards. Thus, you should take the necessary precautions and pack a small amount of money to help solve imminent problems and allow you to get back home if needed.

Communication Devices

Typically, survival kits are designed to help you get through a situation where help cannot be secured. However, if you equip yourself with a satellite phone, prepaid cell phone, or two-way radio, you can contact support quickly and efficiently.

A Word about Redundancy

What are the 4 principles of planning?
What are the 4 principles of planning?

While drawing from a variety of academic disciplines, and to help managers respond to the challenge of creative problem solving, principles of...

Read More »
Why do people put bags around bottom of trees?
Why do people put bags around bottom of trees?

They help prevent overwatering and underwatering, both of which can be damaging to trees. Watering bags help small, young trees establish their...

Read More »

In an ideal world, a hiker would bring along duplicates for every item in their survival kit. This way, if one breaks, they would have a backup at the ready. “Two is one, and one is none,” as the saying goes. But in the real world, outdoor activities will place weight and space restrictions on the size of your survival kit. This is why items with multiple purposes are crucial. For example, duct tape is often included to repair clothing or camping gear, but you can also use it as a band-aid in a pinch. Safety pins are another good multi-purpose supply, as they can be used for clothing repairs, bent into fishhooks, or used to sew up a wound if need be.

How Should You Contain Your Survival Gear?

Now that you’ve assembled an assortment of supplies and tools, you’ll need to contain them in a sensible and efficient way!

Backpack

Backpacks are large and offer plenty of capacity which is great for keeping everything tidy and in one place. The downfall is it is too large and bulky to move agilely through the terrain. Understanding one’s own body and its limitations are the first steps to understanding which backpack is the best fit for you!

Soft-Sided Carrying Case

Usually made from fabric and equipped with a single zipper, soft-sided carrying cases are probably the most popular containers for survival kits. Soft-sided cases are lightweight and easy to store. The only issue that arises with soft-sided carrying cases is that they don’t offer much protection for the fragile items inside. Thus, it is recommended to pack fragile items strategically.

Rigid Carrying Case

Rigid carrying cases typically feature plastic or metal sides. While they are heavier, bulkier, and more difficult to pack than soft-sided cases are, they better protect the gear.

Float Bag

If your adventures will take place on or near the water, the float bag/waterproof bag is highly recommended. Often, it will make the most sense to store your survival kit in a small carrying case, which is then placed inside a float bag, but you could just use the float bag if you prefer. Once again, circumstance will dictate the gear of best fit!

Conclusion

Stocking a survival kit is a very personal procedure that requires the utmost care and precision to detail. The gears chosen for your kit are the tools that will assist you in surviving and thriving in any situation. Our team hopes this article is a good starting point for many safe yet exciting adventures to come!

What are Delta Force guys called?
What are Delta Force guys called?

Inside the United States Special Operations community, an "operator" is a Delta Force member who has completed selection and has graduated OTC...

Read More »
Who is the best offline game in the world?
Who is the best offline game in the world?

From puzzlers to story-driven epics, here are the best offline Android games you can play right now. Alto's Odyssey. (Image credit: Snowman) ......

Read More »
Why do Navy SEALs put pins on coffins?
Why do Navy SEALs put pins on coffins?

At his Oct. 12 funeral, as the e-mail states, Navy SEALs took their trident pins and pounded them into the top of the casket. The trident pin is...

Read More »
Can I sell part of my garden tax free?
Can I sell part of my garden tax free?

Usually, you will be exempt from capital gains tax on selling part of your garden due to “relief on disposal of private residence” – to put it...

Read More »