Although you might not think about it very often, premade survival kits are essential for any outdoor adventure. You can make a difference whether you’re hiking to remote mountain summits or going on a week-long camping trip.
In addition to supplies like water, food, and shelter, you should always carry a variety of fire starting tools. This includes lighters, matches, a Ferro rod, and tinder.
First aid kit
A first aid kit is a vital part of any survival gear kit. You should always have one in your car and at home. It should contain all necessary supplies to treat injuries, and emergency situations, so that you can quickly seek help if needed.
It should include bandages, gauze, tape, scissors, alcohol pads, antibiotic ointment, and surgical gloves for cleanliness and infection control. It should also include over-the counter pain medications and antihistamines in order to relieve allergy symptoms.
These items are essential for treating a variety injuries, including cuts, scrapes and burns, insect bites and poison ivy. These can be treated with over-the-counter ointments, prescription drugs, antibiotics, and steroid creams.
A wilderness survival kit with advanced first aid is essential if you are preparing for a trip. These have additional supplies like splints and a tourniquet, which are typically reserved for more serious or dangerous injuries. You may also find more advanced equipment like neck braces, medical bags, and other trauma gear.
This kind of kit is often used by military personnel and first responders, but civilians like forestry workers and surveyors may also keep a survival pack on hand to prepare for disasters. It should also include tools such as a saw, a fire starter and a whistle to attract attention in case of an emergency.
The survival pack should be compact and lightweight, so it can easily be carried by anyone who has to hike or camp. It should be durable and waterproof so it can withstand the elements.
Another essential is a small canteen to help you drink water in emergencies. You can also add water purification tablets so that you don’t have any worries about drinking unclean water.
Safety pins, duct tape and multi-tools are all useful tools to have in a survival kit. These tools can be used to fix gear or make a fishing hook. They can also be used for clothing repairs.
Knife
A survival knife is an essential piece of survival gear. It can be used for many purposes. It can open a bag with survival food if you are lost in the wilderness, build shelters, and protect you and family from any emergency situations.
A good survival knife will be made of strong steel, so it can withstand rigorous use and won’t break easily. It’s important to take care and not damage your knife.
You can also use a knife to help with first aid. These knives are very useful for making incisions to remove something from your body, or to treat a wound that has been left by a loved one.
A survival knife can also be used to make fire, which is a vital function in survival situations. Most survival knife kits include a fire starter. This can either be a piece flint, or a ferrocerium rod which produces consistent high-temperature sparks.
Other uses for a survival knife include opening beer bottles, preparing food, and skinning and carving animals. For this purpose, any knife will work. However, a smaller knife is more effective for carving small fish or other small game.
If you go foraging, you may need to chip wood to light a fire. A knife can be used for breaking up wood and its sharp edge is great for splitting things.
Water filter
A water filter is an essential part of a survival gear kit because it can be used to purify drinking water in a variety of different situations. It can be particularly useful when you’re stuck in a disaster area, and it could help you survive until the authorities are able to arrive.
The type of filter you choose depends on what you need and whether you want it to be portable or permanent. You also need to think about what kind of contaminants you’re dealing with. If you live in an area where the water is treated with chemicals, a filter might be necessary to remove them.
There are many options for water filtration, including gravity filters as well as straw filters or bottle filters. Make sure you choose the one that best suits your needs.
A straw filter is an excellent choice if you are looking for an easy-to use option. It has a straw that allows you to suck through dirty water and force clean water out, and it’s small enough to fit in your pocket or pack.
You can also find portable pump filters that let you hose the water through to get clean water. These filters are more difficult to use and require more effort than the ones we have discussed.
For a more durable and compact option, the MSR Guardian Purifier has an internal hollow fiber filter that can remove viruses and bacteria, while maintaining a fast flow rate. It is lightweight and small, and can withstand freezing temperatures.
Shelter
Shelter is an important component of survival gear. It provides protection from the elements. Shelter is also a place to rest and get warm in an emergency situation in the wild.
It is important to create a survival shelter that suits your needs and the surroundings you are in. For example, if camping in the woods you will want to find a spot near water and dry. You should also remember that wildlife can make your shelter unsafe.
You should also consider your shelter’s visibility to rescuers. For example, you may choose to hang a bright colored pack cover tied to your shelter or to leave your backpack outside so that search and rescue teams will know you are there.
If you can collect enough material, fill all of the shelter with it. This will trap body heat and prevent you from becoming hypothermic at night.
Wrap the material around your body to keep the cold air out. It is best to make sure that the material you use is light and fluffy so that it will be able to trap air inside.
It is a good idea also to include an extra zip in your kit and to keep a spare blanket. A space blanket can be used to signal for help, or as a reflector to aid in cooking food or lighting fires.