If you’re unsure about what to include on your survival gear list, here are some step-by-step tips to help make it more manageable. Firstly, consider different perspectives based on the specific scenario you are preparing for. You can opt for all modern and advanced gear, or you may choose to only include simpler and more basic equipment. Often, it’s best to include a combination of both. The first priority should be ensuring that any gear you include is familiar to you. It’s crucial to have complete confidence in your ability to use all the materials on your survival gear list before packing them for field use. Bringing untested and unfamiliar gear could potentially endanger your life or the lives of your family. Simple tools like flint and steel for making fire, a knife for carving, or a hatchet for splitting wood are excellent choices. However, it’s important to remember that simplicity does not equate to ease. Practice using these tools in various conditions, including challenging weather, low light, and while experiencing fatigue and coldness.
It is wise to include redundancy in your survival gear list. For instance, it is advisable to have several tools for making a fire, more than one knife, extra batteries, and such. However, you should also consider the importance of keeping your pack or other gear containers lightweight and portable. This leads to the question of how long you will rely on this gear. The quantity and type of gear required can significantly differ based on the duration of your outdoor stay.
Water Filtration & Purification
We begin with water in every emergency as it has a significant role to play.
If you’re on the go, humans need to drink more than 1/2 gallon of water per person per day.
In order to convert unsure water into potable H2O that satiates thirst, one must possess the necessary equipment.
There is good news:
We suggest obtaining a Sawyer Mini Water Filter, as it is a simple and clear recommendation.
Sawyer Mini Water Filter
In no situation would you ever desire to make a decision between consuming water contaminated with repulsive sewage and preventing your own demise.
I’m referring to water contaminated with bacteria that can cause illnesses.
Instead of just getting one, make sure to also purchase a couple of Sawyer Mini portable water filters.
These devices are specifically created for the purpose of eliminating tiny particles and harmful bacteria from questionable water.
By pairing one tablet with water purification tablets, you will be prepared for almost any water-related emergency.
And can consume with certainty.
Water Bottle
Surviving in the wild (or on the move) requires carrying water.
Once you locate a water source, it is essential to filter, purify, and transfer a portion of it into a bottle.
Because you seldom have knowledge of the distance to the next water source.
Bottled water helps to keep you hydrated when there is no other source available.
Obtain a metallic thermos that has only one wall, excluding double-wall insulated thermoses.
In a pinch, metal bottles enable boiling water over a fire by following a step-by-step thinking process.
Heating a bottle with two walls can potentially result in an explosion.
Survival Shelters
Sometimes, the importance of shelter surpasses that of water.
When faced with extreme temperatures and weather, your top priority for survival should be finding shelter.
You can resort to either praying that you’ll come across a natural survival shelter (or an abandoned cabin in the woods).
Alternatively, you can consider investing in essential shelter equipment that can potentially save lives.
Survival Tarp
Tarps make for a great choice when considering a shelter option.
However, a low-cost tarp will not suffice.
In order to ensure you are well-prepared for survival situations, it is advisable to consider investing in a survival tarp that possesses the following qualities: high-quality, waterproof, rugged, made from ripstop material, and equipped with ample anchor points.
A good survival tarp enables you to create various types of shelter arrangements, effectively protecting against wind, rain, sleet, and snow.
Cold Weather Tent
If you reside in cold areas, using a tarp during wintertime may not be effective.
If you want to consider it step by step, it could be suggested that you consider upgrading to either a tent designed for cold weather or a tent made of canvas. It may be helpful to avoid adding any new information and ensure that none of the existing information is removed.
The majority of these tents weigh more than 10 lbs, making them not the lightest survival equipment.
They will ensure your warmth and survival even in the most unfavorable circumstances.
Survival Hammock
Hammocks can be used not only at the beach but also for survival purposes.
These devices prevent you from touching the ground and allow you to sleep at an elevated position in a tree if needed.
There are some items that can be compressed into a small ball and are lightweight.
A hammock tent is a great choice that falls between a complete tent setup and a survival tarp.
Make sure to include a winter-capable sleeping bag and bring along a tarp in case of rain to your equipment!
TACT Bivvy
The TACT Bivvy, which is an emergency blanket or bivy sack, is an additional option that can be included with any of the mentioned shelter choices.
This life-saving equipment has a weight of less than 5 ounces.
“You ask about lifesaving? Absolutely.”
By getting inside this TACT bivvy, it effectively retains your body heat to ensure warmth, even in extremely cold temperatures.
I decided to try out one in extremely cold weather and found myself perspiring within a couple of minutes.
The internal temperature within the Bivvy rose to the mid-70s!
I hope that all car and truck manufacturers would include one of these TACT Bivvys in the glove box of every vehicle.
When people find themselves trapped overnight in blizzards, it has the potential to save lives.
Survival Weapons
After that, we will discuss survival weapons. However, can weapons be categorized as gear?
From my perspective, the answer is affirmative.
Survival Equals Self-defense.
Survival supplies do not include these weapons, although they do include ammo.
Let’s now discuss an assortment of survival gear, both commonly used and more obscure, that can be utilized for personal protection and defense.
Survival Firearm
To begin with, it is important to note that there is no definitive “optimal” survival firearm, as numerous factors must be taken into account and carefully considered.
Weight, availability of ammunition, level of accuracy, durability, and other factors are all important considerations.
Ensure that you possess sufficient power and weaponry to safeguard and uphold the safety of yourself and your family.
Bore Snake
Although a bore snake is not considered a weapon, it does fall under this category.
For anyone who possesses a firearm, it is essential to have this.
To ensure that your weapon fires accurately when you pull the trigger, it is important to regularly clean the barrel to prevent any build-up.
Survival Bow
In order to stalk, hunt, or defend, maintaining silence in a deadly manner is crucial.
Don’t misunderstand me; firearms are necessary.
If you’re in a situation where portability and stealth are important for survival, please provide me with a reliable takedown recurve survival bow.
If portability is not a significant concern, provide me with a high-powered crossbow.
If necessary, I enjoy having the ability to silently shoot wild game or dangerous threats.
Fire-Starting Survival Gear
Starting fires and survival are practically indistinguishable.
Starting a fire in calm dry conditions is a distinct situation.
Starting a fire in harsh weather conditions such as a blizzard or torrential downpour is a completely different challenge.
Regardless of the conditions, you will need the necessary gear to start a fire.
Lighter
You have a lot of choices in survival lighters, which is good news.
You have the option of choosing an affordable standard BIC lighter or opting for a more technologically advanced Tesla lighter.
Or use something in the middle, such as a zippo.
We enjoy using Tesla lighters for survival because they can effectively function in both wet and high wind conditions.
Ferro Rod
Are you aware of the major drawback associated with any of the lighters mentioned earlier?
Every one of them necessitates fuel, whether it be lighter fuel or battery power.
Sometimes, these devices can become unavailable or lose power at the exact moment when you require them the most.
Instead of having survival tools that run out when you need them the most, why not have ones that won’t?
Ensure that you obtain a Ferro rod of high quality.
Permanent Matches
Permanent matches are a different type of fire-starting method.
Having too many firestarters is not a bad thing.
If you regularly carry matches with your survival gear, you are making an error.
If regular matches become wet, they become useless.
A permanent match will light with no difficulty even when it gets wet.
To stock some survival matches (which is recommended), you must have permanent ones.
