.
Michelle's Ultimate Survival Gear
This is the ultimate survival gear list because having all these items on this list would help you have a better chance at survival than without it. Plus, it covers wilderness survival, flood survival, fire survival, drought survival, and even winter survival.
1.) Nylon fanny pack or bag
2.) Portable windup emergency radio so you never have to worry about batteries. I have an Energizer Weather Ready Wind-up emergency radio and flashlight with a siren that I bought from a catalog or online in one which is really cool.
3.) a couple of compasses
4.) a wind-up flashlight
5.) a complete first aid kit
6.) Alcohol swabs
7.) Emergency blanket
8.) Solar blanket has multi-uses; serves as a blanket, purify water, and can be used for an emergency shelter.
9.) Bio-Hazard bag
10.) 2400 or 3600 Calorie Mayday Food Bars
11.) Light sticks
12.) Hand Warmers
13.) Emergency Poncho
14.) Plastic Band-aid strips .)
15.) At least 10 Emergency Drinking Waters
16.) Whistles (really loud ones like the red flat ones)
17.) Dust mask
18.) 4 Tissue packs
19.) Magnesium / Flintbar Firestarter or Flint stones (in case you don't have matches)
20.) Organic Liquid Echinacea and Organic Liquid Virus Kill and Organic Liquid Cayenne (Disease prevention)
21.) a small tin where you can put a small collection of buttons, sewing needles, thread flatly prewrapped on a tiny piece of cardboard, safety pins and a tiny pair of scissors.
22.) small pair of goggles that still gives a clear faraway view. Large ones take up too much room.
23.) Work gloves
24.) Maxipads/Tampons for ladies
25.) Wet naps in case there is no water to wash your hands.
26.) a 550 lbs. Para rope/cord 100 feet worth (these are very strong and come in 7 cord strands which has multi-uses). Make sure that what you get has 7 inner strands, and is 550 lb test! This typically sells for about $5-$10 for a 100 ft length. This takes up a good bit of space in a kit, so I wrap about 20-25 feet of it around the outside of the sheath instead of packing it inside the pouch. Para cord can be obtained from many sources, but be careful what you are buying.
27.) several boxes of Waterproof matches placed in a ziploc waterproof bag.
28.) Slow burning candles
29.) Spoon-fork combos wrapped in a clean washcloth placed in a ziploc waterproof bag.
30.) Powdered Cayenne to stop bleedings.
31.) A small container of Anti-bacterial soap placed in a ziploc waterproof bag.
32.) A waterproof bag to put your emergency survival gear into.
33.) Water purification tablets or drops.
34.) Fish and Snare wire/line including 30ft Fishing Line and 6 Fish Hooks (15 lb test line) - I shouldn't have to tell anyone what to do with these. except to say that in most cases, you're better off setting lines on the heavier line (80 lb test line below) and leaving them unattended. There are better things to do with your time than to spend hours fishing or hunting. Setting snares and baited lines out, and then checking from time to time will net your best results. And a 50ft Fishing Line (Hvy 80 lb test) (snares, shelter making, etc) - This line is Spiderwire Fusion brand, ultra-High Performance saltwater line. It is not monofilament, meaning it has inner strands surrounded by a tough outer sheath. This stuff is tough as nails, and has about a thousand uses. It can be used for shelter building, snare making, and for unattended fishing purposes among others.
35.) Signaling mirror
36.) Fish hooks
37.) Oxytetracycline tablets (diarrhea or infection).
38.) Folding Camping knife
39.) Small Swiss Army Knife (blade, scissors, file, small screwdriver, can opener, tweezers, etc) - I have since swapped the Swiss Army knife for a Leatherman Micra. It is built a little tougher, and the scissors are much better. This is included primarily because the main knife in the kit is a bit cumbersome for fine whittling or cutting small items. You can use whatever you are comfortable with here.
40.) Paper and pencil to write notes and are flammable. Waterproof them by placing these items into a ziploc bag.
41.) Small Lighter - As I mentioned before, the "Rambo" types out there seem to like roughing it. By keeping a dozen matches crammed in the handle of their knife, it would seem that they are severely limiting their fire making ability (as well as compromising the overall strength of the knife). I hope it's not the rainy season, as these matches could well be gone in about the first five minutes. I chose to put a mini Bic lighter, as you can start a hell of a lot more fires with it as compared to a comparable volume of matches. As backups, I also include the magnesium / flint bar, which, with a little practice, can start thousands of fires, and the magnifying glass, which can start limitless fires.
42.) If you don't like the wind-up kind of flashlights you can buy a Mini LED Flashlight - This is a very bright little light. If you plan to purchase one, buy one that has either white, yellow, green or blue light. The red LED's are not very bright, as they are much older technology. This item is great for short durations where you need to locate items at night. For longer duration, build a fire. These can also be used for signaling at night (another reason not to use the red). You can pack along a couple extra button batteries as well. They take very little space, and each lasts for quite a while. I recommend some electrical tape between each to keep them from discharging. As each battery is about the size of a dime, this takes very little space in the kit. If your light requires tools to change the batteries, make sure you have something to do it with!
43.) If you don't like the Solar Blanket if you feel it tears too easily then you can get yourself what's called a Painter's Tarp 9'x7' - This is a thin plastic sheet that can be used for a variety of purposes. It can be used with a little para cord as a Tarp Shelter, or as a waterproofing for the roof of whatever you construct for shelter. It can be laid out to collect rainwater, used as a poncho, or employed as a Solar Still. This item can be purchased at your local hardware store for a couple dollars. For size considerations, I used the 0.35 mil painters tarp. This is extremely thin, but will pack 3 times as small as a 1 mil thick tarp. It is very easy to tear, so you may want to practice using this a bit to make sure you can use it without ruining it. I bought this stuff in a roll 9ft. x 400ft. for about $12, so destroying a few sheets in practice is no concern! Note: You can also use one or more trash bags as a substitute for this item. The large lawn and leaf bags work well. The 45 gallon type can be cut open to a size of 4'x6', which is large enough for a one person tarp Shelter., or to serve as waterproofing for the roofs of a variety of other shelter types. Carrying two bags allows one to use one for shelter, and the other as a poncho, by tearing a hole in the top for your head (I say tear instead of cut, because cutting it will create an opening that will easily rip further).
44.) Water purifying straw - This is one of the greatest pieces of kit I have ever come across. It is good for 20 -25 Gallons of water (depending on just how crummy the water is). It is not just a filter. It actually filters AND treats the water with antibacterials. Even if you don't use this in your survival kit, it is great to bring camping or to any outdoors activity. Amuse your friends by suddenly leaning down and drinking from some green swampy festering puddle! Some sites out there try to whack you for $20-$30 for this item, but I found some for about $7/ea at Cheaper Than Dirt.
45.) 5 feet of duct tape, wrapped around ball point pen - Ahhh... the many and wondrous uses of duct tape!! Where to start? Repairs can be made to just about anything. Patch holes in tarps, fix a point to an arrow or spear, etc etc etc. It can also be used to bandage cuts and scrapes (put a square of cotton from a tee shirt under it, don't just cover the wound directly). Make a butterfly bandage for more serious wounds. The pen is used as a backup to the pencil.
46.) Surgical Suture, Sterile - I still have a scar from where I mended the back of my hand while camping. At the time, my emergency kit had only standard needle and thread, and let me tell you... this was NOT an easy task!! ... I now carry a Surgical Suture in my kit !! I used to get these from Nitro-Pak.com, but they're much cheaper at Medrepexpress . Or if you can find it at a cheaper place, good.
47.) Ziploc Freezer Bags (2) - Use as canteens, waterproof storage for kit, and other items.
48.) Small Rectangular Cooking Tin - This item was purchased in the baking section of my local supermarket, and is a cooking pan for small loaves of cornbread, etc. It was sold in a pack of three for about $5. These are 6" by 3.5" by 2.5" deep. These are primarily used as cooking vessels, but double as tough and convenient containers to pack the kits in!
49.) Fresnel Lens - The Fresnel Lens is a credit card sized magnifying glass, and can be used to inspect small items, or to start fires. It packs very small, so is handy to have (I keep one in my wallet as well). Though you could be starving to death by the time a fire starts. I like flint stones or magnesium stricker because they start fires much quicker. But it never hurts to have one handy.
50.) Scalpel Blades - I pack 2 of the size 24 scalpel blades. These come in sterile wrapping, pack extremely small and have a multitude of uses, from medical to skinning and gutting game, to fine whittling.
51.) MilSpec Snare Wire (10 ft) - This stuff has a multitude of uses, from snaring to tripwire, to hanging food items over a fire for cooking.
52.) Notes: Notice that the standard and heavy fishing line and the Snare Wire are all wrapped around nails. The nails can be used for shelter building, spear points and other tools. The thread is wrapped around the three needles. I used a cordless drill to make the winding of all this a lot easier. I will be updating this picture soon to include all items.
53.) Fifty Dollar Bill - (NOT SHOWN) This was something I wish I thought of, but I saw it in someone else's kit, and decided that it was a GREAT idea. Imagine getting lost, and eventually finding your way out of the woods far from where you intended to be. It's nice to have some cab fare, or money for a Big Mac... after a few days eating bugs, it would be a shame to emerge next to a 7-11, and have no money for food! This could be whatever bill you feel comfortable putting in, or even an extra credit card (make sure it stays current). It's also a great idea to keep an emergency card or bill in your car's kit (ever forget your wallet?). Of course nowdays I'm not sure how far $50 will take you. Better than nothing though.
54.) Small sharpening stone. You never want to forget about this.
55.) Needle nose pliers with wire cutter (4-5” total length)
56.) Map of your area if you can get one.
57.) Cable saw
58.) Superglue (for closing cuts. 2-3 tubes. Once opened, they don’t last long).
59.) Neosporin
60.) Gauze pads or roll
61.) Surgical tape
62.) Pain relievers. Aspirin is good for toothaches. I use 500 mg. Acetametaphin Equate brand for headaches. My stomach can't muster Bufferin. You get what you need.
63.) Goose down blanket.
64.) Goose down winter coat and winter snowpants.
65.) Quick self inflatable small water raft.
1.) Nylon fanny pack or bag
2.) Portable windup emergency radio so you never have to worry about batteries. I have an Energizer Weather Ready Wind-up emergency radio and flashlight with a siren that I bought from a catalog or online in one which is really cool.
3.) a couple of compasses
4.) a wind-up flashlight
5.) a complete first aid kit
6.) Alcohol swabs
7.) Emergency blanket
8.) Solar blanket has multi-uses; serves as a blanket, purify water, and can be used for an emergency shelter.
9.) Bio-Hazard bag
10.) 2400 or 3600 Calorie Mayday Food Bars
11.) Light sticks
12.) Hand Warmers
13.) Emergency Poncho
14.) Plastic Band-aid strips .)
15.) At least 10 Emergency Drinking Waters
16.) Whistles (really loud ones like the red flat ones)
17.) Dust mask
18.) 4 Tissue packs
19.) Magnesium / Flintbar Firestarter or Flint stones (in case you don't have matches)
20.) Organic Liquid Echinacea and Organic Liquid Virus Kill and Organic Liquid Cayenne (Disease prevention)
21.) a small tin where you can put a small collection of buttons, sewing needles, thread flatly prewrapped on a tiny piece of cardboard, safety pins and a tiny pair of scissors.
22.) small pair of goggles that still gives a clear faraway view. Large ones take up too much room.
23.) Work gloves
24.) Maxipads/Tampons for ladies
25.) Wet naps in case there is no water to wash your hands.
26.) a 550 lbs. Para rope/cord 100 feet worth (these are very strong and come in 7 cord strands which has multi-uses). Make sure that what you get has 7 inner strands, and is 550 lb test! This typically sells for about $5-$10 for a 100 ft length. This takes up a good bit of space in a kit, so I wrap about 20-25 feet of it around the outside of the sheath instead of packing it inside the pouch. Para cord can be obtained from many sources, but be careful what you are buying.
27.) several boxes of Waterproof matches placed in a ziploc waterproof bag.
28.) Slow burning candles
29.) Spoon-fork combos wrapped in a clean washcloth placed in a ziploc waterproof bag.
30.) Powdered Cayenne to stop bleedings.
31.) A small container of Anti-bacterial soap placed in a ziploc waterproof bag.
32.) A waterproof bag to put your emergency survival gear into.
33.) Water purification tablets or drops.
34.) Fish and Snare wire/line including 30ft Fishing Line and 6 Fish Hooks (15 lb test line) - I shouldn't have to tell anyone what to do with these. except to say that in most cases, you're better off setting lines on the heavier line (80 lb test line below) and leaving them unattended. There are better things to do with your time than to spend hours fishing or hunting. Setting snares and baited lines out, and then checking from time to time will net your best results. And a 50ft Fishing Line (Hvy 80 lb test) (snares, shelter making, etc) - This line is Spiderwire Fusion brand, ultra-High Performance saltwater line. It is not monofilament, meaning it has inner strands surrounded by a tough outer sheath. This stuff is tough as nails, and has about a thousand uses. It can be used for shelter building, snare making, and for unattended fishing purposes among others.
35.) Signaling mirror
36.) Fish hooks
37.) Oxytetracycline tablets (diarrhea or infection).
38.) Folding Camping knife
39.) Small Swiss Army Knife (blade, scissors, file, small screwdriver, can opener, tweezers, etc) - I have since swapped the Swiss Army knife for a Leatherman Micra. It is built a little tougher, and the scissors are much better. This is included primarily because the main knife in the kit is a bit cumbersome for fine whittling or cutting small items. You can use whatever you are comfortable with here.
40.) Paper and pencil to write notes and are flammable. Waterproof them by placing these items into a ziploc bag.
41.) Small Lighter - As I mentioned before, the "Rambo" types out there seem to like roughing it. By keeping a dozen matches crammed in the handle of their knife, it would seem that they are severely limiting their fire making ability (as well as compromising the overall strength of the knife). I hope it's not the rainy season, as these matches could well be gone in about the first five minutes. I chose to put a mini Bic lighter, as you can start a hell of a lot more fires with it as compared to a comparable volume of matches. As backups, I also include the magnesium / flint bar, which, with a little practice, can start thousands of fires, and the magnifying glass, which can start limitless fires.
42.) If you don't like the wind-up kind of flashlights you can buy a Mini LED Flashlight - This is a very bright little light. If you plan to purchase one, buy one that has either white, yellow, green or blue light. The red LED's are not very bright, as they are much older technology. This item is great for short durations where you need to locate items at night. For longer duration, build a fire. These can also be used for signaling at night (another reason not to use the red). You can pack along a couple extra button batteries as well. They take very little space, and each lasts for quite a while. I recommend some electrical tape between each to keep them from discharging. As each battery is about the size of a dime, this takes very little space in the kit. If your light requires tools to change the batteries, make sure you have something to do it with!
43.) If you don't like the Solar Blanket if you feel it tears too easily then you can get yourself what's called a Painter's Tarp 9'x7' - This is a thin plastic sheet that can be used for a variety of purposes. It can be used with a little para cord as a Tarp Shelter, or as a waterproofing for the roof of whatever you construct for shelter. It can be laid out to collect rainwater, used as a poncho, or employed as a Solar Still. This item can be purchased at your local hardware store for a couple dollars. For size considerations, I used the 0.35 mil painters tarp. This is extremely thin, but will pack 3 times as small as a 1 mil thick tarp. It is very easy to tear, so you may want to practice using this a bit to make sure you can use it without ruining it. I bought this stuff in a roll 9ft. x 400ft. for about $12, so destroying a few sheets in practice is no concern! Note: You can also use one or more trash bags as a substitute for this item. The large lawn and leaf bags work well. The 45 gallon type can be cut open to a size of 4'x6', which is large enough for a one person tarp Shelter., or to serve as waterproofing for the roofs of a variety of other shelter types. Carrying two bags allows one to use one for shelter, and the other as a poncho, by tearing a hole in the top for your head (I say tear instead of cut, because cutting it will create an opening that will easily rip further).
44.) Water purifying straw - This is one of the greatest pieces of kit I have ever come across. It is good for 20 -25 Gallons of water (depending on just how crummy the water is). It is not just a filter. It actually filters AND treats the water with antibacterials. Even if you don't use this in your survival kit, it is great to bring camping or to any outdoors activity. Amuse your friends by suddenly leaning down and drinking from some green swampy festering puddle! Some sites out there try to whack you for $20-$30 for this item, but I found some for about $7/ea at Cheaper Than Dirt.
45.) 5 feet of duct tape, wrapped around ball point pen - Ahhh... the many and wondrous uses of duct tape!! Where to start? Repairs can be made to just about anything. Patch holes in tarps, fix a point to an arrow or spear, etc etc etc. It can also be used to bandage cuts and scrapes (put a square of cotton from a tee shirt under it, don't just cover the wound directly). Make a butterfly bandage for more serious wounds. The pen is used as a backup to the pencil.
46.) Surgical Suture, Sterile - I still have a scar from where I mended the back of my hand while camping. At the time, my emergency kit had only standard needle and thread, and let me tell you... this was NOT an easy task!! ... I now carry a Surgical Suture in my kit !! I used to get these from Nitro-Pak.com, but they're much cheaper at Medrepexpress . Or if you can find it at a cheaper place, good.
47.) Ziploc Freezer Bags (2) - Use as canteens, waterproof storage for kit, and other items.
48.) Small Rectangular Cooking Tin - This item was purchased in the baking section of my local supermarket, and is a cooking pan for small loaves of cornbread, etc. It was sold in a pack of three for about $5. These are 6" by 3.5" by 2.5" deep. These are primarily used as cooking vessels, but double as tough and convenient containers to pack the kits in!
49.) Fresnel Lens - The Fresnel Lens is a credit card sized magnifying glass, and can be used to inspect small items, or to start fires. It packs very small, so is handy to have (I keep one in my wallet as well). Though you could be starving to death by the time a fire starts. I like flint stones or magnesium stricker because they start fires much quicker. But it never hurts to have one handy.
50.) Scalpel Blades - I pack 2 of the size 24 scalpel blades. These come in sterile wrapping, pack extremely small and have a multitude of uses, from medical to skinning and gutting game, to fine whittling.
51.) MilSpec Snare Wire (10 ft) - This stuff has a multitude of uses, from snaring to tripwire, to hanging food items over a fire for cooking.
52.) Notes: Notice that the standard and heavy fishing line and the Snare Wire are all wrapped around nails. The nails can be used for shelter building, spear points and other tools. The thread is wrapped around the three needles. I used a cordless drill to make the winding of all this a lot easier. I will be updating this picture soon to include all items.
53.) Fifty Dollar Bill - (NOT SHOWN) This was something I wish I thought of, but I saw it in someone else's kit, and decided that it was a GREAT idea. Imagine getting lost, and eventually finding your way out of the woods far from where you intended to be. It's nice to have some cab fare, or money for a Big Mac... after a few days eating bugs, it would be a shame to emerge next to a 7-11, and have no money for food! This could be whatever bill you feel comfortable putting in, or even an extra credit card (make sure it stays current). It's also a great idea to keep an emergency card or bill in your car's kit (ever forget your wallet?). Of course nowdays I'm not sure how far $50 will take you. Better than nothing though.
54.) Small sharpening stone. You never want to forget about this.
55.) Needle nose pliers with wire cutter (4-5” total length)
56.) Map of your area if you can get one.
57.) Cable saw
58.) Superglue (for closing cuts. 2-3 tubes. Once opened, they don’t last long).
59.) Neosporin
60.) Gauze pads or roll
61.) Surgical tape
62.) Pain relievers. Aspirin is good for toothaches. I use 500 mg. Acetametaphin Equate brand for headaches. My stomach can't muster Bufferin. You get what you need.
63.) Goose down blanket.
64.) Goose down winter coat and winter snowpants.
65.) Quick self inflatable small water raft.
Tags: drought, fall, fire, flood, freeze, freezing, hot, snow, spring, summer
Comment
Products & services
Why join, invite others?
Badge
© 2009 Created by Dick Samson
You need to be a member of SuperLife to add comments!
Join this Ning Network