Ten Survival Items for the Outdoors

I have studied under surival experts, hiked with Scouts, worked with former pararescue people and learned through dumb luck along with a few bits of wisdom gathered through living life.  This qualifies me by far as no expert but does give me the opinion that most outdoors enthusiasts are not prepared for the outdoors.

This list of ten items will provide the ability for you to prepare for an outdoor experience that turns into a survival situation.  It is ultimately up to you to use the first item in the list to construct the survival equipment that best suits your enviroment and yourself.  If there is one item I do hope you get from this it is the first item.

The reality is, the items could fluctuate based on the terrain your are in. Your brain is the one item that remains as number one.

If I have missed anything in this list, please comment on it. No, I'm not including the personal locator beacon.  Most people are not going to buy this even though it is handy.

Step 1:

The first item required is a brain.  Without this vital piece of equipment, all other items are useless and may lead to a faster demise.  Properly using the brain provides the ability to utilize all other pieces of equipment.  A brain is like a tool chest.  If there are no tools in the chest then is it a tool chest?

Your brain needs to be filled.  This is called preparation.  Before you plan for the trek, you need to prepare for a survival situation.  Take a wilderness first aid course or at least study it.  Learn how to catch fish and not with a rod and reel.  Learn how to use a snare and deadfall.  These are important methods for situations where you may be in the bush for an extended period of time.  Learn the local plants; edible and non.  Learn different methods of starting a fire.  Learn how to make a shelter, getting water, signaling, staying warm and how to use a map and compass.  Practice this.  Yeah, I know some laws prevent you from properly testing.

Next we fill the tool chest with information about your trek.  Study maps and talk to people to learn of roads, rivers, hills and any other item in the area.  NOTIFY people of where you are going, when you are going and when you plan to return.  Take another person with you.

To sum up, educate yourself.  This will prepare you when a survival situation occurs.  Without education and proper mental preparedness, the following items may be of no use.

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Comments

[Poppy19]

I'd like to suggest that a mylar space blanket should be included in the list of top ten.
Few things can kill you quicker than being out in the rain and wind in less than 50F.
They are small and lightweight, can be a tarp, groundsheet, signaling device, and water carrier.
I have been experimenting with boiling water in mylar bags, (such as a potato chips bag.) Actually as mentioned above, you need to heat water to 145F for 30 minutes, or 160F for a minute or two. Different candle waxes melt at different temps, with the correct wax, a small piece of it in the heated water can be your signal that the water is biologicaly safe. I have not been sucessful in heating water above 170F before the mylar started to fail, although it is theoretically possible.

[TheCynic]

My apologies, but a knife should and always be the first item in any woodsmans arsenal. With a knife, you can do and or make most any other items you may need.

[KingArthur]

I won't argue with your decision. A knife is nice to have, but you can construct a knife in an emergency. Really, I wouldn't enter the woods without a complete line of accoutrements. I stick with being prepared and the whistle as tops on my list.

[TheCynic]

Regarding boiling water in a plastic bottles, you need to line the bottom with something that will prevent it from melting when the stones touch. My preference is to use crushed pine needles, as they will also add nutritional value, mostly vitamin C.

[KingArthur]

Actually, the water should and does prevent the plastic from melting, or I am the only person to not have that happen to. Lining the bottom with crushed pine needles is a great idea, too.

[trisomy21]

Nice fire piston, I gotta get me one.

[TheCynic]

Great job and a very practical list!

[Blaze1213]

Thank You! A good lesson on common sense.

[hrusai]

main thing i would emphasize is the "whole two is one and one is none" side of things, have plenty of backups, the more the better, i always have a survival necklace with most of these items on most of the time, not to mention pocket sized things for pockets and more items in a backpack, that way if your pocket tears open you still got 2 sets of things, same with losing your backpack.

also ive found there is no substitute for experience, sure having knowledge is handy, but unless you practise that knowledge its useless

anywas nice ible dude :D

[Grey_Wolfe]

I can't disagree with your logic.

Oddly though, military survival kit guides specifically say not to double up. The preference is actually to find as many multipurpose items as you can to reduce overall weight.

Still, I can't say I ever walk into the wilds with less than two lighters or knives. lol

[hrusai]

i think the main reason military survival guides will state this is because in a combat scenario every ounce of weight counts, saving on weight will mean you can run further, faster and not get fatigued as much, the focus is on killing someone else, not necessarily survival :)

although i must say i do like me multipurpose items too, if you got 3 or 4 tools that are useable as a pry bar, ferkin lovely :) hell even a knife is a multipurpose tool, just gotta know what to do :)

[KingArthur]

I go with whatever makes you safe. Having two sets of items may not be an issue for a weekend hike whereas a three, four or week long hike may be a different issue.

As for multi-purpose, it may be the item is not good at any of the multiple uses.

It's best to know how to use the item and know what it can do before you head into the bush with it.

[KingArthur]

Right on all accounts. There are times when backups are forgotten and knowledge of to use what you have around you is required. Another point about having backups is weight and space. Sometimes it not as practical to have three backups. This is why it is nice to have one item capable of doing multiple tasks.
Practice, practice and practice is one important idea. I learned that working on a skill that I had not used for a while. Many frustrations come when you do not practice.

[PopsWorden]

Don't forget the 3-short, 3-long, 3-short signal, too.
... --- ...
AKA: SOS

[flamesami]

I would add a candle to the fire-starting bit, because i can think of many uses for it. To me, the first rule of gear is "as many uses as possible". the first rule of survival is "there are no rules." You are only limited by your body and brain. Expand them. Great instructable.

[KingArthur]

A candle is certainly an option. I even have one in one of my many varieties of first aid kits.