When it comes to survival kits in the wilderness , the best kit is the one that is on you. Many people construct survival kits that are left in their vehicles, skidoos, boats, ATV's or at home and when the situation calls for its use, it cant be found.
Below is a picture of the survival kit that I usually keep in a small pouch that has multiple clips on it. This allows me to easily clip it to a bag if hiking, a skidoo in the winter or an ATV. A survival kit is no good if it’s left behind. Each item has its purpose some more obvious than others and I will talk about each item.
List of contents:
1) Les stroud (Survivor man) Camillus Survival knife FIXED BLADE
1a) Mini flash light with whistle
1b) Flint
1c) Sharpener
1d) Signalling mirror
2) SOL Survival kit including snare wire, tinder and other commercial survival items
3) CPR one way valve face mask
4) Homemade rope and fish hook holder. 4 fish hooks, 550 cord and twine
5) Petzl head lamp
6) Zap-straps
7) Homemade fishing tackle. Pill bottle, cork (act as bobber), hooks, and fishing line wrapped around a pencil to keep it from being tangled.
8) Muskol fly lotion
First off the fixed blade Camillus survival knife, Les Stroud edition is my knife of choice. A fixed blade knife will be a lot more durable than your folding knifes and will offer you more versatility in a survival situation. Besides its very sharp cutting edge, the pommel of it has a striking side that can be used as a hammer. The sheath contains a mini flash light and whistle, a flint, and a built in sharpener and signaling mirror. The flashlight is a novelty at best, but the whistle can be used if you’re lost and you want to save energy from calling out. The signalling mirror can draw the attention of aircraft looking for you, and the built in sharpener allows you to keep the edge of your knife if you are in a prolonged survival situation. The choice of knife would be personal preference but should always try to choose a fixed blade knife versus folding.
Second item in the kit is a SOL survival kit. It’s a commercially available kit and offers such items as snare wire, fishing line, hooks, tinfoil, little bit of rope, a signalling mirror, a small knife, a small flash light, a button compass, and a fire starter flint and steel wheel. Together it’s a pretty decent kit, but the quality of each item is quite lacking. I throw this in the kit cause of the small size of it and the amount of items to bring to the table.
Third item is a CPR mask (one way valve). I carried this because I was working with at times 30 plus people of varying ages, and some with medical conditions. I had to give CPR on one occasion without any face mask and it was unpleasant experience, so I always bring one with me when working with a group of people.
Forth is my home made line keeper. It’s just a piece of balsam wood with notches cut in it at several points to hook some rope into. This little creation allows for me to bring variety of lines of different sizes and keep them from becoming entangled and knotted. In the middle covered in a little bit of ducktape is some more fishing hooks.
Five is my Petzl head lamp. When bringing a flashlight I like the headlamps for their ability to be used hands free. Allowing to work at night more effectively is a great aspect of this.
Six is just a bunch of zap straps. Light weight and easy to use they come in handy in a variety of situations from building a shelter to putting parts back on a skidoo. Really handy to have around.
Seven is my little homemade fishing tackle. Inside a pill bottle spray painted red for visibility I have included half a cork that can act as a fishing bobber, some hooks, and line wrapped around a pencil to prevent it from being entangled. Fishing tackle is small, portable, light weight and in a prolonged survival situation can save your life if water (with fish in it) is nearby. Fishing can be an active pass time that will keep your mind busy (and healthy) or can be a passive way to catch food with a trap line set, and checked regularly
Eight is a little bottle of Muskol Fly dope, lotion. This is still in my kit from being in Labrador in the summer. Lots of black flys and giant mosquitos are up there so this was more out of comfort than anything.
Some other items I carry regularly that aren’t in this photo are:
-Canteen cup
Can be used for boiling water, making tea, and cooking in. A very versatile and lightweight piece of equipment. Curtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces
-Steel Water Bottle
Used for obviously carrying water, but as mentioned above its great for boiling water in and cooking If you had to. On another note you can carry a variety of liquids in and it won’t leave a weird after taste. Also in the winter in Labrador when the temperatures dropped to -40 Celsius at night, I would place my steel bottle on a wood stove in the tent and bring the water to near boil. I would then take it off the stove, put the screw on cap back on it and throw it in the foot of my sleeping back prior to getting in it. Takes the chill out of the bag and provides little extra warmth at night.
-Chocolate bar and juice crystals
Chocolate bar and juice crystals are there for two reasons. As with the CPR mask and working with large groups, I would keep this on me for diabetics. The second reason is that if your lost this can be a quick boost to calories you will need to get situated for a night, or two. In the worst case scenario this can be rationed out and give you a boost of sugars that will greatly improve moral.
-Toilet paper
More of a comfort thing than anything. You can wipe your bum with a variety of plants (ensure they are not poisonous or an irritant. Toilet paper also offers quick kindling when starting a fire.
-Matches and lighter
Usually carry a lighter (or two), and matches when in the woods. Fire can be the most mentally stabling element to have in a survival situation. Along with comfort it also provides much needed warmth, and a sense of security from predators. If you read back through my list you will see I have multiple contingents for fire starting. Never rely on just one.
This is what’s in my small little kit, and I take and add as I see fit. In the winter an extra tuque or pair of gloves and socks are usually in it as well. Your personal bag should be exactly that, personal! Have fun with it and stop and think what you would need for at least 24-48 hours alone in the wilderness and get making it. Any questions or concerns just post and I will get back to you. Would love to see other people’s kits as well
*please note I am not sponsored by any of these companies or receive any type of kickback, just for your own interest
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