Building a survival kit can be difficult if you don’t know what to put in it. Often times essential items can be left out of s survival kit and that can be detrimental to your ability to survive. So I have compiled a list of things that everyone should consider putting in their survival kit.
1 a knife
The importance of a knife in a survival kit can not be stressed enough. A knife is what will keep you alive in most situations as it can provide shelter, food, and can save your life. Be sure to buy a high-quality knife, and even if you are already carrying a knife, just throw another one in your kit to be safe.
2. Water filter or water purification tablets
A big part of survival in the wilderness is water. Without water, the average human can only live 3 days. And if you don’t filter the water before you drink it you could end up with a nasty parasite that could hurt you badly. So it is worth it to throw a filter or purification tablets in your kit.
3. Water bottles or hydration bladder
One thing that goes with a water filter is a water bottle. If you don’t have a water bottle, you don’t have anything to store your water in, making it pretty much impossible to filter or purify the water you have. You could even kill two birds with one stone and get a metal water bottle you can boil water in.
4. Non-perishable food items
Much like water, you need food in a survival situation. Without food, you will rapidly lose energy and not be able to think or work to improve your situation. However, if the food is perishable, you won’t be able to keep it for a long time and be ready at all times because you will have to be replacing your food stash.
5. Portable stove and fuel
In a survival situation, you will need to be able to cook anything you catch or kill. In order to do this safely or efficiently, you will need a portable stove. A portable stove will enable you to cook whenever or wherever you want, and you won’t have to worry about starting a fire.
6. Matches or lighter
A fire can be a severe moral booster in a survival situation. A fire can also provide warmth or dry your clothes. As you can imagine, you will need some form of fire starting that is lightweight, and I have found lighters or, in a pinch, you can use matches.
7. Dry bag
A dry bag can help you tremendously in a survival situation. Often times you need to keep important things dry. If you have to cross some kind of water then a dry bag in your backpack that you keep your phone in will keep it safe.
8. Emergency blanket
An emergency blanket is something that is incredibly overlooked in a survival kit. Lots of people think they do not need them but, they can save your life. A survival blanket can be used to keep you warm, it can be used as a shelter, and it can be used to signal to a low-flying plane.
9. Emergency whistle
It is very surprising, but your voice does not actually carry very far in the woods. But a high-pitched whistle can cut through the woods and signal to search and rescue where you are. They don’t weigh much and can help you get back to safety, so you might as well throw one in your kit.
10. Signal mirror
If you are lost in the woods and a plane or helicopter is looking for you unless you have a signal fire, you are going to be hard to find. So to avoid having to build a fire, you can carry a signal mirror to help search and rescue.
11. Compass and map
One of the most significant steps to not getting lost is having the proper tools. A compass and a map of the area you are in will vastly reduce your chances of getting lost and your ways of getting back.
12. Multi-tool
A multi-tool can be a very effective tool in a survival kit. You can fix almost anything with a multi-tool so it is a good idea to throw one in your kit. You can even replace a couple of things in your kit with a multi-tool like a knife, screwdriver, bottle opener, or pliers.
13. First-aid kit
One of the worst things that can happen in a survival situation is getting injured. You can even end up in a survival situation because you got injured. Because of this, it would only make sense to carry a first aid kit that can help with injuries and keep you alive.
14. Knife sharpener
In a survival situation where you need to use your knife a lot it is easy for it to go dull. A dull knife is not only ineffective but is also dangerous and a bad cut in a survival situation can mean death. So you better throw in a sharpener.
15. Pain relievers
A pain reliever can help greatly if you are injured in the backcountry. If you snap your leg and are far from a road, taking some painkillers will help you deal with the pain. A painkiller will also help you make better desition as you will not be so focused on the pain.
16. Antihistamines
Everybody gets colds and getting one while you are not in an ideal situation is way worse than getting one at your house. So having some antihistamines will be a good addition to your kit.
17. Personal hygiene items (e.g., toilet paper, wet wipes, hand sanitizer)
One important thing that almost no one considers adding to their kits is hygiene. If you get sick because of something as easily preventable as washing your hands with hand sanitizer it is a bad deal.
18. Emergency radio (hand-cranked or battery-powered)
If you’re camping, are stuck in your car, or the power goes out, a hand crank radio can be a lifesaver. It can tell you the current condition of the weather, or the news which can help you make a good choice on what you should do.
19. Headlamp or flashlight
If you’re stuck in the woods in the dark, you will need a flashlight or even better a headlamp. If you have to do any sort of activity in the dark you will need a flashlight to do it so you better throw one in your survival kit.
20. Spare batteries
There are many things in a kit that require batteries. You may need to put new batteries in your headlamp/flashlight or you may need to put new batteries in your radio. You would never want to be caught in the woods without extra batteries.
21. Rope or cordage
Rope, such as 550 paracord, is ideal for survival situations because it can be used to secure things or used to build a shelter. A rope is an essential in any survival kit for any situation because it can be used for pretty much anything.
22. Duct tape
Duct tape can be used for just about everything. You can start a fire with it, you can craft things, you can secure things, and, in a pinch, you can use it to patch wounds. For how little it weighs it is worth it to through at least a small amount of duct tape in your kit.
23. Tarp or emergency shelter
An emergency shelter can be a lifesaver in a survival situation. If are lost and don’t have the time to build a shelter, having a lightweight tarp can be the difference between a cold sleepless night and a warm comfortable one.
24. Ziplock bags
Ziplock bags are an item that should be in every survival kit. They can be used to store water or food, collect food, keep things dry, keep things clean, or keep things organized. A few ziplock bags is a must have.
25. A slingshot
Often the matter of your survival can be a matter of one small item, such as a slingshot. A proficient slingshot shooter can effectively take small game such as rabbits, squirrels, or grouse. One grouse or rabbit can be a very good morale booster and provide a great meal.
26. Poncho or rain gear
Getting wet in a survival situation can be the death of you. Getting can easily lead to hypothermia, and if you are lost, hypothermia means death unless you can get warm quickly. The best way to avoid getting wet is to have rain gear. Throwing lightweight rain gear in your survival kit can be a lifesaver.
27. Warm hat and gloves
The easiest way to lose warmth is through your head and your hands. Over 80% of all your heat is lost through your head, and a simple hat can fix that. If your hands get cold you will lose dexterity and the ability to move your hands. Even a light pair of gloves will significantly reduce heat loss and the risk of frostbite.
28. Insulated jacket or fleece
If you are in a winter environment, you need an extra jacket in your survival kit. A simple jacket can keep you alive in a survival situation and keep you from freezing. A heavyweight jacket in your survival bag can make you a lot more comfortable in an uncomfortable situation.
29. Extra socks
As all hikers and hunters know, socks keep your feet from getting destroyed. If your feet get blistered and keep you from moving, you will be in a bad situation. Not to mention an extra pair of socks will keep your feet from getting frostbite. For how little s pair of wool socks weigh, they are definitely worth throwing into your kit.
30. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a very vital part of keeping you from getting sunburnt. If you get sunburnt it can hinder your ability to move or get things done. If you are lost and it hurts to move because you are sunburnt you will wish you had sunscreen in your bag.
31. Insect repellent
Bugs, especially mosquitoes, suck. If you’re camping or just relaxing outside, having some bug spray in your car survival or camping survival kit can make your life a lot easier. Even if you throw some insect-repellant wipes in your kit, it can make your life better.
32. Fishing line, hooks, and flys
Just like slingshots, fishing gear can get you a meal easily and quickly. Just a small chew can of fishing line, hooks, and flys, can get you a fish and in turn, get you some protein. If you are lost in the woods with a fishing kit, you will be a lot better of then without one.
33. Snare wire or traps
Snares and traps are a great way to gather food when in a survival situation and will always have a place in my survival kits. The reason traps and snares are so effective is that they are working when you aren’t and they are active 24/7. This means while you are working in a shelter you can have traps set out and get food.
34. machete
A machete is a great survival tool that can be great for clearing small brush. Machetes are my favorite type of tool for clearing small thick brushes. A small machete can be a great egged weapon to throw in your survival kit.
35. hatchet or small axe
A hatchet is a portable lightweight tool that is great for chopping down small trees or building shelter. Most hatchets only weigh around 1.5-2 pounds so they aren’t too light but they are much more effective than a knife for cutting larger trees or brush.
36. Survival Manual
If you aren’t an expert who has a lot of survival tips and tricks mesmerized, then a survival manual can be a huge advantage. If you have a survival guide in your kit, being in a survival situation can be a lot less stressful and a lot easier.
37. Life raft or inflatable boat
An inflatable boat is an often overlooked item that can save your life. If you have an inflatable raft you can easily cross rivers without getting wet and getting cold. Inflatable rafts are a must-have for anyone who may have to cross a river or lake, make sure to also get paddles.
38. A sewing kit
A Sewing kit can be a valuable item in a survival kit. If you have damaged clothing, need to stitch a wound, or need to repair a tent, then you will need a sewing kit to do so. For how inexpensive and lightweight they are they can be very useful.
39. Zip ties
Zip ties are an item that will always remain in my kits no matter the situation. They can be used to fix and build everything from shelters to weapons. They weigh nothing, take up no space, and are extremely useful.
40. Sunglasses
One thing that is extremely underrated in a survival kit is sunglasses. If snow is on the ground and you don’t have sunglasses, you can go temporarily blind from the glare. Or if you are in the bright sun you can get a migraine from the bright light. They can save you a lot of pain and are very convenient.
41. Hand-crank or solar-powered charger
Pretty much everyone has a cellphone that needs a charger, and there are no outlets in the woods so you need a battery charger. A battery charger can get you 5-10 charges, doesn’t cost that much, and can save your life if you are lost.
42. Pliers
Pliers are very simple tools that are very effective at many things. While most multi-tools have pliers, they are often weak and not the best are some tasks. If you need to grab something and hold it there is not much better than a pair of pliers.
43. Flares
If you’re lost in the woods, a couple of flares are great for alerting search and rescue of your location. Flares can be seen for miles and they are what search and rescue teams are looking for when someone is lost. The easiest way to get found if you are lost is by shooting a flare high in the sky.
44. GPS
A small lightweight GPS, such as the Garmin Inreach mini, can get you out of a lot of trouble. It can show you an mp of your area, you can text your family members, and you can hit a button and have a team of search and rescue going to your exact location.
45. Cash
In your go bag or survival kit, cash is a must-have. If you need to buy something from someone, or get back to civilization and need to get a ride home, you need cash. Even if you just put $50 in your go bag, you will be a lot better off than without it.
Conclusion
These are just some of the items that you may need in a survival situation. Before assembling your kit you should consider the climate, terrain, and potential hazards of your area, and tailor it to meet your specific needs. Also, regularly check and refresh your supplies to ensure that everything is in good condition and up-to-date.