Survival of the Fittest - Survival Tips

IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING

Detailed prior planning is essential in potential survival situations. One important aspect of prior planning is preventive medicine. Ensuring that you have no dental problems and that your immunizations are current will help you avoid potential dental or health problems. A dental problem in a survival situation will reduce your ability to cope with other problems that you face. Failure to keep your shots current may mean your body is not immune to diseases that are prevalent in the area. Preparing and carrying a survival kit is as important as the considerations mentioned above.

SURVIVAL PLANNING

Survival planning is nothing more than realizing something could happen that would put you in a survival situation and, with that in mind, taking steps to increase your chances of survival. Thus, survival planning means preparation. Preparation means having survival items and knowing how to use them People who live insnow regions prepare their vehicles for poor road conditions. They put snow tires on their vehicles, add extra weight in the back for traction, and they carry a shovel, salt, and a blanket. Another example of preparation is finding the emergeny exits on an aircraft when you board it for a flight. Preparation could also mean knowing your intended route of travel and familiarizing yourself with the area. Finally, emergency planning is essential...read more

 Make your own Survival Kit

Everytime you shop, pick something up to add to a waterproof tote bag. Make a few. Keep one in your car and a couple in your home. If you have a family, make them special and unique for each family member, like add a teddy bear for the kids or a special snack for your pet. Being prepared is important, but it doesn't have to be dire. Make it fun. Involve the kids.

Water:

• Stainless steel water bottle, water purification straw
• Water purification tabs, coffee filters
• A 6 pack of bottled water
• Bottle with Filter
   

Food:

• Energy Bars (granola bars and protein bars)
• Packaged food (ramen noodles, precooked rice, mac & cheese, peanut butter crackers, bouillon cubes, sugar, salt…enough for about 3 days)
• Drink mixes (tea bags, powdered Gatorade)
• Mess Kit (aluminum), can opener, spork

Fire:

• Matches (both wooden strike anywhere and waterproof)
• Flint & steel
• Tinder (petroleum jelly and cotton balls, dryer lint)
• Lighters

Shelter:

• Space Blanket
• Rain poncho
• Plastic tarp
• Small tent
• Sleeping bag/Bedroll

First Aid:

• Bandages (assorted sizes, waterproof)
• Gauze roll, waterproof tape
• Alcohol wipes, antibacterial ointment, burn gel
• Latex gloves, scissors, tweezers, needle
• Ace bandage, cold pack
• Acetaminophen, anti diarrhea, antacid, antihistamine
• 1 weeks worth of my prescription meds

Weapons:

• Survival knife
• Sharpener
• Sidearm, extra ammo
• Pepper spray

Tools:

• Multitool, swiss army knife
• Folding saw, folding shovel
• Mini fishing kit (I’m vegetarian, so this would be a last-ditch emergency)
• Binoculars, candles, a mesh bag (for mosquito netting, fishing net, carrying sack)
• Signal mirror, compass, whistle (all basic signalling/travelling gear)
• Flashlight (led, battery-powered)–I keep two along with extra batteries
• Crank flashlight/radio combo
• Duct tape, paracord (50 ft), WD-40
• Sewing kit, waterproof paper and pencil
• Emergency stove and fuel tabs
• Ziplock baggies of varying sizes, 10 ft of aluminum foil (folded small)
• Padlock (on backpack strap) and key (pinned inside)
• Some emergency cash in small bills
• Clothing/Hygiene: (this is assuming I already have one travelling outfit on)
• Camo pants, shirt, jacket (camo is not necessary, but I prefer it for stealth)
• Long johns, 3 pr socks, 3 pr undies, 1 bra
• Hiking boots (kept next to the BOB, not in it, in preparation for quick changing)
• Wool hat, mechanix gloves, warm gloves
• 2 bandannas
• Toilet paper, Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Soap
• Wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant (unscented)
• Hand sanitizer, sunblock, bug spray, lip balm
• Handwarmer emergency pak (2)
• Old, non activated cellphone and charger (hopefully 911 satellites will still be working)
• Old spare glasses, hard carrying case, extra clip on sunglasses
• Two small microfiber towels
• Map of the area, first aid/survival manual
• Mini photo album, deck of cards (to give motivation, stave off boredom)

Pets:

• Halters, leashes (my cats are trained on these)
• Freeze packed dry food (1 lb), 4 pkgs of wet food
• 2 collapsible pet bowls

SURVIVAL KITS

The environment is the key to the types of items you will need in your survival kit. How much equipment you put in your kit depends on how you will carry the kit. A kit carried on your body will have to be smaller than one carried in a vehicle. Always layer your survival kit, keeping the most important items on your body. For example, your map and compass should always be on your body. Carry less important items on your load-bearing equipment. Place bulky items in the rucksack.

In preparing your survival kit, select items you can use for more than one purpose. If you have two items that will serve the same function, pick the one you can use for another function. Do not duplicate items, as this increases your kit's size and weight.

Your survival kit need not be elaborate. You need only functional items that will meet your needs and a case to hold the items. For the case, you might want to use a Band-Aid box, a first aid case, an ammunition pouch, or another suitable case.