Do It Yourself Survival Gear

If you like to backpack, hike or hunt, you should always carry some type of survival kit with you. Your chances of survival, should anything happen to you, are much greater if you are prepared. You could purchase pre-made survival kits and gear, but all together these things may be expensive. Preparing a homemade pack with survival items can save you money and may save your life.

Things You'll Need

  • First-aid kit
  • Knife
  • Space blanket
  • Tarp
  • Duct tape
  • 50 feet of 550 parachute cord
  • Steel drinking cup
  • Water-purifying tablets
  • Anti-diarrhea tablets
  • Small LED flashlight
  • Mirror
  • Whistle
  • Lighter
  • Strike-anywhere matches
  • Magnesium fire starter
  • Snack foods
  • Fishing line
  • Fishing hooks
  • Safety pins
  • Compass
  • Map
  • Needles
  • Heavy upholstery thread
  • Waterproof pack/bag
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a waterproof pack to carry emergency items in.

    • 2

      Include a first-aid kit with your survival gear. Pre-packaged kits include medical supplies like bandages, gauze, antibiotic creams, swabs, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and more. Purchasing all of these supplies separately can be expensive and most of them are not sold in travel sizes.

    • 3

      Carry a utility knife because they have multiple tools attached to them that collapse compactly, including tweezers, scissors, screwdrivers and more.

    • 4

      Pack a space blanket, as they are lightweight foil blankets and are very effective at insulating body heat. Pack a roll of duct tape to patch any future holes.

    • 5

      Pack 50 feet of 550 parachute cord. This cord is thin and extremely strong. It can be used for building tools or shelter.

    • 6

      Pack a steel cup and water-purification tablets. Steel cups are sturdy, can be used to boil water and are easily cleaned. Always purify water taken from a natural source before drinking it.

    • 7

      Keep a small mirror, LED flashlight and whistle in the pack. They can be used to signal people from far away, and the flashlight is useful at night.

    • 8

      Pack fire-starting material, including a small lighter, magnesium fire starter and strike-anywhere matches. The ability to make fire is a major advantage when in a survival situation as it can help you cook, stay warm, provide light, dry clothes and purify water.

    • 9

      Pack nutritional snack food like granola bars, nuts and dried fruit.

    • 10

      Pack fishing line and hooks in case you're stranded near a body of water that could provide you with food.

    • 11

      Include materials for fixing torn fabrics like sewing needles, thread and safety pins.

    • 12

      Keep a compass and a map of the area in which you are traveling in case you are lost.