List of Ten Essentials in Survival Equipment

Your most important tool is knowledge of your surroundings. Beyond that, different situations demand different tools. Examine the kinds of problems that are likely to occur given your environment. Ask yourself if you’re likely to be stuck in an urban or a rural environment--wet or dry; hot or cold. In all cases, survival is a matter of taking stock of your specific circumstances to develop a plan of action. With this in mind, there are certain basic needs that do not change based on your situation.

  1. Water

    • Everyone has a different answer for the body’s minimum water needs. According to the Mayo Clinic, “no single formula fits everyone.” Rules of thumb, such as two-liters per day, should be tempered with circumstantial knowledge. In any case, you will need several reliable water containers such as metal canteens or hard plastic bottles and either a water filter or a camping stove to bring water to a boil.

    Food

    • Do not rely on gathering or hunting unless you already have these skills and live in a place where natural food resources are abundant. Your best bet is to have staples such as rice or pasta as well as anything light weight and protein rich. A good rule of thumb is 100 calories per ounce.

    Clothing

    • You want three loose-fitting layers. The first should wick away moisture and provide ventilation. Synthetic materials such as polypropylene are good for this. The second layer should insulate. A wool sweater never hurts. The third layer should be water proof. Gore-tex works well.

    First Aid Kit

    • According to Medicine Net, first aid essentials include: butterfly bandages, individually wrapped gauze pads, hypoallergenic tape, cotton swaps, theremometer, antiseptic and antibiotic ointments, latex gloves, chemical ice packs, clean towel and a first aid handbook.

    Fire

    • A simple $.99 lighter is priceless. Opt for the lighter over matches, it will work even after it gets wet.

    Pocketknife

    • In a survival situation everything around you is potentially a tool. A knife allows you to turn a t-shirt into a sling or divide a piece of string into sections for building a shelter.

    Radio

    • In an urban environment, a radio will give you status updates on critical situations. In the wilderness, it can give you an indication of how close you are to civilization.

    Hatchet or Saw

    • Whether in the wilderness or trapped in your home, wood is usually abundant. Having a way to chop it will make it that much easier to build a fire, which means boiling water, cooking food, having light and staying warm.

    Cable

    • Never underestimate the importance of being able to tie two things together. From splints, to shelters, to clotheslines, sturdy string or moderately thick rope has many applications.

    Tarps

    • Two or three large sturdy tarps that are free of holes along with a knife, string and a little ingenuity can provide passable ad hoc shelter from sun, wind and rain.