The survival kit is to be viewed strictly as an insurance policy when it comes to the hierarchy of your kit layout. It's a system that should never be used during the duration of your trip unless, of course, you find yourself in a survival situation due to injury or being lost.
There are three major requirements that a well-designed survival kit should supply you in the field. These three requirements are as follows.
1.Shelter: The importance of having shelter in a survival situation in some cases is understated. A human can only last for about three hours when exposed to the elements. So being able to construct a shelter is very important. This can be achieved with something as simple as a large trash bag. Doesn't sound like much, but when it's the difference of being beaten down with cold winds a plastic bag can do wonders to buffer those winds.
2. Fire: The ability to make fire cannot be understated. Not only will it provide warmth and help in cooking and sanitizing water, but it is a huge moral boost and offers a level of protection from the goblins of the night.
3. Water: Being able to collect and sanitize water is, without saying, very important. Remember that one can only go without water for three days.
With these three major requirements met you're on the right path to creating a great and reliable survival kit that could make the difference between life or death in a survival situation.
The following are some photos of the survival kit that I bring with me whenever I go out into the woods.
These are the contents of the left side pocket of the survival kit.
1. A compact Survival bivvy from Adventure Medical Kits for shelter and to regulate body heat.
2. Altoids tin filled with First Aid equipment.
3. Small sewing kit for minor repairs to clothes or other kit.
4. Sharpening stones.
The photo above shows what the contents are on the right pocket of the survival kit.
1. A disposable tarp with a reflective surface on one side. This can be used by itself or added to a debris shelter to aid in keeping water out. The reflective surface will help in reflecting body heat aiding in regulating ones core temperature.
2. Fire steel to start fires.
3. Multitool.
4. Water purification tablets.
5. Flashlight.
6. Diamond knife sharpener.
7. Aluminium foil for boiling water.
8. Bandanna for filtering sediment out of water (Note: this does not make the water safe to drink. Boiling water is highly advised after filtering sediments out of water.) This can also be used for signaling and bandages.
9. 550 Para cord which can be used for lashing a shelter together. There are so many uses for this type of cordage that will be touched on in a later article.
10. A collapsible cup.
11. Three heavy duty Ziploc bags for collecting water.
The above photo shows the contents of the center pouch in the survival kit.
1. Signal mirror.
2. Small fishing kit.
3. Extra batteries for flashlight.
4. Snare wire for catching small game.
5. Water proof matches.
6. Signal whistle.
7. A bag of 4 large Vaseline coated cotton balls.
8. Small lighter.
9. Aluminium foil.
10. Spark light.
11. Additional cordage.
12. Heavy duty line for sewing, traps and fishing.
13. Tape.
14. Fresnel lens.
15. Small Exacto blade.
This survival kit, as I'm sure you'll find with yours, is always evolving to fit whatever environment I'm going into. However as long as you have the three primary goals covered being fire, shelter and water you'll be off on a good footing.
However it must be stressed that your equipment is only as good as the knowledge you have on how to use it. I encourage all of those who are interested in building one of these that you research different ways to build shelters, fires and water collection. In the end the most advanced survival kit that you have is the one that is between your ears. Be safe and have fun!
