Survival
Ten Essential Survival Items
There are many example of 10 item lists of essential survival gear. These lists all originate from one list drawn up in the 1930s for a Seattle-based mountaineering club. Over the years gear has changed but the essentials remain much the same. However, one drawback of the list is that it was aimed at mountain climbers and walkers. What about everyone else? Well, instead of just reprinting that list here I've chosen to update it and make it the 10 essential items everyone should have. These are the essentials that are at home in both urban and rural setting (don't underestimate urban survival skills) - you can add to the list and customize it to suit your needs.
The List
Here is my revised "Ten Essential Survival Items":
- Matches - the cornerstone to surviving many situations is the
ability to make fire. This can quite literally be the the difference
between life and death. Make sure you get the
"strike-anywhere" kind and not the type that require the special
striker. Test the matches that you buy to make sure that they are
indeed "strike-anywhere" kind, because when you're cold and wet
isn't the time you want to find out you bought the wrong kind!
Store matches in a waterproof container - either a special "matchsafe" or some other reused plastic container. Also keep the striker - although keep it away from the match heads for safety! - Other fire lighters - Always duplicate on fire-lighting gear. Your secondary choice can be of your choosing but make sure it is robust and can stand up to the elements. Flint and steel with cotton wool for tinder of a flint and magnesium block are good while gas lighters are a poor choice (one soaking and you need to dry them out before they will work. Add to this a little fuel (strips of bike inner tube are good for this. Practice with your fire-lighting gear to make sure you can use them!
- Map - Basically, don't leave home without a map of the area you are going to be in. When I say map, I mean a proper map, not a leaflet or tourist map!
- Compass - Even if you sue GPS for navigation, don't forget that electronic gizmos can die and batteries go flat. Don't neglect compass skills.
- First aid kit - Customize this depending on where you are going. A minimum would be plasters, painkillers, blister kit, small wound dressings and safety pins. Hand wipes are also a handy addition (no pun intended!).
- Pocket knife - A good one. Don't rely on a cheap knife that will rust solid or snap. Get a good quality one and it will last you a lifetime (unless you loose it, that is!). Spyderco (http://www.spyderco.com) make excellent knifes and have a good range to suit all.
- Flashlight - Today there are a bewildering array of lighting tools. Nowadays you are probably better off going with LED technology rather than the old-fashioned bulbs. It might cost you a little more but in the long term you will save money - no need to replace bulbs and reduced battery costs. Also, LEDs are much more robust and hard to break. There are loads of types, from little ones that fit on your keyrings (Photon make excellent keyring lights - http//www.photonlights.com) to big ones (check out the InovaX5 at http://www.heinnie.com), to headlamps (like the Petzl - http://www.petzl.com). The choice of style is yours!
- Repair kit - Being able to repair things in the field is important, especially clothing. A lost button or broken zip normally is merely an inconvenience (or embarrassment!) but in the field it can mean discomfort or possibly death. Carry a sewing kit and safety pins with you. If possible, augment this with some sticky tape (Duck Tape is best) and possibly a tube of super glue.
- Shelter - OK, you'll have to be sensible here. You don't want to carry a tent on shopping trips, so a foil "space" blanket would suffice in an urban setting. In the wilds you can choose what suits you - personally I prefer the bivvy bag and basha sheet but some like tents. The choice is yours.
- Cash - It's amazing how how a little bit of cash can help in a tight spot. You don't need to carry a lot but enough for a bus/taxi ride and some for the payphone is always worth having. Never carry just one note because you might not be able to get change - carry a variety of denominations.
REMEMBER - Practice using your gear and check it regularly!
Also see our articles:
- Ten Essential Survival Items
- Combat Survival Tin
- A Survival Kit in a Drinking Straw
- Waterproof Survival Kits
- 72 Hour Survival Kits
Kingsley-Hughes
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