Every survivalist knows the value of thinking in terms of worst-case scenarios. Not to be mistaken with being pessimistic, of course.
A type of mindset that prepares for the worst will certainly serve you well when going for a hike or when S actually does HTF.
With that in mind, we list down 11 essential items that will determine your odds for survival.
1. Waterproof Matches
Aside from being a reliable source of fire, waterproof matches will not fail you even if they end up getting wet or moist, which is highly possible when having to endure harsh conditions like heavy rain or flood. It’s not a terrible idea to pack a handful of lighters, but they could malfunction. You will need a backup.
2. Magnifying Glass
When it is bright and sunny, a magnifying glass will be the perfect tool to start a fire. Something with a lens diameter of 1.6 inches will be ideal. A lens of that size will have a small enough focal point to efficiently harness solar energy and really get that fire starting.
Plus, if arts and crafts are your kind of your jam to pass the time, the magnifying glass certainly lends itself as a useful ‘fire painting’ apparatus.
3. Sewing Kit
Your clothes and other protective gear and shelter can be damaged for many reasons when you are going camping or in a survival situation. A sewing kit consisting several needles and a strong thread will come in handy when you need to do some quick fix for torn fabrics. Being able to patch up your garments, backpacks, tarps, and tents on the fly will always be a nice thing.
Did I mention that a needle is also a must in devising a makeshift compass?
4. Fishhooks and a Line
Catching fish is a no brainer. Aside from fishhooks and as much line as you can bring, do not forget to bring sinkers. You would not want to leave out the fish that feed near the bottom.
5. Button Compass
A lot of rookies underestimate the difficulty of exploring places they know nothing about and overestimate their hypothetical navigation skills. The last thing you want to be is walking in circles. This is where a button compass comes to your rescue.
Your phone and GPS are out of the question because you will be crippled when your device runs out of battery.
6. Source of Light
It’s crucial to bring a flashlight (or two flashlights for that matter for backup). Aside from the illumination properties, it can also double as a self-defense tool should you encounter evil along your journey. Just make sure to secure the sturdy ones that could pack a punch when the need arises.
On top of that, bring candles and glowsticks. The more items you can use to cast a light with, the better the odds to survive through the night and draw attention to a search team in the event of you getting lost.
7. Snare Wire
Setting traps is one of the best tricks under every hunter’s sleeve. Snare wires are easily a hack when it comes to catching small animals. Just make sure you are packing a stainless steel or a 60-90 cm brass wire because you do not want any rusting to tamper the quality of your game.
8. Flexible Saw
Most survivalists default to wire saws for a good reason. They are easy to carry, super flexible, and work well even in cutting large trees. It’s one of those compact lifesaver tools that can truly get the job done.
9. Medical Kit
For starters, your kit should include assorted size waterproof plasters, intestinal sedatives, analgesics, antibiotics, antihistamine, and water purification tablets. You can improve upon the contents, but the point is you need to have one because you can save your life or someone else’s by having the items necessary to perform first aid.
In a survival scenario, a small wound or a simple cold could lead to severe infections or worse, death, when one fails to patch it up and provide immediate medication.
10. Sharp Blades
Aside from a Swiss knife, it would also be smart to bring a box of surgical blades. It will not consume a lot of space in your bag and you can always make a wooden handle for when you need to use one of those blades.
11. Condoms
It’s not only a good idea to bring condoms when you’re surviving in the unknown with a partner of the opposite sex. A condom is also proven to be useful in carrying up to three liters of water.
Obviously, non-lubricated ones would be the better choice in terms of collecting water, especially when you intend to drink it.
That concludes our initial ensemble. What other items do you feel should be staple components in every survival kit? Share them on the comments section below!