Survival Kit for the woods

[David_S]

I always carry an EPIRB, waterproof matches and striker (just soak ordinary matches in linseed oil), candle stub or strip of rubber inner tube for firelighting in wet, survival blanket and swiss army knife. That's five but I stuff it all (except the EPIRB) plus a few other small bits and pieces such as band aids, bit of string, needle and thread and a compass in a pouch and have that permanently attached to my belt.

The new generation of EPIRBs give your position within metres.

Water is crucial but there is no shortage of that where we hunt.

[skeeter1]

Oh yeah, and i should have included Potable Aqua tablets.

http://www.potableaqua.com/

Not the tastiest things in the world, but they'll help you from getting sick.

Depending on where/when you're going out, a primo sleeping bag is also essential.

Only 5 things? Ain't never gonna happen.

[indy245]

We recently got stranded overnight in the mountains of northern B.C. We were snowmobiling and couldnt get out of the drop off we went down, so we continued down the trail and eventually ran out of day light.

We had between the two of us:

Gas, Spare jerry can on the back of the sled. 5 Gal.
Saw, Buck folding.
Food and Beer
Lighter - Not working, it rattled around in the sled until it was not functional.
We were dressed for the weather. -15C
Shovel
First Aid Kit
Cell Phone - No Service, great to have just in case you do get service.

We made a shelter from spruce bows using the saw to cut them. Spruce bows also served as our bedding. The saw also cut our fire wood. We used the spark plug from the sled to create the fire. We melted snow in a empty beer can and had adequate food. It took most of our energy to keep the fire going and hot enough to keep warm. Getting fire wood in four feet of snow while walking up hill takes alot of time and energy.

The most critical of items was the saw.

I wish I had at the time:

Tarp
Extra blade for the saw, it could have broke
Matches (Spark plug worked excellent but shouldnt rely on it)
Extra Clothes
Sat Phone, to let everyone know that we were alright.
And I vote for Angelina Jolie......

Of course I have all the other things that I would normally bring but if I really needed to the above items would suffice.


By the way we were reported missing that night and a helicopter came and found us the next day.

I can't stress enough the importance of letting someone know where you are going and when you will be back.

If anyone wants a cost effective alternative to a Sat phone you should google "Spot Messenger"

[DougO83]

Are we assuming being stranded/lost, or just out with light gear?

Stranded:

1.Gerber Gator Combo Axe-with Knife instead of saw
2. My watch-Magellan with built-in compass and Thermometer
3. Camp Shovel
4. Beef Jerky
5. Rope

Light Gear:

1. Gerber Gator Combo Axe-with Knife instead of saw
2. Iodine tablets
3. Zippo
4. Camp Shovel
5. My watch-Magellan with built-in compass and Thermometer

My S.E.R.E. Bag:
1.Gerber Gator Combo Axe-with Knife instead of saw
2. Gerber Diesel
3. Old Timer Beast
4. Streamlight Scorpion w/ 2 extra batteries
5. Compass
6. Frost Survival Knife
7. First Aid kit-Custom set-up for wilderness
8. Granola Bars and Beef Jerky
9. Rossi .38 Snub with 1 box of 38 +P
10. Camp Shovel
11. Ruger .22 with 1 extra brick
12. Zippo and a bottle of fuel
13. Gloves
14. Fishing line and a few hooks
15. Iodine Tablets and A water Bottle or the Camel Bak if I have it
16. Kershaw Amphibian

[jfrey123]

I can't stress the importance of letting someone know where you are going and when you will be back.

+ 1 billion lol!! When I go out, there are a minimum of two people who know where I will be, even if it's just for a short hike or a few hours of shooting in the desert.

I also include a time schedule. I'll tell them I plan on being back by 3pm (or whenever), so if I'm not back by 9pm, something has gone wrong and I need help. They know me to be very prompt and well planned, so they know that if I'm that late returning from the desert then they'd better be calling BLM Rescue or someone...

[Turkeyhead]

If I had to go with five items only, they would probably be:

1. Space blanket
2. Good, sturdy knife w/partial serrations
3. Small centerfire rifle for hunting/protection, one with hollow buttstock for storing matches/firestarting equipment (does that count as an extra item?)
4. An electronic water purifier
5. Cell phone/satellite phone w/GPS and hand charge capability

Also, indy hit the nail on the head...ALWAYS make sure to tell someone where you're going and an approximate return time/date.

[warrior poet]

Item One: a level head. Keeping calm and not doing anything (wasting anything) stupid goes a LONG way.

Everything else is secondary- and climate dependant. For example, in the Poconos (my childhood home) carrying water is stupid. Drinkable water is very abundant. But at 29 Palms (my last duty station) water is VITAL, as you will die in three days of desert heat w/o it.

[Hook686]

Food, clothing, shelter and a source of energy. Essential for survival or per Henry David Thoreau anyway.

1) Dehydrated food packs
2) Water purifier
3) nylon lightweight hooded jacket
4) Tube tent
5) butane lighter

[Hook686]

Food, clothing, shelter and a source of energy. Essential for survival or per Henry David Thoreau anyway.

1) Dehydrated food packs
2) Water purifier
3) nylon lightweight hooded jacket
4) Tube tent
5) butane lighter

[Gbro]

Wow,
1. Spot Messenger!
I think this is a great device, however anything electronic can fail. I am getting one of those. E-bay has a bunch free shipping too!

2. Compass.
I can't say enough how important it is to have one. But i make it a point to question my Grandsons what direction to go when hunting by using the sun, and that is even w/cloud cover. They know how to use a small straw or twig and their thumbnail to orient to the sun. But its something We & I practice regular. then use the compass to verify.

3. Medications.
I don't take any, but antacids & Headache are in my 1st aid kit.

4. Water filter/container

5. Fire starter.
almost Every hunt we do a fire(unless its very dry), and the youngsters each start their own w/magnesium starter, or 1 match(1/2 match for book matches). We do a fire on rainy and snowy days to.
The modern stick anywhere garbage. Better have a bunch to work with.