[ trips ] - what to carry in your survival kit

YOUR PERSONAL SURVIVAL KIT

Each survival kit will reflect the needs of the user. Fill yours with items that you know you will use, and alter the contents to reflect the expected environment you will be travelling in.
This is a list of items that you can select from to fill your kit. Add to this list when you discover another useful item. There is no need to carry all of these items:

a. matches – at least 20, the kind that will strike anywhere and are waterproof – it is a good idea to store matches in a separate container inside you kit.
b. candles – tea light or small candles;
c. strong thin cord – 10m;
d. fishing gear – 5m of 15 lbs line, bare hooks, a lead weight and a cork;
e. medical kit – iodine, adhesive bandages of various sizes, roll bandage, small medical scissors, adhesive tape and dressing, moleskin or second skin for blisters, water purification tabs;
f. small safety pins;
g. plastic bags – 2 large orange garbage bags for shelter and signaling, 2 small bags for water collection;
h. food – concentrated soup, tea, coffee, sugar, hard candy, or OXO cubes;
i aluminum foil – 3 m (to bake or to make a temporary pot);
j. fuel tablets or fire starters – sealed in plastic to avoid contamination of the rest of your kit;
k. alternate to matches for fire starting – magnesium stick or flint and steel;
l. mirror – unbreakable and shatter proof (not glass), for signaling;
m. emergency blanket;
n. spare flashlight bulb and batteries;
o. several sizes of needles and 2m strong thread;
p. crayon (will write anywhere) and paper;
q. personal hygiene items – dental floss, baking soda for teeth brushing, a small piece of soap;
r. duct tape (wrapped around crayon or outside of container).

Note: if you can carry only a bare minimum, carry matches, a signaling device (whistle), protection for your body from the elements (garbage bags), a container to heat water, quick energy food and adhesive bandages. In winter you can dip string in paraffin wax and wrap this around your matches. This will make the match burn longer and will help with starting fires.