Posted on 11/04/2009 8:11:03 AM PST by ChocChipCookie
I've read dozens, and I mean dozens, of lists telling me everything I need to have with me to survive. Usually there are no surprises. I know a flashlight, pocket knife, and water are musts, but every now and then I come across something that makes me say, "a-ha!" Here are thirteen of my favorites.
Lightsticks. You can pick up one of these every time you wander into a Home Depot. They don't need batteries and can be hung around the neck with a string making it easier to spot everyone in your party when it gets dark.
Wool socks and sweaters. People have literally frozen to death wearing their layers of cotton knit tees and hoodies. For true survival conditions, nothing beats wool.
Upholstery needles and thread. What if a sleeping bag or tent rips and you have no way of mending it?
Roll of quarters. Handy for phone calls, but if you put it in a sock and wield it like a sling, you have a handy-dandy weapon!
Pencils. Forget the pens. They can run out of ink and freeze in cold weather. With a pocket knife, you'll always have a sharp pencil.
Super glue. Professional hockey players always have this on hand to seal up small cuts, and the glue itself is harmless. Unless you get it in your eye, like I did. But that's a story for a different type of post!
Rubber bands. String just doesn't cut it when what you really need is a rubber band.
Tampons in a cardboard tube. Did you know a tampon can be fit snugly into a bullet wound? Guys on the battlefield carry these with them. Honest! I've also heard they're good for kindling.
Paracord belt. It's an accessory and survival tool in one!
Waterproof wrist watch. Makes perfect sense. I had just never thought of it.
Animal repellant trash bags. Use these when you're camping and animals will stay the heck away from your trash.
Safety pins.
Dental floss. Besides helping to keep your teeth clean, I've heard it makes sturdy thread for mending.
What have I missed?
Pimping aside, what other unusual must-haves should everyone have?
“What have I missed?”
Uh...let me see...HOW ABOUT A RIFLE? HAND GUN? BULLETS?!!
My ex was an EMT and actually had a gang-banger refuse aid because he did not want a bullet hole plugged with a tampon. They had to turn him loose. I think he later bled out.
Vodka, Vodka, and more Vodka.
So many uses. Disinfectant, water purifier, weapon, fuel, cleanser, etc.
I said, things, “you may not have thought of!” LOL
Bleach.
A real life?
Chocolate chip cookies.
DUH!!!
Those are things that everyone thinks of. This is a list of things people may not have thought of.
Too bad. I tried to go to your link, but, as usual, Word Press does not accept my user name and password that I have had for several years. I hate that.
Matches. Lots of matches sealed up in waterproof containers.
ping for later
Inaccurate. Modern pile and fleece are much more effective than wool in damp/wet conditions, besides being considerably lighter.
Badges, you need badges!
We don’ need no steeking badges!
I’d skip the roll of quarters. When was the last time you saw a pay phone? Plus, there are plenty of rocks in the wild and I don’t have to carry those around.
I also wonder, why would I need a watch in a survival situation?
I don’t know either. I hate Wordpress. Every third or fourth time I go there, it demands my username and then rejects it. I love the picture of you with the rifle over your shoulder!
Don’t forget BARTER.
Alcohol and tobacco have been proven, time again, better than gold in SHTF.
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