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13 Survival Must-Haves You May Not Have Thought Of
TheSurvivalMom blog ^ | November 2, 2009 | TheSurvivalMom

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?


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: preppers; ridingthestormout; survival; survivalgear; survivalism
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To: ChocChipCookie

roll of thin copper wire. Look in hardware section sometimes better than string and can be used to string up an antenna (I think).


21 posted on 11/04/2009 8:23:51 AM PST by squarebarb
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To: ChocChipCookie
You forgot THE most basic survival tool. A pocket knife. Without a pocket knife, you might as well just give up. (Well almost)

Pocket knives can cut branches for firewood.

Cut paracord for shoe laces.

Cauterize wounds.

Be used for self defense.

Used to whittle arrows or spears for foraging.

Skin and butcher animals.

Skin and filet fish.

Cut branches to make a lean to, for shelter.

Dig holes or trenches.

The list can go on and on and on. Probably the most useful tool for survival.

22 posted on 11/04/2009 8:23:55 AM PST by mountn man (The pleasure you get from life, is equal to the attitude you put into it.)
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To: ChocChipCookie
Quarters?

Well, of course.

What if you're at the survival vehicle auto wash and time runs out before you get all the soap off.

Survival is hard enough without having to drive through the woods in a soapy survival vehicle.;-)

23 posted on 11/04/2009 8:24:07 AM PST by SonOfDarkSkies (Rush on Obama: "immature, narcissistic and inexperienced")
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To: ChocChipCookie
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!

Never bring a roll of quarters to a gunfight unless you need phone change to tell the medical examiner where to pick up the body.

24 posted on 11/04/2009 8:24:52 AM PST by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Democrats spent that time trying to destroy it.)
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To: ChocChipCookie

some additional items:

Small collapsible shovel.
Compass useful for navigation
Map of the State
Notepad
Firestarters (http://www.onestopcandle.com/candle/firestarter.php) use the sawdust additive and I use either a toilet paper roll or paper egg carton as my mold.
moist towlettes - to clean up when bath / shower is not possible
small camp mirror
Medical treatment / first aid book
Boy Scout survival book
Book on traps, dead falls and snares


25 posted on 11/04/2009 8:25:08 AM PST by taxcontrol
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To: ChocChipCookie

It looks like you linked to the wp-admin part of your wordpress blog, where you probably edited the draft before posting it. Hence, username and password.


26 posted on 11/04/2009 8:25:33 AM PST by Dan Nunn (Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise. -The Great One)
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To: ChocChipCookie

A good survival book, such as “Camping And Wilderness Survival” by Tawrell.

Small, complete and easy to carry.

A must for those who weren’t raised by hillbillies.


27 posted on 11/04/2009 8:25:50 AM PST by Salamander (I'm sure I need some rest but sleepin' don't come very easd the matriy in a straight white vest.....)
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To: Sherman Logan
Modern pile and fleece are much more effective than wool in damp/wet conditions, besides being considerably lighter.

They can be almost too good, and lead to overheating. Modern wool fabrics like those from Smartwool, Ibex, etc are quite lightweight, soft, warm when wet, and provide better temp regulation, in my experience.

28 posted on 11/04/2009 8:28:27 AM PST by Trailerpark Badass (Happiness is a choice!)
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To: Skenderbej

Because you can use an analog watch as a makeshift compass, possibly?


29 posted on 11/04/2009 8:28:57 AM PST by Salamander (I'm sure I need some rest but sleepin' don't come very easd the matriy in a straight white vest.....)
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To: squarebarb

Or to garrote a sleeping enemy.


30 posted on 11/04/2009 8:30:02 AM PST by Salamander (I'm sure I need some rest but sleepin' don't come very easd the matriy in a straight white vest.....)
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To: mnehring
Vodka, Vodka, and more Vodka...So many uses. Disinfectant, water purifier, weapon, fuel, cleanser, etc.

...Bloody Mary, White Russian, Screwdriver, Kamikaze, Long Island Iced Tea...

31 posted on 11/04/2009 8:30:11 AM PST by Billthedrill
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To: ChocChipCookie

Duct tape.
Cheap. Fixes everything.

Matches.
In a waterproof container.

Pocket-knife and a knife witha 4” blade or bigger.
Knife sharpener also.


32 posted on 11/04/2009 8:31:00 AM PST by kidd (Obama: The triumph of hope over evidence)
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To: ChocChipCookie

What you really need:

1. Gun
2. Ammo
3. Backup Gun
4. More ammo
5. Water
6. Food
7. Something to barter with (add to #4)


33 posted on 11/04/2009 8:33:02 AM PST by SampleMan (No one should die on a gov. waiting list., or go broke because the gov. has dictated their salary.)
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To: mountn man
"You forgot THE most basic survival tool. A pocket knife."

Prior to the invention of the utility tool, I would have agreed with you whole heartedly. Something along the lines of a Leatherman Wave or SOG Paratool will get at least 10 times the use as a traditional pocket knife...

Of course the most useful tool in any survival situation is a calm, rational state of mind....

34 posted on 11/04/2009 8:33:43 AM PST by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: ChocChipCookie
Beyond the usual canned goods, water, ammo, etc:
a) 5 - 10 lbs Flour
b) 1 or 2 liters Oil
c) 5 lbs Sugar
d) 5 - 10 lbs Rice
e)5 - 10 lbs Beans
all in sealed containers - takes up very little room and you can feed an army
35 posted on 11/04/2009 8:33:55 AM PST by Psalm 73 ("Gentlemen, you can't fight in here - this is the War Room".)
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To: ChocChipCookie
Couple bags of these:


If you have wire ties and enough lumber, you could build a 4 bedroom house!!
36 posted on 11/04/2009 8:33:58 AM PST by djf (Maybe life ain't about the doing - maybe it's just the trying... Hey, I don't make the rules!)
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To: Salamander

1. Right on the compass/analog dual use
2. Synchronize meeting times, if group has to split up
3. Calibrate distance in times


37 posted on 11/04/2009 8:34:51 AM PST by winnotwhine (It's easy to whine...I'd rather win)
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To: winnotwhine

Yup.


38 posted on 11/04/2009 8:37:21 AM PST by Salamander (I'm sure I need some rest but sleepin' don't come very easd the matriy in a straight white vest.....)
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To: Joe 6-pack

Of course the most useful tool in any survival situation is a calm, rational state of mind....


Exactly. I couldn’t imagine backpacking with all this extra stuff in my pack, would weigh maybe 60lbs altogether!


39 posted on 11/04/2009 8:38:27 AM PST by free me (Sarah Palin 2012? You Betcha!)
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To: ChocChipCookie

upholstry thread and dental floss are a waste of space. fishing line can be used for both.

three things that are lesser thought of items: duct tape, baling wire, zip ties.


40 posted on 11/04/2009 8:39:53 AM PST by absolootezer0 (2x divorced, tattooed, pierced, harley hatin, meghan mccain luvin', smoker and pit bull owner..what?)
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