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?
roll of thin copper wire. Look in hardware section sometimes better than string and can be used to string up an antenna (I think).
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.
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.;-)
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Because you can use an analog watch as a makeshift compass, possibly?
Or to garrote a sleeping enemy.
...Bloody Mary, White Russian, Screwdriver, Kamikaze, Long Island Iced Tea...
Duct tape.
Cheap. Fixes everything.
Matches.
In a waterproof container.
Pocket-knife and a knife witha 4” blade or bigger.
Knife sharpener also.
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)
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....
1. Right on the compass/analog dual use
2. Synchronize meeting times, if group has to split up
3. Calibrate distance in times
Yup.
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!
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.
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