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?
That watch should have to be wound.
A Sherpa guide
13 Survival Must-Haves You May Not Have Thougth of
Is there anyone who didn't think of firearms and ammunition?
An accordion.
“Vodka, Vodka, and more Vodka.
So many uses. Disinfectant, water purifier, weapon, fuel, cleanser, etc.”
And Currency.
Try cracking open the First class requirements from the Boy Scout Handbook.
Analog dial types only need apply.
Tyvek coveralls — available in paint dept — used to keep contaminants off clothing / skin. They are cheap and lightweight; could prove useful in any extreme event if you need to get to safety.
Also, n95 respirators. Help keep aerosolized nastiest out of lungs ; - )
Are you counting upon finding an extinct payphone when the shiite hits? Better to take those quarters and put them towards a portable shortwave radio & a mega pack of AA alkalines...IMHO. Thats the only form of public info that would have a chance to get to you. And if you're concerned about communicating with relatives, get those carrier pigeons well-trained & ready! ;)
For a "carry" weapon, short of a pistol, I would prefer a long, heavy telescoping baton.
This is info that everyone needs to prepare the Coming Hard Times.
That said, tampons drizzled with Vaseline make great waterproof fire starters.
For containers for caching, go to your local homebrew store. They get their malt in food-grade drums and either throw them away when empty or sell them cheap. I got mine for 8 bucks for a 55-gallon size. The beauty is the resealable, airtight aspect, and although they are plastic, they are very rugged.
A fun task for kids is making waterproof matches. You just take strike anywhere matches and dip the tips in melted candle wax. The candle wax forms a seal around the match head, and helps the match burn extra-robustly (is that even a werd?) when lit.
Cats are an excellent source of protein in times of scarcity.
Extra tires for the bike are a must, and for every tire you should get 10 extra tubes.
When you run out of tubes you can stuff the tires with almost anything soft, like old clothing to make the bike ridable. A mountain bike survivalist once told me that even grass works in a pinch when you're out in the boonies.
Feminine pads = pre-packaged wound dressings with handy adhesive strips. Get the non deodorant.
How true. How true.
That way if you get lost, you can sit down and start a hand of solitaire. Within five minutes someone will show up to suggest the next move.
Petroleum jelly - don’t leave home without it.
first-aid/lubricant/fire starter
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! so true!!!!!
Bookmarking
I thought so too, but we had a Trunk or Treat for the local kids at my church last weekend. Anyway, aside from candy, they were giving away mini-lightsticks that you could loop together for and make a necklace. The girl told me they got them for only 25 cents each, in bulk. I just did a google search, and some places sell them for as little as 3 cents each. Here's a site that sells all kinds.
The only problem I have with them is if I let the kids use them while we were evading and hunkering down, they'd be like lit up targets. The usage of these would require strict light descipline.
AB, SMSgt, USAF(Ret)
Ah, well, I don't have to worry then. ;^)
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