Pages

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Backpacking Survival Kit - Some New Ideas

Backpacking Survival Kit - Some New Ideas

Author: Steve Gillman

There are the usual backpacking survival kit ideas that have stood the test of time. Almost everyone agrees that some way to start a fire, some medical supplies and some kind of blade are necessary. Other items, ranging from saws to signal whistles can be very useful, but their necessity in a basic kit are argued. The following are the usual things that survival kits may have. After that you'll find a few new ideas. The usual survival kit items: Fire starter (like a magnesium stick), waterproof matches, signal mirror, sewing kit, foil blanket, water purification tablets, fishing line and hooks, compass, fire tinder, plastic bags, duct tape, knife, bandana, nylon cord, paper, pencil or pen, dental floss, and a condom (the latter for carrying water in a wilderness emergency). First aid items usually include bandages, aspirin or other pain killers, gauze pads, tweezers, and antibiotic ointment. More extensive first aid kits might also have splints, medical tape, sun block, safety pins, and a snake bite kit. Of course, any crucial medications you need are a good addition as well. New Survival Kit Ideas Here are some ideas you may not have heard of. First, why not have two survival kits? Make one for all-around use on easy hikes and when using a vehicle (ATV) or bicycle. These are the times when it is easier to carry a little extra weight. Of course, the problem is that we tend to leave a kit behind - or even leave a whole backpack behind - when we want to avoid the weight, like when you see a summit you want to climb up to. That is where the second kit comes in. The second survival kit can be kept inside the first, so there is no unnecessary repetition of items. The point of this one is to have the most crucial items in the smallest lightest package. It can include bandages, a razor blade or small knife, aspirin, water purification, duct tape, pencil stub and paper. It should comfortably fit in the pocket of your pants or jacket. An altoids container can hold all of this, and has a mirrored surface inside as well, for signaling rescuers in the case of getting lost. Another good idea for a survival kit is a couple small photos of those who are important to you. Survivors of wilderness disasters often report that thinking of their loved ones kept them alive. A photo or two to look at makes this even more of an inspiration. Notes are a good survival kit idea too. First aid kits have tiny guides to help you in medical situations, but you might also want a reminder of survival techniques. My own notes have the most common edible and useful wild plants listed, so I'll remember what to look for and why. You can fit a lot of information on one piece of paper. Then there is your "mental survival kit," meaning the knowledge and practiced attitudes of your mind. Practice thinking of how to survive, for example, rather than about how bad a situation is. Read and recall a few good true survival stories, too. You'll feel more confident in your abilities and chances, and telling such stories to others in your group might lift everyone's spirits. Apply these new survival kit ideas - they're cheap wilderness emergency insurance for your next backpacking trip.

Copyright Steve Gillman. Visit the Wilderness Survival Guide and get the free ebook version of Ultralight Backpacking Secrets, as well as gear recommendations, and true adventure stories, at: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com/wilderness-survival-guide.html

Survival Kits: 9 Things to Look for While Making a Choice

Survival Kits: 9 Things to Look for While Making a Choice

Author: Matt Danilov


However, just because a company declares its survival kit to be "emergency gear," there's really no guarantee that these items will actually be of good quality, or will be effective in a dire situation. There's nothing worse than reaching for your survival kit during a power blackout in hurricane season, and realizing that the flashlights come with weak batteries.

Here are a few of the things to look for when you buy a survival kit.

The Kit Should Contain All Basic Supplies
You would be surprised at the number of kits out there that neglect to pack water. No matter what the emergency, water is one of the biggest necessities you will face. It's also common to have kits that don’t contain other bare essentials, like torch lights or matches. Always look at the accompanying picture of your survival kit to determine if it has all the things you'll need.

Items Must Be of High Quality
The items in your kit should be top of the line. Before ordering a kit, don’t hesitate to ask the company where they source their items from. Compasses must not be mere showpieces, but must function well. A knife must be a high quality one, with a fixed blade and sturdy handles. Buying a poor quality kit may be cheaper, but ultimately, it all comes down to the price you're willing to pay for your survival.

Adequate Quantity of Items
Make sure that you're not being hoodwinked about the number of items in your kit. Some unscrupulous companies actually add up the number of matches in the matchbox to pump up the number of items in the kit. Make sure you have adequate quantities of the supplies before you make a purchase. A first aid package that's part of a survival kit must contain more than a 50 ml bottle of antiseptic solution and four Band Aids.

Versatility
Your kit should contain a few things that can be used in a multitude of ways in a pinch. For instance, garbage bags and duct tape have so many uses, they are hard to count. These don't take up a lot of space, but can be incredibly handy.

Expensive vs. Low Cost Ones
Low cost survival kits that seem like a bargain may have you playing Russian roulette with your life. Remember, when you finally do open your survival kit, it may be when you realize you're out of fresh water supplies during an incoming storm, and the announcer on the TV intones that government help won't be arriving for at least 36 hours. Do you really want to be stuck with two packets of potable water for your family of four?

Expiration Dates
Ask your kit supplier about the expiration dates for the items in your list. Remember, that even if they are marked as being good for five years or more, they may lose some of their longevity or potability, in harsh conditions in warehouses, or during transportation.

Easy to open
Your survival kit should be easy to open in an emergency. This is where high quality and expensive emergency gear comes into the picture again. You don't want to be left grappling with a bag zipper, in an emergency.

Easy to Use
Emergency survival gear can range from basic kits that are designed for use by those who have little experience surviving the great outdoors, to full-scale, ultra sophisticated, military-style kits that can require some skill to use. If your idea of survival is doing without the air conditioner in autumn, you are probably better off with a simple and basic kit that doesn't requite high-end expertise to use.

Buy More Than One Kit Depending Your Needs
There can't be a single survival kit that can prepare you for everything from a power breakdown to a biological attack. It's always best to customize your requirements at different points, with a choice of two or more survival kits. For instance, if you are an avid trekker, you'll probably need more than one wilderness survival kit, in addition to a basic survival kit. Besides, it’s a wise idea to have a kit each in your home, car and office.