Essential Survival Gear

I am seriously considering walking into the wilderness and living my life peacefully. I would like to live off of the land, wildlife, lakes, streams and rivers. This is NOT a fly-by-night decision and I would welcome any suggestions or experiences that anyone may have had in this area. I have researched such things as must have survivalist essentials. Tent, sleeping bag, survivalist kits, rifles, fishing gear, survival books, food, water, clothing, etc., etc. What I am interested in reading about from readers is personal experiences or from people who would be interested in attempting the same lifestyle. I am planning this major step in my life sometime within the next three months. Experiences ? Suggestions ? Encouragement ? Interest in participating ? All ideas are welcome. Please, serious responses only. Thanks.

The way my life is going, I would love to follow you into the wild. I am miserable sitting in my office all day and dreaming of being outside. I have thought about taking some time for myself after I finish my masters degree, and maybe hiking the appalachian trail or something. I am tired of all the stress and deadlines, and would welcome the freedom of roaming the wilderness. I think it is a great idea, and I think you should go for it if you really want it.

By the way, where are you planning to go? I think Alaska would be an excellent place to attempt something like this.

2007-09-03 09:15:46 by restbiz2001

For info on Tony#39;s survival books or courses- www.apathways.com -The first of several installments on the essential survival gear every ...

i have trained for 3 1/2 years and have taken numerous outdoor survival courses including one taught by an Canadian ex-army sniper.
I can handle myself well outdoors and can tend pretty much any standard injury i may suffer (broken bones, cuts, etc)

anyway, that being said. I am planning a trip 556km from an known settlement in northern yukon canada with only a single backpack containing essential gear. (basically like those survivor guys on tv do... but without a basecamp 10km away 24/7)
I am going with a friend that does not have as much, but still quite a bit of experience.
Anyway, i have done plenty of trips like this in Australia and south America and done fine. but never to northern Yukon (i live in northern alberta, ft.macmurray)
my question is this, will i run into a potentially dangerous situation in summer that my experience WONT help?
if so, what kinds of things should i train for?
(note: yukon at the time of year im going has no snow)
Notes:
1. i can go 5 days without little water before i NEED it
2. i will eat anything (i have squeezed water out of poo before... not pleasant)
3. hard work is a non-issue
4. i love doing this stuff, and will never stop. i know the risks and accept them... but death still isn't really one of my goals, so i like to be prepared for anything
Those guys on man vs. wild are always safe about doing it. they have basecamps set up within earshot and they have a full camera crew with them all the time, ON TOP of their experience.
Keep in mind, we get one chopper lift out there and thats it, its just us for 500km.
(we have a satellite phone, but only carries enough juice for a single fairly short call. we also have GPS so getting lost is not an issue either)

Sounds like paradise. You didn't mention wildlife so you may want to brush up on local predator's feeding habits and behaviors. You sound well prepared. I'd say good idea.

2008-05-05 21:59:56 by bark00000

I plan to expand my emergency preparedness consulting business by offering "survival gear" and supplies for sale. My plan is to put together customized kits from many common "off the shelf" products and provisions. My primary goal is to provide a turn-key solution, but I would definitely want to offer these items individually as well via my online store and catalog. Since I can't take advantage of any economies of scale, I would need to sell the individual items at prices considerably higher than "retail." My concern is that during an actual crisis I might be one of the few suppliers of essential goods for my local area, perhaps the only supplier left if competitors run out of stock. I would never consider raising prices in a crisis, but since my prices are already high, could I be prosecuted for price gouging after the dust settles? My reasoning is that if I can show that my prices in the past were just as high as during the crisis, then I would be off the hook. But I'm not sure how a local prosecutor might see things. The business is in Texas.
Here's an example to clarify my question. A well known premium retail outlet (I will not name, but you can guess) sells a hand-cranked weather radio. The same radio sells at discount stores for three times less. As a hurricane makes landfall and people buy these radios, does the premium store face price gouging charges if they don't lower their price? Suppose they also sell flashlights, camping gear, travel gear, tools and other items necessary in a particular crisis.

Price gouging is price gouging no matter what. Just because it is during non-emergency times does not mean those prices are reasonable, acceptable, and not considered as gouging. Price gouging only becomes problematic during a crisis and that is when the law steps in. Otherwise, people will gladly spend their money at a more reasonable establishment.

2009-11-20 11:57:10 by Sentrion

Price: $92.01 $79.99

Wilderness survival - prepare for the worst

10 Essential items to bring

1. Extra food and water.
Extra food means food that is not part of a planned meal or snack, food you do not expect to eat. So you won't be tempted to eat it except in case of emergency, it probably should not be one of your favorites. It does not have to be a large quantity. It probably will not keep you from starving, but it might give you some comfort as well as a few calories to burn to keep you warm. One or two high-energy sports bars might be a good choice. Always carry a full liter of water, and keep it full. Refill at every water source. The next source may be a long way off. Always keep some iodine in your emergency kit (as long as you are not allergic to it) whether or not you travel with a filter in your pack.

2. Extra clothing.
This, too, is gear you do not expect to use. A polypropylene or wool sweater is fine. Even better is a small Mylar space blanket, the kind that comes folded up in a little cellophane package about 2 inches by 4 inches. Add a couple of 30-gallon trash bags, 2 or 3 millimeters thick if you can find them. These are extremely compact, weigh practically nothing, and can be tucked into your emergency kit and forgotten until needed. Garbage bags make good rain and wind protection. They can also be used for gathering food, insulating, as fire-making material, for forming part of a shelter, or for melting snow.

3. Map.
A topographic map is essential for any wilderness navigation. It also can be tucked inside your clothes for insulation or used to leave notes or directions addressed to potential rescuers.

4. Compass.
Be sure you know how to use both a map and compass or they won't do you much good. If your compass is the type with a mirror, it can double as a signaling device.

5. Flashlight with Extra Batteries and Bulb.
A small AA-battery light is fine. Its most important use is for reading a map, and perhaps for signaling. You will probably find that if it is absolutely necessary to walk after dark, starlight alone provides enough light once your night vision adjusts and you are sure of your footing.

6. Sunglasses and sunscreen.
These might not be critical for wandering through the Eastern woods, but they are absolutely essential for survival in deserts, on snow, or in high mountains above timberline where the atmosphere is thin. Sunburn can lead to severe dehydration. The same conditions can cause snow blindness, a particularly painful, though usually temporary, condition that can occur within less than an hour's exposure, though the symptoms may not show up until eight hours later.

7. Matches in a waterproof container.
The wooden strike-anywhere variety is best. Just be sure to store them in such a way that they cannot rub against one another and light themselves. An airtight pill bottle or film canister will keep both oxygen and water out.

8. Fire starter or candle.
In rain or wind a match will not stay lit long enough to ignite damp tinder. A candle, or even a small piece of candle at least a half-inch in diameter will give a more lasting flame. Better yet is fire starter, available at outfitting stores in several forms, from tablets or small blocks of paraffin or other flammable material to a gel that squeezes from a tube.

9. Pocket knife or utility tool.
One simple blade will do, though the models with scissors, saws, tweezers, screwdrivers, and other utility tools are handy for preparing tinder, preparing food, first aid, equipment repair, and almost any other task you can imagine.

10. First-aid kit.
Your kit should include a few alcohol swabs or moist towelettes, antibiotic ointment, aspirin or ibuprofen, Band-Aids, small tweezers, and scissors. Also include whatever prescription drugs you take regularly. If you travel alone or carry the main kit for a group, take a more elaborate kit. See Wilderness First Aid by Gilbert Preston (Falcon, 1997) for a thorough discussion of wilderness first-aid kits.

Easy answer to your question is yes… your list is true. BUT, the reality of carrying all of that is in fact, difficult to impossible in a true survival situation. My philosophy is that everything that you carry to “be prepared” needs to have a multiple use, if it doesn’t it is not necessary for true survival. You would be surprised as to what you actually NEED.

I love this topic of being “prepared” and in my free time I write stuff like below. Read on if you have the time or interest. I am an experienced long distance hiker and just recently completed a 900 mile hike.

Everyone will give you their opinion on whether these items you list are true. Remember it is their OPINION. SO with that said here is my opinion…….First off you cant prepare for the worst. You can try and be prepared, but when it comes down to the question of wilderness survival, the top ten things you need to bring with you is KNOWLEDGE. Each case of being in the Wilderness is different, like if you have put yourself into the wilderness such as a hike or if your plane goes down in the forest somewhere. Knowledge can save you, especially something that you have practiced.

If you are planning a hike, putting yourself into the wilderness, you will want to have an extra day or two of food and the knowledge to find food in the wilderness. Also some string to make a snare to capture food.

Water… of course, but iodine is not the best choice, there are other options like Aqua Mira. This has no bad taste and can kill more of the bad stuff in the water, also is fast to treat. On long hikes, I carry more than a liter, in warm weather I carry 2- 1L Gatoraid bottles because they are light, and in cold I carry a 1L Nalgene for hot liquids. A hydration pack is the best choice, make sure it is lightweight.

Extra clothing is necessary, but it must be light as possible, if it is heavy you will be tempted to leave it behind. Wool is not a good option for EXTRA clothing, its heavy. If you have the $$ buy high tech clothing. Remember that you can layer and a rain jacket is great because you can “BAKE” yourself dry by trapping your body heat. Garbage bags are excellent but try and find a bigger 50 gallon yard waste type carry two. They really don’t have much in the insulation department. Mylar can save your life in hypothermia situations.

Maps are important, if you have an idea of where you are. Simple knowledge of sun navigation is great knowledge. I carry a topo map and try and have some knowledge of service roads and such. In an emergency, a map can become some insulation.

Compass ….carry one.

Flashlight should be LED type. I carry Petzel headlamp with extra batteries and a small LED keychain backup. LED lamps are lighter and most are waterproof and can last 10,000 hours.. Bulb lamps burn out, are heavy and you have to hold them in your hands, which can be difficult to work with.

Sunglasses are personal choice but sunscreen can be left behind. It can be heavy and messy. You can use mud to keep the sun off your skin if available.

Matches are not a good option, even if they are the so called waterproof kind. You may carry something like 3 strike anywhere, but no more. They are unreliable, fragile, and limited. You should carry a large “BIC” lighter and have the knowledge to start a fire using sticks, and using the BIC lighter’s flint striker, when out of gas, to start a fire with tinder or the lint balls from your socks. If you expect to survive in the wilderness you need to be an expert in starting a fire without the use of paper. Don’t depend on firestarters to start your fire, but you may still want to carry a tea-light candle.

Knife- a pocket knife is essential make sure it is a quality one, with a good sharp blade. Try and avoid the serrated blade, they are not good for carving wood and precision. Multi tools are good for anything, in my opinion, that may arise but a survivalist would prefer a hunting knife. A multi tool that is the small type, not the cheap ones but the $40 Leatherman is excellent. Remember that you will have to carry all this and even an ounce over the length of a day becomes heavy and with a lack of food you wont have the energy to carry a heavy tool/knife.

First-aid kit if you want to carry it all. I have found that Duct tape is the best barebones kit out there. Antibiotic cream in small one or two use packets is good also, can be used for firestarter, some types. It will do just about anything. It is a multi task must, even more than just first-aid.

2007-05-14 10:15:22 by Kaybee

And demand doesn't accurately reflect need because demand implies that the person has the means. People who lack the means to buy stuff do not have the ability to satisfy their needs. Things are produced only to the degree that they are profitable. It is not profitable to feed the whole world, and people in 3rd world countries lack the essentials for survival because of that reason, despite the fact that we have the resources to feed the world, but production is geared towards making money so resources are therefore allocated to what makes the greatest amount of profit. This system is extremely wasteful.

Can we not eliminate this crap system with one where all people have equal access to all resources and are thus not bounded by abstract concepts of nationalities and inefficient governments that act in their self interest only? Can we not eliminate a system of profit, ie money, and replace it with one where nobody will go hungry?

NO, it is not sad... and just who decides what it is you "need", anyhow?

2009-04-23 22:54:08 by Case