The Survival kit

The Survival kit

Don’t leave home without it!

John Gibbons

We were walking up the trail, for about a minute, when we saw him. He asked if we had seen his friend. I turned to my hunting partner thinking it was a joke, and said, “ I think he’s lost.” It hit me; the young man asking us about his friend was the one who was lost.

We gave him a ride back to camp, but it was too late. Several people were out looking for him. About three hours later, two hours after dark, the search crew came back. Everyone was relived that he was all right, this time.

No Need

I asked him if he had any fire starter. He did have matches, but no fire starter. If it had been wet out, odds are pretty good that he would not have been able to get a fire going. He also didn’t have a map or compass.

His reason,” I was with my friend and he knew were we were going”. The problem was they got separated. His general attitude was, I have no need for those things.

I started to wonder what he would have done had he been injured or night had fallen.

Would he have just stumbled around?

4” of safety

I have always carried some form of survival gear. The simplest is the whistle match safe. It has a built in man made flint glued to it (re-glue it, they fall off) and a compass with signal mirror built into its top, about 4”. Add a knife and your going to cover most of your needs.

The little mirror is almost useless, but a nice touch, It will flash.

The fact you have it could be of help. I always like to carry a Mora #1 knife.

I use to love my clip knife. I cannot count the number of times I have looked back to see it clipped to a branch or some other obstacle.

The clip is made for a quick draw. It’s great for work, when you need your knife every few minutes.

If you take nothing else with you, take this: Leave it in your pocket. Clip it to your front pocket when you really need it, and then put it back. The front pocket is good because you can check it a lot easier and it catches on less. But it dose catch. The knife I used was a Gerber E-Z out®. It has a bent pin, because the knife kept catching on things.

I have just replaced it with an Schrade Cliphanger System® I like the fact it has a leash. This should be a great help. I have not used it much. (Clip broke after two weeks. I'm hard on equipment.) Folders have this problem, they break or bend.

I have tested the Mora #1 and feel it is the best all around knife. I no longer carry clip knives.

If I could carry only I knife I would take a Mora #1. However,

The best knife is the knife you have! I also like my Swiss army knife - It has a saw. I carry this

as a back up knife. It will do a lot of things for me. some say the best knife is a sharp knife.

I also agree with this.

The Class System

A knife, fire starter and compass with a map, are all

You really need. If you get right down to it: a knife may be it. The rest is skill.

What and how much you bring depends a lot on:

Your skill, the area you are traveling in, the type of

weather you encounter and the length of your trip.

Break it into class 1-3.

Class 1 – low need

Class 2 – Greater need

Class 3 – Extreme need

If your woods skills are

Poor increase your class

Requirements until you

Feel comfortable. Remember

The old timers rule, “you usually need less then you think.” Each class builds

On the other, all of class one is added to class 2. All of class 1 and 2 are added to a class 3 list.

Class 1

1) A good Knife (Mora #1

Is my choice).

2) Map and compass.

3) Metal match. (magnesium fire starter is best)

4) Matches and / or lighter.

5) Correct layered clothing for the time of year and elevation.

6) Water bottle and water purification method.

This will cover the average walk in the wilds. You have all you need to spend the night. If you need first aid you will have to improvise.

But the most important needs can be met. Staying warm and finding your way out.

However, if you run into bad luck you may wish you had a few items found in class 2.

Class 2

Add to class one items the fallowing:

Al l this fits into a 2” or 3” square plastic box.

1) 15’ of No.32 soft wire (wind around cardboard)

2) 15’ of monofilament line (wind around cardboard).

3) 2 fish hooks

4) 2 split shot sinkers

5) One sided razor blade

6) 2”x 2” gauze pad (fold it up).

7) 2 band-aids (role and tape)

8) 1 large safety pin

9) Cotton balls dipped in Vaseline (2)

10) 2 Bullion cubes

11) 1 square of Aluminum foil

12) Water proof matches (Book type)

Water proof kit with plastic or watertight box. I usually rap in a plastic bag and tape shut.

That should fill up your box.

I add a few other items to be carried in cargo pants or butt pack.

The little box can be put in your pocket for security or added to the butt pack. Most of the items are standard. Some are not. Wire can be used for snares or as shoe laces if yours break. The aluminum foil can be used to form a cup. Wrap it around your fist and make a wire handle by folding foil over a loop of wire.

Add to this: a power bar, 15’ of Para cord and a small folding saw. Gerber gets my vote.

Its small light and works great.

In this class the

Toilet paper in a plastic bag and one or two fire starters round it out.

What would I add as optional?

1) Space blanket.

2) 1-2 Plastic garbage bags.

3) A small first aid kit

4) A small Chemical stick (light)

5) A poncho

6) Metal Cup.

Clothing should include a hat. Gloves if needed.

When it comes to cups, I like something in-between a sierra cup and a Canteen cup. Mine is a large metal cup with a wire handle my Sport bottle even fits in it.

The only draw back is the handle doesn’t fold down.

Class 3

This is used for very broad travel. It is basically all your camping gear and or other provisions for 72 hrs or longer.

Back pack, tent, stove, fuel, pots, food, water, clothing, Sleeping bag and Extra compass. Some may laugh at this, but a light pack using bivwak gear for a tent is the ultimate survival gear for the novice.

Nothing replaces knowledge. Learning how to get to class 1,

Is the true goal of self-sufficiency.

If you are on a long expedition far from help in extreme conditions you will need more medical equipment and some dental equipment.

Look for an article on, The Hudson’s bay company survival list, in a future issue.

A final thought

The one piece of gear I have purposely left out is a two-way radio or cell-phone (where range permits). I also, did Not mention a GPS.

I will mention this in Closing. The GPS is great to keep you on your path. However, it is of no use when the batteries are dead. The same can be said for a two-way radio.

I think they have their place, especially for someone with medical concerns or for any one concerned with their Skill level. 2 meter Ham radios get my vote.

Equipment cannot replace skill, It can only aid it. The ultimate kit is your brain. Skill and knowledge will allow you to make due. Work toward living with only the aid of a knife, then learn to make the knife.