Equatorial Rainforest Survival Kit
I guess most of you know that I always conduct solo hiking/camping. Whenever I go on these trips, I found that the rainforest offers me a lot of natural resources.
Then I realized that the thickness and the dampness of the rainforest also does not allow me to use certain items that are in my survival kit.
I would like to share what I think and at the same time absorb your opinion on what I think, I will take and will opt out of the kit.
The forest itself, undulating terrain, thick bushes at the lower area but clears out towards the top.natural resources such as water and bamboo are of the abundance. Threat of insects, leeches, poisonous and aggressive animals are there and we have to minimize the risks. Wild elephants are always on my mind. There could be no escape from a very angry bull.
What we will need to survive are:
1. Shelter
2. Fire
3. Water
4. Avoiding elements and nuisance such as mosquitoes, leeches , insects, snakes/wild animals and of course coldness in certain areas/season and altitude.
5. Navigation
6. Possibly medical aid.
I have decided to review my SK and have decided to only have the certain items. The revised SK will be based on the following survival needs:-
1. Shelter - away from rain and cold. I will use two disposable ponchos and at the same time have a mylar blanket to avoid the cold. Not much wind in the forest. Paracord for the shelter build up (I have 15 feet on my bracelet, 100 feet on my belt and another 30 feet in my kit.). I will carry a parang and a Survival Knife for the tools to make the shelter. The shelter should be just to survive the night and move on towards civilization .
2. Fire- I will need to have at least a good function able fire steel. Tinder is usually cotton balls with petroleum jelly. The damp wood can be split to get to the drier parts inside.
3. Water- available from pitcher plants, roots, bamboo, banana trees, leaves, puddle, streams and rivers. I will need plastic bags, a cup to collect water or use bamboo tubes to hold and cook water, water filters or water purification tablets.
4. Avoiding elements - insect repellent, fire and smoke from the fire.
5. Navigation - GPS or compass. (forget about maps..its almost impossible to get topographic maps in Malaysia). I would love to add my Kompernall hiking poles.
6. Medical Aid - Containing alcohol swaps, gauge, bandages, bandaids of various sizes, stitch set, scissors, flavin and antiseptic cream. Some pain killers, antibiotics, anti histamine, paracetamol and some upset stomach meds.
As such, I think the following items are adequate for me to survive:
1. Shelter- two disposable poncho, 30 feet paracord and mylar blanket. Parang.
2. Fire - Lighter wrapped in plastic, Firesteel and Tinder. Survival knife
3. Water - Clear plastic bags, a mess tin or cup, Sawyer water filter, water purification tablets.
4. Elemets Avoiding - Insect repellent.
5. Navigation- GPS, Compass, Kompernall Hiking Posts.
6. Medical. First aid kit and medications.
My Shelter will be using resources from the forest such as timber poles or bamboo.
I can cook large amount of water using bamboo tubes on an open fire. Supply should be good - replacing cooking pots which i can leave.
I will add a file for sharpening the parang.
Additional items such as a few packs of MREs would suffice, but if none, the banana trees, heart of palm, and trapping should give me enough food to help me survive.
This means that I can forego items like signal mirror, cellphone (as there is no coverage definitely) and the large items for cooking.
All these items are in a pouch on my waist except the parang and knife will be on my belt, and the hiking poles in my hands.
Please deliver me your thoughts.
