Priorities and such.

[Sarge47]

Hi folks, my first post here. I pack according to location but my basic list is :
Navigation
SOG Tomahawk
Fire kit (includes a firesteel, cotton balls in fat and ground fireateel rod and knife
All steel water bottle with 25 ft cord attached and purification tabs.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

It's considered rude to just pop in with a post like yours without an "intro." Here's something that can help:

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?7813-Posting-Your-Introduction...

[hunter63]

wlic...Hunter63 saying Hey and Welcome.

[Tokwan]

Hey...Sarge 47 said if its the one thing...Only 1 thing...I would go for my knife.
Why? I use a Mora knife witha ferro rod..so that means I take one thing with me, and still can make fire..
Now if its too things?
I would say my Mora knife and my tarp...!!!

[Tristar777]

Hi. I have to go with Sarge on this. Most (not all) survival situations in the wilderness start with or soon have a First Aid/medical situation. Therefore a good med kit is my first choice. 1. Get out of harms way. 2. Treat injury. 3. Evaluate your situation and resources. Then Id start to look at shelter, water etc.

[Grizz123]

Hi. I have to go with Sarge on this. Most (not all) survival situations in the wilderness start with or soon have a First Aid/medical situation. Therefore a good med kit is my first choice. 1. Get out of harms way. 2. Treat injury. 3. Evaluate your situation and resources. Then Id start to look at shelter, water etc.

Most (not all) survival situations start with being lost.

If you find yourself in a first aid situation that turns a hike/day in the woods into a survival situation, what can be carried in a med kit that will help you? What can be carried to set a broken bone? What can be carried to treat a head injury (concussion).

If a person has allergies or illness requiring medications, than of course they need to carry those meds on their adventure. A med kit should not be forgotten or left off a list but its not as important a knife, fire starting, water or shelter

Please list what is in your med kit that makes it such a high priority for you guys? Also, how many times have you been "lost" in the woods and happened to find your way out vs seriously injured and needing medical attention while in the woods

[ninjasurvivor]

Most (not all) survival situations start with being lost.

If you find yourself in a first aid situation that turns a hike/day in the woods into a survival situation, what can be carried in a med kit that will help you? What can be carried to set a broken bone? What can be carried to treat a head injury (concussion).

If a person has allergies or illness requiring medications, than of course they need to carry those meds on their adventure. A med kit should not be forgotten or left off a list but its not as important a knife, fire starting, water or shelter

Please list what is in your med kit that makes it such a high priority for you guys? Also, how many times have you been "lost" in the woods and happened to find your way out vs seriously injured and needing medical attention while in the woods

Like Dave Canterbury says, you don't need a first aid kit at that point, you need a helicopter.

It depends on your FAK. If you have heavy trauma treatment or something to that effect. Being able to clean, close, and bandage an open wound can be important, even if it is not immediately life threatening.

Last spring I fell down a mountain and hit my head and face, among other injuries. I had a little first aid kit. Fortunately my companion had a frozen bottle of water which was half frozen at that point. The ice was used on my head to minimize the swelling. A bandaid was put on my arm where I was bleeding. I would've made it off that mountain without any of it, but injuries in the field are unpredictable so it is good to have at least some measure available to treat them.

[Sarge47]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against having a knife. I probably own more knives than most forum members. My EDC is an SAk, Victorinox Explorer that hangs from a Boy Scout belt via the older brass knife clip. It's just that I think that there's an "over-dependency" on having a fixed-blade knife above everything else. A well prepared 1st aid kit should carry aspirin for reducing fever, antibiotic cream to prevent cuts becoming infected, safety pins, and so on. Of course if you suffer a leg injury out in the wilds and it gets gangrene, I suppose it would be good to have a big knife to amputate the infected limb. I don't know about you, but if I were ever to be injured in the outdoors and I'm with somebody else, I would rather they have a FAK and the medical know-how to treat me than just have a knife....

[Sarge47]

Here is just one of many stories that show why 1st aid gear and knowledge is so important:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Sioux_Scout_Ranch

[Rick]

Just be aware that water purification tablets are NOT affective against Cryptosporidium or viruses. Boiling, filtration and UV light are the only methods of killing/eliminating the crypto oocysts.

[DomC]

Proper clothing is top priority in my list, followed by knife, combustion device, container, cordage, fak, compass, flashlight. Statistics show that hypothermia/hyperthermia kill more than any other factor in survivability. Mother nature has no conscience...

DomC

[ninjasurvivor]

Wearing the best clothing possible is obviously ideal, but it can only do so much. If you are sitting or laying still, clothing generally won't keep you warm. You need blankets or fire too.

If I had the ability I would filter then boil my water. Filtering or using tablets would be in an emergency situation only.

[Rick]

I've filtered water for a long time and never had any problems. They are for everyday use not just emergencies. I can produce a lot of potable water in a very short amount of time with my filter. I can fill my containers and be down the path while you are waiting for your water to boil. Then you have to wait for it to cool.

[ninjasurvivor]

I've filtered water for a long time and never had any problems. They are for everyday use not just emergencies. I can produce a lot of potable water in a very short amount of time with my filter. I can fill my containers and be down the path while you are waiting for your water to boil. Then you have to wait for it to cool.

Depends on the filter. Some people can drink unfiltered water straight from the source and never have problems. The filter only strains out a certain micron level, so if there is bacteria and its below that level, it will get through. It could hurt you if that is the case.

[Rick]

Well, I guess. Most reputable filters will filter everything larger than .2 micron. Some even smaller. That's sufficient enough to filter out everything except viruses.

Some people can drink unfiltered water straight from the source and never have problems.

Those are called very lucky people. It certainly has nothing to do with their metabolism. They just had clean water. Not many water sources are clean enough to drink from. Most of those are springs. But not knowing can make you ill. While boiling is a sure method and universally excepted filters can save you a lot of time and fuel if you happen to be carrying isobutane. On most, you can pump somewhere around half a liter a minute.

[Sarge47]

Well, I guess. Most reputable filters will filter everything larger than .2 micron. Some even smaller. That's sufficient enough to filter out everything except viruses.



Those are called very lucky people. It certainly has nothing to do with their metabolism. They just had clean water. Not many water sources are clean enough to drink from. Most of those are springs. But not knowing can make you ill. While boiling is a sure method and universally excepted filters can save you a lot of time and fuel if you happen to be carrying isobutane. On most, you can pump somewhere around half a liter a minute.

Imodium! It get's the brown out! And it's easily carried in a 1st aid kit, btw. I carry some in all of mine!...

[ninjasurvivor]

I'd trust my water filter I guess. Its a .2 micron. My main fear has always been chemical contaminants, which boiling nor filtering protects you against. But I would still probably rather boil it since maybe it might cook some of the bad stuff off or neutralize it, I dunno tho.

I knew a guy who was on a project by a lake and got thirsty. He said he just took a small hand full from a "clean looking" area. His skin later turned yellow and he lost a bunch of weight and was hospitalized for like two months as a result.

You could probably consume man made poisons and get through the ill-effects quicker and with less damage than you would with nasty biological ones. I'm amazed at how animals can live their whole lives drinking unfiltered water, often times from sources that are extremely sullied and contaminated up the wazoo.

[Rick]

Heavy metals will stay with your water unless you run it through an evaporative still. Some filters do have an activated charcoal filter that will remove organic contaminants such as pesticides, benzene or metals like lead, mercury and copper. I've recently upgraded to a Steripen since it kills viruses as well and is a lot quicker than even pumping. It just doesn't remove the organics.

[LowKey]

I'm an old list kind of guy. If I had to follow the new list, the "tool kit" would contain a "knife."

I have different first aid kits in different locations.
What all else I elect to carry depends on where I'm going.

The home first aid kit is a full trauma kit, centrally located and easy to access.
There are other various first aid supplies scattered around the house; the bathrooms, downstairs in the "shop", out in the garage... Home is a Bug In location.

The truck has the next largest FAK (which reminds me it is time to check it and change it.) It includes the quikclot and the instant cold compresses, hand warmers, and some larger compression bandages plus all the little stuff including Immodium, bug spray and 50spf sunscreen. There is another bag in there that's a GHB that is packed for the season (May/October). It has the firestarter (hurricane matches in a tube,) light, compass, special overland map to get home, various other sundries and a poncho. The leatherman is always on my belt.

My work desk has a slightly smaller FAK that goes on site with me when I'm on a crew and not with my own truck. It doesn't have some things it should and needs to be re-evaluated. While I trust the trauma kits we have at the shop to be kept up to snuff, the onsite kit in the roadbox might be on the other side of the jobsite. Most jobsites for me are local and I take my own vehicle when I can. The leatherman is always on my belt.

My fishing first aid kit is much smaller but still will take care of a non-life threatening knife wound (steri-strips are wonderful things,) greenhead bites, or an embedded hook (a small pair of end nippers included.) It really stinks being a mile out on a sandbar beach in the middle of a nice fishing day and have to trudge back to the truck right away cuz you did something stupid and didn't have a kit. I already have the knife, hurricane matches, and the poncho in the tackle pack. I use a light hiker's backpack when fishing and only carry the gear I need for 6-8 hours, not a whole friggin box of junk, but could stay the night out there if I had to. Minimal gear is bugspray, 4 slider weights, 4 each of filament and wire pre-tied leaders, 4 large heavy shank circle hooks and 4 Octopus hooks, and one baitfish rig. Plus two breakdown poles already rigged, one for bait and one for plug, and two sandspikes hanging down the back. Water, usually one bottle fresh and two bottles frozen, some kind of snack, and 4 large ziploc bags. Occasionally a couple bought bait fish. The rope sling I use for the poles I can also use to drag back a striper in the surf. Bluefish I can fillet on the spot and throw in the ziplocks and keep with the walk-back ice bottle but the striper has to stay whole, head on until I get it home, can weigh 40 pounds and won't fit in the pack, so I float em back dead down the beach on the rope. Live-lining stripers is illegal here. The beach pack just needs to get me back to my truck pack. The leatherman is handy fishing tool.

My general day-hiking FAK just has knuckle bandages, some anti-biotic ointment, bee pen (not an epi pen, just a sting calmer), a fire starter (right now just hurricane matches in a tube) and a second small folding knife. A similar backpack as for fishing is set for the weather of the season. Always a poncho in there though. Any day hike is going to be someplace that starts at my parked truck. The daypack just has to get me back there, though I could spend the night away from it in the seasonal weather if necessary.

And the leatherman stays on the belt.
Always.

[Sarge47]

I'm an old list kind of guy. If I had to follow the new list, the "tool kit" would contain a "knife."

I have different first aid kits in different locations.
What all else I elect to carry depends on where I'm going.

The home first aid kit is a full trauma kit, centrally located and easy to access.
There are other various first aid supplies scattered around the house; the bathrooms, downstairs in the "shop", out in the garage... Home is a Bug In location.

The truck has the next largest FAK (which reminds me it is time to check it and change it.) It includes the quikclot and the instant cold compresses, hand warmers, and some larger compression bandages plus all the little stuff including Immodium, bug spray and 50spf sunscreen. There is another bag in there that's a GHB that is packed for the season (May/October). It has the firestarter (hurricane matches in a tube,) light, compass, special overland map to get home, various other sundries and a poncho. The leatherman is always on my belt.

My work desk has a slightly smaller FAK that goes on site with me when I'm on a crew and not with my own truck. It doesn't have some things it should and needs to be re-evaluated. While I trust the trauma kits we have at the shop to be kept up to snuff, the onsite kit in the roadbox might be on the other side of the jobsite. Most jobsites for me are local and I take my own vehicle when I can. The leatherman is always on my belt.

My fishing first aid kit is much smaller but still will take care of a non-life threatening knife wound (steri-strips are wonderful things,) greenhead bites, or an embedded hook (a small pair of end nippers included.) It really stinks being a mile out on a sandbar beach in the middle of a nice fishing day and have to trudge back to the truck right away cuz you did something stupid and didn't have a kit. I already have the knife, hurricane matches, and the poncho in the tackle pack. I use a light hiker's backpack when fishing and only carry the gear I need for 6-8 hours, not a whole friggin box of junk, but could stay the night out there if I had to. Minimal gear is bugspray, 4 slider weights, 4 each of filament and wire pre-tied leaders, 4 large heavy shank circle hooks and 4 Octopus hooks, and one baitfish rig. Plus two breakdown poles already rigged, one for bait and one for plug, and two sandspikes hanging down the back. Water, usually one bottle fresh and two bottles frozen, some kind of snack, and 4 large ziploc bags. Occasionally a couple bought bait fish. The rope sling I use for the poles I can also use to drag back a striper in the surf. Bluefish I can fillet on the spot and throw in the ziplocks and keep with the walk-back ice bottle but the striper has to stay whole, head on until I get it home, can weigh 40 pounds and won't fit in the pack, so I float em back dead down the beach on the rope. Live-lining stripers is illegal here. The beach pack just needs to get me back to my truck pack. The leatherman is handy fishing tool.

My general day-hiking FAK just has knuckle bandages, some anti-biotic ointment, bee pen (not an epi pen, just a sting calmer), a fire starter (right now just hurricane matches in a tube) and a second small folding knife. A similar backpack as for fishing is set for the weather of the season. Always a poncho in there though. Any day hike is going to be someplace that starts at my parked truck. The daypack just has to get me back there, though I could spend the night away from it in the seasonal weather if necessary.

And the leatherman stays on the belt.
Always.

Positive Rep sent!.... Deleted the duplicate.

[ninjasurvivor]

To me, a FAK should contain items that would NOT save your life in case of serious injury. I mean, maybe like a field dressing or tourniquet tubing would be good to have, but it takes up a lot of space. Not really practical to carry around. You can make do with belts, rope, and cloth to handle those same types of wounds. Either way, you need a helicopter or an ambulance or it won't matter in the end.

I see guys with quick clot other crazy stuff in their FAKs. Fish antiobotics and whatnot. Who has the training to try and patch someone up from a gunshot wound? Or diagnose a viral infection and prescribe a proper regiment of FISH antiobotics? CPR training would be a good skillset I won't condemn anyone for being overly prepared. But just know that you can't replace a doctor or medical facility with some little FAK. You'll get in way over your head rather quickly if you don't have proper supplies and training.