Added 3 new items to my survival kit this week

[tundrabadger]

A pocket size sewing kit might be a good addition. It isn't a whole lot of extra weight or space and it means being able to fix your clothes or gear if need be.

[Billy13426]

Ok I think I can get a small one at the dollar store so I will have to stop by there sometime soon

[Billy13426]

Oh I did put in some more cordage and a small folding saw I found in my dad's old hiking backpack as well as a knife sharpener. I am also looking into buying a small 2 person tent and a nicer sleeping bag... possibly

[crashdive123]

A question if I might.

What are you bugging out from (what is high on your threat list) and where are you bugging out to?

[Tokwan]

Great to see a young man interested in a Survival Kit.
My advice:-
- Know your turf, and where you are going, then come up with a survival kit.
- Try tor reduce duplicating items. I carry one multi tool and 1 knife in my survival kit. When I go to the jungle, I have my machete and my army water bottle on my belt plus a survival knife. I carry my survival kit in a water proof pouch on my belt. So in case my backpack gets ripped away/stolen/ lost in the river or I had to leave it behind in my bid to escape, I still have a machete, a survival knife, my water bottle and my survival kit.
- Usually, in our quest to come up with a good and practical survival kit, we need to do a lot of imagination, like in what situation we might get into.
And my final advise:..Practice, Practice and Practice.
I think I learnt: The knife, whistle, fire making kit, water container and a good poncho is the basic of my survival kit. These items must be of supreme quality.

[hunter63]

I might suggest speaking with your father and let him know that you are borrowing some of his stuff.

My kids "borrowed" a lot of stuff, and I didn't mind so mush as I was able to up grade both of our kits that way.

[Billy13426]

To be honest I am not really sure what I am preparing for I am just preparing to be prepared and I am still deciding on my bug out location

[Billy13426]

I might suggest speaking with your father and let him know that you are borrowing some of his stuff.

My kids "borrowed" a lot of stuff, and I didn't mind so mush as I was able to up grade both of our kits that way.

I did he said it was alright

[hunter63]

I did he said it was alright

Very cool, he might jump in and help you out......

[Tokwan]

To be honest I am not really sure what I am preparing for I am just preparing to be prepared and I am still deciding on my bug out location

Use your imagination Young Man!. Imagine yourself in a few situations...then list down what is needed. Initially you will think like bring a whole truckload, but later you will find that most things can be used to compliment each other.

[Billy13426]

Yah he helped me build a snapping turtle trap and tought me how to waterproof matches.

[backpacker3]

I upgraded all my backpacking gear to light weight higher quality stuff before I finished school which wasn't too long ago so I'll give you a few tips.
1 use discounts wisely and shop around to get them, sign up for emails from websites you buy from and you'll usually get 20 % off coupons 2-3 times a year (usually in spring and fall) and you can save tons of money. I got a $400 dollar sleeping bag for less than $250 that way

2 since you're in michigan buy online and always spend enough to get free shipping that way you avoid sales tax.

3 save for better quality gear. It might take longer but it's well worth it in the long run. Convice your parents, family, friends, and neighbors to find work you can do for them (and get paid for) and even though it takes longer you' won't regret it. Shop around and research gear choices so you get the best gear with the features you want for the lowest price.

4 make good use of any site that price matches.

Also here are a few good gear options for some of the things you listed.
Keep an eye on this sleeping bag http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-T...55?type=search
Walmart will have sales where you can get it for $30 and it's really easy to modify it do a google search about it and you'll see what I mean.
For a tent I LOVE my rei passage 2 take a look at it to see if you like it but it's really good quality plenty of space for gear reasonably light (plus has the rain fly only pitch option) and not too expensive it might even be on sale this week too for Labor Day.

Finally I would recommend you get a fixed blade knife you can get decent ones for pretty cheap and IMO that's the best investment you'll make for your survival kit.

[Billy13426]

Ok thank you very much I appreciate it

[Sarge47]

I like your enthusiasm. Just starting out you at least are acquiring some good basic gear. I'm thinking that at this time it's more of an outdoor kit than a survival kit. That means that once you get it all together you'll need to try it out in the field of course. What better way than camping out and seeing how everything works. You'll soon find out if things hold up or not. Pics of your stuff would be great. What map did you get with the compass and what brand of compass is it? Does it read directions well?

Here's an idea, Pick up a fire steel, add a small notebook and pen, and check out my blogs on survival(start at the bottom to part ! and work your way up.):

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...e4....:cowboy:

[HarvKY]

Nice to see the enthusiasm. I'd be willing to guess that most everyone on here will say they have bought and discarded more stuff than they can remember. So, 1 suggestion is to be cautious with your cash. The knowledge you put in your head is worth more than whatever you put in your supply bag. Take time to continue reading and searching for more knowledge (either to confirm something, or look some more)

As noted above; what are your plans and/or possible situations? That helps dictate what you carry. You're not responsible for stocking up a survival bag for a family driving hundreds of miles away from home. Perhaps find a similarly minded buddy(s) and organize overnight/weekend camping trips. Possible worst case scenarios involving shelter, weather, food, water, orientation, and first aid for just this little jaunt will provide you with quite an extensive list of things you need to consider.

Cheers
Harv

[crashdive123]

To be honest I am not really sure what I am preparing for I am just preparing to be prepared and I am still deciding on my bug out location

Since your Dad is "onboard" maybe you could get him involved with some of your planning. Something as simple as questions like.....

What do we do if the power goes out because of an ice storm?
How do we get drinking water if our water supply is cut off for some reason?
Where do we go if we have to evacuate because of an approaching storm?
What if we have to leave quickly because of wild fires?

With those sort of questions you can find out what the family plan is and maybe tailor your prepping toward that or to supplement that. You might even get him thinking about things that he had not thought of before.

I too like your enthusiasm. Keep it up.

[Billy13426]

Ok thank you very much I will do some more research and the compass I bought is a coleman brand and I will be getting a map of Michigan/specific cities in Michigan that might be my bug out location.

[Rick]

You might try retailmenot.com. They list coupon codes for most of the big names stores.

www.retailmenot.com

[backpacker3]

If you stop at Secretary of State they have a map of michigan that's pretty good to have plus it's free but you get a map of all the major roadways plus info on state and national parks, hunting areas etc. it's not the best navigational map with detail of a specific area but to have an overview of the whole star can be useful too.

EDIT: I reread through the first page again and I'm going to second all the things that hunter63 mentioned.

You should definitely get a flashlight and headlamp those are some of the most useful items you'll have because you'll use them even during power outages.

A cooking set would also be good a metal cup a pot and frying pan/plate are all good since you need some way to cook stuff. You should look into water containers as well Nalgene bottles are cheap through their website and you get free shipping over $10. But you could also grab a water reservoir/water bladder type container those are good ways to carry larger volumes of water without taking up space or adding weight when empty.

More info on some of the items would be good, like what is the difference between the 3 knives and he hunting knife you listed for example. You should consider too the distance between your location and a proposed bug out spot and what methods you have to get there to see if it's practical or not

[Seniorman]

" ...
First aid kit and some practice, on how to do basic first aid....remember you may be alone. ..."

Yes! A First Aid kit is virtually useless in an emergency unless you know how to use it. I suggest you contact your local American Red Cross and find out when they give their First Aid classes. They are inexpensive and you'll receive their First Aid books along with the hands on instructions during the course.

If there is not a Red Cross organization near you, you might check with your local fire department and find out if their paramedics offer First Aid courses. Many people buy First Aid kits and never learn how to use them. When they really need first aid, they haven't a clue what the stuff in the kit is for.

I also suggest you take toilet paper, some soap, and baby wipes. Sanitation is important when you're "out there."

Good luck.

S.M.