Survival kits info.

[mbarnatl]

Preparing before you go out in the outdoors will help alot on the stresses. What priorities at the time you get in a survival situation will differ.

This article from http://www.lifeviewoutdoors.com/priorities.html sums it up best.

SURVIVAL PRIORITIES
If you are injured, then First Aid becomes your top priority. In the case of a major medical emergency, you must prevent shock and stop bleeding. Even minor cuts and abrasions should be treated immediately because they can quickly escalate into infection and bigger problems. Once you have addressed any medical situations, your next priority will be to protect yourself from the elements with shelter. Shelter will help keep you warm in a cold environment and cool in a hot environment. This initial shelter should be found or constructed relatively quickly and can be temporary. Its purpose is to protect you from the elements and provide a place to evaluate your situation and start planning for survival. If you are in a temperate climate, you may not need shelter until later.

The next priority is to build a fire. A fire can help keep you warm, allow you to boil water, cook food, be used for signaling, and most importantly it will help build and sustain your morale. As a general rule, the worse the weather is, the more important it is to have a fire. Unfortunately, this means that the more you need a fire, the more difficult it will be to start.

Once you have stabilized any medical issues, gotten protection from the elements, and started a fire, you should then start to search for a source of fresh water. Once found, this water should be made drinkable to prevent health problems caused by waterborne viruses and bacteria. However, if there is no way to treat the water, you should still drink because the effects of dehydration are so severe.

Now that you can sustain life for an extended period of time, your next priority is signaling for rescue. After all signaling devices and methods are in place you can then look for a source of food. Your need for food is the lowest priority, no matter what your stomach is telling you.

Rules of 3

You can survive without oxygen or with major bleeding for 3 minutes
You can survive exposure to extreme cold or heat for 3 hours
You can survive without water for 3 days
You can survive without food for 3 weeks

[survivalhike]

I have about 8 books on winderness survival but I will agree that the biggest and most informative one I have ever read or would want to have in the field is the Twarell book. The second edition of "Camping and Wilderness Survival" is a larger and more compact than the first version (which I have as well) and can easily be stowed in your backpack. If there was a flaw to this book it would be that there is too much information. In the shelter chapter they cover what seems like 50 types of shelters. Way too much information, but I would much rather have more than less. I great investment, and a great take along book that might yeild some nugget of information one day that could possibly save your life.

[Sarge47]

I have about 8 books on winderness survival but I will agree that the biggest and most informative one I have ever read or would want to have in the field is the Twarell book. The second edition of "Camping and Wilderness Survival" is a larger and more compact than the first version (which I have as well) and can easily be stowed in your backpack. If there was a flaw to this book it would be that there is too much information. In the shelter chapter they cover what seems like 50 types of shelters. Way too much information, but I would much rather have more than less. I great investment, and a great take along book that might yeild some nugget of information one day that could possibly save your life.

Does the 2nd book contain different info than the 1st, which I have btw, or more added into the 1st?

[mbarnatl]

The author refined and updated from the first edition. The main difference was the first edition measures 10.9x8.5x1.2 inches to the second edition 8.1x5.3x1.7 inches. I had a choice to buy both books... it looked to me that the second edition had more and updated content. I read from some reviews that the first book had spelling errors that are now fixed in the second edition. I bought the second edition.

[mbarnatl]

I was watching Survivorman last night and he mentioned a coffee can kit. I went and did a search for a DIY-kit.

The Do-it-yourself Coffee Can Survival Kit

This is a compact kit that can be carried in the car, on the boat, or in a pack for hunting, hiking, exploring, etc. Most of the contents will fit in a one-pound coffee can which doubles as a pot for melting snow and device with which to dig an emergency snow shelter. (However, if you can carry it, include a small shovel. It is far, far better than trying to use a coffee can.) You should be aware that if this kit is carried while on hiking or hunting trips, you still need to carry the other Ten Essentials not included below.
Keep three points in mind when putting together a survival kit. First, make it small enough that you'll actually carry it and not leave it home. Second, use the list as a guide and customize it to your needs. For instance, if you are allergic to insect bites, bring the appropriate medicine, or carry appropriate wrap if you have knee problems.

Thirdly, bring enough to enable you to spend at least one night out. It is usually the first 6 hours that determine whether you'll be able to survive an emergency. If you can make it through the first night, then your chances are good that you can make it a few more nights if necessary.

Thanks to Allan Priddy who helps teach the Wilderness Survival class for putting this list together.



General Items
Braided nylon rope (25 feet)
Mirror
Matches (2 boxes)
Fire Starter
Poncho (bright orange to attract attention)
Toilet paper
Candle (wrapped in aluminum foil)
Paper and pencil
Fishing line, hooks, split shot leads
Knife
Whistle
Money (2 nickels, 2 dimes, 2 quarters, $20 bill: helpful for making phone call or paying for gas if broken down along highway)
Garbage Bags (2 large size bags)
Bright orange surveyor's tape

Repair Kit
Sewing kit
Dental floss (It's strong and useful as thread for sewing, or a fishing line or for lashing branches for improvised shelters.)
Safety pins
Wire (bailing wire)

First Aid Kit (Also see Lightweight First Aid Kit)
Moleskin
Sterile pads (2 x 2 and 4 x 4)
Sterile Gauze
Neosporin
Bandaids
Aspirin
First Aid Tape

Nourishment
Honey Packages (available in small foil packages available at convenience stores)
Instant Soup or tea (a couple packages)

Optional
Folding saw
Compass (learn how to use)
Hard Candy


Carrying container
Coffee Can (1 lb size) or nylon stuff bag

All contents except the plastic bags and the optional items will fit in a 1 lb coffee can. (Or you can flat "Spam" cans or oval-shaped containers available at outdoor stores.) The plastic bags can be affixed to the outside of the can with a rubber band. To keep things from rattling in the can, wad up some wax paper and stuff it around the items. The wax paper stays dry and also doubles as a fire starter. To save weight the contents can be placed in a stuff bag and a metal cup can be used instead of the coffee can.

Original source: http://www.isu.edu/outdoor/survkit.htm

[Fog_Harbor]

Oddly enough, I've been considering making up a few of those for family and friends (and one for my Jeep of course).

[U.S.Marine2111]

Nice, but I might throw in a couple of those foil sleeping bags. In the last few years there has been a couple of high profile cases where a family has gotten stranded in the dead of winter and has either died, or recieved severe frostbite. Those space blankets don't take up a lot of space either.

[carcajou garou]

A forester that I used to trapse around with when I was in school, carried a
"can kit". It was a jam can with a pressure lid and he had "bail" hangers (with sash chain) riveted to the sides (2) to hang over a fire. these bail hangers also were connected by a leather lace that acted as a loop to carry the can kit over his shoulder.
PS the only draw back is that it would bang on his kidneys, so he eventually when to a small Woods canvass day pack.

[RobertRogers]

multi-tool is good too

[WildGoth]

as some of you know me and my friends are planning a paintball game which has now been changed to airsoft my friends are military junkies and wanted to make very real so i know alot of you have been in the military so they have a few questions this is around winter so winter or spring military info plz

1. how much extra ammo do you carry rounds or weight
2. what are the colthes you wear and any extras
3. what is the range of items you bring to survive
4. what food and how much do you bring i know mres are basic but i have heard from people they carry othe food

i think that is it they wanted to know but they are to lazy to make their own accounts so had me do it

[FVR]

#1 Depends on the job that needs to be done.

#2 Depends on the job and how long you're going to be gone.

#3 Depends on the job and where you are in the world.

#4 Depends on how long the job is est. to get done.


For military junkies, ya'll don't seem to have a plan.

Oh, you're 13.

Diff. story. How long you gonna be out? what is your environment? how many in each team?

[WildGoth]

i told them that they said basic job lol i told them no military job is normal
we will be out 3 days forest north east new york 3 on 3 hopefuly your comment will make them believe me

[survivalhike]

I like the idea of a can because you now have a container to boil water in, and to cook food in. And as Survivorman mentioned, the lid of the can is great because you can carry water with you and not worry about spilling it.

[Tony uk]

1. It Depends
2. DPM Camoflage, Webbing, Ghile Suit
3. Depends on the area but a basic, lightweight survival kit is good
4. Anything that has a high nutritional value but doesnt take up to much room and wont go off in a short time, MREs, Canned Food, Dryed Fruit, Protiene Supliment.........

[Beast]

Well it looks like you guys are a bunch of punks, but if you want to do this for three days out in the wilderness with no human contact, then your gonna need to bring PLENTY of canned food, it seems kinda stupid that your gonna be out for that long but what ever floats your boat. I reccomend MRE's if you've got em, but I doubt you do. In that case, bring canned food, like Tuna. Dont bring anything your not gonna be able to eat with out heating like tomato soup. As for ammo, i suggest your bring a 10k case each and dont go blacko on the ammo. I play Airsoft with friends and we use MRE's and AirForce Issued BDU's. (AFJROTC) Give us more info about the trip cause right now it sounds like your gonna go out and get lost then i can watch it on the 5oclock news.

[WildGoth]

no we won't be on the news they are very well when it comes to surviveing but these moron claim to be military junkies but know nothing lol they are useing airsoft mp5s im useing a sniper rifle we are useing a berttea pistol as our secondary weapon they deicided to use military ground soldiers bdu's
my team wanted to use their own guns a p90 and shotgun and a berttea for one the other has not deicded yet oh and im going to be useing a ghille suit

[Sarge47]

no we won't be on the news they are very well when it comes to surviveing but these moron claim to be military junkies but know nothing lol they are useing airsoft mp5s im useing a sniper rifle we are useing a berttea pistol as our secondary weapon they deicided to use military ground soldiers bdu's
my team wanted to use their own guns a p90 and shotgun and a berttea for one the other has not deicded yet oh and im going to be useing a ghille suit

Doesn't sound like it, Wild Goth. "Air-soft" guns? Really? How "expert" is that? No offense, but this just isn't very realistic. Sounds to me your just playing "Army" like I did when I was a kid. An Air-soft gun won't stop any serious animal attack nor bag you food, but it might tic 'em off!

[FVR]

Sarge,

They are kids playing Army.

Playing Army for 3 days, that's pretty gung ho if you ask me. Just wondering, if you get shot once, are you out and can you go home?

If that's the case, may just take a hundred rounds, if'n ya need thousands of rounds each, gonna be some pretty woods when you leave.

Three days, are ya'll gonna be by water? will you be boiling it or just taking it in with you. Honestly, 3 days, when I go in for two days mil. style not prim. hunting I will carry 4 canteens, that will get me through a day and a half and I will still end up boiling water the second day. Water is heavy and noisy.

RECRUIT! is that water I hear in your canteen, just give me 20 you puke! Water makes noise.

Food, canned is going to be heavy, MRE's would be best if you can afford them. That will eliminate any use for pots and pans.

Two days, one set of bdu's, three days, I'm going to need and extra set. I will also take a bar of soap and jump in a water hole when I find it. I have done this in Jan and Feb, just a clean freak.

Poncho and liner should do you okay, if not, add a green mil. wool blanket.

Pers. I would take for 3 days, 4 pair of socks and wash a pair out every night. Change twice a day.

Just curious, two teams of 3. Are the teams going in at diff. areas? if so, do ya'll know how to use maps and coord's? Ya'll may be in there for days and not see your opponents.

To be young again.

[Sarge47]

Sarge,

They are kids playing Army.

Playing Army for 3 days, that's pretty gung ho if you ask me. Just wondering, if you get shot once, are you out and can you go home?

If that's the case, may just take a hundred rounds, if'n ya need thousands of rounds each, gonna be some pretty woods when you leave.

Three days, are ya'll gonna be by water? will you be boiling it or just taking it in with you. Honestly, 3 days, when I go in for two days mil. style not prim. hunting I will carry 4 canteens, that will get me through a day and a half and I will still end up boiling water the second day. Water is heavy and noisy.

RECRUIT! is that water I hear in your canteen, just give me 20 you puke! Water makes noise.

Food, canned is going to be heavy, MRE's would be best if you can afford them. That will eliminate any use for pots and pans.

Two days, one set of bdu's, three days, I'm going to need and extra set. I will also take a bar of soap and jump in a water hole when I find it. I have done this in Jan and Feb, just a clean freak.

Poncho and liner should do you okay, if not, add a green mil. wool blanket.

Pers. I would take for 3 days, 4 pair of socks and wash a pair out every night. Change twice a day.

Just curious, two teams of 3. Are the teams going in at diff. areas? if so, do ya'll know how to use maps and coord's? Ya'll may be in there for days and not see your opponents.

To be young again.

my bad. As I posted awhile back, it's how I got my name. (Sarge). Are you sayin' you ain't? (Young)

[FVR]

I'm saying that sometimes I feel olddddd.