If you ever find yourself in a situation where your survival skills are put to the test, or you want to give Bear Grills a run for his money, you want to have all the right tools with you. So here are some of the most useful pieces of survival gear for when you’re exploring the wilderness.
1: Trauma Pak
Having a first aid kit is a necessity, just in case of injury. It’s something that’s useful even just for day trips.
Who knows what will happen in the wild?! You might scrape a knee, cut your arm, or get a nasty sting – the wild is full of unexpected situations. But whatever you’re faced with, a trauma pak is going to be a massive help. And if you manage to escape the wild unscathed, at least you’ll have peace of mind with the trauma pak by your side.
2: Learn and Live Knot Tying
Having rope on hand is only useful if you know what to do with it. These small, informative diagrams will teach you how to quickly fasten the knot that you need. Not only is this guide useful, but it’s also compact and easy to carry with you wherever your travels take you.
3: 5 in 1 Survival Whistle
If you ever get lost in the woods, the dessert or whatever wild landscape you’re heading to, you’re going to want people to find as quickly as possible. This survival whistle is sure to be a life saver if you find yourself lost.
The 5 in 1 whistle makes sure that you’re both heard and seen. It features a whistle, compass, signaling mirror, matchbox, and fire starter. It’s so versatile! So if you only ever get one piece of survival gear, this is a good one to go for.
4: Emergency Sleeping Bag
While you may not be expecting to camp out, you should prepare for it just in case. With an emergency sleeping bag you won’t need to worry about being left exposed to harsh weather conditions, you’ll be well and truly protected.
Snuggling up in the emergency sleeping bag will also make you visible to others, as it’s made from reflective material. This is a great feature if you’re having to use the sleeping bag because you’re lost!
It also folds down so that it’s super compact and easily portable. You can carry it in a rucksack or maybe even a pocket.
5: Personal Water Filter
Packing water is an essential if you’re spending prolonged periods of time outdoors. If you run out of water, you’re in trouble. Your only hope will be to find natural water sources.
But if you’re doing this, you need to make sure that the water is safe for consumption. A personal water filter will make any river or lake water drinkable for you.
6: Rehydration Salts
One of the most common ailments that goes hand-in-hand with being outdoors is dehydration. And these rehydration salts are the perfect solution.
Hold on a minute, doesn’t salt normally dehydrate us? Yes, so don’t go drinking salt water as that will definitely make the situation worse. But these rehydration salts are different from regular salt. They can be used to help you get rehydrate you if you’re severely dehydrated, and can help you overcome dehydration symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and cold sweats.
These salts are made from sodium, potassium and glucose, ingredients to help you get your levels back to where they should be.
7: Paracord Bracelet
One of the bulkiest items in your survival gear pack can often be your rope. These compact paracord bracelets contain rope that won’t get in your way or take up too much space. Just wear them on your wrist and you won’t even notice them. Then if you end up needing rope, it’s super easy to unravel the cord and make use of it.
8: BlastMatch Fire Starter
.Ordinary matches can prove to be difficult to deal with when you’re outdoors and the wind’s howling away. They can break, they often only last for a few seconds, and they can go out easily. This fire starter can be used with one hand and lasts for up to 4,000 strikes. It also generates 3x the heat of an average match, so hopefully your fires will be slightly more successful with this tool.
9: Aluminium Stainless Steel Carabina
These carabiners are the definition of heavy duty. They can withstand all climates and hold up to 4457 lbs. Using a carabiner will make knots and tensions more secure. If you need a simple way to quickly fasten items together in a time of need, these will also come into play.
10. Emergency Food Supply
Whilst it might be possible to rely on nature’s resources if you’re stranded in the wild, this could likely lead to digestive discomfort.
These packets of food will last you 3 days in case of an emergency. The boxes are easy to store and will not take up too much room. It’s a good emergency stash to have with you on adventures, especially if you know you wouldn’t fare well surviving from what the wild has to offer.
11: Survivor Dry Box
Keep your resources safe and you’ll keep yourself safe – that’s the logic behind this piece of survival gear. You can store all of your important items in this weather-proof casing.
It’s brightly coloured so you can easily keep your eye on it, and it’s easy to carry, so taking survival gear with you doesn’t have to be a nuisance. It even floats so it really is suited to any situation.
I live in the UK, in the country’s most uneventful city, where the most interesting story in the local paper is about banning dressing gowns in supermarkets.
I travel and I write, because surely there are more interesting stories than that to write about and share.