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Survival Items (list)
These items – when placed in a small day pack or duffle bag – constitute what is most commonly referred to as a "B.O.B." ("Bug-Out Bag"). It's a kind of "grab-n-go" parcel, for emergencies. This list has been compiled to provide enough variety of tools and gear to allow a person to survive in almost any environment for several days, or longer.
Whether you are stranded in a vehicle, or lost in the woods, these items can keep you alive and relatively comfortable until the situation improves. Obviously, as these items will do you no good if you don't have them with you when you DO need them, it's best to keep this bag of items in your vehicle, in your house (near the door!), or both. It may take some time (weeks or months) to assemble the entire list. Give yourself plenty of time, by starting NOW!
NOTE: Essential items are marked with an "*"
Shelter items:
- Magnesium/Flint firestarter *
- Combustible fluff (punky tree wood works well) *
- Hand axe with fiberglass handle
- Small folding shovel (no larger than military version, ideally smaller)*
- Folding tree saw (limit to 8" folded) *
- Good quality folding knife (blade minimum 3", locks open) *
- Knife sharpener (pencil-style diamond or small stone) *
- Rope and twine *
(small guage rope to 30'. Twine to yard thickness only - Hemp preferred) - Multi-tool (like a Leatherman, perhaps Swiss Army - pliers, wire cutter, etc.) *
Navigation items:
- Compass *
- Sunglasses
- Signal mirror (blank CD works pretty well)
- Small "Faraday" style, or crank style, flashlight (needs no batteries)
- Loud whistle
Food items:
- Utensils (fork/spoon combo, or "spork", in stainless steel or titanium) *
- Metal cup (recommend insulated style) *
- Aluminum or stainless steel water bottles (recommend 2) *
- Ziplock bag of fruit/nut bars and/or jerky *
- Small metal pot/pan (no larger than 6" diameter), with flat bottom *
- Several aseptic packages of tuna, or "Mountain House"® brand or MRE style (film pkg, not cans)
- Fishing line and hooks (up to 30 yds, but not a spool. Keep to film roll size) *
First-Aid items:
- Biodegradeable soap (4 fl. oz. max - Dr. Bronner's is recommended) *
- Small first-aid kit (no larger than about
4" x 6")
Contents include:- Band-aids™,
- Neosporin® cream,
- regular Aspirin (NOT Tylenol®, Motrin®, etc.!),
- Iodine-based antiseptic Soap (e.g. Betadine$reg;),
- Tweezers,
- paper and/or cloth Tape,
- folding Scissors, etc.) *
- Toothbrush *
- Moleskin (for blisters) *
Clothing items:
- Hat (wool or waterproof Goretex®) *
- Gloves (nitrile-coated work gloves will work well) *
- Blanket (synthetic or wool) *
- Cross-training style shoes or ankle boots (avoid large or heavy) *
- Wool sweater *
- Long pants or jeans (1-2 pair only, second pair can have zip-off legs) *
- Wool socks (1-2 pair) *
- Very light weight poncho or Goretex® rain jacket/parka *
(should fit in quart-size ziplock bag, at most!)
Miscellaneous Items:
- Small cloth bags (1-2, bread loaf size or slightly larger) *
- Sleeping bag (backpack size, synthetic fill) *
- Camping tent (backpack size, limit weight to 7 pounds, at most)
- Nylon tarp or rain fly (keep to less than 8' square) *
- Backpack (get one that fits you!) *
- Book on edible plants (MUST include photos!)
- Small metal tins (several Altoids size, to soup can size)
- Small synthetic "towel" or cotton/hemp washcloth *