Keen wilderness explorers and campers should always be kitted out with the right gear when they head out on their latest trip. It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple camping trip in the woods or an expedition into the mountains, without the right equipment and a survival kit to hand, you’re asking for trouble right from the start.
Experienced explorers like Bear Grylls have helped develop a range of pro-gear for explorers to purchase before their travels, and if somebody like that is highlighting a need for a survival kit, it’s time to sit up and take notice.
The question that many newbie explorers might have is: What are the essential tools needed for a sufficient survival kit? This does change depending on the level of exploration that you are going on, e.g. chances of extreme weather and the length of the trip, but the essentials are all pretty much the same, and include:
This is an essential tool because there are so many uses for a knife and if you don’t have one to hand, you’re going to be struggling to keep simple tasks simple and you could potential waste a lot of time chasing one down or finding alternative ways to cut ropes, protect yourself from wildlife (for the more adventurous and dangerous trips), opening packages and cutting anything that would usually cut by scissors. Your knife should be sharp and kept on you at all times, for safety and to ensure you don’t lose it.
Such as the BCB 550 Paracord, with a breaking strain 8-core survival military Paracord, is an essential tool for any type of camping trip. It can be used as a rope for climbing, a hoist for passing bags and other items up and/or down mountain faces, making grips on walking sticks and other uses in and around your camp. It can also be used to help create an emergency shelter if need be. It could be the difference between keeping you safe and dry if the heavy weather comes in. You should also get your hands on a Paracord bracelet.
Water Bottles and Hydration Systems
How many times have you seen or heard of a story where somebody has found themselves suffering from dehydration because of a lack of water. Humans need this to survive, so it makes sense to have as many methods of drinking water to hand as possible. This can be in the form of water bottles or hydration systems that can be built-in to your packs or camping jackets. You should also look to have at least 20 litres of water at your camping site for emergency use, and to prevent you from having to keep searching for more.
Whether you’re disappearing into a mountain for weeks or having a one night trip, a first aid kit is an essential part of any survival kit. From deep heat for muscle aches to bandages and plasters for cuts, sprains and breakages, any medical problem should be dealt with at the earliest opportunity, before any emergency services come and take over. In the wilderness, it could be a matter of life and death, and in the least dangerous scenario, it takes away the inconvenience and discomfort associated with small wounds and other ailments that could ruin your trip and bring it to a dissatisfying end.
Whistles and Signals
In an age where communication is as simple as picking up a smartphone, it’s easy to forget that in the wilderness, or even in some rural areas, it’s impossible to reach out to emergency services, friends and family. In this instance, a whistle and other forms of signalling equipment are essential, as you can let your whereabouts be known at any time of the day or night by sound or light. In the most extreme cases, an S.O.S from a flashlight or signal mirror could flag your whereabouts to a helicopter or other form of transport, and without it, you might struggle to be found, which in a medical emergency could mean life or death.
Map and Compass
What use are a map and compass if you don’t know how to use them? You need to know exactly where you are at any given moment, and have the skills available to be able to navigate to and from your camp without getting lost and taking unnecessary detours to find help or civilisation.
As well as these tools, your survival kit should include plenty of clothes (including hats, gloves and waterproof gear) to keep you warm and dry and prevent any discomfort from settling in. If you follow these guidelines, you should be able to create a great survival kit and be prepared for any type of adventure.
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