Basic Survial Kit Recap

Okay, I know for a fact that some one has started a thread like this, but when I as digging in previous threads, I haven't come across the one I'm about to propose, or I just missed one, so correct me please if some one found one......

Okay, My question is, is what do you need in a basic survival kit? Totally basic, just any disaster or any reason you need to leave immediately, and you have to grab your 'survival kit' backpack or carry case, what do you put in it?

What I'm going to do is build a survival kit, where what I can put in it, is already in my house. Right now, not in a year or so, not planing on building a long-term kit. Just stuff that would be useful in any disaster, or need to leave the house.

I'm not going to put food in it, because it might spoil, but suggest items that would not go bad for a year or so.

Also, requirements:
-Grab and go bag
-Suburban-Rural-Urban Needs
-Possibly leaving country
-No actual water, maybe purifiers
-Time: Suggest items for 24hrs-72hrs-2 week items+

Thanks, and if some one also saw a thread with these requirements, please tell me, and I can close the thread, I didn't have a ton of time to search for other threads, Thanks!

Heres mine (apart from a few left out bits that are being cleaned or have been used).

In it is a machete, a good knife and a pair of scissors. fishing line, fishing hooks, para cord, fire starter, wetfire fuel, extra magnesium block, compass, water straw for drinking out of rivers. There is also the flexible saw which is a God send to use.

Thats a rough kit list. Not in picture is my other stuff such as goretex bivvie bag and extra clothing items (they been used and in the wash!).

Hope that helps a bit.

This is my "survival kit" it fits into a 30L daysack and its relatively light so I can move with it easy.

Tarp + para cord
MSR Microfilter
4L collapsable water bowl
Reliable watch with compass
Monocular
Double headed axe (might swap for wire saw)
Knife (fixed blade)
Wind up LED head torch
Stove
1 tin of gas
Small Cup
Folding shovel
Small survival kit in plastic container (includes extra hooks + snare wire)
1 fork
1 swiss army knife
1 bottle of WP tablets
Sleeping bag
Catapult + extra sling
Compression sack with 1 clean set of clothes, 2 socks 2 undies and a pack of wipes
Last but not least reading material (SAS survival guide for me )



Foods not included in the list but I have about 10 days worth, I keep a 70L rucksack handy to for other items incase I have to carry for more than 1 person.

www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread237509

Here's a link that provides a list. Use the search function and type in "survival kit lists". That's how I found the above link. There are many more that you can look at by using that search term.

I tried to fix the link but I'm not sure I did it correctly.

[edit on 8/5/2008 by soldiermom]

One more edit. I'd recommend you looking up Lloyd45's posts. He has an extensive list in one of his posts. I think it's called "The Top 100 Things To Go In An Emergency" or something to that effect.

[edit on 8/5/2008 by soldiermom]

Thank You, now I know where to find them.. Thanks for all that have posted, I will use your guidlines to help make my own kit
Thanks
Truth_seeker3

Also, you might want to do a search for "bob" or "bug out bag", as this is a typical phrase in the military (especially in the UK).

Or you could just carry on in this thread and use it as a 'supply me the answers' sheet.

We will be happy as a forum to add what we know. Just have to ask is all.

Might be useful to work together to make a comprehensive set of lists, based on what members here find most useful, practical, and affordable, and then have a mod sticky it.

I'd say, for example, there's more than one level of survival kit, like the very small and very basic every day kit, (based out of an altoids tin or similar), then there are car kits, in-home bug out supplies, and then your all purpose BOB.

Ideally we should all have something that fits into each category. I carry a basic everyday survival kit in my handbag every day, for example. Most of the things in it are useful on a daily basis, like painkillers, bandaids, my favorite gerber minitool, compass and thermometer, needles and thread, matches, small knife blades.. I'm planning on expanding it a little more to include fishing line and hooks, and emergency blankets. All of this fits in a small makeup bag probably 3 inches by 5 inches..

The best way to come up with a kit for yourself is to go carefully through what you would wish you packed in the event of having to survive in the rough, or wherever you might end up in the event of something bad. Your needs are, in this order - Shelter and warmth, water, food, medicines and other first aid, mental comfort, physical comfort.

Shelter and warmth are first because you can survive for at least a few days without food and even water, but you can't survive without shelter for very long at all. Even just a very cheap and basic emergency blanket, or tarp can mean the difference between shivering in misery, and the feeling of warmth and safety. You should also consider the needs of any pets or others in your life, such as family or children.

Or you could just carry on in this thread and use it as a 'supply me the answers' sheet.

We will be happy as a forum to add what we know. Just have to ask is all.

reply to post by fred3110


Excellent pics and item lists.
I am still preparing a new bob for me and partner as this is all helping.
I might instead of a small gas cooker go for one of those solid fuel block stoves.

But this is a great thread and Dan Tanna, Its always good to see you involved bud.

Thanks mate take what ever ideas you need to make your kit work, all the stuff is tried and tested so I can vouche for it.

The stove's only part of my kit because I take the whole lot camping, If I was gonna get a stove solely for my survival kit it would be one of them hexi stoves and plenty of fuel blocks.

You could also go for an alcohol stove but I'm not sure what the pros and cons are for them.

I would suggest a Kelly Kettle.
Kelly Kettle Site

They sell the full Kelly Kettle Kits on this site, which I recommend. These are for boiling water (which I think will be the most important thing). These kettles boil water faster than any other, while using less fuel.

Also, if you purchase the kit, you get a grate that fits on the top on which you can cook with (pans are also included). These kettles burn on woodchips, bark, paper, almost any fuel you can find. Since you don't need much fuel, and it boils water quickly this is highly desirable in survival situations IMHO.

I personally would rather have a wood burning personal stove, than something that I have to find fuel for. plus lugging around enough fuel for the stove would be a chore. You can find flammable materials almost everywhere. Dried grass and leaves should even boil water in the kelly kettle (pure speculation).

reply to post by ThreeDeuce


Wow. I thought I had everything. Never even heard of these. Looks fantastic, can only assume it works by all the good reviews online. Going to be putting one of these in my bag as soon as I can. So much easier than gas fired stoves or the infernal sterno. Great find, thank you.

Amazing! Thanks for all the pictures and links..

It amazing that all this gear is turning up, and I'm a regular camper.

Inannamute:

Thanks for mentioning the 3-types of survival kits you might or will need. I think, you start small and work up. Get a small handbag one like you mentioned. Then you can start building a grab-and-go bag for at home, then work up to a large long-term deal. You can always add items to the kit, so its a great thing to start small and work up!

I don't know what everyone else here thinks about it, but already pre-packaged survival kits?

They would be good for time and quickness if you need one quick, but wouldn't it be better to build your own?

Then you would know that everything worked, and you can hand-pick the best items to your availability?

Wouldn't that be better instead of buying a pre-made kit?

UMMM..

If I am preparing to "bug out" as you guys call it, or as I say, go on an adventure into the wilderness survivorman style, I would bring alot more than what you people suggest.

Here's a couple..

1) transportation: a scooter or moped, not a motorcycle because its too much gas. a scooter or moped doesnt take much, and you can carry one or two tanks worth of gas for it on your back/on the scooter or moped. also, get a beefy scooter, one with 13" or 14" wheels, that can top out @ 35mph at least, thats about 55kph. these can even travel through sparsely wooden terrain, though not a forest. they can go through tight alleyways, urban areas, rural areas, interstates, highways, offroad, anything (no mud).
2) a pistol and a blade: accessable from riding position, a loaded pistol on your right side if you're right handed etc with the blade for the offhand. This is so you can shoot at people who are trying to kill you while you are riding past them on your #1, transportation, which is going to keep you away from those people when you need to be. the blade doesn't need to be so specific, and you might prefer a can of mace instead, up to you. i'd take both.
3)thick leather jacket: to absorb knife attacks that are not precise and propelled with alot of strength. to dampen a blunt attacks impact. to prevent bleeding from a slashing attack or a scrape while driving through tight terrain.
4)a helmet: to protect your head and neck, with a visor on it, to conceal.
5)a way to tie stuff to the "passenger" hump behind your seat on the scooter: this enables you to increase your overall carrying capacity, kind of like having a mule or an ass with you.
6)smoke bombs: the kind you can buy of different colors, little balls you light, these are purchased all in the southern states and western states id imagine as well. you can drop them while driving with 1 hand behind you, causing smoke for a pursuing car to potentialy wreck from.
7)bottle rockets: to signal your position, should you need to, or be part of a group who needs to. *important*

Just some thoughts .. considering i live in a city and would be trying to hit interstates, with occasional rural town stops to refuel, on the way to the appalachian mountains, within the state i live in, to begin hiding out and growing crops. All the basic stuff already mentioned I agree with, including a rifle, but recently it has donned on me that you need a pistol AND a rifle.



[edit on 8/6/2008 by runetang]

I get a kick out of pre-made kits. Everytime I see one, the first thing I think of is someone who watched a Bear Grylls episode and thinks, honey, we need to be prepared. Buys one of those things and thinks he can survive anything anywhere.

The key IMO is to build your own with quality products you have used and trust. I dont need a kit with 12 "aqua blox" in it, I need a very good water filter. But thats me.

I suggest building your own over buying some pre packaged kit that is one size fits all.

HAH, that was funny.. Yes, you get the quality you want and you can test out the material.

I mean, when you think of it, you don't need a whole lot. I have done 'wildness' camping. There were 5 of us, and we allowed ourselves to only bring 3 items each. Its good practice, and you can see and feel how to use the environment around you to your advantage. Some one brought a gun, ammunition, and a tarp, and hunted a deer for dinner. While someone brought fire making items and we cooked and ate the deer. (Yes, someone did bring a knife to cut it with)..

Then you think about shelter, well, personally, I have built a shelter and slept in it with nothing but my bare hands, it was pretty simple too, it only takes practice.

Thats why one of the most valuable tools in your survival kit is knowledge and taking advantage of the environment your in.

Since I live in Suburban America!, It would be hard to drive out to the middle of the forest in an emergency evac, or something like that, so I am now the proper equipment to take advantage of the environment, thanks to you guys.

Thanks again!

reply to post by runetang


The point is to travel light and only take essentials...bottle rockets and smoke bombs aint survivor gear go for a signal mirror and whistle, there lighter and serve the same purpose.

If your gonna be carrying extra tanks of gas on your moped that will take up space which could be better used for food, water or other essentials. Personally I would use my mountain bike, no gas I can ride it till it breaks its much quieter and goes over rougher terrain, it would really depend on how far away your bug out location is. Could you not use a car to cover most of the distance then switch to a mountain bike? it could easily be attached to the back of a car + you could carry gas and all the supplies you would need.

My gear consists of:

Bag:
three knives
sharpening steel
survival rations with a 5 year shelf life
three changes of clothes (military BDU's)
m-65 field jacket with liner
field surgical kit
pain killers (ibuprofen because it has an inti-inflammatory) and anti-biotics
fishing hooks and spool of line
para-cord
ammo for 9mm, .223 and 30-06
magnesium block
T.P.
12 by 50 binoculars

Tactical vest:
camel back
9 30rnd mags for mini-14
9 10rnd mags for 9mm
ka-bar
sharpening steel
para-cord
magnesium block
T.P.
compact binoculars

I have double of certain items just in case i need to move fast and can't grab the bag. I can always go back for it.
And i never carry fuel of any type, it literally grows on trees here in Idaho

[edit on 6-8-2008 by Anuubis]

I definitely agree with the poster that mentioned information being one of your most valuable items to include - I'm slowly working on a survival manual of my own, handwriting it all, because (a) then I have it all to refer to and (b) it's much more likely to stick in my head. You really don't want to be in a position where you're like "Hey, I read this on the internet once, but I now don't have access to it all, um, I forget the details".. Things to include are how to build your own water filter, and various other water finding methods, how to build a few different types of shelter - including a nuclear fallout shelter, just in case. It's amazing how little people know about an expedient nuclear shelter, or just exactly how it can save your life.. With a couple of hours warning, you and a friend can build something that will dramatically increase your chances of surviving.. Fire building, first aid, local food stuffs, snare building, fishing.. There's a lot of information you'll wish you had in the event that things end up really bad. Also, writing yourself a survival guide like this will show you what gaps are listed in your BOB..

Know more, Carry less.