The survival kit is important not only for its lifesaving merits, but for comfort on those outings when a night must be spent unexpectedly in the woods or streamside. I have been forced on many occasions to spend a night or two in the woods I didn’t plan on, because an outfitter was late picking me up, climbing down a mountain in the dark was too dangerous, a motor conked out on my boat, etc. Each time, my twopound survival kit provided me with a comfortable camp. Without it the wait would have been cold and dangerous.
Suggested Items for the Personal Survival Kit
❒ Tube tent
❒ Strike-anywhere kitchen matches in waterproof match safe
❒ Flashlight
❒ Fire starters
❒ Signal mirror
❒ Police whistle
❒ MPI Emergency Space bag
❒ Parachute cord - 50’
❒ Aluminum foil - 36” x 36”
❒ Insect repellent
❒ Water purification tablets
❒ Pocket Survival Guide
❒ First Aid Kit
SHELTER — The first item necessary for a survival camp is shelter. You can read all you want about a lean-to, brush shelters, etc., but few shelters are quicker to erect and give as much protection as a plastic tube tent. You simply tie a strong cord between two trees, stretch the tube to its full 8-foot length and crawl in out of the weather. I use the Coghlan’s Tube Tent. It is compact, weighs 18 ounces and is a bright orange color, serving as a signal that can be easily seen from the air. Not only have I used a tube tent in a survival situation, I have used one on several occasions for protection from a sudden rain or hail storm when I didn’t have a rain suit or other protection.
SLEEP WARM — To stay warm in your tube tent, you will want one of the 36” × 84” MPI Emergency Space bags. This bag, which folds up to 1½” × 3” and weighs only 4 ounces, will reflect and retain 90 percent of radiated body heat. You will need to be careful using one of these bags when you are wearing boots with aggressive soles as they can cause the blanket to tear. But, with a little caution when getting into the bag, it will keep you warm all night. When on guided hunts I carry an extra bag; I want my guide to be rested in order to get me out safely the next day. Also, an extra bag, while weighing little and taking up little space in my survival kit, gives me a backup if I should tear the first one.
MATCHES — To build a fire you will need fresh strike-anywhere kitchen matches in a waterproof match safe. I use the full-size wooden matches because they are easy to ignite and burn longer than small book or box matches. I keep them in a weathertight safety orange plastic match safe. Replace them often as matches have a short shelf life.
FIRE STARTERS — Since starting a fire can be difficult, especially in windy or damp conditions, a package of fire starters is a must. Campmor’s has a 4-ounce package of 20 Fire Lighters, each of which burn seven minutes. These can be used for boiling water as easily as starting a campfire.
SIGNAL MIRROR — Two methods of signaling, beyond a cell phone or two-way radio, should be carried. I suggest a signal mirror, such as Star Flash, and a high-quality whistle, such as a Fox 40 whistle. The signal mirror is easy to use and can be seen more than 60 miles away.
WHISTLE — The whistle requires very little energy to use, can be heard much farther than the human voice and lasts much longer. Get a whistle that has a contrasting color, such as yellow or bright orange, and a lanyard so that it may be worn around the neck for fast use when in a survival situation.
INSECT REPELLENT — For protection against mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers and other biting insects, I carry a small packet of insect repellent. During warm weather it is worth its weight in gold, especially at night when mosquitoes are flying.
FLASHLIGHT — I include a small flashlight in my kit. I like the ones that use lithium batteries due to their 10-year shelf life. The flashlight can be used for signaling and is a must for doing camp chores in the dark. Select a quality compact flashlight such as the Streamlight Twin-Task or Sure-Fire E2 Executive.
ALUMINUM FOIL — One of the most versatile items I carry in my survival kit is a 36” × 36” piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil folded up to about 3” × 3”. It can be used to make a vessel for boiling water or cooking food, to make a reflector for a fire and as a signal mirror.
WATER PURIFICATION TABLETS — While food need not be a concern for the 72-hour survival ordeal, water will be necessary. Since safe drinking water has become scarce even in the most remote wilderness areas, it is a good idea to take along a small bottle of Potable Aqua tablets to treat drinking water. Be sure to follow instructions carefully.
GALLON-SIZE RESEALABLE PLASTIC BAG — Pack your survival kit in a one-gallon resealable bag, such as Ziplock. It can be used to hold water while treating with water purification tablets.
PARACHUTE CORD — Carry a 50-foot length of parachute cord. You will find it serves many purposes, especially when improvising a shelter. If small, strong string is needed, the parachute cord can be cut open and the many small strings, which make up the core of the cord, can be used separately to repair clothing, close an end of the tube tent, etc.
POCKET SURVIVAL GUIDE — Don’t forget to place a copy of this book in the kit. It can be an invaluable resource to refer to when caught in an unexpected situation. This survival kit will fit into a coat pocket or daypack and cost from $40 to $100, depending upon the cost of the flashlight. It is not sufficient to purchase all these items and put them in your daypack, tackle box or hunting coat pocket to be there when you need them. Like any specialized outdoor gear, you need to give them a field test. Actually use them overnight, so you are familiar with them when you need them most.
OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS — If you require special medications, such as injections to counteract stinging insects, then by all means include this in your gear. Some people include a Power Bar in their survival kit. I always carry bottled water in my daypack on outings. Don’t load yourself down with unnecessary items, but include those which you deem necessary for your safety.
When you use items from your survival kit, make it a high priority to replace them ASAP.
SOURCES OF SURVIVAL KIT ITEMS —
Most survival items mentioned can be found in good camping supply stores or by going to the following Web sites:
www.campmor.com
www.foxridgeoutfitters.com
www.epcamps.com
www.cabelas.com
www.mpioutdoors.com
POCKET FIRST-AID KIT
• Sterile dressing
• Gauze roller bandage or elastic roller bandage (Ace Wrap)
• Adhesive bandages (Band-Aids™)
• Wound closure strips (heavy-duty butterfly adhesive bandages)
• Adhesive or duct tape
• Polysporin or Double Antibiotic Ointment
• Tweezers and safety pins
BASIC SURVIVAL FIRST AID
The following recommendations are based on the assumption that the survivor is alone and will have to treat himself.
BLEEDING
You must control serious bleeding immediately!
Arterial Bleeding — Arteries carry blood away from the heart. Blood from a cut artery appears bright red and comes in distinct spurts that match the rhythm of the heartbeat. Arterial blood is under high pressure and a cut artery can result in the loss of a large volume of blood in a short period of time. Arterial bleeding must be controlled immediately or death may result.
Venous Bleeding — Veins carry blood back to the heart. Blood from a severed vein will appear dark red or bluish in color and will come in a steady flow. Venous bleeding is more easily controlled than arterial bleeding.
Capillary Bleeding — Bleeding from capillaries, small vessels that connect arteries and veins, commonly occurs as a result of small cuts and abrasions. Capillary bleeding is easily controlled.
Direct Pressure — The most effective way to control external bleeding is direct pressure applied over the wound. The
pressure must be firm enough to stop the blood flow and should be maintained long enough to close the damaged surface. Whenever possible, the bleeding part should be elevated above the level of the heart—for example, by raising a limb.
Pressure Dressing — If bleeding continues after pressure has been applied for about 30 minutes, you should apply a pressure dressing. This should be a thick dressing of gauze or other material applied directly over the wound and held in place by a tightly wrapped bandage. The bandage should not be so tight as to restrict circulation. Keep the dressing in place.
Tourniquet — Use a tourniquet only in cases of massive wounds with severe bleeding or when direct pressure cannot control bleeding. A tourniquet should only be placed on the upper leg or arms. Place a tourniquet between the wound and the heart, never directly over the injury or fracture. Use a stick to tighten the tourniquet just enough to stop the flow of blood. Bind the free end of the stick to the limb. Cut-off blood flow can result in the loss of a limb. A lone survivor should not release the tourniquet. Under normal circumstances a tourniquet should be loosened every 10 to 15 minutes to restore blood flow to the limb but this can be risky if you are by yourself.
WOUNDS
In most survival situations it is best not to try to close a wound. Leave the wound open to allow drainage from any infection that may occur. Cover the wound with a clean dressing and bandage and change the dressing daily if possible. In the case of a gaping wound, you can close the edges with a “butterfly” adhesive strip made from adhesive tape or a Band-Aid™.
SPRAINS
Sprains are the stretching or tearing of ligaments when a joint is twisted beyond its normal range of motion. Ice or some form of cold should be applied, if possible, to the injured area to reduce swelling. Heat should not be used since it will encourage internal capillary bleeding and increase swelling. A compression wrap, made by placing some form of padding over the injured joint and wrapping with an elastic bandage, will prevent swelling and give support. Where possible the injured joint should be elevated above the level of the heart to reduce swelling.
FRACTURES
Relocating or setting bones will be difficult for a lone survivor. A simple fracture can be treated by immobilizing the injured limb with an improvised splint to reduce pain and prevent further injury.
The above procedures are recommended in the U.S. ARMY SURVIVAL MANUAL FM 21-76.
4. WEATHER
Equip Yourself for Local Weather Conditions
Before going afield, listen to a current weather report and dress for the worst of the expected weather. Expect the unexpected.
Bad weather is often the cause of people getting stranded in the outdoors. One of the most valuable tools any outdoorsman can have in his base camp, vehicle or while on an outing is a small NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather-band radio. They can be purchased at many outdoor stores and electronic stores such as Radio Shack. The NOAA Weather Radio System broadcasts timely weather information for local areas across the United States on a 24-hour-a-day basis. The network is capable of reaching 90 percent of all Americans. Canada has a similar system called Weatheradio Canada.
Some weather-band radios are equipped with an alarm feature so that they will automatically turn on when severe weather threatens. Most of the weather-band radios operate on a battery, making them convenient to carry into the backcountry. Make a weather-band radio a must-have item of equipment for your base camp or vehicle. Use it prior to every outing! Before going into the woods for any period of time, take a few minutes and listen to the weather-band radio for forecasts of the weather during the period you will be outside. Then, dress for the weather.
DRESS FOR THE UNEXPECTED — Even in areas of mild weather the temperature can change dramatically as the time of day changes. Deserts that are hot during the day can be cold at night. Sudden rain showers can change a mild day into a cold one. Climbing steep mountains can cause a person to sweat, making his clothing wet, which can then make him feel cold in the wind.
The point is, always expect the unexpected when planning an outing. It does not take much space in a daypack to include a lightweight rain suit. It may even come in handy on a dry day as a windbreaker. If you get lost or stranded, you could be out a day or two longer than expected. During that time, the weather could dramatically change.
Dress for the expected weather temperature extremes for the period you intend to be out. Dress in layers so that you can remove clothing and put in your daypack as the temperature warms up or you exert yourself. As the temperature drops, or you slow your pace, you can put the layers back on.
Most importantly, don’t go off without a hat. During cool or cold weather, as much as 75 percent of your body heat loss can be through the uncovered head. This can be critical during a period of survival, especially during the night when you are trying to rest.
Wear clothing to match the climate and listen to the weather-band radio for changes. Don’t push your luck in bad weather. A day spent in camp during dense fog, snowstorm, thunderstorms, etc., is much better than a night in a survival camp wishing you had canceled the outing.
5. TROUBLE
You Are in Trouble — Stop!
When you first realize you are lost or stranded, STOP then and relax. Your mind is your best survival tool if it is calm and thinking rationally.
Your most important survival skill is your ability to admit that you are lost or stranded. That is not an easy decision to make. Most people will not admit that until they have wandered around for long periods getting into a worse situation than they would have been in had they recognized their predicament at the beginning.
Once you admit that you are lost or stranded, sit down and think. If you have a cell phone or two-way radio, now is the time to call for help and await the help. Get control of yourself, avoid panic and stay calm. Mentally, you must accept the challenge you are facing and make the best of the adventure. If you left a trip plan with a responsible person before you left, chances are that people will be looking for you soon. Your adventure will be short lived. Even in remote regions of North America, 99 percent of the missing people on outings are found within 72 hours or less. You will be too.
Let’s face it, avoiding panic is difficult when dealing with yourself or, if you are not alone, with those people around you when fear begins to set in. Most people who get lost or stranded panic to some degree but those who fare best get control of their thoughts quickly. In extreme cases, those who panic may forget who they are or where they are. Some even hide from searchers. This erratic behavior makes it difficult for searchers to find them. Here is a good way to manage panic:
STOP
The first thing to do when you admit to yourself that you are lost or stranded is to resist the temptation to walk or run your way out of the situation. STOP! This is the acronym for:
Sit
Think
Observe
Plan
Follow this simple plan of controlling panic.
Sit — The act of sitting down will help keep you from getting into deeper trouble. This one act alone can also jump-start the thinking process, and it helps suppress the urge to run or to make hasty, foolish decisions. You will need this time to get over the shock that it has happened to you: YOU ARE LOST.
Think — Survival is the challenge to stay alive. Your mind is the best survival tool you have. In such a situation, you are at the mercy of your mind. In order to survive, you must keep in control by thinking of past training, by maintaining a positive mental attitude and by developing the determination to survive.
Think about your priorities. The priorities of survival are known as the Rules of Three:
1. You may be doomed in three seconds if you let panic rule.
2. You cannot live more than three minutes without oxygen.
3. You cannot live more than three hours in temperature extremes without body shelter.
4. You cannot live more than three days without water.<
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5. You will need food in three weeks.
These priorities tell you that you need to think of the real and immediate dangers, not those conjured up by your fears. Your most immediate danger is your own mind. Don’t let fear take control and cloud clear, resourceful thinking.
Observe — Observe your surroundings to discover what problems must be solved and what resources you have to solve them. You will need shelter, signals, fire, water and a campsite that is easily spotted. Select a campsite, get out your survival kit and set about getting ready to be found. If you are with others, make job assignments. Get everyone involved. Keep everyone busy. Keep everyone positive.
The Pocket Outdoor Survival Guide: The Ultimate Guide for Short-Term Survival Page 2
