1. FIRE STARTER

Starting a fire in the wilderness is one of the most important things you need to be able to do if you’re to survive the cold, fight off hungry predators and cook yourself a meal. If you’re reading this, you probably already know you must be equipped with necessary fire starting skills and have a means of starting the fire. This is where a trusty fire starter becomes the number one critical survival item to have on you at all times.In fact, I recommend having at least three ways of starting a fire in your survival kit. You should not take chances with fire starters. I carry matches, lighter and a Light My Fire of Sweden striker. Supplement this by packing some tinder and other lighting aids such as a SOL Fire-Lite Kit. I carry all my fire starters in waterproof containers and store them separately and within easy access in my kit.

2. SURVIVAL KNIFE

Chances are, you will need to do a lot of cutting chores in a true survival situation, and a good, reliable survival knife will be a perfect fit. Choose a high-quality survival knife or a multi-purpose tool with a knife. Your survival knife should be able to skin your hunt, cut strings, and sharpen sticks among other uses. The ideal survival knife must be strong and razor sharp to cut through the toughest materials with ease.The same principle of redundancy applies here as well. “Where there’s two, there’s one — where there’s one, there’s none.” Should your knife fail you or you lose it, you’ll definitely want a reliable backup. Check out the Ka-Bar Becker BK2 for a great, full tang knife that will last.

3. MAP & COMPASS

You should not rely solely on GPS when in a survival situation, but also carry with you a local map and compass to help navigate your way back to safety.It is good to have both a road map and a topography map on you just in case. These are lightweight and easy to pack, so there is really no reason not to carry these with you in your survival kit.

Having a map and a compass is one thing, however, you must also take the necessary steps to know how to read and navigate maps and use a compass. There are trainings and courses that can teach you the basics of these skills so you can practice on your own.

In case you don’t have a compass, Suunto makes a great one.

4. FIRST AID KIT

If you think you may need to head into the wilderness at a moment’s notice, be sure to have a first-aid kit on your person at all times.A first aid kit is a critical item that should be accessible at all times. Having a dedicated first aid kit for your vehicles is also a good idea.

General first aid kits can be a good place to start but be sure to supplement them with such items as pressure dressings to stop the bleeding in the event that injury may occur.

Adventure Medical Kits are a great place to start. Include a first aid pocket manual and familiarize yourself with it, especially if you aren’t formally trained or experienced.

5. A BOW SAW

A bow saw, as simple as it is, can make a survival situation on a cold night easier for you. Be sure to choose a durable, lightweight metal framed saw.

A bow saw can help you cut through logs and make firewood. It can also help you cut down big branches to make a shelter that your survival knife may have difficulty doing alone. If you manage to shoot a deer or big game, you will need to build a strong fire to roast your meat.

A bow saw not only gives you enough firewood, but also helps you set the fireplace for cooking your hunt.

6. PROPER CLOTHING

When you head into the wild, even on a hot sunny day, you need to plan to dress for the worst.

Hypothermia kills more people in the wild than any other cause. The cold of the night must not be countered with fire alone, but also proper clothing. Always layer your clothes, remembering to wear loose, layered clothing with wool as your under layer.

Stay away from cotton as a general rule. It retains moisture which makes it less insulating, harder to dry out and heavier on the body. This has been known to lead to hypothermia, pneumonia, etc. Clothes made out of synthetic and wool materials are recommended for this very reason.

7. EMERGENCY SURVIVAL WHISTLE

A plastic whistle kept around your neck is highly recommended just in case you get lost. Your voice might not reach far when lost, but blowing your whistle can help alert nearby people to your distress. Plastic whistles are recommended as they are lightweight, float and will not rust.

8. SIGNAL/HYGIENE MIRROR

There are heartbreaking stories where search helicopters have passed over lost people too weak to signal. A signal mirror or heliograph should be carried with you. Storing it in your first aid kit is a good way to protect it from damage and locate it easily. These lightweight, compact tools can reflect light at long distances signaling people far away of your distress.

9. CORDAGE

Cordage is a common name used to describe everything from a metal wire to a nylon string. Cordage is one of the most important survival items when you need to climb steep places, drag game you’ve killed, tie bundles of firewood and much more. Cordage serves many functions like a fishing line, cloth line, food line and much more. Lightweight but high-quality cord can make all the difference in a survival situation. Titan SurvivorCord is a very unique multi-purpose paracord used by Special Forces and comes highly recommended for its range of uses.

10. WATER / WATER FILTRATION

I said at the beginning of this article the average person cannot survive more than 72 hours without drinking water. Add to that, you need to plan on drinking at least 1 gallon of water per day. Even a few sips of clean water can mean the difference between life and death, but you want to be in peak performance when it counts, and that much water is too heavy to carry for anyone. Now, you can probably find some water in the wild, but it might also make you extremely sick coming straight from the source without proper filtration. Having a survival water filter with you can help a lot.Water filters are important regardless, but especially handy when on an expedition with a group of friends as you will go through water very quickly.

11. FLASHLIGHT / TORCH

Few elements can disorient even the most experienced adventurer quicker than being shrouded in complete darkness. If you plan to venture out into unfamiliar territory or find yourself outside after dark, a reliable flashlight is a must have in any survival kit. The great news is flashlights have continued to get smaller and lightweight, and more efficient and effective in recent years. For one of my preferred flashlights, check out the Streamlight ProTac Penlight.

SURVIVAL KIT LIST ** BONUS SECTION ** :

Being in possession of the above critical survival items is just one step in surviving an emergency situation. You still need to know how to use them effectively.  You need to be prepared in the best way possible to be able to survive for days.  That said, two other critical elements needed to better your chance at survival are:

12. KNOWLEDGE

This can’t be stressed enough — You must know how to use every essential item in your survival pack in order to enhance your chances of survival. A good example is a map and compass. Having a map and compass will be of no help if you don’t know how to read it and navigate your way to safety.

Make sure you have a basic understanding of every item in your survival kit before you actually need them in a true-to-life survival situation. The best way to learn is to simply get comfortable with using the tools and equipment you assemble on your survival kit list. There are also many books and videos available for you to learn from as well. Just make sure the source of your information is from a legitimate expert that has the experience to back up their knowledge.

13. PHYSICAL & MENTAL FITNESS

Just like fitness is important for self-defense, it is also crucial when it comes to survival in the wild. You will be far better off if you are physically and mentally fit to endure the stresses of survival. Setting up a fire and building a shelter all the while staying upbeat and positive can be quite draining, especially when you’ve not had a proper meal. Being physically and mentally fit will only help better your chances of beating the odds.