The items you carry in your wilderness survival kit should suit your skills and activity level in outdoor pursuits. A wilderness adventure racer might carry a survival kit that fits into a quart-sized plastic bag, but less experienced people probably would prefer something more substantial. Two suggestions: Carry only what you will use, and know how to use everything you carry. Anything else is a waste of space.
Compass
If you own a GPS device, it might be tempting to leave the compass at home, but keep it in your survival kit anyway. GPS units aren’t foolproof. They are subject to user error, battery failure and mechanical failure. A compass isn’t completely foolproof, either, but it is a reliable survival tool to help you navigate your way out of trouble.
Whistle
According to Club Tread in British Columbia, Canada, a whistle can be heard much farther away than the human voice. This, plus a whistle’s small size and light weight, makes it an ideal means of signaling for help in the wilderness. Club Tread lists three short blasts as the standard emergency signal, akin to “S-O-S.” Two short blasts means “Come to me!” and one blast is the standard signal for “Where are you?”
Mirror
You should have some sort of visual signaling device, too. A small hand mirror is the accepted standard. Some hikers carry flares, but they introduce the risk of starting a wildfire, and each flare can be used only once.
Multi-Tool and Knife
Carry a multi-tool and a good knife. Multi-tools are useful for repairs on gear, but the flimsy, little knife blades on many multi-tools are no substitute for a good, strong knife. A good survival knife can be used for plenty of tasks, such as butchering a snared animal for dinner and splitting kindling off a log in a pinch.
Space Blanket
Pack some sort of emergency shelter, even if you’re confident in your abilities to create a survival shelter out of materials you find in the wilderness. If you happen to become seriously ill or injured, or you don’t have the time or energy to create a shelter, you’ll be grateful for the resource you packed. A reflective “space blanket” packs very small and light, and it can be used on its own or to supplement the insulating qualities of any shelter you build.
Food
Obviously, you can’t pack rations for an extended stay in your survival kit, but a few candy bars–high in fat, which provides the most calories to keep you warm and fuel your further survival efforts–can keep you going and also provide a much-needed mood boost, too, if you find yourself in extremity. Pack some power bars for something more substantial. They are high in protein and help sustain your energy longer.
About this Author
Marie Mulrooney has written professionally since 2001. Her diverse background includes numerous outdoor pursuits, personal training and linguistics. She studied mathematics at the University of Alaska Anchorage and contributes regularly to various online publications. Print publication credits include national magazines, poetry awards and long-lived columns about local outdoor adventures.
