The Survival Kit - II

So I talked a bit about my theory on survivaling involving expected duration which influences your location relative to civilization or help which, in turn, dictates the amount and types of gear you'll bring. So if you were planning on going out for a few hours and you end up with a foot crushed under a boulder, somebody's going to come looking for you sooner (don't tell me you didn't tell someone where you were going, where you were ending, how long it was going to take and the names and numbers of local rescue operations to call in the event that you don't check in at the pre-determined time).

So what happens when you want to go out for a day or more? You're going to want the same list of stuff from the last post and more of them, plus some additional items. You're also going to have to think about how far you are traveling from civilization (will you be within walking distance of a Sonic?). If you're not going too far from the chance of meeting other people, then you still may not need and hunting tools, but you should think about having everything for the duration of your excursion plus the off chance of breaking both legs, being mauled by a bear, and losing either your pants or bag in the river all happening.

First things first, you're going to need more. More Band-Aids, SteriStrips, gauze, painkillers, water tablets, tinder, lighters, matches. You're also going to need more options, make sure you have a backups and make sure they are in different places - the pockets of your shell, on your person, and in your bag. I carry and extra StrikeForce fire starter, signaling mirror, para-cord, and handkerchief in my bag, it might be overkill, but these items weigh next to nothing and only one of them may end up working or remain in your possession. I have a prescription bottle filled with extra matches, fire wicks, and steel wool.

In addition to these items I add:
A 5" fixed blade survival knife (false edge, semi-serated, solid butt end, compass?)
A multi-tool
Antibiotic ointment
Anti-histamine spray
10 potent painkillers
1 Five-day regimen of oral antibiotics
Glove liners - if it's cold
Flares

I'm also assuming you've got extra socks, a change of base layer, a hat, sunscreen, etc. commensurate with the conditions. And if going out for more than a day, you've got a sleeping setup, rain fly, stove, food, etc. But the above things should be considered above-and-beyond-this-level survival gear.

So let's imagine that you're out for the day and you don't check in, well chances are good that you won't be out for more than another 24 hours in which case you'll want those energy bars to last, get more water and purify it, tend your wounds, light a fire, etc. All of which you can do thanks to your survival preparedness. But let's say you're hiking and you get turned around - you can't remember your orienteering class that well and the map you've got is too small a scale. You're out of food. If only you'd brought some small things with which to make ends meet! Well here're a couple of extra things you might want to bring.

100 yd. 10 lb. test mono-filament fishing line
50 assorted hooks
50 Assorted sinkers
Foam ear plugs
100 yd. soft brass wire
Slingshot
.22 rifle with scope
100 rounds .22 ammo
50 rounds .22 high velocity ammo

The first four on the list are used to fish, you can set several small pole traps along the edge of a river and use the earplugs as bait if you can't find anything else. The fishing line can also be used with the wire to set snares and traps for small game. The rest are conventional weaponry. If you're going far away from civilization then a rifle may be appropriate, in which case you'll want (maybe more ammo, depending) a .22 with a scope, you'll be able to shoot squirrels and other small game. With the high velocity rounds you could take down some larger game, but it would have to be close and a head shot. The slingshot is the best idea, I think. You can carry it easily, arm it with any kind of projectile, it's lawful (and accepted) in more places and situations than a rifle - I used to have one as a kid and it was great. I'm think I'l pick one up. You could use it to stun or kill small game. If you stun it be prepared to give it a solid whack with a heavy stick. Actually, probably best to do that, or break its neck, regardless (you don't want rabies and other terrible diseases to compound your misfortune, do you?).

Of course, all of this is useless if you don't know the best ways to put it to use, so read up. You'll find that survival kits don't vary a ton and the concept behind every item fits a purpose that other items in other kits fulfill. But know how to build a shelter, a trap, a snare, a fishing setup,a splint, and administer you med kit right. Know what's edible and what you can cook from scratch. Most of these idea are found in this excellent book, New and Revised Practical Outdoor Survival by Len McDougall.