READERS COMMENTS

Having had several USAF SERE instructors as friends for the past several years, I've added a few odd bits to my survival kit that they use in theirs, chiefly non-lubricated condoms and several one inch straws sealed with several drops of regular Clorox.
Posted: Dec 23, 2011 AlaskanFlyboy

I've read the comments they all seam reasonable, but true survivors need only a knife and a means of fire. For the Guy worried about a knife stone all one needs is a smooth rock found anywhere.
Posted: Nov 27, 2011 stillsurviving

I've read the comments they all seam reasonable, but true survivors need only a knife and a means of fire. For the Guy worried about a knife stone all one needs is a smooth rock found anywhere.
Posted: Nov 27, 2011 stillsurviving

Obviously, some of the lists below are for the “hard core” survivalists and in no way should be considered essential for the ordinary hiker, backpacker or climber who does not have the pack space nor do they want to carry all that weight. The Ten Essentials along with a couple other items you might choose is all you need for your trips. My first aid/survival/repair kit [which includes some of the ten essentials] is contained in a 6X10X3 inch REI zippered first aid bag, which also includes a 36 inch SAM Splint, and it weighs 2.7 pounds which I feel is excessive in size and weight. But when you take mountain orientated first aid and survival classes, the kit tends to expand in size and weight. In a worst case first aid/survival situation involving a “life threatening” injury and overnight survival/next day rescue, the most probable injuries would be severe bleeding, broken bones and ankle/leg injuries. To address this scenario, I carry the following basic, "primary" items:

First Aid
Bandaging and Tape – to control severe bleeding.
SAM splint and Tape – to immobilize sprained ankle/broken bones for possible walkout thereby avoiding a possible hypothermic night out.

Survival
Survival Blanket/Bag – shelter from wind, rain and snow.
Heat Packs and Energy Bars – to lessen the degree of possible hypothermia [12 hour chemical heat packs, one for the neck and one for the groin, and high calorie energy bars].

I carry other items which are secondary to the above primary items. I hope this helps those of you who are not strict survivalists to think through the process of what could happen on the type of adventures you are engaged in.

Posted: Aug 19, 2011 Dick R

I keep things simple and light, my list includes the following:
SOG SEAL Pup knife with modified sheath to attach to my calf
Swiss Army Camper knife
Army canteen w/ metal cup all in a pouch
Compass
50' of 550 paracord fashioned into an anklet
small bottle of chlorine
small notebook
pencil
firestriker
small LED MagLight
I keep everything on an Web belt. I've spent time learning how to build shelters and fires with minimal tools so I rarely carry anything for shelter or sleeping. Food can be gathered with the proper learning & practice. I know I go to extremes in some situations but, I feel it makes the trek more challenging and a lot more fun.
Posted: Jun 16, 2011 Todd

All these knife comments, but noone has mentioned a sharpening stone. Nothing is more dangerous than a dull knife.
Posted: May 19, 2011 Shaun

I pack an Army canteen in a cook cup,an MRE,multiple knives and tools:screwdrivers,pliers,bolts with nuts,nails,a Ka-Bar USMC (base of handle can be used as a hammer),p-38 and p-51 can openers,pocket saw,duct tape.Also a poncho,wet naps,scissors,thick leather welder's gloves with glove clip,ranger bands,notes I've taken on survival techniques,notebook,pen,pencil,matches and striker and cotton ball in waterproof case,magnesium fire starter,a rag,2 small flashlights,a candle,first aid kit,floss,atleast 100 ft of paracord,wool socks,ski mask,extra long sleeve shirt,toothbrush,q tips,zip ties,2 compasses,fork,knife,spoon,and bottle opener that fit together in a small case,tissues,steel wool,hand warmers,sewing/fishing kit,bobby pins,2 heavy duty garbage bags,folding shovel,bandana,camo facepaint.I live in the south so all my gear is either OD green or black to blend in.I also have a signal mirror in the camo paint case and my poncho is orange so I can signal and be seen if needed.I also wear steel toe boots and a Carhart jacket which allows me to move through brush fairly east without having to worry about getting cut by thorns,i carry 2 folding knives on me all the time,a Gerber with a serrated edge,and a Buck with a smooth edge.My watch also tells me the day and month so I can keep track of the days in the woods.Survival is mostly mental,keep calm,think logical.all the gear I pack is mostly for comfort but I could survive with very little gear also.
Posted: Dec 15, 2010 Mike

I pack an Army canteen in a cook cup,an MRE,multiple knives and tools:screwdrivers,pliers,bolts with nuts,nails,a Ka-Bar USMC (base of handle can be used as a hammer),p-38 and p-51 can openers,pocket saw,duct tape.Also a poncho,wet naps,scissors,thick leather welder's gloves with glove clip,ranger bands,notes I've taken on survival techniques,notebook,pen,pencil,matches and striker and cotton ball in waterproof case,magnesium fire starter,a rag,2 small flashlights,a candle,first aid kit,floss,atleast 100 ft of paracord,wool socks,ski mask,extra long sleeve shirt,toothbrush,q tips,zip ties,2 compasses,fork,knife,spoon,and bottle opener that fit together in a small case,tissues,steel wool,hand warmers,sewing/fishing kit,bobby pins,2 heavy duty garbage bags,folding shovel,bandana,camo facepaint.I live in the south so all my gear is either OD green or black to blend in.I also have a signal mirror in the camo paint case and my poncho is orange so I can signal and be seen if needed.I also wear steel toe boots and a Carhart jacket which allows me to move through brush fairly east without having to worry about getting cut by thorns,i carry 2 folding knives on me all the time,a Gerber with a serrated edge,and a Buck with a smooth edge.My watch also tells me the day and month so I can keep track of the days in the woods.Survival is mostly mental,keep calm,think logical.all the gear I pack is mostly for comfort but I could survive with very little gear also.
Posted: Dec 15, 2010 Mike

I will carry 5 items that will almost ensure survival over any other items carried....all of which start with the letter C.

Cover-jacket, sleeping bag, tarp, poncho etc..
Container-preferrable metal to boil water in.

Cutting tool-a knife

Combustion device-mathes, lighter firesteel etc.

Cordage-rope, paracord


Posted: Dec 09, 2010 Anonymous

cool
Posted: Sep 30, 2010 robert

Here is my 10 essentials list. I have taken this kit into the bush many times and proven its worth.
1. Large fixed blade full tang knife. 2. GI Canteen w/ cup and stove/stand. 3. 550 Paracord at least 50 feet. 4. Swiss Army Knife or Pocket Multi-Tool (Leatherman etc). 5. GI Poncho/Shelter. 6. Wool Blanket. 7. Compass. 8. Fire Starter (I take 3 types including a cigarette lighter, magnesium flint bar and ferocenium striker. 9. Whistle. 10. First Aid Kit.
10 more items to round out my 20 piece kit.
11. Signal Mirror. 12. Duct Tape. 13. Snare Wire. 14. Frontier Water Filter Straw. 15. Saw. 16. Fishing Kit. 17. Nails, Galvanized, 3" Approx. 6 or so. 18. Candle, Long Burn. 19. Large Ziploc Freezer bags, at least 2. 20. Chemical Light Stick, 1 yellow, 1 red. (Tied to a length of cord and spun overhead can bee seen for 20 or more miles by search and rescue aircraft.
Just my 2 cents worth. Your mileage may vary. Be safe and have fun.
Posted: Sep 17, 2010 Doc Savage, Outpost Outfitters

Here is my 10 essentials list. I have taken this kit into the bush many times and proven its worth.
1. Large fixed blade full tang knife. 2. GI Canteen w/ cup and stove/stand. 3. 550 Paracord at least 50 feet. 4. Swiss Army Knife or Pocket Multi-Tool (Leatherman etc). 5. GI Poncho/Shelter. 6. Wool Blanket. 7. Compass. 8. Fire Starter (I take 3 types including a cigarette lighter, magnesium flint bar and ferocenium striker. 9. Whistle. 10. First Aid Kit.
10 more items to round out my 20 piece kit.
11. Signal Mirror. 12. Duct Tape. 13. Snare Wire. 14. Frontier Water Filter Straw. 15. Saw. 16. Fishing Kit. 17. Nails, Galvanized, 3" Approx. 6 or so. 18. Candle, Long Burn. 19. Large Ziploc Freezer bags, at least 2. 20. Chemical Light Stick, 1 yellow, 1 red. (Tied to a length of cord and spun overhead can bee seen for 20 or more miles by search and rescue aircraft.
Just my 2 cents worth. Your mileage may vary. Be safe and have fun.
Posted: Sep 17, 2010 Doc Savage, Outpost Outfitters

are you kidding,two (2)small candles can save you from hypothermia etc.dont leave home without them,and they store very well in an old cigar tube,which ialso use for salt and a million other things,because the take up such little space
Posted: Sep 05, 2010 charlie p

I always keep a few jolly ranchers with my emergency stuff.
Posted: Jul 27, 2010 Anonymous

Avalanche Beacon: should have a shovel and probe for you friends.
Posted: Jun 22, 2010 Anonymous

"space blanket"? Surely a survival BAG is a better idea: 1) less draughty 2) you don't have to hold onto it to keep it from blowing away 3) you can stuff dried grass etc into it for insulation.
Posted: Jun 07, 2010 WorldofTofuness

Avalanche beacon or even a generic PLB is strictly situational / optional and should be indicated as such.
I am not sure how backup water purification and a knife (even a if it is a secondary backup knife) got bumped for a frikin avalanche beacon on a non-winter specific list.

As for a previous commenter's complaints on sun protection making the 10 essentials... remember that it says protection not 'block'. That includes your shirt, hat, sunglasses, etc. Most people will burn without some sun protection in a day under the sun. And it is very bad in terms of skin cancer etc. A solid choice for most people in the majority of climates.
Posted: Apr 23, 2010 Matt

I think they figured if your backpacking you probably have most of the 10 essentials with you to begin with.This was intended to make sure you remember some stuff you may not really want to carry if you just planned on an afternoon or day hike.How did sun protection make the ten essentials list anyway?I have lived 55 years in the desert s.west and the south pacific and never had any use for sun protection. I can think of a few items that would be better use of that space and or weight.
Posted: Apr 13, 2010 bentwanderer

how important is my leatherman wave?? the only time i don't have it with me,iam in the shower!!
Posted: Jan 28, 2010 ken

What ever your 'tools' are that you choose everyone has overlooked 'practice' as well. KNOW how to start a fire by practicing it. Go to the middle of a field in a rain storm when everything is soaking wet and build a fire. You may have to do this one day and your life could depend on how well you have trained. Our Military trains, trains, trains so when their lives depend on how they react, well you see the moral here.
I use a Road Flare as my emergency firestarter. IT will start in a howling rain and burns up to 10-11 minutes. I have started fires with pretty wet wood by using this tool. I have also PRACTICED building fires in many conditions. Know how is a tool that we all need.
Posted: Nov 17, 2009 BigFoot

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