Topic: Survival gear

[Michael N]

What do you guys pack with you when out hiking or hunting ? I tend to bring extra dry clothing , lightweight raingear , fire starting materials , multi-plier , water filtration device , nylon rope , survival blanket , Minor First Aid kit , Small plastic gardening trowel and usually some Clif Bars . I pack a Camelbak Commander When hunting and am always trying to ad little items that don't weigh a lot that could help me survive if stuck anywhere from 1-3 days .

[Jeff]

That looks about like my survival kit loadout.  I'm going to go through it prior to the next trip so I might see something in there that I don't remember.

BTW, I'm going to carry the Ultimate Survival civilian stuff in my store (but not vest).  I have all those tools but the saw.  They all work great and I give them out for Christmas and Birthday gifts to those that will use them.

BTW, you left out the toilet paper.  After not having TP for a while you might consider it a survival necessity.    One of the guys here ended up using poison ivy once.  OUCH!  If he'd been lost or stranded that could have been the end of him.

[Michael N]

I did forget to write down toilet paper but much like my Visa , I never leave home without it .... 

I have never had to use a leaf but I have sacrificed the odd sock just to Git'r done .

[High Wall]

Wet wipes.

[NGO]

I like everything these guys sell.
http://www.equipped.com/prsnlkit.htm

especially the Pocket survival kit.  http://www.equipped.com/psp/index.htm
I looked at building one and buy the time you buy the little bag and all the parts you have spent close to the same amount of money. You can get cheaper and better but just not worth it to match the kit he has put together.


This emergency sleeping bag is great also, just in case your day hike turns into a overnight and you didn't bring/or want to carry a normal sleeping bag.
http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/kit_detail.asp?series=1000&seriesNav=&kit=3&kitNO=0140-0223

[AR10ER]

Washcloth works for TP, then you don't need to carry all of that paper. Just wash it when your done, and put it back in the air tight baggie.

[JollyRoger]

Looks like you have a pretty good kit.  I would definitely add some sort of light, most likely an LED headlamp or flashlight type since they last for a VERY long time on only a few batteries (Surefires are the shit, but they dont last very long, they're heavy and packing a ton of spare batteries is heavy and space consuming).

Space bivy (space blanket sleeping bag) is a good thing to have.  I use an AMK like NGO linked to above.

What type of rope are you taking and what do you expect to do with it?  I always take a decent amount of 550 cord, much lighter than 'real' rope and you can do a lot with it as is or by taking out the inner strands for smaller jobs, etc.

TP...got to have it!  I am one who HAS used leaves before and it's not all it's cracked up to be.

What kind of fire starters are you using?  I always take NATO waterproof/windproof matches and a Brunton Firestorm lighter.  But the style RG mentions might be better as far as reliability and ruggedness.

Another good thing to have is a water container that you cant poke a hole in...such as a small 16oz Nalgene.  You'll have a heck of a time poking a hole in that compared to a CamelBak bladder.  Dont get me wrong, when I'm on the trail I only fill up and use the bladder, but at camp or if something happened to my bladder I've got a tough as nails bottle ready to go.

That's all I can think of for now...got to get some sleep, I'm going on another adventure starting early tomorrow.  Packing my snowshoes, snow gear and 55lbs of other junk for a 4 day expedition to Enos Lake!

[Shortmag]

I'm always adding or removing some things depending on where i'm going and what i'm doing.

i've added:

Tube tent
Bivy sac that NGO posted
Surefire G2
Columbia rain pants (like JRs)

and probably some other stuff i can't think of right now.

all this stuff fits into my Maxpedition Condor II backpack and weighs in at 20lbs.

SM

[Idaho_Gun_Nut]

One item I never go anywhere without is my magnesium fire starter! 



What about super glue, anyone think of packing a tube of that?  Comes in real handy!

[NGO]

Yeah the super glue is in the first aid kit.

Also a small tube of 'Shoe Goo"  That stuff is amazing. I have used it anywhere I need a strong, semi flexable, water proof patch. It has to dry overnight but it will hold a sole on your shoe for walking out several miles. I have used it around ther house for small repairs on kids toys it works.

[Shortmag]

What about super glue, anyone think of packing a tube of that?  Comes in real handy!

Yep, I've got a tube in my pack!

the shoegoo is a good idea.  Does it come in a small enough tube?

SM

[Jeff]

I carry a small bottle of NuSkin.  It's basically super glue with an antibiotic.  It's pretty awesome for small cuts and scrapes.  I'm sure I could use it as superglue if needed.  More than one role = good.