George K.
With the summer vacation fast approaching and given the dire situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people decided to take their vacations in the wilderness as socially distant from other humans as possible. Even those who weren’t necessarily big on outdoorsy activities are starting to change their minds and opening up to new adventures for the sake of practicality.
If you’re planning on doing the same this year, you have come to the right place. However, you can’t just venture into the wild without some necessary preparations, especially given the dangers that you might face outdoors. It’s not uncommon to get caught in heavy rains or get stranded in the middle of nowhere. While you might be able to take care of yourself, having a well-curated survival kit will give you the peace of mind that you need to know that you’d be able to care for your family and loved ones as well. Since everybody’s needs are different, you’ll be much better off creating your own kit than buying one off the shelf. Continue reading to find out how to create your own outdoor survival kit:
Food & Water
These are one of the most basic items that you need to include in your survival kit. Without food and water, you wouldn’t have the chance to sustain for long. Dried and canned food is a must whenever you’re going out to spend some time in nature. Opt for a minimum of 2,000 calories per day for each adult. Decide on the foods to pack based on their nutritional value rather than your personal preference and make sure you have enough to last everyone a minimum of three days.
Preparing a survival kit means that you should be practical and efficient. As for water, you should keep in mind that on average, each individual will need around a gallon per day. Choose bottles made out of sustainable and sturdy material that won’t interfere with the quality of your water. In addition, you will need to have some sort of a water filter to make sure you have access to clean drinking water for however long you might need it. It might also be a good idea to pack some electrolyte powder to add to your water and boost your hydration in your body when it’s in survival mode.
Multi-Purpose Tool
Designed for the life spent outdoors, a multi-purpose tool is an indispensable item that you must include in your outdoor survival kit. It will come in handy in all kinds of situations ranging from the mundane like opening up a can of tuna to the rather extreme-yet not impossible- like fighting for your life. You can find a good multi-purpose tool that would do the job in any hardware store. However, the crafty designers at deejo.com make for a very good argument that packing a personalized tool or pocket knife adds another dimension to the whole outdoor experience. Somehow it’ll make you feel like you belong in that setup and will give you a much-needed sense of confidence during the stressful times as you’re trying to survive.
Lighting Device
You wouldn’t want to be left in the dark while you’re out in the wilderness with all sorts of creepy creatures looming around your sleeping tents. A flashlight specifically designed for survival kits should have several special features, including:
- Withstands weather conditions. Come rain or sunshine, you need a flashlight that you can rely on.
- Compact and light. This is key because there’s a good chance you’ll be moving around from one place to another so packing light will certainly make your life easier.
- High level of brightness. The brightness of 1000 lumens or above should be more than enough to efficiently illuminate the road ahead. You can also make use of the high brightness to temporarily blind any attacker be it human or animal.
- Uses an efficient battery type. Flashlights come with different types of batteries, so make sure you find one that operates with batteries that won’t leak and will last for a long time.
Medications
This includes a first aid kit and other common medications that you will probably need during emergencies. Painkillers, antibacterial, and anti-diarrhea are all essential medications that you need to pack in your survival kit. If one of your kids suffers from allergies, you need to remember to pack an antihistamine as he’ll be surrounded by all kinds of allergens out in the wild. And of course, if you or any of your family members are on prescribed medications, you have to make sure you pack extra pieces of those just in case something goes wrong and you don’t make it home in time.
Other items you will need to complete your first aid kit include bandaids, different-sized gauze dressings, medical gloves, bandages, a pair of tweezers, and alcohol-free wipes. To be on the safe side, you can throw in some eyewash and skin rash cream to have you covered in times of need.
Cellphone and Charger
You should always have your cellphone on you when you’re going to spend some time outdoors, especially if you’re going alone. Before you head out, remember to activate your location services on your smartphone and make sure you check in with a friend every once in a while to let them know your exact location at all times. Don’t forget to pack your charger and any plugs or cords that you might need. Packing an extra emergency cellphone is also a good idea, however, make sure you pack it deep inside your backpack or anywhere safe should you lose your primary one.
Identification Papers
You have to include your identification papers in your outdoor survival kit. If your camping trip takes a wrong turn, you’ll need to make sure you have all of your important documents for when you need them. Your ID, bank information, insurance details, medical forms, and important phone numbers are all important documents that you will need in your survival kit. Make sure you make copies for every family member in case you get separated at any point.
Don’t let the above long list scare you away from spending some time outdoors. It’s all part of being responsible and understanding the gravity of the situation should anything go wrong on your trip. However, what’s even more important than what you pack in your survival kit is to make sure that you’re physically and mentally capable to handle any challenges that might come your way.
