I'm often going outdoors with others, and they might be missing a few basics that could save their lives. In this post, I talk about a hand-out survival kit that I can easily give to anybody coming along with me. I'll discuss why people are without these items, the criteria for the kit, usage, the content of the kit and how this kit has worked out in the field.
This is intended for walks of a few hours as a member of a group. Something suitable for kids and the elderly.
But, before I do that, first an apology: In my last article, about my light belt setup, I said I'd do articles on my medium and heavy webbing. I've injured my knee, so I haven't been out enough to test my new medium belt configuration.
It is handy to have a hand out survival kit because people are often missing a few basics. They might not have realised a nature walk was an option, or they just don't own this kind of equipment in the first place. Often I'll have an international visitor, or we have children staying over. No big deal: I got you, bro.
The kit should be light, easy to carry, cheap, suited for the climate and easy to train somebody how to use the items. The kits can either go into a bag, a pocket or, sometimes I have a pouch handy that'll hang around the neck or shoulders. I choose pouches that will also carry the person's mobile phone too. Cheap is important because I'm not necessarily guaranteed to get the kit back. People tend to souvenir the kits for some reason!
I am in a sub-tropical temperate zone. Wind and rain make hypothermia a real killer. People will usually think to bring sufficient clothing (or ask to borrow something), but their rain gear is usually not entirely waterproof. For this reason, wind breaking and waterproofing are the main criteria for the kit.
People should know what to do with the items in the kit. Either the item should be immediately familiar to the person, or they must be trained. I don't want to over dramatise the risks, so my kit keeps training to under a minute: perfect for the attention spans of seven-year-olds.
The kit carrier is not going to be missed for long because we're in a group. So, the kit does not include any long-term survival items. The focus is on getting the person through a few hours. The kit also includes a means to attract attention.
(Image: Author's own)
- disposable rain poncho (dollar store)
- mylar survival blanket
- whistle
What! That's not many items. But think about the intended usage: nature walks of a few hours duration. Water and wind breaking is the top priority, and most rain clothing your average person owns is not waterproof for that long. I'm also carrying a much more extensive survival and first aid kit that can take care of lighting a fire and erecting a shelter. I also carry a PLB to summon help if it gets dicey.
The mylar blanket in combination with the poncho retains a lot of heat. A person will perspire under the mylar and plastic, but we've brought them a few warm hours to get them into a better situation. The whistle is for attracting attention. Shouting will wear out your vocal cords quickly, and the whistle noise travels further. Three blasts on a whistle, followed by a pause, and repeat. Rescuers will sound a whistle to let you know they are coming. Sound travels in strange ways, so I tell people to keep blowing three blasts of the whistle until the rescuers see them.
What isn't in the kit is water and food. There's a ton of plastic bottles around my home, and so I can give somebody a water bottle if they need it. The length of time the person is likely to be lost for and the climate is such that dehydration or malnutrition are unlikely to occur.
Still not enough items? I'm not about to trust fire lighting kit and a knife to a person not trained in how to use them. Cordage is dead weight without knowledge of use.
What don't I carry: I can do more with garbage bags instead of the disposable poncho, and I carry a military style poncho anyway. I hand out disposable rain ponchos to others because it's much easier to realise they can cover themselves from the rain if they have an item that says: Poncho.
How has the kit performed in the field? Thankfully I've had no emergencies where anything more than the rain poncho was needed. I used the whistle a few times to signal. Most notably when out with a teen nephew who wanted to explore while I took a rest stop. I've had no major complaints from people carrying the kit about weight or inconvenience.
So, that's my three item hand-out survival kit. Please remember that the design of these kits is very situational and suits my activity, skills, climate and terrain. Your mileage may vary and so should your kit. I include my reasoning because the thought process is more important than giving a list of items to copy without considering your own circumstances. Steem on.
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Ok, I found myself going to nature trips, and I was always unprepared. I definitely need the rain poncho. I once walked up to Machu Picchu along the railway through the darkness and didn't have this... It rained. (This experience was in one of my old posts)
I always have a lighter (in case I need fire), when I was camping alone in a mountain, I thought I could make a fire then realized I didn't have a lighter or match.
Rechargeable lamp (small) I just bought this.
I want to buy a proper swiss knife or a Bear Grylls knife. But that means I always have to check in my backpack in the airport. It's expensive and I just lose things. I'll have to buy a cheaper one I guess.
I always have a whistle.
I've never seen an emergency blanket like that, wow it is too small huh?
Yes! Sometimes we learn the hard way. Those times make for the best stories.
I love your tips. I'll do an article on my personal modular survival kit system later. I agree with everything you've listed.
That particular mylar survival blanket is really small. I can wrap it around my core, and duct tape it up. It's okay in combination with the poncho and perfectly good for children or smaller adults. In longer/wetter/colder situations I carry either an emergency bag (like a large thicker plastic rubbish sack, but bright coloured) that fits me, or an emergency tube tent. I'm considering a hike in the Himalayas and for that I'll take a proper blizzard bag.
And knives:
I tend to not like the Bear Grylls knives. If I want something that big I prefer the value-for-money Morakniv (Mora). I rarely need anything that big. Most Bear Grylls models I see are more for Mountaineers so they have serrations for cutting ropes easier. I prefer unserrated blades. A good swiss army folding knife is all I usually take. I have a lanyard tied to mine and that lanyard is attached to my belt. There's a backup blade (3cm) in my first aid kit too.
Travelling with a knife is always a problem. But, an emergency knife doesn't have to be much. It's surprising what you can find at a dollar store. I once borrowed a steak knife and made a sheath from cardboard and duct tape. Heh. I mean quality gear is great, but you can get by with very little.
I'm off to find your post about the hike to Machu Picchu. Your stories are always amazing.
Here it's way down below my feed:
https://steemit.com/travel/@diabolika/into-the-darkness-and-back-into-the-light-a-solitary-walk-to-machu-picchu
I have a lot of stories of how I went to nature trips unprepared, I wish I have the energy to write everything. But I'll save them for later I guess.
Yeah, maybe I don't need a big knife but I'm going to check that Morakniv, thanks for the recommendation. I had a very cheap knife used for cutting fruits, good thing I didn't have to use it to this Brazillian truck driver who almost attacked me (this was also in one of my earlier posts).
Some friends warned me about carrying a knife, but I told them it's not for people. It's more for slicing fruits, food etc..,
I'm planning to camp in an island, and I would definitely have to prepare this time. I will surely post my experience here on steemit.
Swiss knife would be good too, but I don't need a lot of those fancy things inside. Maybe I need a can opener and some small blade with it.
I appreciate if you post more survival tips, but I will try and read online as well.
Thanks!
Thanks. I just back from reading that post. Wow, lucky those Mexicans came along.
The Swiss army knives come in many editions. The Hiker or Camper models are reasonably lightweight and have what you need. The "Champ" model is a massive weighty chunk of stuff you'll never use - so, while I love my Champ (it was a gift), I never take it anywhere. For the same weight I'd rather carry a small multi-tool.
I'm paranoid about losing my knife and they have a ring to attach a cord so you can tie it to something.
I'll check the online shops about these knives. Maybe something not too expensive as I always lose it, or it gets confiscated by the security, wherever I go.
Thanks, I will wait for more posts from you about this. And also your trip to the Himalayas.
I like the idea of a 3-item handout kit. Very simple, very affordable, and easy to give out to anyone who is lacking for those short hikes. Calling @tomtrademore and @AmericanPreppers to offer an upvote as well.
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Thank you, I will take a look at this
Thanks. Following you all too. I'm looking for like minded people.
Fantastic idea! We recently went to Red River New Mexico and drove atv's up several trails. I was happy I had a first aid kit as a couple with a two year old was by one of the lakes and the child sustained a severe burn on their muffler pipe (these folks were not with us). I pulled out my kit and gave them the burn gel that was in my kit and offered my instant ice pack but they had an ice chest with ice. I felt awful for the child, but was grateful I had something that might bring him some relief.
It's great to be prepared. Often it's to help others. TBH my first aid kit I've only used once on myself and multiple times on others.
It is definitely a great feeling to be able to help others less prepared.
Great tips 😊 I have all 3 items, but the wisle is in a survival army bracelet that includes like 8 different items.
Thank you for sharing, much good information
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thanks for sharing these, look super handy. I am gonna need that rain jacket ones for my coming trip
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It s really important to gear ourselves with survival kit and skills when hiking or camping.
I do bring some first aid items when going out even in a city, like alcohol, face mask, medicines and water. :D
I very much doubt that this Whistle fill help :))
Louder than yelling, but with much less effort. My area has areas of dense bush and so sight lines are limited. What would you suggest instead? Something suitable for somebody untrained would likely not have and is safe to give to a seven year old?
Ok...ok... if you are seven year old... then I understand :)
Thanks for your recent upvote on one of my posts.
This is a really great idea. My husband and I carried the poncho and the whistle all the time when we were dependent on buses and trains for transport. The lightweight blanket would be an excellent addition.
Seems like having even half a dozen of these sets in the car now would be a good idea too.