Whats in your survival bag

[cjd3]

When wilderness camping or backpacking in the wild areas, what do you have in your survival bag. Mine is small. About the size of a fat paperback. It has things like a knife, space blanket, several ways to start a fire, spider wire for snares, a few fishing hooks, and compass... I never set foot out of camp without it. I would have to get it out to name everything.

What does everyone else carry?

[jackalope]

When wilderness camping or backpacking in the wild areas, what do you have in your survival bag. Mine is small. About the size of a fat paperback. It has things like a knife, space blanket, several ways to start a fire, spider wire for snares, a few fishing hooks, and compass... I never set foot out of camp without it. I would have to get it out to name everything.

What does everyone else carry?


A Lighter, water, Knife, and a 45 on my hip.... Even in remote areas of Ohio you can reach a road in 2 hours if able to walk in any direction. I shattered my ankle once about 2.5 miles back in the woods. I crawled and made a crutch to get out..

I took my boot off, cut a crutch from a stout sapling, and put my boot over the fork in the stick to act as a padding.. Sucked but it got me to the truck... You wouldn't believe the weird bugs you see while crawling in the woods..

[riverdude]

A Lighter, water, Knife, and a 45 on my hip.... Even in remote areas of Ohio you can reach a road in 2 hours if able to walk in any direction. I shattered my ankle once about 2.5 miles back in the woods. I crawled and made a crutch to get out..

I took my boot off, cut a crutch from a stout sapling, and put my boot over the fork in the stick to act as a padding.. Sucked but it got me to the truck... You wouldn't believe the weird bugs you see while crawling in the woods..

:yikes: Glad everything worked out for ya Jack.

[cjd3]

A Lighter, water, Knife, and a 45 on my hip.... Even in remote areas of Ohio you can reach a road in 2 hours if able to walk in any direction. I shattered my ankle once about 2.5 miles back in the woods. I crawled and made a crutch to get out..

I took my boot off, cut a crutch from a stout sapling, and put my boot over the fork in the stick to act as a padding.. Sucked but it got me to the truck... You wouldn't believe the weird bugs you see while crawling in the woods..

Wow. Thats a story. You must have been miserable.
I carry a 45 as well w/ a extra clip in my main pack and second in the day pack. Once we get to a base camp location, I put some basics into a day pack for day hikes. that has water purification pump, saw, lashing cord and my survival bag...I keep the leatherman & GPS on me. We too are miles from the road/car. I worry about a injury like yours.
I guess thats one reason I seem to always over pack even when I go hunting for the day. For "just in case"

[jackalope]

Wow. Thats a story. You must have been miserable.
I carry a 45 as well w/ a extra clip in my main pack and second in the day pack. Once we get to a base camp location, I put some basics into a day pack for day hikes. that has water purification pump, saw, lashing cord and my survival bag...I keep the leatherman & GPS on me. We too are miles from the road/car. I worry about a injury like yours.
I guess thats one reason I seem to always over pack even when I go hunting for the day. For "just in case"

Oh it sucked.. I crawled for about 300 yards before giving up and rolling over on my back.. I just said the hell with it, somebody will come find me.. But that it could take all night.. Then the yotes started up and the skeeters and bugs were eating me alive.. I decided getting back was less painful than laying there all night getting eaten alive, and my ankle throbbing..

Once I made the crutch it wasn't that bad. Just slow and tiresome.

[TheCream]

The only time I am ever into really deep woods/backcountry areas is when I go trout fishing in WV. I don't have a survival pack, necessarily, but I do carry the things I think I might need in an emergency. Stashed in my flyfishing gear bag and on my belt I carry:

-water
-a little bit of food
-knife/multi tool
-small first aid kit
-space blanket
-magnesium fire starter

Then I also have everything that is in my regular tackle and gear. That includes several sizes of line (called tippet in the fly fishing world), flies, hemostat, etc... I know I'm not prepared for an emergency 10+ miles back in, I just don't carry enough for that, but around 3 miles is the farthest I have gone so far. And after seeing 2 big black bears last time in bow range, I think a sidearm would be a good addition to what I carry. :yikes:

[mausergsp]

First Aid Kit
550 Cord
Heavy Aluminum Foil
Water Purification Tabs
Matches
Cotton Balls covered in Petroleum Jelly
Little Red strobe light, one like Joggers or bikers can clip to themselves.
Space Blanket, despite the fact they are terrible blankets, much better as a roof
Military Trip Wire, comes in very small spools and is very strong
Whistle
Magnesium Fire Starter
Waterproof paper and pen

I spent some time as a survival instructor in the USMC, so I tend to go a little overboard.

[cjd3]

First Aid Kit
550 Cord
Heavy Aluminum Foil
Water Purification Tabs
Matches
Cotton Balls covered in Petroleum Jelly
Little Red strobe light, one like Joggers or bikers can clip to themselves.
Space Blanket, despite the fact they are terrible blankets, much better as a roof
Military Trip Wire, comes in very small spools and is very strong
Whistle
Magnesium Fire Starter
Waterproof paper and pen

I spent some time as a survival instructor in the USMC, so I tend to go a little overboard.

I carry at least 2 different ways to light a fire also. The mag. fire starter looks easy but it takes a little skill too. Folks should try to use 1 before getting into a jam.
I agree w/ ya on the space blanket.
I forgot the heavy foil. Good one. I should have added that. We use it base camp a lot.
Thanks for the post

[Yak-Attack]

- Water-water
- food(can)
-knife/multi tool
-small first aid kit
-Piece of Plastic to catch rain water or dew(Funnel)AND CONTAINER
-space blanket
- fire starter kit
-FISHING HOOK-LINE
- MY GUN OR BOW:)

[TheCream]

I carry at least 2 different ways to light a fire also. The mag. fire starter looks easy but it takes a little skill too. Folks should try to use 1 before getting into a jam.
I agree w/ ya on the space blanket.
I forgot the heavy foil. Good one. I should have added that. We use it base camp a lot.
Thanks for the post

I agree with that! I tried mine a little when I first got it, and it was tougher than I thought it would be. The tricky part was grinding/filing off the magnesium. Maybe my fire starter is just a cheapo version but the magnesium was kind of hard. I used the file on my multi-tool. It does burn like crazy when you ignite it, though! :yikes:

[Hoytmania]

First Aid Kit
550 Cord
Heavy Aluminum Foil
Water Purification Tabs
Matches
Cotton Balls covered in Petroleum Jelly
Little Red strobe light, one like Joggers or bikers can clip to themselves.
Space Blanket, despite the fact they are terrible blankets, much better as a roof
Military Trip Wire, comes in very small spools and is very strong
Whistle
Magnesium Fire Starter
Waterproof paper and pen

I spent some time as a survival instructor in the USMC, so I tend to go a little overboard.

I find yours very interesting. With a 13 yr old boy in scouts some of this stuff is very helpful. If you don't mind elaborating on the items you pack and why I would like that. Some of the pieces I can totally understand, and I am sure there are reasons for everything I am just not sure what they are.

Great thread by the way.

[cjd3]

I agree with that! I tried mine a little when I first got it, and it was tougher than I thought it would be. The tricky part was grinding/filing off the magnesium. Maybe my fire starter is just a cheapo version but the magnesium was kind of hard. I used the file on my multi-tool. It does burn like crazy when you ignite it, though! :yikes:

I know it could save me one day but the first one I had was just the magnesium and "sparkie" rod on top. When I was learning to use it I felt like I was waisting a knife blade even though I just used the very base of the blade-lol... So I bought another one w/ a "key" type striker.:D

[cjd3]

I find yours very interesting. With a 13 yr old boy in scouts some of this stuff is very helpful. If you don't mind elaborating on the items you pack and why I would like that. Some of the pieces I can totally understand, and I am sure there are reasons for everything I am just not sure what they are.

Great thread by the way.

Hope your 13 year old goes all the way to Eagle :)
Its different today. I reached the rank of Eagle around the mid 70's at the age of 16. They have dropped some of the outdoor skills they use to require for some of the ranks... To bad. I guess they have to keep up with the times.
I have NEVER been sorry I took the last year to reach that final rank even though cars and girls started looking like a better use of my time.

[mausergsp]

I find yours very interesting. With a 13 yr old boy in scouts some of this stuff is very helpful. If you don't mind elaborating on the items you pack and why I would like that. Some of the pieces I can totally understand, and I am sure there are reasons for everything I am just not sure what they are.

Great thread by the way.

I'm not sure where to start here.
First Aid kit I would always be sure to carry a triangle bandage, use for arm slings, water filter, stuff like that. Rest of kit should be self explanatory.

550 Cord is great because the real 550 cord is an outer sleeve with like 7 other strings as a core. You can pull these strings out of the core for more string, these core strings are plenty strong for jug fishing or tying things off.

Aluminum foil should be the heavy duty stuff, you can make a cup with it and it's helpful for cooking.

Cotton swabs rolled in petroleum jelly will burn for much longer than regular cotton swabs. They are not the greatest but they are cheap and work. Good thing to carry in an old prescription bottle or waterproof match case. They make easy to carry tinder you can buy for cheap that works a little better. Sometimes if I'm worried about it I'll actually carry one of those little sterno pots that people use in buffet lines and such to keep food hot. Those suckers will burn for hours. Lot of people carry candles for this I find the sterno pots to burn hotter and even in light rain. You can put one of those under a damp tinder tepee and let her go for awhile most of the time it will get a fire goin.

I definitely recommend practicing as others have said with a magnesium fire starter before attempting to use one for real. They can be tough to master at first.

Little red strobe light I have is for little kid's bicycles or something. Uses a watch battery. It's not the brightest but it can be seen in the woods for along ways off at night. If your truly lost it would be a good thing to have for search and rescue guys to spot. Lot of people carry signaling mirrors but the truth is they are very hard to use and unless your in some real big territory you'll probably never get the chance to use it.

Space blankets aren't really made to keep you warm, there just meant to keep you alive. I carry one with the thought of a quick shelter more than a blanket. They can really reflect the heat off of a fire if you put it up behind you, I've found it to keep you warmer used in this way than as a sleeping bag. Just be careful not to melt it. I almost set the woods on fire once this way.

Whistle for signaling, 3 blasts that whole thing

Military trip wire, you can find at most surplus stores, Stuff I got is on very small spools. You can use it for jug fishing or a hang off a tree branch into the water. It's flexible enough for that. Careful tying knots in it. Can be used for snares as well. 550 Cord is useful for snares as well. I also wear bootlaces that are about twice as long as they need to be just for the extra string. If you talk to any Marine they'll tell you that all their boots come with ridiculously long laces. This is why. That and if they break your not out of luck, You just relace the boot or use your 550 cord.

You should stay put if you get lost in the woods but if you have to move for whatever reason the waterproof paper and pen is good for leaving notes. Good idea when leaving a note to write down your physical condition, what supplies you have, where your trying to go, how your marking your campsite, Always, Always, date it so some poor hunter a month after your rescued doesn't find it and calls all cars to come save you.

Water Purification Tabs are self explanatory, just remember that they have a fairly short shelf life and need replaced from time to time. I always buy the purification tabs and the bottle to take the iodine taste out of the water. Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle is all.

This was supposed to be a short quick post, lol, I could go for chapters on this stuff. I always recommend practicing with what you got before you need it for real. Also for a 13 year old the lighter the kit the better. If the kit has any weight to it, he or she may be more likely to drop it if their going on a long hike and have to carry alot of weight. Everyone knows that no one under the age of 22 will ever need to use a survival kit or get lost or die right..........right?

Hope I answered your question!

[Hoytmania]

I'm not sure where to start here.
First Aid kit I would always be sure to carry a triangle bandage, use for arm slings, water filter, stuff like that. Rest of kit should be self explanatory.

550 Cord is great because the real 550 cord is an outer sleeve with like 7 other strings as a core. You can pull these strings out of the core for more string, these core strings are plenty strong for jug fishing or tying things off.

Aluminum foil should be the heavy duty stuff, you can make a cup with it and it's helpful for cooking.

Cotton swabs rolled in petroleum jelly will burn for much longer than regular cotton swabs. They are not the greatest but they are cheap and work. Good thing to carry in an old prescription bottle or waterproof match case. They make easy to carry tinder you can buy for cheap that works a little better. Sometimes if I'm worried about it I'll actually carry one of those little sterno pots that people use in buffet lines and such to keep food hot. Those suckers will burn for hours. Lot of people carry candles for this I find the sterno pots to burn hotter and even in light rain. You can put one of those under a damp tinder tepee and let her go for awhile most of the time it will get a fire goin.

I definitely recommend practicing as others have said with a magnesium fire starter before attempting to use one for real. They can be tough to master at first.

Little red strobe light I have is for little kid's bicycles or something. Uses a watch battery. It's not the brightest but it can be seen in the woods for along ways off at night. If your truly lost it would be a good thing to have for search and rescue guys to spot. Lot of people carry signaling mirrors but the truth is they are very hard to use and unless your in some real big territory you'll probably never get the chance to use it.

Space blankets aren't really made to keep you warm, there just meant to keep you alive. I carry one with the thought of a quick shelter more than a blanket. They can really reflect the heat off of a fire if you put it up behind you, I've found it to keep you warmer used in this way than as a sleeping bag. Just be careful not to melt it. I almost set the woods on fire once this way.

Whistle for signaling, 3 blasts that whole thing

Military trip wire, you can find at most surplus stores, Stuff I got is on very small spools. You can use it for jug fishing or a hang off a tree branch into the water. It's flexible enough for that. Careful tying knots in it. Can be used for snares as well. 550 Cord is useful for snares as well. I also wear bootlaces that are about twice as long as they need to be just for the extra string. If you talk to any Marine they'll tell you that all their boots come with ridiculously long laces. This is why. That and if they break your not out of luck, You just relace the boot or use your 550 cord.

You should stay put if you get lost in the woods but if you have to move for whatever reason the waterproof paper and pen is good for leaving notes. Good idea when leaving a note to write down your physical condition, what supplies you have, where your trying to go, how your marking your campsite, Always, Always, date it so some poor hunter a month after your rescued doesn't find it and calls all cars to come save you.

Water Purification Tabs are self explanatory, just remember that they have a fairly short shelf life and need replaced from time to time. I always buy the purification tabs and the bottle to take the iodine taste out of the water. Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle is all.

This was supposed to be a short quick post, lol, I could go for chapters on this stuff. I always recommend practicing with what you got before you need it for real. Also for a 13 year old the lighter the kit the better. If the kit has any weight to it, he or she may be more likely to drop it if their going on a long hike and have to carry alot of weight. Everyone knows that no one under the age of 22 will ever need to use a survival kit or get lost or die right..........right?

Hope I answered your question!

Thank you very much. This was very helpful and informative. I really appreciate it. If you could go on for chapters about this, then maybe you should think about writing a book! :whistle: ;) I am sure this will all help out greatly. My son is getting to the ahe where his troop is talking of doing some high adventure type trips, which really excites me. I think I am having as much fun with my son being in the scouts as he is. Any other info pertaining to this is always welcome in my house.

[D.Hycle]

Im wondering why only a few of you have a knife in your kit. To the folks who have a foil survival blanket, have you ever seen a seminar by Peter Cumberfelt. Not sure if I spelled his last name right or not. If you havent, you should. I carry what is basically the equivalent to a big orange highway garbage bag. They are way more durable and as he shows, much easier to use one handed. Try opening and unfolding an emergency blanket with a broken arm.

[jackalope]

Im wondering why only a few of you have a knife in your kit. To the folks who have a foil survival blanket, have you ever seen a seminar by Peter Cumberfelt. Not sure if I spelled his last name right or not. If you havent, you should. I carry what is basically the equivalent to a big orange highway garbage bag. They are way more durable and as he shows, much easier to use one handed. Try opening and unfolding an emergency blanket with a broken arm.

The knife and .45 are on my hip..

[coonskinner]

knife/whistle/gps/flashlight/cell phone/my gps is also a 2 way radio...i do have a large first aid kit i take to deer camp(wn)but it stays at camp...:D

[cjd3]

Im wondering why only a few of you have a knife in your kit. .

The 45 goes where I go.

I keep a extra knife in the survival bag as well too.

Orange trash bag is a good idea.

[cjd3]

Im wondering why only a few of you have a knife in your kit. To the folks who have a foil survival blanket, have you ever seen a seminar by Peter Cumberfelt. Not sure if I spelled his last name right or not. If you havent, you should. I carry what is basically the equivalent to a big orange highway garbage bag. They are way more durable and as he shows, much easier to use one handed. Try opening and unfolding an emergency blanket with a broken arm.

I think most of the guys that posted here carry a least 1 knife at all times and usially have a back-up.

You never said what YOU have in you'r bag...:confused:

What do you mean "I carry what is basically the equivalent to a big orange highway garbage bag."

Just wondering.:confused: :D