Best survival kit....?

Here is a list of other items you’ll need in your survival kit:

A compass - this may seem unnecessary for a light day hike, but this small, lightweight item can help if you become lost or disoriented.

First aid kit - fill a small zippered, waterproof pouch, bag, or daypack pocket with band-aids, moleskin, first-aid tape and ointment, an ace bandage, mosquito repellent, a snake bite kit, and aspirin.

Flashlight or headlamp and extra bulbs/batteries - you may get caught on the trail after dark or need to signal for help.

Food - for an all day hike, you’ll need a lunch, plus several snacks. Energy bars and gels are lightweight and keep you going. Other options that don’t weigh a lot or take up a lot of room in your pack are tortillas or pita bread, dry salami or jerky, string cheese, fruit leather, small bags of baby carrots, and small boxes of raisins or other dried fruit.

A map - even if you know the trail, a map is a lightweight item that can help you locate water sources, and an exit route or place to camp in case of an emergency.

Rain gear and extra clothing - the weather can change rapidly, particularly at high elevations. Lightweight rain gear can be stuffed in a pack (the best folds up into itself to make a compact “package"). Long underwear (capilene or another high-tech, fast drying, sweat-wicking fabric) is lightweight but adds warmth. A fleece or other lightweight hat keeps body heat from escaping through your head.

Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat - again, the weather can change. Plus, you can get sunburned on a cloudy day - especially at high elevations and where there is snow. Sunglasses are especially important in snowy areas to prevent snowblindedness. A well-ventilated, lightweight sun hat with a brim can provide enough shade to keep you from overheating and provide further protection against sunburn.

A swiss army knife or multi-purpose tool - the best ones have scissors, tweezers, small screwdriver, can opener, and knives in various sizes.

Waterproof/windproof matches in a sealed container or ziploc bag - in an emergency, a fire can prevent hypothermia and can be used to signal for help.

Water/water filter - hiking guides recommend a minimum of one liter per person per day of hiking. However, the minimum is increased to up to one gallon per person in hot, dry areas and during the summer months. Carrying a gallon of water in heavy water bottles is cumbersome; options include a hydration system that you wear like a backpack with a tube that you drink from while walking, or you can carry a water filter if there are water sources on your route and purify drinking water along the way. Never drink untreated water even if it looks clean.

These other items are optional, but can be useful if you have room in your pack and/or don’t mind the extra weight:

Binoculars.

Camera/video camera.

Extra socks - a fresh pair of socks can energize you for the return trip.

Field guides - bird books, wild edible plant guides, tree guides, etc.

Gaiters - these can be useful if your hike takes you through snow, especially on a warm day when you are wearing shorts.

Gloves - a pair of lightweight, capilene or wool gloves can come in handy if the weather turns cold.

Mosquito netting - a piece of netting to wear over your head and cover your face can mean the difference between a miserable day and a tolerable one.

Notebook and pen or pencil.

A tarp - this can be used to sit on if the ground is wet, to build a shelter to sleep under, and as additional protection from bad weather.

Trekking poles - these provide added stability and balance. Telescoping poles are fairly lightweight and can be stored in your pack when not needed.

Ziploc bags - a couple of these thrown into your pack always come in handy for packing out trash, storing leftover food, and a number of other uses.

Plan ahead. Don't just trek off into the wilderness, do some research first. There are a lot of resources regarding survival, both online and in libraries, but warning: many of the techniques used in these manuals are sometimes wrong or incomplete. One of the most accurate books about this subject is "Bushcraft - Outdoor Skills and Wilderness Survival" by Mors Kochanski. Educate yourself about the flora and fauna of the area you are exploring. Knowledge of the local plants and animals can save your life! Also, see if you need any medication or injections.

# Make sure someone knows where you are going every time you go into the wilderness, and how long you intend to be gone. That way someone will realize that you are missing, quickly alert rescuers, and be able to tell them where to start looking for you. Note: this is like a 'flight plan' which pilots file before leaving. Similarly, don't forget to call the person(s) you notified to tell them when you are back. Like "the boy who cried wolf" a false alarm wastes rescue resources and may be costly (some communities have begun to bill the parties responsible).

# Be prepared. Basic survival tools such as a knife, a magnesium stone, some matches, some cord, a whistle, a "space blanket", signaling mirror, etc. can mean the difference between life and death. Even if you are only out on a day hike, be sure to bring the essentials. Having all this equipment is nothing if you cannot use it properly. Make sure to practice many times in a safe environment before venturing into the wilderness. Also, know how to catch and cook fish and game if the need arises.

There is ALOT more information on the site i have put as my source

Check out Wal-Mart. For a good bit less than $85.00 you can get a very decent survival kit already packaged. I bought one and only added a knife as that was the only essential that didn't come in the kit. Whether you do that or make up your own, a survival kit needs to address the following main issues: Fire building, shelter construction, signaling. Other things like water purification, food acquisition, first aid (we usually recommend a separate kit for this), etc. can also be included if you feel it is necessary.

With every day pass, our country is getting into more and more trouble. The inflation, unemployment and falling value of dollar are the main concern for our Government but authorities are just sleeping, they don’t want to face the fact. Media is also involve in it, they are force to stop showing the real economic situation to the people. I start getting more concern about my future as well as my family after watching the response of our Government for the people that affected by hurricane Katrina.

According to recent studies made by World Bank, the coming crisis will be far worse than initially predicted. So if you're already preparing for the crisis (or haven't started yet) make sure you watch this video at http://www.familysurvival.tv/ and discover the 4 BIG issues you'll have to deal with when the crisis hits, and how to solve them fast (before the disaster strikes your town!) without spending $1,000s on overrated items and useless survival books.

While it would be nice to have everything but the kitchen sink with you, remember that you have to carry it. Keep things to a minimum. You need food, clothing and shelter. I'm assuming that you don't yet know what wild foods are edible, so carry a packet of nuts. They will keep you going better than the candy in most trail mixes. A few feet of fishing line and a couple of hooks might be handy. You are wearing your clothing but an extra pair of socks may be welcome. A small plastic tarp will provide shelter. If you can, get a rescue blanket, aluminized mylar tightly packed to take up about the space of a pack of cigarettes. That provides excellent shelter and conserves your heat. Add a good pocket-knife and a matchsafe full of matches and you're set. If you are lost, the best thing to do is to sit tight and wait to be found. If you can read a map, learn to orient yourself by sunrise, sunset, the North Star, or the movement of shadows. In an emergency, you might want to keep going downhill. Eventually, you will come to water and to a road.

The chances of needing any of these things are slim, so enjoy your hike.

I'll assume you have all the normal things in your bag already, like shelter, food, water purification, rope, ect. So onward.

1st aid should have:

threat and a needle,

I bring super glue (good for big cuts, pull the skin together and glue it shut)

Any medications, aspirin, stuff for stings,

matches or magnesium stick or a lighter,

bandages,

safety pins,

duct tape (good for everything like holding mole skin down),

moleskin (blister stuff),

disinfectant for cuts,

alcohol pads,

a mirror,

whistle,

I think that does it, don't worry, relax enjoy the outside.

1

1st thing, something to start a fire with (matches/lighter), 2nd thing, a knife. Useful for making tools/hunting implements. 3rd thing, garbage bags, these can serve as shelter for inclimate weather and shield you from the rain/snow keeping you dry. 4th thing would be food, nuts/trail mix.

Compromise. ANYTHING he wants to include or exclude. Serioulsy anything...except for cell phones. Hide it if you must.

compass, map, flare, food, whistle, walkie talkie