Survival kit

[Terry Green]

great thread

[frank bullitt]

This thread seems to remind me of the biology teacher/deer hunter.

He assigned his students to keep a log of the deer sightings to and from school, on their bus rides.

Common sense, and the great will to live on!

So what you carrying, Charlie?

[goobersan]

Having hypothermia before I always carry a road flare. Can't beat 15 minutes of fire that'll start a rain soaked pile of wood. Besides that, I tend to carry a bit much. First aid and the 5 C's.

[Charlie Lamb]

Frank... like I said, I am often poorly prepared. Or at least I was. I don't get that far off the road these days.

When I did I'd almost always have several means of making fire...lighters, matches, magnesium and striker type, a spent tube of Duco, space blanket, and rope, lots of rope.Some type of light and a signal mirror and water filter bottle.  .

These things were just normal "tools" that I almost always have anywhere.
A couple of knives usually and a multi tool. (one of those with a saw.) compass... don't wait until an emergency to use the compass. That may be why you are in a bind to begin with.

[Roadkill]

I teach Scouts and give each an altoid container.
Small mirror, band aid, birthday candle, matches, needle, dental floss, single edge razor blade, tin foil, zip tie, straw, steel wool, paper cl, screw, safety pin.  Packed in and taped with two laps of electrician tape to keep it water proof. Small but packs a lot of stuff. We also teach water, power bars and whistle as necessaries

[frank bullitt]

I also believe knowledge of the resources available in the area you will be in.

Whether it is a hunting, fishing trip, or family vacation, or business trip.

Just as important as what you carry!

[Firstlight]

I pretty much carry what others mentioned.

A few other items I always have in my day pack:   50 ft. of paracord, plastic drop cloth for a tarp, few garbage bags, zip ties, small amount of duct tape, signal mirror, space blanket and an emergency whistle.

I've spent one night in the woods years ago, unexpectedly, so I don't mind a few extra ounces in the pack, just in case.  

The pacific northwest can get wet and cold real fast.

[Gray Buffalo]

I tell you this thread has opened a few new ideas for me. I'll have to think about this for a while. My legs aren't the best anymore so I very seldom get more then a haft mile from camp. I carry a small kit but if I am down for some reason I could lay there for a while before help comes. I'm also on blood thinners and a bad cut could be real bad.
Back to the drawing board.

jerry

[calgarychef]

Here's how I look at it, I don't carry a survival "kit." I carry a well supplied daypack with everyhpthing necessary to stay an evening or two if necessary.  Not heavy stuff like sleeping bags but just enough to get by.

[shoes]

This has been great. There have been some ideas and items I'll be adding for sure. Thanks everyone!

[savagelh]

I love this thread  
In a small maxpedition case I carry, sucrets container with small essentials in it, Mylar sheet, compass, large bic, whistle, para cord, zip ties, trail marking tape, ferro rod and I forget what all else. I'll try to take some pics later.
I also always have my leatherman wave and a sharp knife on me.

[Soonerlongbow]

I saw paracord mentioned as a tourniquet.

Please never do this! A tourniquet should always be 1" wide or better. Thin cordage will either not have enough compression to effectively stop arterial flow or will act like a garrote and amputate the appendage.

[frassettor]

   

[Pointer]

It depends where I am hunting. If its over at my brother's place I don't bother at all. It's small enough and there are houses nearby. If I am in one of our 15-20K acre state parks then I always have one. Generally a small first aid kit that I've beefed up with a quick clot bandage and some aspirin. A lighter and some waterproof matches along with some solid fuel sticks, a water filter bottle, 20 feet of para cord, compass and small GPS, 2 quality space blankets, a leatherman, a couple of candy bars and a headlamp with an extra set of batteries.

Additionally I carry a good topo map of the entire park...so far so good.

[jackdaw]

Water purifier bottle
Cotton ball soaked in vaseline...for fire starting and med use............I carry these in film cannisters.....SUPER USEFUL
good...multiuse folding knife and gerber tool
5"  blade sheath knife....benchmade
Gorilla tape
Ferro rod
Para-cord
Guaze pads
Small powerful flashlight
3-4 zippo lighters.....stashed all over my kit..they're LIGHT
Space blanket
Small mirror
t

[savagelh]

This is what I try to carry all the time. I should add aspirin and iodine tabs.

[Sam McMichael]

Don't forget that last, and most important, item. That is giving a written notice of where you are going and when you expect to return. If something bad does happen, it could speed up the search process.

[Charlie Lamb]

Good point Sam. I will open Google Earth and put a marker where I will be. You could even outline a route you have planned.

[Charlie Lamb]

When I lived in the Rockies my plan was to hitch a ride with the Forestry people that came to put out the forest fire.
 

[ChuckC]

Well, that sure is one way to do it....  

ChuckC