Survive in the Wilderness
Surviving in the wilderness can be tough if you do not have any Survival gear with you. On the other hand, you cannot possibly take everything that you might need with you into the backwoods. And sometimes you might find yourself stranded unexpectedly.
Arm yourself with some survival knowledge and few crucial pieces of equipment, though, and you could survive in the wilds for days, weeks, or even months.
Whether you want to pit yourself against mother nature deliberately, or you merely want to be prepared, you need to know what to pack. So, here is a list of 15 essential items that will help you survive in the wilderness.
1. Knowledge
A little bit of knowledge can get you a long way when you want to survive in the wilderness. So, the first thing to do to get ready for an outdoor adventure is to get yourself a wilderness survival guide. The best survival books will teach you how to build a shelter, how to find and preserve food, and much more. So, be prepared, and start educating yourself about survival; it could save your life.
Example survival guide:
- Bushcraft 101 A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival
- Canterbury, Dave (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 256 Pages - 09/01/2014 (Publication Date) - Adams Media (Publisher)
Last update on 2020-06-21 Source: Amazon Product Advertising API
2. A Source of Drinking Water
The average person can survive up to three weeks without food, but only about three days without water. So, your first job, if you want to survive in the wilderness, is to find a source of clean water. You can, of course, carry a water bottle, but that is not going to last for long. So, you will need to locate a water source. But the water that you find may be contaminated and would make you sick. So, add a survival water purifier to your survival gear packing list.
Example survival water purifier:
- Award-winning LifeStraw water filter is a must-carry tool for hiking, camping, travel, and emergencies; no disaster kit is complete without it
- Filters up to 1,000 gallons (4,000 liters) of contaminated water without iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals; does not require batteries and has no moving parts
- Removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites, and filters to 0.2 microns; surpasses EPA filter standards
- An alternative to iodine tablets and bulky purifiers, it weighs 2oz for ultralight portability, and has a high flow rate for drinking from the source
Last update on 2020-06-21 Source: Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Food
Unless you plan on catching your food, you will need to take food rations with you into the wilderness. The best type of food for survival is energy-rich foods that require little or no preparation. If you want to travel light, you will not get a lot of variety with your food rations, but at least they will keep you alive and alert.
Example emergency food rations:
- Each packet contains six individual, ready-to-eat 410 calorie rations; requires no preparation
- Contain no cholesterol, coconut, or nuts which may cause dangerous allergic reactions when medical aid is scarce
- Formulated with an optimal Balance of nutrients - Enriched with FDA recommended vitamins & minerals and a pleasant lemon-vanilla flavor
- Bars crumble easily and may be mixed with water to form a paste for younger children or adults with dental issues
Last update on 2020-06-22 Source: Amazon Product Advertising API
4. A Fire Starter
Fire is essential in the wilderness for keeping you warm at night and scaring away any prowling predators. So, one of the critical items that will help you survive in the woods is a fire starter. Survival experts place so much importance on the ability to start a fire that many carry several different fire starters.
Example survival fire starter:
- HANDCRAFTED HARDWOOD HANDLE — Traditionally inspired materials and ergonomics. We’ve intentionally left the grip natural, ready to earn that seasoned finish. Oil & grit… bare, calloused hands.
- BEST FERRO BLEND, PERIOD — Überleben’s Sånft-korr(TM) ferrocerium is the perfect balance between softness & durability, consistently outperforming the leading fire starters. Easily throw a 5,500ºF shower of molten sparks in any weather (waterproof), at any altitude.
- MULTIPLE SIZE OPTIONS — At nearly 5-inches in total length, the Zünden is available in three thickness variations, including: Trad 5/16” (8mm): 12,000+ strikes, Pro 3/8” (10mm): 15,000+ strikes, and Fatty 1/2” (12.5mm): 20,000+ strikes.
- DESIGNED FOR NECK CARRY — There’s no excuse. Even the Zünden Fatty weighs in at less than 3 oz. Includes Mil-spec 550 paracord lanyard + Multi-tool striker (straight-edge spine, concave tinder scraper, map scale, ruler, hex wrench… and most importantly, bottle opener).
Last update on 2020-06-22 Source: Amazon Product Advertising API
5. Shelter
If you get stranded and you need to survive in the wilderness unexpectedly, then you will need to build a shelter, which you will have learned how to do from reading your survival guide. But you will make life easier for yourself if you always carry an emergency survival bivy with you. These emergency sleeping bags are lightweight and easy to carry. Still, they will provide you warmth and keep the rain off you in a survival situation.
Example survival bivy:
- STAY WARM AND ALIVE IN EXTREME CONDITIONS: The Life Bivy emergency sleeping bag serves as your emergency blanket, survival shelter, and emergency bivy sack all-in-one. Engineered for emergencies and survival, you have the ability to call for help using the 120-decibel survival whistle. Perfect for your bug out bag, survival gear, car survival kit, or bug out gear, the Life Bivy is an essential tool to ensure you stay alive in an emergency
- PARA-SYNCH TECHNOLOGY PARACORD DRAWSTRING & SURVIVAL WHISTLE: The 120-decibel emergency whistle cuts through wind and trees alerting rescuers up to 1-mile away. The 550lb nylon core Para-Synch Technology drawstring can be used to secure or repair gear, build an emergency shelter, or start a fire. In a survival situation, your tools and skills are the difference between life and death. The Life Bivy's multi-functional stuff sack stacks the deck in your favor
- EXTRA-THICK TEAR AND PUNCTURE RESISTANT MATERIAL: Your ultra-lightweight emergency bivvy survival sleeping bag is constructed of 26um extra-thick mylar material with a tear and puncture resistant coating so it stands up to extreme conditions. Your Life Bivy is durable enough for repeated uses so it can be folded up and placed back inside the waterproof Nylon stuff sack for your next adventure
- PROTECTION AGAINST RAIN, WIND, & SNOW: Your waterproof and windproof survival bivvy bag is made of extra-thick tear & puncture resistant polyethylene material with sealed seams locking out harsh weather to cover & protect you in the worst conditions. The reflective interior of the Life Bivy emergency sleeping bag protects you from hypothermia and keeps you warm by reflecting 90% of your body heat back to you
Last update on 2020-06-22 Source: Amazon Product Advertising API
6. Survival Knife
A good, sturdy knife is essential if you want to survive for any length of time in the wilderness. You can buy survival multi-tools that have several different tools attached to them. Multi-tools can be useful in an emergency, but a real survivalist would always carry a hunting knife. A knife can be used for many purposes in a survival situation. If you have a knife with you, you can kill and prepare animals for food, you can cut wood for a fire or a shelter, and you can use a knife for self-defense.
Example hunting knife:
- DIMENSIONS: 9 inch (22.9 cm) overall length with a blade length of 4.7 inches (12.1 cm) and a weight of 7.7 ounces
- DURABLE: Blade is made of reliable 7Cr17MoV High Carbon Stainless Steel with a black rubber wrapped handle
- DEPENDABLE: Quick and easy access with the convenient belt or boot sheath making it ideal for everyday carry
- SECURE: Have confidence that the blade will not slip with the security of the hand guard
Last update on 2020-06-22 Source: Amazon Product Advertising API
7. Compass and Map
If you are planning on spending time away from civilization, you should always take a compass and map with you. You cannot always rely on the GPS on your phone to find your way to safety because you may not be able to get a signal, or your phone’s battery might run out. Having a map and compass is not going to be a lot of help, though, if you do not know how to use them. So, learn the basics of orienteering before you set out into the wilderness.
Example compass:
- PROFESSIONAL GRADE: This professional grade military compass will always lead you in the right direction. Ideal for camping, military usage, emergencies, and anywhere the beaten track takes you
- ERGONOMIC DESIGN: The lensatic function increases the reading’s accuracy with a lens on the rear sight that magnifies the card dial – so you’ll always get an accurate reading
- MILITARY CONSTRUCTION: Tough and tenacious, the military construction with waterproof and shakeproof properties is built to survive the harshest of hikes
- PORTABLE: Keep the compass near you with a belt loop attachment, or place it safely in your pocket with a carrying case, so you can keep your hands gripped on the mountain you’re scaling
Last update on 2020-06-22 Source: Amazon Product Advertising API
8. Emergency Whistle
Carry an emergency whistle with your on your adventures into the wilderness, and you will always have a means of attracting attention should you ever need help. If you get injured or lost, your voice will not carry far. The sound of an emergency whistle, though, can be heard over long distances. The best type of safety whistle to pack in your survival kit is a plastic whistle, because they are lightweight, and they will not rust.
Example emergency whistle:
- Super durable construction ensures proper functioning when you need it most while boating or for any other purposes
- Super loud whistle provides audible protection for mariners, sporting events and personal safety to ensure that you will be heard when you need assistance.
- Pea-less whitle design ensures it works wet or dry, out in your kayak or on dry land
- Meets marine safety requirements in all states
Last update on 2020-06-22 Source: Amazon Product Advertising API
9. Appropriate Clothing and Footwear
Even though the sun may be shining when you set out on a trip into the backwoods, the weather can change. So, always wear or carry clothing that is appropriate for the worst seasonal weather that can be expected in the area. If you are hiking, for example, you should take a waterproof jacket and wear a sturdy pair of hiking boots.
Example hiking jacket:
- STAY DRY. Made with a 100% nylon ripstop DryVent fabric, this jacket features a Durable Water-Repellent (DWR) Finish helps keep you dry when rain strikes.
- STANDARD FIT. Lightweight and designed for hiking, this standard fit jacket fits over sweaters and zip-up jackets for comfortable layering.
- CUSTOM FIT. This versatile rain jacket features an attached, adjustable hood that stows in the collar when the weather clears up. Elastic cuffs fit over gloves and a hem cinch-cord lets you customize the fit at the waist.
- SECURE STORAGE. Secure-zip hand pockets safety store your phone and wallet while you're on the go.
Last update on 2020-06-22 Source: Amazon Product Advertising API
10. Survival Cord
One of the most versatile yet straightforward items that will help you survive in the wilderness is a length of survival cord. Survival cord or paracord can be used to make shelters, make repairs to clothing, and climb steep inclines. When you strip open survival cord, you will find fine strands that can be used as fishing lines, boot laces, tinder for starting a fire, and no end of other things.
Example survival cord:
- EXCLUSIVE PATENTED PARACORD - Originally designed at the request of Special Forces in Afghanistan, our SurvivorCord is a 620 LB tensile strength paracord that integrates 3 life-saving survival strands into TITAN's trusted WarriorCord 550 Paracord. Available only from TITAN Survival, SurvivorCord is protected by U.S. Patents 9,528,204 & 9,926,652, with other International patents pending. There simply isn't a better paracord available. DON'T BE FOOLED BY KNOCK-OFFS!
- MONO FISHING LINE - Includes a single transparent, 25 lb. test, high strength mono-filament fishing line that can be used when critical protein is just yards away. This filament can also be melted and used to patch holes, or used to bind tools together.
- WAXED JUTE TINDER - Our proprietary, waterproof, twisted jute fiber strand is designed to quickly start fires in an emergency. This is the best fire-starting strand on the market. Even in a downpour, a couple sparks from your favorite SurvivorSteel, and you'll have an instant fire.
- MULTI-PURPOSE WIRE - Our proprietary 30 AWG metallic alloy is strong, conductive, and non-magnetic. Perfect for small snares, trip-wires, antennae, camp-fire food wraps, and any other ingenious survival ideas that you can think up.
Last update on 2020-06-22 Source: Amazon Product Advertising API
11. First Aid Kit
It is advisable to carry a small first aid kit with you on camping and hiking trips. A first aid kit will also be essential if you plan on spending any time in the wilderness. Once again, you will need to balance the weight of the bag with the first aid supplies that you will need. So, it would be best to pack a well-stocked mini first aid kit for short trips. But, if you and a group of friends plan on spending several days in the backwoods, you should consider taking a full-size adventure first aid kit with you.
Example adventure first aid kit:
- The Easy Care organization system organizes contents by injury into clearly-labeled pocket
- Includes an irrigation syringe, butterfly bandages, tincture of benzoin, and a variety of dressings
- Stop bleeding quickly with a large trauma pad to control bleeds from severe falls
- Manage fevers, stomach aches, pain, and allergies until medical help can be reached
Last update on 2020-06-22 Source: Amazon Product Advertising API
12. Flashlight
Finding yourself lost in the dark is both frightening and potentially dangerous. If you cannot see where you are going, you could trip on something or fall into a ravine. Fortunately, Flashlights are now small enough and lightweight enough to carry with you anywhere. So, a good-quality tactical flashlight and some spare batteries should be added to your survival kit list.
Example tactical flashlight:
- ULTRA BRIGHT & LONG-LASTING - Easily light up an entire room or focus in on objects up to 1000 feet away! 10 times brighter than old incandescent lights. Conveniently powered for hours with 3 AAA batteries or a single rechargeable battery. (Batteries not included)
- COMPACT, ADJUSTABLE FOCUS, & FIVE MODES - 5 Useful Settings (High|Medium|Low|Strobe|SOS) and wide-to-narrow beam zoom makes it ideal for use around the house, dog walking, or camping. It is compact enough to fit in your pocket, backpack, or purse allowing for easy storage and quick access.
- WATER RESISTANT & VIRTUALLY INDESTRUCTIBLE - Built for rough handling, this flashlight can survive a 10-foot drop or being temporary submerged under water. You can even freeze or run it over with a truck and it will still work! Suitable for use in rain, snow, or emergency situations.
- AS SEEN ON TV + BONUS - Same "military" tactical flashlight as seen on TV, shopping networks, and commercials but at a fraction of the price! Includes a bonus pouch/holster to safely store your flashlight.
Last update on 2020-06-22 Source: Amazon Product Advertising API
13. Signaling Mirror
In addition to an emergency whistle that we have already mentioned, a signaling mirror is an excellent way to attract attention in an emergency. Signaling mirrors do not take up much space, and they are not burdensome. But you could use a mirror to attract the attention of rescuers from far away. A mirror will also come in handy for personal hygiene tasks, like shaving.
Example signaling mirror:
- Signal planes, helicopters, and distant search and rescue teams over 30 miles away with this signal mirror.
- 3M reflective aimer enables you to aim the mirror's reflection using one hand.
- Lightweight Lexan construction resists breaks from dropping.
- Secure inside or outside of packs, jackets, or other gear with a loop for lanyards and clips. Each pack includes one signal mirror.
Last update on 2020-06-22 Source: Amazon Product Advertising API
14. Wire Saw
If you wanted to cut down some wood for a shelter, a saw would be the tool you need. However, the usual types of saws are too big to carry around with you on a trip into the wilderness. The solution to this problem is a wire saw, which is lightweight and convenient to carry.
Example wire saw:
- 100% brand new and high quality
- Material: Steel wire + plastic
- Flexible and lightweight, easy to carry.
- Can be used for cutting wood, plastic, bone, rubber and soft metal.
