If you are not content with sheltering in place during an emergency, then you need to think about what you will take with you when you leave — specifically, the weight of the gear you plan to grab and the length of time your gear will enable you to survive. Choose correctly, and you will thrive; choose poorly, and you could die. Here is a list of portable and useful gear that enables people on foot to move with speed.
Remember: Two is one and one is none. Stay frosty.
Pocket-Sized Survival Gear
The VSSL
This is a water-resistant flashlight that holds a ton of survival gear. It is 9 inches X 2 inches, weighs 18 ounces and is constructed from anodized aluminum. The VSSL comes in four configurations: Survival, First Aid, Shelter and Blank (an empty VSSL). The survival models contain the following items: compass (oil filled), a 4-hour pure Canadian beeswax candle, a razor blade, 6 Aquatabs water purification tablets, wire saw, emergency whistle, waterproof matches, Tinder Quik fire starters, fishing gear, signaling mirror, Marine-grade rope, reflective trail markers, P38 military GI-type can opener, first aid supplies and VSSL’s list of the priorities of survival and instructions. Check out the VSSL for more tips on how to use this product.
The Leatherman
This classic multi-tool is a work horse. Carry a Leatherman Wave, and you will be ready to tackle almost any situation. Bonus: Leatherman products come with a no-questions-asked 25-year limited warranty.
A tactical knife
A good tactical knife is not only vital to meeting your basic needs — food, water, fire and shelter — but also for surviving combat scenarios. Cabela’s carries a range of high-quality tactical knives that are perfectly suited for survival situations.
LifeStraw personal water filter
Extremely portable (9 inches long and 1 inch in diameter) and extremely effective (it removes 99.9999 percent of waterborne bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella, and 99.9 percent of waterborne protozoa, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium), LifeStraw should be in everybody’s emergency kit. Learn more about how the LifeStraw works here.
DIY pill bottle survival kits
These are cheap and easy to make. Stow them in your vehicle, around the house, in coat pockets or anywhere else you can think of placing one. The best part about making Pill Bottle Survival Kits is that you can modify each one to your liking. Some items you might consider including in you kits: candles, matches with striker, antiseptic wipes, 550 cord, snares, kindling, bullion cubes, spices, etc. Your preparation level, location and bug-out plan should dictate what to add and how many kits to make.
Makeshift survival lamp
This is another easy project almost anyone can complete. For this to work, you will need a tea candle (from your DIY pill bottle survival kit), a multi-tool that can cut through an aluminum can and a soda can (scavenge this item, don’t carry it with you). Simply cut a window into the can and pop the candle inside. Tie 550 cord to the can’s pop top and hang your lantern where you want it.
