Gear for a True Survival Situation

I posted some years back that I like to have Fireworks in a kit for signaling; I must be the only one.:confused:
 
i dont put this in my pack with intentions of surviving off it but id imagine it could be used for that, i have a field stripped MRE, a bic lighter, a hydration bladder, a medical kit, mountain money (tp), a bit of sterno, and an emergency blanket, along with your typical hunting stuff, such as a knife and stuff like that, just because i tend to wander farther than i think and end up having to stay the night in the woods sometimes
 
tobii3 said:
Because a flame will heat all the air under the poncho. You already have gloves.
Click to expand...

And the heat release, (ratio to time), is much faster with a candle, I don't think a hand warmer would get ahead of the heat loss. Besides, candles are cheap and I bet put out a lot more BTU's than a hand warmer.
 
tobii3 said:
Because a flame will heat all the air under the poncho. You already have gloves.
Click to expand...

And the heat release, (ratio to time), is much faster with a candle, I don't think a hand warmer would get ahead of the heat loss. Besides, candles are cheap and I bet put out a lot more BTU's than a hand warmer.
 
Poncho or tarp, para cord, rain gear, and an extra layer. The layer depends on the weather. Summer time, a fleece vest, fall and winter, a down vest, spring, some wool. Plus I always carry a pair of poly long johns, and hooded top.
Waterproof boots and pants are a must in all but mid-summer, down booties in winter have to be in the pack. Thin-ish merino mittens & extra socks are a must. Pocket survival kit, couple granola bars, and knife on my person - always. Trangia kit & some extra fuel is always in the bag with some oatmeal and soup packets. These are minimums for me. If I have the wife & kids with me, more goes. If I'm pulling a pulk or in a canoe, more goes.
I have a decent "survival" candle, but never bring it on short trips. I'll have to start - it is a great little extra.
 
mewolf1 said:
I posted some years back that I like to have Fireworks in a kit for signaling; I must be the only one.:confused:
Click to expand...

Getting lost while hiking is foolish but depending on circumstances I guess anything is possible. Fews years ago a hiker in California got lost and fired a flare....turns out when you light the forest and a bunch of homes on fire your going to get found!

A map $12 and a compass $25 or a flare gun???
 
mewolf1 said:
I posted some years back that I like to have Fireworks in a kit for signaling; I must be the only one.:confused:
Click to expand...

Interesting............ and another option for fire starting in moist conditions possibly ? Dismantle a stick, spread out the contents to avoid an explosive effect with a mag bar or ferro rod ? Hmmm, you have me thinking here............

For shear survival fire starting I might even just pack in a small tube of lighter or bar-b-q fluid. Fancy or trick means nothing to me if I'm going to die of hypothermia. I've been in cold were it didn't take long to start losing some finger dexterity, which I found to be alarming.
 
like the flare idea anyone know where those can be purchased in quantities less than a case? you can email the link if you like.
 
--J said:
Great piece of advice from Tobii3; and the same applies for a solo warm up with one poncho and a survival candle. If you squat or have a stool of some sorts, (stump), get the poncho bottom to the ground and that candle will warm you up and get quite a bit of moisture out of your clothes. If there were a top 10 list of short term survival tips this would be one near my top...
Click to expand...

Do not fall asleep.
 
Another great shelter option that isnt very popular here in the US, but is big in the UK is a bothy bag. Its essentially a waterproof pole-less tent used for emergencies. There is no door, you just pull it over the top of you and huddle up close to everyone to help conserve body heat. They are made in all sizes to accommodation any size group . They usually have at least one clear window to see out and a vent for ventilation. Some even have a "X" on the roof made with reflective tape for signalling/rescue. They pack down into a stuff sack and weigh next to nothing. Check them out on YT
 
I have all of this in a Drago Gear small daypack along with some clif bars and water in a hydration bladder for when I'm going on short day hikes. I also have a Magellan rain jacket that folds up on itself to make it more compact. I also have a fixed blade knife and ccw just in case.


http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/product.php?product=151&catname=Kits&prodname=SOL Scout

http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/product.php?product=267&catname=Kits&prodname=Survival Medic

http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/product.php?product=146&catname=Shelter&prodname=SOL Thermal Bivvy

http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/product.php?product=145&catname=Shelter&prodname=SOL Emergency Blanket

http://www.orionsignals.com/product-groups/aerial-flares/product/103.html
 
Emergency gear always carried
Standard for English Hills where the weather turns into Atlantic storms in a moment's non-notice

Hat and gloves
Whistle and Flashlight (spare batteries and bulb)
Reserved high energy food
Bivi Bag (can be big garbage bag)
Map and compass

You will be cold and wet the night and live to tell the tale
 
I've never been lost, EVER, but bust your leg in the mountains and you might be screwed. A signal of any kind would be used to be found, only when rescue is flying by. It's like having a gill net; throw it in the pack and hope you NEVER need it.
collecter said:
Getting lost while hiking is foolish but depending on circumstances I guess anything is possible. Fews years ago a hiker in California got lost and fired a flare....turns out when you light the forest and a bunch of homes on fire your going to get found!

A map $12 and a compass $25 or a flare gun???
Click to expand...
 
mewolf1 said:
............. A signal of any kind would be used to be found, only when rescue is flying by.
...........
Click to expand...

The sound of a whistle will carry many miles
On the ground....

A flashing mirror will travel to the horizon
 
ThriftyJoe that backtrack is a good idea, as is the jacket... Mewolf1 I've never been lost either, been directionally challenged a few times, never lost....
 
tobii3 said:
Two Army ponchos and five bungee cords. Four for the corners and one to pull the hood up to keep from sagging and collecting water.

For warmth? A storm candle. Put the other poncho on, place the hood on, then tighten the neck are as close as possible. Light candle under the poncho. Obviously, keep the candle between your body and the poncho so neither get burned. Tuck loose ends of poncho under you (sitting Indian style). Reason you keep your head out and the poncho tight around your neck is to avoid asphyxiation.

Voila. Survival in it's lightest form. Yes, I have done this, and it works.
Click to expand...


I like this. I use a somewhat similar method. Very simple. An army poncho and a poncho liner, very warm and dry. If you have to sleep on the ground in the rain it works quite well (just lay head up hill ;) ). It's super light weight. Having an extra one to open up and tie to a tree/rock/etc is excellent as well :). The candle trick is very clever too :) I've never heard of that one. Sounds like a quick warm up!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top