Only 5 things

chrisaloia, Glad you mentioned a pot to cook in. I was just about to post until I came across yours.
 
My daughter (Age 8) ask me this same question on Sat. I told her I would tak my Swiss army knife, Pancho, fish/first-aid Kit (it also contains 100 feet of para cord, a Gerber strike force, and is attached to my Spec Plus survival blade), Hammock, and a metal pot.

My son (age 10 and a Scout) Said he would take his firesteel, Pancho, knife (fixed blade Spec Plus like mine with paracord around the sheath), Hammock, and Shovel.

I ask my daughter where she came up with the question and was told that her teacher ask them to put down on paper what they would take if stranded on a island alone. She is now going to read a book about being prepared and have them answer the same question and compare it to the answers they gave last week.

I ask my daughter what she would take and her list was practicle for the way she sees the world. She said she would take a doll, blanket, pillow, phone like they used on Jarasic Park (Sat/phone or something simular I think), And A snad bucket to play with until the Coast Guard got there and picked her up.

My son and I never thought of the phone deal.
 
1. Fallkniven A1
2. Light, Red, Nylon Tarp 12' x 12' (with 100' of para cord or 3mm climbing rope for tie downs)
3. Wind Proof lighter
4. Wool Blanket
5. Water bottle
 
1. PSK
2. BOB
3. Gun rack (full, of course)

Ha ha ha... actually I'll have to think about this one a little more.
 
1. Knife

2. Water purifier (MSR waterworks)

3. 50 ft. paracord

4. Firestarter

5. Signal Mirror
 
To provoke thought, what about the following for the "five":

* Cell phone
* "Survival" tarp (mylar on one side - you know the type)

I do not go off-road -- or even on lonely roads -- without the "ten essentials" of Mountain Rescue Assoc. or similar groups (1) extra clothing; 2) whistle; 3) matches; 4) compass; 5) map of area; 6) extra food; 7) knife (for me, now, that's a Wegner Pro Hunter); 8)fire starter; 9) flashlight (newer LED's are a real advance); 10) First aid kit.

I add to that a folding prunning saw, insect repellant (except after killing frost and until biters show up), dark glasses, water, and 25' of 1/4" polyester rope.

As observed in this forum, situations alter cases. Water may be not only one of the five, but the only one that counts if you break an axle trying some of the "DON'T" roads in Death Valley.

Murphy, after all, was known to come from a family of reckless optimists.
 
If you're just waiting to be found by rescuers or you plan to walk out of the wilderness:

Water purifier filter
Flare-gun
Bic lighter
Canteen
Knife

But if there is no chance of rescue and no way to walk out (like in the movie Castaway):

Magnesium firestarter
Full size ax
Knife
Large mesquito net
Large cooking pot

Good luck,
Allen.
 
allenC

Magnesium firestarter
Full size ax
Knife
Large mesquito net
Large cooking pot

In my opinion your list is great. Depending on the time of the year and location, the misquito net is very important. I know this my not go over well, but depending on the area I may substitute a fishing kit or a 22 for the knife, so I could easily put somthing in the pot. If you have a sharpening stone, an ax can be used for just about anything a knife can do. It just isn't as easy.
 
Okay, I'll forget the usual bits and pieces that I have in my pockets because quite frankly it's alot of stuff and for the purpose of this thread makes things a lot less interesting.

1) Large Fixed Blade:
If you're only having one knife in a fairly cold climate, it better be able to chop easily, so lets say around a 9" blade.

2) Large, Strong, Waterproof Tarp:
Help create a dead airspace to keep you warm at night, stops you getting wet and can be cut into strips to use for securing poles etc... when building a shelter, whilst still leaving enough tarp to use effectively. You can also make a water bag out of part of it if needed, to carry water from a river, stream or other place, and also to store it if you're carful about it (hanging the bag from a branch.

3) Swedish Army Firesteel:
Not as easy to use as matches or a lighter but it'll last alot longer, and keeping the fire going is that difficult part.

4) Very Strong, Thin Cordage:
A variety of uses, including fishing, snaring, neccessary for making certain types of traps and can be used to build shelters.

5) Stainless Steel Vessel:
Stainless steel is long lasting but is not easily damaged by heat, so you can cook with it and it shouldn't develop holes anytime soon, or wear easily.

I've recently been informed that salt and fat are the most difficult foods to aquire in the wilderness, so for an extended stay I might have to put them in place of the stainless steel vessel and the cordage.

Matt
 
1. CG Steel Heart
2. Filson Duster
3. Recurve Bow w/ Arrows
4. MSR Stowaway Pot (Large)
5. 20 lbs of salt

(If I had 10 Items)

6. Strike Force Fire Starter
7. 20X20 ft. Poly Tarp
8. 500 ft of 550 Paracord
9. 20 lbs of ground red pepper
10. Botany (Area Specific) Field Guide/Manual
 
poncho with liner

Military Canteen which has the cup to boil water as it's base

550 paracord

firestarter

EMT firstaid kit


I'll already have two folders [ the ER MPC and the Strider SnG ] I carry daily. I'll have my E2 surefire on my belt [ daily ]. I'll already be wearing waterproof boots.


Brownie
 
Note that most responders are putting a "shelter" item first or second. This matches the need identified by the data on what kills most often in the wilderness - "exposure."
 
Originally posted by Thomas Linton
Note that most responders are putting a "shelter" item first or second. This matches the need identified by the data on what kills most often in the wilderness - "exposure."
Click to expand...

The first post said that the 5 things were in addition to what we always carry in our pockets. I always have a lighter on my keychain and a waterproof match case with strike anywhere matches inside in my pocket and a lens in my wallet and on my SAK. I would think that most of the people on this list have some simular things on them at all times.
 
Yep, that's how I understood it to be. Always got fire, whistle, can openner, light and SAK in my pants and my vest has most everything else I'll need except the items that I listed originally.
 
Thomas Linton, the post didn't say list them in order of importance. but it is good to emphasize the importance of shelter. Also if it is my clothes that I would have on a hike, I would be in synthetics with a great shell.
 
If we're allowed our normal EDC stuff, and clothing appropriate to the season (early Fall for me), I'd take my Opinel folding saw (my OSF knife will cover splitting firewood); a 1 quart USGI canteen with cover and cup; M6 with ammo; shelter roll (poly-blend blanket, 8x10 tarp, Swiss Alpenflage poncho, sleeping bag cover and Mylar tarp); my last iten would be a selection of spices, bullion cubes, rice, biscuit mix and shortening.

I already carry a complete mini-kit with multiple ways to start a fire, 3 knives (one 4" fixed blade among them), and all the other "essentials". I'd be wearing my BDU pants, good boots and M-65 Field Jacket. I'd feel pretty good with the above list.
 
1: Swamp Rat Battle Rat
2: Firestarter
3: fishing set (fishing hooks can be used to catch birds too ;) )
4: MSR alpine classic cookset (pots are allways a good thing to have)
5: a good 4 seasons sleeping bag.

With the knife, I can make shelter, collect wood, make traps.
Firestarter well, the name say it all, the fishing set provide cord, food if there is water and possibility to snare birds or other smal games.
The MSR cooking set is good to boil water,or other games and plantes. The sleeping bag will keep me warm under my shelter :D
 
Greetings from E. Tennessee!

Here is my top 5 list:

5. Cup that doubles as my pot
4. 1 - 8 X 8 Tarp
3. 1 - flint to strike on my steel knife
2. 1 - 4" carbon steel fixed-blade knife (my own design)
1. 1 Brain - well used
 
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