The Basic Survival Essentials

Myakka

Myakka

Joined
Feb 9, 2004
Messages
1,447
For me my basic essential gear list only contains 6 items, the gear includes;

1. Poncho / Tarp

I use a USGI Woodland Camo Poncho

2.Sleeping Blanket / Bag

SnugPak Jungle Bag - weighs 25ozs and Pack down to 4.75" x 5.5"

3. 2-32 oz Nalgene Water Bottles

4. Metal Mug / Cup

I currently use a 16 oz stainless steel Oilcamp cup that fits on the end of a 32oz Nalgene bottle, but will purchase a Snow Peak Titanium Trek 700 Cup

5. Study Fixed Blade Knife

My choice is a Roger Linger Bushcraft

6. Ferrocerium Rod / FireSteel
 
I'm with ya on everything except the cup. Maybe I'm just not thinking clearly. What's the cup for?
 
I always have on my person my Simonich Bitteroot with 3 feet of 550 cord tied in a coil knot. Attached is a micro-light and mini-compass. Because it is so small, it is always with me and I consider it my back-up. I can make fire, carve traps, etc. and can get by in a pinch if need be. I also never go anywhere without a cotton bandana.

In addition, I am always carrying some other type of knife. Either my small Sebenza, Leatherman Wave, or lately my Simonich Crowfoot. Always a fixed blade if I am going to the woods.

Also, if I am going to the woods I carry a small belt kit that has flint and steel, tinder, Mirco-Pur tabs, condom, fishing line, 550 cord, needles, head-net (unless its winter), and a regular compass.

If I am spending the entire day or more in the woods I will have an emergency poncho and some sort of water container. Depending, I carry a Camel-back or a 1 qt. Military type canteen with a steel cup and stand that all fits into the standard GI canteen carrier. I like the versatility of having the steel cup and stand to boil water if needed.

That’s all I ever carry and it’s usually less than more.

I have got the Naglene bottles and a cup that fits the bottom, but I haven’t found a good carrier to hold both yet. Let me know if you come across a good one that I can attach a shoulder strap.
 
ACMarina,
A metal cup is to boil water. You can always make rope by using plant fibers, shelter can ne made with natural materials, and even fire can be created with item found in natural. Making a container to boil water in, to purify drinking water is alittle more difficult to do, so I alway carry one with me.

Ron
 
Yep, we can always use natures abundance to make what we need, but it's nice to already have those items at the onset of trouble, because you may need them long before you can make them or the tools needed to create them.

ACMarina said:
I'm with ya on everything except the cup. Maybe I'm just not thinking clearly. What's the cup for?
Click to expand...

I use mine for boiling, cooking and tea/coffee. I carry USGI canteen and cup wth squeeze dropper bottle of bleach, a couple of 1 gallon ziploc freezer bags and a scarf for filtering. Eventually I'll have another purifier that's easy to pack and carry.

As long as we cover enough bases to meet our needs of clean air, as well as clean water, shelter and beneficial nurishment, so that we can regulate our core temperature and keep the elements at bay, we are doing good. Fail to do that and no matter what else you have with you or do, you're just spittin into the wind.

I'm no minimalist, so if you opened my 660ci ruck, you'd find;

surgical masks
a 1'X1' burlap bag with handles for water carry
a USGI poncho
50' of 550
altoids tin with sewing/fishing gear
frog gig
fixed blade knife with mini kit added to sheath
Tinder and metal match
Lighter
pair of hiking socks
pair of shorts
longsleeved turtleneck
lite weight thermals
TP
a couple of HD industrial type drum liners
Space blanket
spices, coffee, tea, oatmeal, jerkey, parched corn and honey
chopsticks and spoon
bug juice

Plus, I have other gear that I carry daily and I keep a staff in hand.
 
Quietbear,

This is how I carry my gear & water bottles

MountainSmith Swift lumbar pack

bottlencup.jpg


swiftnbottle.jpg
 
Right now I'm in the process of setting up my EDC survival gear for a two week hunt in the Wrangell Mts of Alaska. I've got it divided into three sets. That which stays in camp, that which stays on the ATV and that which stays in my pockets/daypack.

The one interesting piece of gear is my NRGS neck knife set up with an Inova LED light, Jetscream whistle, wetfire tinder, BSA Hotspark, button compass, and heavy needle. That stays around my neck on a double loop of paracord.

Everything else stays in my daypack or pockets. Mac
 
pict,
I would love to hear about your trip when you get back. Please keep us informed. The survival necklace sounds pretty cool, I would love to see a photo if you have one.

Ron
 
Myakka,

I've seen the Mountain Smith lumbar packs; they are great quality. For some reason, I can't get any to feel comfortable with that much weight. I am only 5'6", so I think in part it is the way I am built. The canteen and heavy steel cup weigh on my belt too. I am very interested in getting something to hold the water bottle and cup with a shoulder and belt carry option.

Your earlier post really resonates the current state of the environment; water can be the most difficult essential and I consider it a very close # 2 in the order of importance in a survival situation. Shelter being # 1, Fire #3, and Food #4. Stone tools are right there with #3 if you don’t have a knife either.

Carrying a cup you can use to boil water, cook stews, etc. is invaluable. Depending on where I was, I might even choose a pot over a steel knife if I could only have one item to survive. Again, that depends on where I was and what natural resources were available.

Check out this thread and the choices…

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279004
 
Quiet Bear,
What I really like about Mountain Swift is it has a shoulder strap so you can use it like a haversack. The waist belt and shoulder strap both fold up and tuck away into a back panel. and You can also use the handle and use the bag like a carry on luggage.
 
Ahhh, okay, boiling water. .I'm with you. .that's too easy, really. I must have been having a major brain fart not to think of that. .
 
Out of sad experience, insect repellant might be more critical than a sleeping bag. You're in Florida, right?
 
my SnugPak Jungle Sleeping Bag has a built in roll-away mosquito net that zips into the hood to cover my face and keeps mosquitos and critters out. :D
 
The list is my Basic "Essential Gear"

Poncho/Tarp
Sleeping Blanket/Bag
Water Bottle
Metal Mug/Cup
Sturdy Fixed Blade
Ferrocerium Rod/FireSteel

Here is a list of my Luxury Gear "Extras"

Aerobic Oxygen / water purification
Paracord
Hatchet / ax
Medical kit
Head lamp
Billy can / cook pot
Stove / fuel
Hammock / tent
Insect Repellant
 
Pict:

I, too, wear a survival necklace when out in the wilderness. I never thought of having a neck knife on it; I think I'll look into that. One piece of gear I would add onto yours is a signal mirror. They go for around $10 and are very, very useful. Hope you have a great, and safe, trip to Alaska.
 
What kind of long gun are you going to pack in Alaska, Pict?
 
Robert,

I'm going to carry what I have, a .30-06 loaded hot. My brother in law will have a .338 and his friend will have a .375 I believe so I'm the pea-shooter of the group.
If either of them can come up with a more powerful loaner I'll take it. I will have a 6 inch .41 magnum 657 as a back up loaded with 2300 grain hard cast at 1450 fps. Mac
 
Trout tamer,

I do carry a signal mirror in a belt pouch. My other survival knives all have mirrors as well. This one does not because I cant find one small enough. I am a big fan of mirrors for signal. I once signalled 20 miles with one from a mountain top to our home. Mac
 
what is it about the 550 cord that makes so many choose it? What is the "definition" of 550 or para cord? I have three different types, and I don't think they seem like especially high quality ropes? Maybe the sheath is good, but the core fibers seemed tacky and weak in at least one of them. They are all rather stretchy (polyester?), which can be good for some tasks, but I find that usually a low-stretch rope (spectra) is better suited for most tasks.
 
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