The second piece of essential survival tool

[schmittie]

Hmm, what would I take? I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Look closely. I know, I know. Its redundant. But it answers the question - firesteel with each knife!

 

[Infi-del]

If I have my knife then I also have my firesteel and striker as they are attached to my knife sheath. So the other piece of gear I'd want with me is my Klean Kanteen 64oz steel bottle. If that's cheating then the firesteel.

 

[mikeal]

What are your goals? Are you trying to walk to safety or wait for rescue?

Walk to safety:

There are few areas in Florida that you can't walk out of in a day or two if you know where you are going, and it is certainly possible to go that amount of time without food or water. Hypothermia is not usually a danger here. You will live through the mosquitoes. So I would say:

1. Compass
2. Poncho (or a map if you are not familiar with the area)
3. Bic

Wait for rescue:

1. Signal mirror
2. Poncho
3. Rum

 

[FwdHO]

You could just as easily freeze in a shelter without a way to hydrate and get warmth into your system. Shelter can be made without cutting tools in most cases... fire is important, no argument.... so is a knife. Without a means to melt, heat and contain water.... you are pooched in cold, wet/snowy environments. Go 24hrs without hot water in the mountains. Everytime you drink from a stream you are lowering your core temperature. Maybe your experience tells you different.... mine tells me to work from the inside, out. If you can get out of the wind and direct rain... there's not much a hot cup of tea can't cure.

I think we are getting to the same place... just taking alternative routes.:thumbup:


Rick

Rick, I agree. We are on the same page, we just haven't filled in the rest of the picture. In thinking about this it occurred to me that it would be assinine to plan on only having one or two items for a survival situation. If I can only have one or two because of circumstance I would be forced to make the best of whatever it is I have in my possession. However, if I am preparing for survival my items would include survival kit (which contains a myriad of things including firestarter,a metal pot - it holds the kit, signal, compass, etc.), a large knife, tarp, and bivy. The rule of 3's (courtesy of M4040) is how I base my prioritization: 3 mins to stop major bleeding, 3 hours to find shelter to prevent hypothermia, 3 days to find water and 3 weeks to find food.

 

[Minnesota]

The bible. Hollowed out containing water proof matches, flare gun, sharpening stone and a compass.




Hah, but I'd probably bring a light my fire army sized fire steel.