Three Most Important Survival Items

My one most important survival tool is to remain calm and think. Unfortunately, I've had to learn it the hard way, but learn it, I did.

The two other items, which are solely my individual preference, are a pack of gum, and some sort of knife.
 
Sturdy Sheath knife. Can make many of the tools I need with this, including the base material for cordage.

Light My Fire Firestriker (because lighters can fail....)

1 lb coffee can with bail. Cooking and purifying water.
 
1. Knowledge
2. The ability to stay calm and think clearly.
3. A knife (or cutting tool of your choice)

If you allow me to combine the first two, then a firestarter such as a firesteel would be added to the list.
 
--in the article----your chances of survival would be significantly enhanced if you had three common items in your possession.

List is for items carried--not Knowledge.

What Items would you carry???

Mine

Knife(fixed)
Firesteel
Compass(as to prevent from walking in circles)
 
Ditch the compass and give me a pot or coffee can any day.

I can figure out how to go in one direction and a compass has limited use without a map.

Knife

Firetool

Pot
 
knife or hatchet
Metal pot or cup
Ferro rod,

If I could take a 4th it;s be my usgi Poncho
 
Macclint said:
Sturdy Sheath knife. Can make many of the tools I need with this, including the base material for cordage.

Light My Fire Firestriker (because lighters can fail....)

1 lb coffee can with bail. Cooking and purifying water.
Click to expand...

I agree with these three although If I could have a fourth I'd choose a .22 rifle and ammo.
 
PrimitiveMan said:
Ditch the compass and give me a pot or coffee can any day.

I can figure out how to go in one direction and a compass has limited use without a map.

Knife

Firetool

Pot
Click to expand...

YOU DISAGREE WITH THIS PM??
A compass is useful on overcast days, on rainy days, and at night. It will help to keep you from traveling in the wrong direction so you don't waste time and precious energy needlessly. Regardless of where you are, if you can travel consistently in one direction you should eventually reach a road that you can follow. However, without a compass the chances of your traveling in a straight line are greatly reduced.
 
WILLIAM.M said:
--in the article----your chances of survival would be significantly enhanced if you had three common items in your possession.

List is for items carried--not Knowledge.

What Items would you carry???

Mine

Knife(fixed)
Firesteel
Compass(as to prevent from walking in circles)
Click to expand...

:D I agree ...
 
Of course the mind and body, but those go with you every where so...

Knife.
Fire steel.
Hat.

If I HAD to choose 3 things to survive with, I'd choose those.
 
Not trying to be a wise guy, but I would want a working satellite phone.

Edit: but more in the spirit of the thread, I'd go with a 4" or so fixed blade, a small metal pot or metal water bottle for boiling and transport, and either a firesteel or tarp. That last one is a toughie. Probably a mag block/firesteel.
 
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This comes up every few months. I'll play along. I would want a knife, a guyot water bottle, and a firesteel.

That being said, three is an arbitrary number. Number 4 on my list would be a Sil Nylon poncho. Yes, you can often fabricate a shelter from natural materials, but that expends a huge amount of calories and takes significant time. Even then, in some environments it will still be less than waterproof. Having one of these ultralight goodies in your pocket will provide rain gear as well as a very quick, waterproof shelter (or waterproof roof to a shelter).

-- FLIX
 
I just feel that the compass is of less use TO ME. Not that it isn't useful, just not as useful as the pot would be.

I can last a long time as long as I have a pot to cook and disinfect water in.

In a survival situation I am not going to travel at night.

I can (and HAVE) walk in a straight line without a compass

AND

There are plenty of areas where you could have a road 5 miles to your East, if you choose to to travel North or South you could go HUNDREDS of miles without reaching civilization. I am probably going to opt for some high ground, get a view, then pick out a landmark to hike to. You can do well if you keep your head and don't wander aimlessly in circles.

Basically, there are alternatives to navigation without a compass, but you are going to be hard pressed to disinfect water, or make squirrel stew without a cooking vessel.

It is really hard to walk in any direction dehydrated with dysentary from Giardia.

I'm stickin with Knife, firetool, cooking pot (My K&M matchsafe has a compass built in, but I felt that was cheating)
 
Knife
Firesteel
Stainless Water Bottle (Hydration and cooking!)
 
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