Three Most Important Survival Items

[dougo83]

A comfy chair
Package of Twinkies
Book on survival

Or

Knife
Firesteel
Sil poncho

I figure I can make a container for water but I can't easily make a poncho. Of course, none of us would venture out with only three items.

I will be once Christmas break shows up. I wanna see if I can do it...

 

[TAH]

This thread needs more photos like this one. I'm tired of hearing about everyone's three items, I want to see'em!

 

[HikingMano]

I'll help

 

[TAH]

THAT'S what I'm talking about. Great photo, rksoon! :thumbup:

 

[Mike Fennessy]

"Also, I'd like to see someone go into the woods with only a lighter and start a fire...you'd have to be awful lucky (get all the conditions just right) or spend a lot of time bashing sticks with rocks to get enough stuff small enough to get a fire going."

I don't think I've ever used a knife to prep kindling. Leaves, pine needles or whatever and then tiny dead branches followed by larger dead branches. Or even just TINY dead branches. It only takes a second to ignite with the lighter. This is in central Wisconsin so maybe we have more choices of trees and leaves or something. There's always something dry under something else.

Anyway, if the objective is to sit tight and not find your way out, then:
1. Metal water jug
2. lighter
3. fish line with small hook (if that's two things then an ax instead)

 

[Macclint]

I don't think I've ever used a knife to prep kindling. Leaves, pine needles or whatever and then tiny dead branches followed by larger dead branches. Or even just TINY dead branches. It only takes a second to ignite with the lighter. This is in central Wisconsin so maybe we have more choices of trees and leaves or something. There's always something dry under something else.

Hear, hear! In Wa State, I use the folded up tiny limbs/twigs from Western Hemlock. Get enough or those in your hand, and a second bundle under your fire lay, and your main problem will be not burning your hand off.

 

[ubuwalker31]

My 2 cents:
-A silver survival blanket (I used one to survive a night on the side of a very cold and rainy forested mountain wrapped around me. I was found by a member of my hiking party after our group got seperated by dense fog. Couldn't see a damn thing and it was dangerous to move without walking off the mountain side. It's also reflective, so it makes you very easy to find)
-Knife
-Canteen filled with water

Essentially, you need shelter and water to survive. Without them, you'll be dead very soon. And you can't assume that you will find them, even in a forest. The knife can then be used to help gather food (which you can eat raw) and banged against a rock to make a fire (eventually). The space blanket will conserve your energy.

 

[mtwarden]

at least in northern climes- exposure is the number one concern, water while certainly important, doesn't come close to trumping concerns of exposure (food is way down the list)

a thin space blanket, while certainly better than nothing, could easily leave you dead without the means to start a fire- banging your knife against a rock is not a very reliable way to start a fire in my experience

 

[tholiver]

I'll help

Cool!
I'm going to make an order to MEC soon and i've been looking at those Stainless Nalgenes on their website.
They look good but can you boil water in them?
Is the lanyarded cap removable?

 

[HikingMano]

Yup, you can boil water in em :thumbup:. The lanyard cap is removable, and not hard to remove either. I don't have pics or a vid, but I'm sure someone does . Maxpedition's site used to have a great video on the guyot and their bottle holder, but the video's been removed by the user.

 

[pitdog]

 

[ubuwalker31]

at least in northern climes- exposure is the number one concern, water while certainly important, doesn't come close to trumping concerns of exposure (food is way down the list)

a thin space blanket, while certainly better than nothing, could easily leave you dead without the means to start a fire- banging your knife against a rock is not a very reliable way to start a fire in my experience

I have found the thin survival blankets (aluminum over plastic) durable, but they do rip. A heavier grade one is more ideal. There have been numerous people who have survived very cold and wet nights due to the reflective properties of space blankets and there is scientific evidence that they are very effective.

My one assumption about survival is to expect the worst. If your hands and fingers are broken, you can't use a knife or flint/steel or do anything requiring skill. You can, probably, wrap yourself in a space blanket and conserve 80% of your heat. A fire takes energy to make. Gotta gather wood. Lots to last a night.

Since it is possible to make a fire using materials in nature and steel (flint, and other rocks), it's what I would sacrifice on a 3 item list. Fire isn't a necessity. Shelter is. So is water. Food comes next. Then fire. Fire is a comfort. The knife can help you get all 4.

 

[mtwarden]

if I couldn't start a fire for some reason I wouldn't leave my survival up to the space blanket, I'd be putting my energy )lots of energy) into a debris shelter of some sort (and utilize the blanket within it)

"shelter" for me simply means keeping your core body temp from dropping to a too low a level- fire helps in that endeavor (as do the clothing you choose to wear/carry)

 

[TAH]

In keeping with the original article's scenario,

"If you were unexpectedly stranded in a wilderness environment - not in a barren wasteland, or in a frozen snow covered wilderness, or in a hot barren desert as each of these situations would require a unique set of additional items....

However, assuming you are simply in a dense forest, or in a jungle, or on a tropical island..."

I've settled on these three items. Oh, and that handle is empty. Honest!

 

[Stainz]

Today, I feel more like a graduate of the 'Bear Grylls School of Survival". My top three choices:

1. A great use-anywhere credit card.

2. A great use-anywhere cell or satelite phone.

3. A great use-anywhere GPS with the better lodges and restaurants highlighted.

That about covers it.

Stainz

PS Yesterday, when I felt better, a decent knife, metal water bottle, and a fire steel would have sufficed.

 

[dextersp1]

I have found the thin survival blankets (aluminum over plastic) durable, but they do rip. A heavier grade one is more ideal. There have been numerous people who have survived very cold and wet nights due to the reflective properties of space blankets and there is scientific evidence that they are very effective.

My one assumption about survival is to expect the worst. If your hands and fingers are broken, you can't use a knife or flint/steel or do anything requiring skill. You can, probably, wrap yourself in a space blanket and conserve 80% of your heat. A fire takes energy to make. Gotta gather wood. Lots to last a night.

Since it is possible to make a fire using materials in nature and steel (flint, and other rocks), it's what I would sacrifice on a 3 item list. Fire isn't a necessity. Shelter is. So is water. Food comes next. Then fire. Fire is a comfort. The knife can help you get all 4.

Number one on anyone's list should be avoiding hypothermia, which can happen anywhere in the USA.

I carry this:
http://www.rei.com/product/669629
They sell a bivy version for about $16.

This is an interesting thought exercise but not a good one because it doesn't say how long you will need to survive. Your post points that out.
Depending upon the environment and physical exertion of the person they can survive without water for days and without food for weeks. So knowing how long a person would need to survive in the wood would influence "the three".