I’ve been reading a lot of survival articles lately. Some are good, some are brilliant and some are not. If you’ve been reading some of those articles yourself, you’ll quickly agree with me that putting together a B.O.B. (bug out bag) is no easy task. Follow some of the survival essentials lists published out there and your trusty backpack, your best friend when sthf, will end up overweight by a hundred pounds or two.
To solve that issue, I will make an crucial assumption: that it is very likely that you will find help or help will find you within a 72-hour interval after an emergency takes place. Keeping only the essential survival equipment that we’ll get you through those 3 days should lighten your survival kit considerably.
And now, without further ado,
Table Of Contents
10 Things You Need To Survive
1. A Survival Attitude
There many people that made it through some almost impossible to survive situations just by using sheer toughness and a survivor’s mindset. Even if you do not have any other training, cultivate your attitude as one of the essential skills for survival.
2. Air
Who would’ve thunk, right? You don’t only need air, but you need air that’s not too hot, not too cold, not too humid, not too dry, free of smoke, excess CO2 and other toxic gases.
3. Water
You might be able to (barely) make it through 72 hours with no water. But given the fact that a survival situation usually involves increased physical activity (think sweating), stress and a less-than-friendly environment, I would make some room for water in the bug out bag. A water filter is also one of the cheapest essential items for survival. Buy a couple and keep them handy in your bag and in your car.
4. Food
Yes, you are absolutely right, you can survive a lot more than 72 hours with no food. But it doesn’t mean that you will be at the top of your abilities. You’d do well to throw a few protein and meal replacement bars in your emergency stash. They will give you much-needed energy and let you deal with other pressing issues without having hunger as a constant companion. Don’t forget to put in additional supplies if you have a baby or a person with special dietary needs in your family. Cycle the food with consideration to the expiration date, and you won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
5. Clothing & Shoes
Clothes protect you from the elements, extreme temperatures, insects, scratches and they keep you clean. If you want to do any running or have to walk or climb in a rough terrain, a pair of sturdy shoes is also recommended.
6. Shelter
If you have the opportunity to take shelter during an emergency or disaster, do it. It will protect you against animal attacks, criminals or mother nature’s bad moods. Just make sure that it has more than one exit and you can easily leave it for another place, should the need arise.
7. Maps, Plan & Essential Belongings.
Having a bug out plan will greatly increase your chances of survival in most situations. So will maps. Make a list of people to get in touch with, places to go, things to do and print maps of the surrounding area. It is also a great idea to put copies of your important documents plus some money in a small waterproof bag.
8. First Aid Kit & Medicine
If you or one of your loved ones take prescription medicine, make sure you have at least a 72 hour supply handy. Also, a first aid kit might be the difference between life and death at the right moment. A first aid kit is cheap enough that you can buy a couple of them to keep in your bag and your car. If you don’t need to use them, good for you. But if you do, make sure there is one for you to use.
9. Matches, Firestarters & Windproof Lighter
Fire can be used for signaling, warmth, to keep animals away, to cook food and to boil water in order to purify it. Make sure it doesn’t spread, that you light it in a well-ventilated place and that it doesn’t attract unwanted attention from other, less than friendly humans.
10. Other Essential Supplies For Survival
You surely noticed that four out of the ten essentials for survival are things that you cannot buy – your attitude, air, shelter and a well-designed emergency plan. Although they only are 40% of the “10 Essentials For Survival” list, they will improve your survival chances by a lot more than that.
If you are anything like me, you will want to be proactive, to tip the scales a lot more in your favor. You can do that by buying certain survival items that will help you when sthf. Do it in a responsible, calculated way – buy only what you feel that you absolutely need, one item at a time (I’m not going anywhere, and this article will still be here two weeks from now).
Essentials For Survival Pack
Multi-Tool
Flashlight
Ham Radio
Knife
Axe
Rope/Paracord
Compass
Binoculars
Hygiene Products
Solar Cellphone & Battery Charger
Small Camping Pot
Sunscreen & Insect Repellent
These items should fit nicely inside your bug out bag with room to spare. For bug-ins, or for when you take shelter inside your own home, one of the best things you can invest in is a power generator. We have come to rely heavily on electricity, and there is no guarantee that the electrical grid will still be up and running after an emergency.
