Survival Kits

The difference between a survival kit and a survival pouch is that a survival kit is small enough to carry at all times, whereas a survival pouch is usually larger.

Your survival pouch should include solid fuel, matches, flares, and a survival bag. Ideally, it can all be packed inside a mess tin. Then, not only can the mess tin be used as a cooking tool, it also protects the contents of your survival pouch.

The pouch itself should be made from a waterproof material and be big enough to hold the mess tin. The pouch must have a strong fastener and a sturdy tunnel loop to clip onto your belt. This is because, when hiking, your survival pouch should be clipped to your belt, or somewhere else outside of your backpack.

For a car, boat, RV, or aircraft, you should always store a survival pouch as well as a survival kit. You should keep your survival kit with you at all times but, as your survival pouch is generally too large to fit into your pocket, it should be kept somewhere nearby in case of emergency. And, don’t fall victim to the principle of ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ Always know the location of your survival pouch.

Remember that your survival pouch will contain matches, flares and solid fuel, which are all lifesavers but must be treated delicately. With your survival pouch, you will now have a backup plan in the event of an emergency. But above all, always remember that anything used from your survival pouch must be restocked as soon as possible.

Your Survival Pouch Should Include:

Brew kit

There is nothing quite like a brew to restore your confidence when survival is at stake. Make sure you pack tea powder with packets of milk and sugar. Remember, tea will satisfy your thirst, while coffee increases it.

Flares

Signal flares are a must. Pack red and green mini-flares and a discharger that is no larger than a pen (these items are explosive, so pack with care). To fire the flare, simply remove the discharger and screw it onto the flare. Point the flare directly at the sky, holding it out at arm’s length. Then squeeze the trigger. Always use great caution and be sure not to waste your signaling power.

Fuel

You should carry solid fuel tablets inside their own stove container. The stove then opens up to form an adjustable stand and holder for burning fuel. However, you should use them sparingly, generally when wood is not available for a fire.

Marker Panel

A marker panel is a strip of luminous material (1 ft. x 6 ft.) used to attract attention in an emergency. When one bar is shown, it signifies a need for urgent evacuation. You can also form additional signals if others in your party are carrying marker panels as well.

Matches

Carry all the matches you can hold in a waterproof container. But, use caution when packing them, as any friction against a match can potentially ignite it.

Mess Tin

A mess tin tends to be light and strong, as it is made of aluminum. It is a great cooking tool and protects your survival pouch if it is packed inside the tin.

Torch

Torches are a must for your survival pouch and, these days, take up virtually no room (these torches look like a pencil). You should put lithium batteries in the torch, but reverse the last one so that they won’t drain if the torch is accidentally switched on.

Survival bag

A big polythene bag (2 ft. x 7 ft.) is a lifesaver in cold weather. In an emergency, you can get inside the bag to avoid freezing. Even though you may get wet from condensation, you will remain relatively warm. Better yet, a heat-insulated bag solves the condensation problem and keeps you even warmer.

Survival log

Write a detailed log of everything that happens during your survival experience. Don’t rely on memory alone after the fact. Record any discoveries you have made during your time in the wild, such as edible foods you found. It may prove a valuable self-reference, will boost your morale and, later, could become invaluable for survival training.

A Final Word on Your Survival Kit:

Food

Fat is extremely hard to find when living off the land. When possible, you should pack butter, lard or ghee in your survival kit. Dehydrated meat blocks can sustain nourishment, but don’t taste very good. Chocolate is a good moralizer, but is hard to maintain. Salt is a must (most likely in salt tablets). A survival pill is a relatively new concept, but is quickly becoming an indispensible survival tool.