ZoeThe point of packing outdoor survival kit for camping is to have enough gear to last the duration of your trip, plus another five or seven days in the wilderness if you get lost. When an unexpected event occurs while you’re out in the wilderness, your survival gear is supposed to assist you in getting back to safety as soon as possible or stay put until aid comes. What follows is a list of the eight most essential items for any camper’s survival kit:
Water
In a survival emergency outdoors, the capacity to obtain clean, safe drinking water is of the utmost importance. The most convenient way to purify water without adding more weight to your kit is to use a lightweight water filter or water treatment tablets. In my camping emergency pack, I have a LifeStraw personal water filter.
Food
For survival, you don’t need a lot of food, but you do need food. Pick the compact, high-calorie staples. To keep your energy up, grab some high-calorie snacks. Bring enough food for at least a few days, preferably between one and three.
Shelter
The popular misconception that you should chop down trees to create a full-fledged shelter in the bush comes from survival TV shows. You can get by with just an emergency blanket. Unless you’re in dangerous situations, it will keep you warm and dry until help arrives. It’s better to wait for aid to arrive than to waste energy constructing a shelter. However, a simple lean-to can be thrown together in no time and help shield you from the elements.
Fire
The capacity to build a fire provides heat, light, security, and calmness in times of need. All you need to light a fire in the woods is a set of waterproof matches.
Light
A flashlight or headlamp is much more useful in a survival situation than the light from a campfire. Pack a watertight flashlight with a long-lasting battery to better observe your surroundings, aid in construction, and communicate with others. A little portable, rechargeable pen light is perfect.
Communicating
My Garmin inReach Mini is a must-have item when I’m out in the wilderness. This little satellite communicator lets me stay in touch with my loved ones and alert rescuers to my location via GPS. I am having a means of communicating with the outside world when camping is an absolute must.
First-Aid Kit
If you’re camping, you should always have a first-aid kit, even if it’s only the bare essentials. Knowing the fundamentals of wilderness first aid is also crucial so you are free to learn on the fly.
Basic Hardware
In an emergency in the wilderness, a folding camping knife is an excellent choice for a multipurpose tool. You may also use a multi-tool, which combines a blade with other popular instruments like pliers and a serrated blade.
Backpacking Safety Is No Joke
An estimated $2–5 million is spent annually on search and rescue operations in national parks across the United States. Day hiking and backpacking were the two most common outdoor pursuits requiring assistance. Almost 1,400 SAR operations were conducted for day hikers, but only 500 were needed for backpackers. There are usually less than 20 cases each year where it takes more than a week to locate a missing person.