Emergency Survival Checklist
The number one most important survival item in my collection
You can survive without food or water for quite awhile, but fumes from nearby forest fires or nuclear disasters can take you out immediately. If you can't breathe, nothing you pack in your survival bag will make a difference. You can die before you even get the chance to secure water, prepare food or set up your emergency survival tent.
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The number two most important survival item in my collection
A water filter designed for dirty puddles and lakes is CRUCIAL if your pipes fail or if you have to hike through remote places without access to clean water. The Sawyer Water Filtration system is the most powerful travel filter on the market. It removes 99.99999% of all bacteria, including salmonella, cholera, and E.coli. It also removes 99.9999% of all protozoa like giardia and cryptosporidium. You'll never waste money on cartridges because this single filter can purify up to 100,000 gallons. A simple flush with the included syringe will keep it clean.
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The number three most important item in my collection
This emergency candle burns for 36 hours!
Don't forget to pack a windproof and waterproof lighter
Do you have a small travel pot that will stand up to open fires?
This pot holds 6.32 cups of water. It will make a small package of instant mashed potatoes or a full box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. It holds 6.32 cups of water.
I was tired of tiny backpacking pots that will only cook one cup of soup at a time. This perfectly sized pot saved the day. I can make a decent sized stew with a cup of freeze dried meat, a cup of dry potato slices, a few cups of water, one gravy packet and a little bouillon. IMPORTANT: Never use Teflon or nonstick pans over fires. Dangerous chemicals will leach into your food. Use cast iron or stainless steel. I prefer high quality steel because cast iron is too heavy to carry in a survival pack.
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Do you have a home cookware set designed for use with open fires?
This cooking set is a favorite among tent campers and RV owners because it all packs down into one pot. When I bought this inexpensive set, I was shocked that it was thicker and more intelligently designed than my expensive stainless steel cookware set. That's because the steel is designed to be used over open fires.
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This folding stove runs on twigs and scraps in case you run out of charcoal
A zero degree sleeping bag can save your life!
What happens when intense winter storms coat electrical lines with ice and and cause furnaces to malfunction at the same time? Elderly people die in bed.It's all over the news! Don't be the next victim of poor planning. Make sure you have a zero degree bag designed for serious campers who routinely sleep outside in the cold. If your sleeping bag doesn't have a zero degree rating, it's nothing more than a summer bag. It won't adequately protect you in temperatures below 32 degrees.
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A space heater is a great way to warm single rooms when the furnace fails
Four big reasons why I pack a Coleman Sundome instead of an expensive hiking tent
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Don't repeat my mistakes in choosing an air mattress! Get it right the first time.
The Klymit Static V is the best hiking mattress for folks on a budget.
I'm so grateful for blogs by adventure enthusiasts who actually live on the trail. Their words of wisdom led me to try the Klymit Static V. I was very close to dropping $250 on a Therm-a-Rest when the career hikers at CleverHiker.com let me know that the Klymit V doesn't disappoint. I picked the thermal insulated option that doesn't get as cold at night.
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Here's the Cadillac of hiking beds: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm. Unfortunately, it's $250.
You'll never see thousands of reviews for this mattress on Amazon because the price keeps so many people from taking the plunge. For the real story, you'll have to visit blogs by extreme adventure hikers who tested many different types of mattresses. This gem will keep you from bottoming out, and it won't get super cold at night. It's a miracle compared to other hiking beds, but it will never be as comfortable as the folding foam beds and double high air beds I drag to base camp. For car camping situations where it's possible to bring most any type of luxury sleep system, please visit my blog on the best camp beds for heavy folks and older folks with back problems. Don't get stuck with a substandard folding mattress or a camp cot that collapses in the middle of the night! Link: http://ultimatecampingchecklist.weebly.com/camp-beds-for-heavy-folks.html
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I keep two giant cans of freeze dried meat at the bottom of my survival bag!
Before hiking trips, I transfer cup sized portions of meat to zip lock bags. I end up with six individual bags of stewing beef and six individual bags of chicken.
Don't worry. These chicken and beef products aren't loaded with chemicals and preservatives. Products like this have a shelf life of 25 years because the water has been removed, and bacteria can't grow without moisture. If you'd like to save more space, you can transfer the dried meat to zip lock bags. Each can contains a little more than six cups of meat. Since I tend to add a cup of meat to each dinner I prepare, a full can provides me with a week's worth of dinners. I generally use the beef to prepare stews with dehydrated potatoes and veggies. I like to stuff the chicken into tortillas or use it to make chicken noodle soup.
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This bag has 13 cups of egg noodles, and it's easy to pack!
You will now have 12 individual bags stuffed with stewing ingredients to make individual dinners.
Don't forget to bring bouillon for flavor and gravy packets to thicken stews
Sample gravy packets at home to find your favorite! I love the the chicken, beef and onion gravy mixes.
For breakfast, I turn to high protein pancakes or high protein oatmeal
It's just nice to have more than one breakfast option. I store the pancake mix in zip lock bags.
I was tired of tiny backpacking pots that will only cook one cup of soup at a time. This perfectly sized pot saved the day. I can make a decent sized stew with a cup of freeze dried meat, a cup of dry potato slices, a few cups of water, one gravy packet and a little bouillon.
A nice folding silverware set helps keep me from losing individual utensils.
This knife meets all of my criteria for an excellent survival knife
My rolling cart allows me to carry a much safer hatchet that's forged in one piece
My new hatchet is safe and secure!
My old mini hatchet sent wood chips flying into my face.
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Do yourself a favor. Don't buy cheap hatchets with heads that can pop off. This premium quality hatchet is forged in one piece. At $34, it's a steal. I started my survival collection with a small hatchet that was awkward and a bit dangerous. There just wasn't enough striking distance between me and the the wood source, making it more liking for tiny flecks and chips to fly into my face. My new hatchet is far more effective. The curved handle allows me to strike with more force, and the head feels far more secure. Without my rolling bag, I wouldn't be able to carry a hatchet of this size!
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This fire starter is designed to be easier and less painful to use
It's important to bring lighters to camp, but survivalism is all about carrying backup fire making tools that will always work when traditional lighters get wet or run out of fuel. This fire starter is far less annoying than most. I love the thumb shaped handle that enhances my grip as I strike. My last fire starter had a thin metal scraper that cut into my thumb and forefinger. Good thing I was only practicing! In times of true emergency, the last thing I would need is a new cut or callus to prevent me from chopping wood or skinning fish.
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These windproof, waterproof matches never fail me
This paracord features three types of life saving survival strands
I wind this around the cart handle so that it doesn't take up space in my bag!
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These small mechanical fishing reels do all the work for me!
No hiking or bug out bag is complete without emergency fishing supplies. Mechanical reels are great for lazy fishermen like me. Just secure the mechanism to a branch that hangs over the water, pull out the line, lock it into place and drop the line into the water. As you chop wood or set up camp, the reel will automatically pull your catch home. You may also secure the reel to the side of a boat. If I can do it, anyone can!
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This small bait and tackle kit has everything I need
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This tactical hammer has 18 pullout tools!
I found this gem in the "As Seen on TV" aisle in Walmart. I had planned to store this nifty survival tool in my backpack with my other emergency supplies, but I kept taking it out for various reasons! My husband carries a Swiss Army knife, but he's more likely to go looking for my pullout tools than his own.
Included Tools: Axe, hammer, flat rip pliers, pipe grip pliers, wire cutter, straight knife, bottle opener, chisel, wrench (6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 10mm), serrated blade, small flathead screwdriver, nail file, saw blade, fish hook remover, Phillips screwdriver. |
This emergency raincoat is so much more durable than a flimsy rain poncho
Don't get caught without a decent rain coat that's thick enough to provide adequate storm protection, roomy enough to fit over a thermal sweatshirt and long enough to cover your hips. I generally buy my raincoats in super large sizes so that I can slip them over my puffer coat. I detest rain ponchos that allow water to blow in from the side. I store my raincoat in the pocket of my larger coat so that I don't have to go rooting through my bag when rain comes out of nowhere.
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My favorite autumn coat is light and packable
Even in the summer, temperatures around lakes and rivers can drop to dangerously cold levels at night. No matter the season, it pays to carry a light, packable puffer coat. I've slept in my coat on many occasions, and I was always thankful that I brought it along for summer trips. When it's too hot to wear my thermal coat, I hang it from my Trolley Dolly or tie it around my waist.
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This winter coat has lightweight goose down and a nice waterproof coating
As fall transitions to winter, you'll need a much more formidable coat that performs well in freezing weather. Triple F.A.T. Goose arctic parkas are filled with premium white goose down - one of the best and lightest insulators, providing and exceptional warmth to weight ratio. A patented hydrophobic nanotech coating is applied to the durable 10,000mm water resistant outer layer. This nanotechnology beads off water and oil based stains effortlessly.
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If you've never tried Amazon's top rated gel running shoes, you're in for a surprise.
Traditional hiking boots are too hot and heavy for summer trips, and they tend to aggrivate my plantar fasciitis. These bestselling gel shoes for serious runners are designed to take on rugged terrain. There's a trail-specific outsole with high-abrasion rubber for superior traction. Rear GEL cushioning absorbs shock and keeps me feeling young. The removable sockliner allows for the insertion of custom orthotics for an even more personalized fit.
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My favorite cold weather boot is made by Timberland
These waterproof boot covers keep me from splashing mud all over my pant legs
When we let our feet get cold and wet, our body temperatures can quickly plummet to dangerous levels, especially in the fall. Even if you're a summer camper, it's nice to know that you can protect your expensive sneakers or hiking boots at the first sign of rain. I like to fold these boots into quarters and slip them into the back zipper compartment of my backpack. That way, I have quick access when I need them. Unfortunately, I need them so much that I often take them out of my backpack for everyday rain wear. It's definitely time to order a second pair so that I can quit going into my survival bag for everyday items!
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I use a large waist pack for easy access to first aid supplies and baby wipes
This stainless steel cup goes into my waist pack cup carrier
It's hard to stress how much I love this cup! I use it to heat water for instant coffee and chicken broth. Back when I used traditional backpacks, I didn't have room for the larger pot that I now carry. It's just a comfort to know that this little cup is all you really need in an emergency. You can use it to make oatmeal, camp stew or sterilize lake water. If you have room for only one cooking pot, this would be the best choice!
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I never leave home without organic water purification drops
Grapefruit seed extract has long been prized as an emergency water purifying agent, but it's also commonly used to fight respiratory infections, ear infections and antibiotic resistant urinary tract infections. All over the world, GSE is used for killing salmonella, E.Coli, staph, strep, parasites, viruses and fungi, including Candida. Health enthusiasts use grapefruit seed extract as a daily supplement to kill disease causing microbes. Print this guide to learn how to use GSE for various ailments
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Activated charcoal can save you from food or chemical poisoning
Activated charcoal is routinely administered in hospitals for food poisoning, chemical poisoning and drug overdose. When possible, choose charcoal derived from coconut shells versus hardwood. The absorption power is greater. Don’t use charcoal for benzo overdose. When in doubt, call U.S. Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidelines. Dosages will vary according to an individual’s weight. I like to transfer my charcoal to small screw-top jars that can be stashed in first aid kits, backpacks and boating bags.
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Kaolin clay stops severe wounds from bleeding
The choice is yours. Spend $13 on a wound clotting sponge impregnated with kaolin clay or buy a whole pound of kaolin clay for $10. Simply store the clay in a clean salt shaker and sprinkle it onto the affected area after cleaning and drying your wound. Apply direct pressure with a cotton pad or clean cloth. Note: Kaolin clay is normally used for facials and body purification. It's valued by salons around the world for its ability to pull toxins from skin. Since the clay has a shelf life of three years, you can use your leftover supplies for facials.
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I transfer powdered supplies to salt shakers and attach labels
I generally bring at least four gauze rolls
Don't be caught without bandage rolls for severe traumatic injuries! Bandage rolls are often overpriced at pharmacies, and you only get a few rolls per package. Don't miss this chance to grab 24 high quality rolls for $12.99. I paid $24 for this deal last year. Even at full price, it's a steal. I now have plenty of bandages for my first aid kit, my boating bag and my Trolley Dolly Bug Out Bag.
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Strong fabric bandages don't fall off when I sweat
Typical Band-Aids don't stick very well in outdoor situations where constant sweating is a factor. You can buy a box of ten large super adhesive cloth bandages for about $6.00 at your local store, but I prefer to go online and get 50 super adhesive bandages for about $7.00. This ensures that I have plenty of supplies for our main first aid kit, our boating bag and both of our survival backpacks.
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A good waterproof pill box is a must
A LOOK INSIDE MY PILL BOX
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Ace bandages aren't just for strains and sprains. They can stabilize broken bones.
Foaming soap products are extra convenient on the trail
When there's no access to running water, bar soaps are useless and liquid soaps are difficult to work into a lather. I solve all of these issues by applying foam soap to baby wipes before cleaning intimate areas. Foaming baby wash is especially useful because it can double as shampoo if you have access to running water. If you prefer a different brand of soap, try filling foam pump containers with your favorite product.
Hot Tip: Rinse underarms with a spritz of plain witch hazel. |
Witch hazel is excellent for spray bathing and scalp sterilization
There was a time when I carried spray bottles filled with alcohol to mist my armpits, legs, arms and torso. I now prefer witch hazel for many reasons.
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Don't forget the baby wipes!
I'm too old to risk getting a bacterial or fungal infection from leaf wiping. At minimum, I keep one package of baby wipes inside my bag and one in the mesh compartment outside the bag. A waist pack allows me to carry a third package for hand wiping, facial refreshment and quick baths with foaming soap.
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Here's how I fit all of this stuff into my Trolley Dolly!
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MAIN COMPARTMENT
Bottom Layer: Contains 6 cans of Vienna sausage, 6 cans of pork sausage, 12 ziplock bags filled with dried meat and veggies for stews, 6 packages of macaroni and cheese packed in individual sandwich bags, 24 packages of high protein oatmeal and 3 ziplock bags filled with pancake mix. Middle Layer: Pot and bowl nesting set, 8.5 inch frying pan, 2 jars of bouillon (chicken and beef), 6 chicken gravy packets and 6 beef gravy packets. Top Layer: Air bed, thermal reflective sleeping bag, Sawyer water filter, head lamp, one cotton jersey, one warm fleece shirt, one pair of pants and six pairs of underwear. Miscellaneous: I slip the folding stove into the side of the main compartment after the bag is packed. I wind several feet of paracord around the handle so that it doesn't take up extra room in the bag. EXTERIOR COMPARTMENTS Top Zip Pocket: Baby wipes, antibacterial hand wipes, foaming pump soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, 2 mini shampoo bottles, 2 mini conditioner bottles, big comb, mini lotion, lip balm, tweezers. Left Side Pocket: Hunting knife, gaming sheers, folding silverware set. Right Side Mesh Pocket: More baby wipes. Back Zip Pocket: Lighters, waterproof matches, fire starter, tinder cubes. Front envelope compartment: Witch hazel and first aid supplies. TENT PLACEMENT: Attach the 3 pound tent sack to the Tolley Dolly crossbar with a carabiner clip or stuff into a small, lightweight backpack. The beauty of this system is that you can still carry a lightweight backpack if you want to. Heavy items like food and cookware can be transported on wheels. Bulky items such as tents and sleep pads can be carried on the back. |
Here's what I would eliminate if I was just carrying a backpack
- All canned food items would be eliminated. Freeze dried foods are so much lighter!
- I would take only one bag of dried stewing ingredients for each day I planned to be gone.
- I would take only two packets of oatmeal for each day I planned to be gone plus a bag of pancake mix for variety.
- I would leave the multi tool at home. I'd still carry a knife, gaming sheers and silverware set.
- I would bring a more compact pot nesting set like the one below. I would still take my tall stainless steel cup!
- I'd bring a smaller hatchet, even though shorter handles are less accurate and more dangerous.
- Under no circumstance would I eliminate my rain coat and waterproof boot covers.