In The Spirit Of Survival.

[jdmidwest]

After the event a few weeks ago, it got me to thinking about my prepardness. On a stormy Tues night, I pulled together all of my little survival packs and made a new one. I replaced the old expired stuff in the others.

The first contains matches, whistle, mirror, compass, tinder, and 2' of paracord. It will fit in a pocket and cover most important needs.

The second is a stainless steel drink bottle I filled with the following. 20' braided paracord, firestarter, survival blanket, compass, 2' foil, led flashlight, sport wrap tape, asst bandage, aspirin, whistle, 22lr ammo, eyeglass repair kit, suture kit, box of strike anywhere matches, and a container to collect and boil water. It is pretty indestructable, watertight, and has a carabiner clip. Could attach to boat, throw in a pack. Will stay in truck.

The third is the standard first aid kit that stays in the truck with the fire extinguisher, hatchet, and small shovel.

The fourth is a wallet size kit I keep in my fishing vest, my tackle pack, my duck pack, and my hunting pack, I have 5 of them made. Assort bandages, needle and thread, aspirin, sinus pills, antacid, matches, compass, tweezers, burn ointment, sting releif, splinter out, antiseptic wipes. They take up very little space but come in handy all of the time. One is usually with me each time outdoors.

There are 2 others that are about the same size but thicker that I will toss in my pocket when I go on a hike. They have the above along with a led flash light, tinder, box of matches and lighter, space blanket, and misc other stuff.

One thing I did find out when going thru my stuff and checking, my waterproof matches did not want to light. Heat had melted the wax coating or something and rendered them useless. I tossed them and replaced them with the strike anywhere matches I found at a local farm store.

I always carry a Leatherman Blast, Leatherman LED flashlight, and 2 knives. The Blast has a nice little saw that will help form a shelter if I need it.

[Mitch f]

Those are nice! I must admit I do not have a survival kit other than a first aid kit that used to be in my car. It may not be there anymore.

Reminds me of a story regarding my buddy who is always ultra prepared. He rigged a generator to his house in case the power ever went out. After a couple years the power finally went off after an ice storm or something and he went downstairs to fire up the generator. Well it seems the generator had a short and blew up every high priced electronic piece that he owned.

[Haris122]

I keep a very basic first aid kit, the occasional box of matches (along with old newspaper and stuff to burn), blankets, tarps, and handtools and gallon or two of water in my car in case I break down somewhere where I have to tough it out for a day or two, and around the house, along with some more prepared stuff in my hunting/hiking backpack, but I can't say it's anywhere near as efficient as yours.

On that note, any of you guys get lost in the woods while going out fishing/floating/hiking or on a hunting trip?

[jdmidwest]

Really it could happen to anyone. I got turned around on a piece of property that joins ours this year. Between the storm damage and timber cutting, all the old landmarks were gone and I lost my bearings for a while.

There was a day at Duck Creek in the wade and shoot swamp. I was carrying a gps. I had a compass for a backup. It came in a dense snow storm and my gps could not get a signal in the timber. I had to rely on the compass to get me out. If I had not had a backup, I could have wondered around for a while.

But, I have never been lost, knock on wood.

It is not really about being lost. What if you turn an ankle or break down in the wilderness. Slip and fall and break a leg while wading around in your new PC waders. How would you survive? If you were stuck on a cold wet night in the middle of nowhere for an overnight stay.

[Flysmallie]

I saw a movie once where they cut their horses open and slept in them. But I don't think my canoe will hold a horse and my big butt at the same time.

[jdmidwest]

I saw a movie once where they cut their horses open and slept in them. But I don't think my canoe will hold a horse and my big butt at the same time.

I have this allergy to horses, that is why I toss in a few sinus tabs....

I would prefer to cut a shelter out of pine or other branches and hunker down against a nice warm fire.

[Feathers and Fins]

I keep a pack with me at all times

1. Lighter

2. Matches

3. 20 Paper Towels folded and in a ziplock

4. Tp again enough to fit in a ziplock

5. Ace bandage

6. Bandaids all sizes

7. Popcycle sticks about 10

8. Neosporne

9. Alchol small bottle

10 Peroxide small bottle

11. Asprin

12. twizzer

13, Razor Blades

14. 10 feet of twine

15. plastic tubing 3ft

16. epi pin

17. electrical tape

18. cotton balls

19. Trash Bags large

20. Water purification tablets.

That will get me through a few days if need be. One thing people always seem to say is a snake bite kit. DO NOT waste your money on one they dont work and dont cut someone and suck the venom, I have seen morons do it and then they find out they have a cavity or open cut and become envonomated as well.

[podum]

I fish and hike alone a lot (too much). I do worry about a leg injury. You have some good ideas. I like the metal bottle idea a lot. Changing my kit. Thanks.

[Al Agnew]

Only thing I can think of to add is to carry your cell phone and make sure the batteries are fully charged when you start out. Of course, you can't depend on it because there are a lot of places in MO with no cell reception, but the possibility of being able to call for help is a lot better than no possibility.

[Gavin]

Looks good to me, but wet wipes are better than TP or towels...