In The Spirit Of Survival.

[joeD]

You are more likely to die from a blood clot than a snake bite.

You are more likely to die of a heart attack than get lost in the woods.

You are more likely to die in a car accident than become separated from your "group" and have to rely on waterproof matches for your survival.

Your high cholesterol will be more likely to kill you than being super cold where you would need a space blanket.

Your beer gut will kill you more assuredly than being trapped in, say, an avalanche.

Those survival items are nonsense.

There is no empirical evidence that supports the theory that having "survival" gear increases your chance of living in a desperate situation.

It always comes down to luck, and keeping your s*** together.

So, really, if you want to live, then live your life like you WANT to live longer. Otherwise...

Why do we spend so much time worrying about things that are statistically irrelevant happening to us, than preventing the actual reality, the reality that we can control, from plaguing us?

[LarrySTL]

I've been lost in the woods but haven't had a heart attack and none of my parents, grandparents or siblings ever had a heart attack. Maybe thats lucky cardiovascular genes and mediocre sense of direction genes. Its easy for me to leave a compass in the glove compartment of my car, just like I leave a notebook, a tire gauge and a small flashlight there. I have only needed to change a tire in the dark on the shoulder of an interstate highway once, but I was real glad I had the flashlite.

My space blanket, folded up, is about the size of a deck of cards. It lives in the milk crate with the rest of my "I might want this while wading" stuff and when I go, I pick up the crate, and put it in the car. Elapsed time about 15 seconds. Add perhaps 15 more to put it in my pocket or fanny pack if it might get cold.

My anti snake bite plan is "dont with snakes."

My anti blood clot plan is an annual physical, an 81 mg asprin daily cause the doctor says so, and four days a week in the gym mostly on aerobics.

My cholesterol has been between 159 and 175 for about ten years.

I have zero control over what some other driver does that might kill me. I put dying because of the other driver in my "thats a chance inherent in sucking air" column. I have some control over whether I die from a car accident thats my fault and I try not to drive like an idiot, particularly at highway speeds. I wear the seat belt.

I quit smoking long ago but I do take a bic lighter with me if it might be cold.

I've had skin cancer, so a tube of good sunscreen is in the milk crate too. So's a half of a roll of TP, but I might look for a pack of biodegradable baby wipes.

I've been gnawed on by chiggers in the past so a can of strong bug repellant is in the crate.

None of this is stuff I "worry about". I doubt that many other folks here worry about it either. The memory of the chigger bites is all the empirical evidence I need to keep the bug spray with me.

I find that skipping certain threads and certain posts here is statistically relevant in preventing certain parts of actual reality from plaguing me.

Your mileage may vary.

[Wayne SW/MO]

There is no empirical evidence that supports the theory that having "survival" gear increases your chance of living in a desperate situation.

That's nonsense. Why do you think the armed forces teach survival and provide gear?

The recent deaths in MO could have been avoided with the minimum amount of survival gear.

[jdmidwest]

The under prepared are fodder for helicopters and search parties. The well prepared stand a better chance.

The kit in the bottle cost less than a 12 pack of beer, I think it is money well spent.

[Mark]

A MUST FOR EVERY KIT....

Are you prepared to stop bleeding?.... I carry a roll of gauze and a roll of athletic tape...my first aid/survival kit is small but just something I thought about. You will survive hopefully for a while with most injuries, but you or someone has a massive open wound or cuts an main artery, it instanty become life or death. But this thread is a great reminder and I will be upgrading my kit.

[joeD]

Well, if you all were part of the "good guys" and were were carrying weapons like you're supposed to, then you wouldn't be in the position your in, what, with gaping wounds and being held hostage in the middle of Courtois creek....Shoulda listened to your mom..

Now, about all that space junk flying around, up in the air, not to mention the constant air traffic overhead, don't you think it's time to reinforce your roof and add to your homeowners insurance?

[jdmidwest]

Well, if you all were part of the "good guys" and were were carrying weapons like you're supposed to, then you wouldn't be in the position your in, what, with gaping wounds and being held hostage in the middle of Courtois creek....Shoulda listened to your mom..

Now, about all that space junk flying around, up in the air, not to mention the constant air traffic overhead, don't you think it's time to reinforce your roof and add to your homeowners insurance?

I live about 20 ft underground in a hardened concrete bunker, got that one covered too.

[TSmith]

I believe that a lot of people when purchasing survival gear get caught up in this gear mode and forget the essentials. Trust me Im always wanting more gear so I can be prepared for an emergency of any kind. However, the best way to test to see if you have enough gear is to take all your gear and I mean all your gear and use the woods in your backyard. Just you and your kit. Constantly ask yourself do I really need this...? or would this trip be easier if I had... I believe that you will find the flaws of your gear that way. You should also do this at different times during the year and not just when the weather is fair. Cause survival isnt camping and it never will be. Also use the woods in your backyard to your advantage. Take a knife with you and a water container and fishing line and a hook and see how long you can last. Then when your done (or cant survive any longer)walk back to your house get something to eat watch some TV and sleep in a warm bed and be THANKFUL lol.

For survival I have multiple bags filled with different items. For example when its starting to get cold outside I put my winter gear bag in my truck. Its has a jacket, sleeping bag, first aid, candles to heat my truck cab, shovel (do dig myself out) gloves, long underwear, and a lot of other "O CRAP my truck is in a ditch, its 0 degrees, dark, and Im out of cell phone service" gear.

I also have a backpack with the essentials and I mean essentials. Multiple ways to start a fire, waterproof tinder,water, 550 paracord, small first aid kit, shemagh, knife, firearm, and a few smaller items for EDC (everyday carry). This bag is always on my person and doesnt weigh much at all.

Finally, I also have minimalist backpacking bag with...

1)ENO Hammock, ENO Rainfly-Shelter

2)Sleeping pad, Sleeping bag - Bedding

3)Jet Boil cooking system - Cooker

4)Water storage

5)Fly Rod- The backpackers best food finder. Small, lightweight, and will catch fish, small hooks catch small and large fish, and for around here Id take it over snares any day for the week.

There is a lot more to be said about survival gear and no matter how good your kit is it will never be ready for it all. However, I'd take me and my preparation over rubbing two wet sticks together and shivering, hungry, and thirsty.

[Wayne SW/MO]

TSmith you should consider a metal coffee can with a roll of toilet paper stuffed in it. Saturate it with alcohol and make sure it has O2 and you have safe heater with fuel that's safe to carry.

I had to pass over the Cascades twice a week for a couple of years and I kept one in the truck all the time.

[ness]

You are more likely to die from a blood clot than a snake bite.

You are more likely to die of a heart attack than get lost in the woods.

You are more likely to die in a car accident than become separated from your "group" and have to rely on waterproof matches for your survival.

Your high cholesterol will be more likely to kill you than being super cold where you would need a space blanket.

Your beer gut will kill you more assuredly than being trapped in, say, an avalanche.

Those survival items are nonsense.

There is no empirical evidence that supports the theory that having "survival" gear increases your chance of living in a desperate situation.

It always comes down to luck, and keeping your s*** together.

So, really, if you want to live, then live your life like you WANT to live longer. Otherwise...

Why do we spend so much time worrying about things that are statistically irrelevant happening to us, than preventing the actual reality, the reality that we can control, from plaguing us?

I wonder if your chances of a snake bite, getting lost in the woods, needing a space blanket, etc. go up at all when you're in the woods? Or do your chances just follow the average of the 7 billion or so people who aren't currently in the woods?