In The Spirit Of Survival.

[Haris122]

I normally hunt and fish on my own. I actually ended up going on my first ever float down the Meramec (in a kayak) by myself, because everyone else that promised to go, ended up bailing out last minute, and I just got sick of pushing it back all the time (on top of that my dumbass ended up deciding on the longer 10 mile float for my first ever such trip on the Meramec and 2nd ever in my life, think it was from Onondoga to Blue Springs Ranch). Thankfully nothing happened to date, and especially the float trip I enjoyed greatly, but I know not one time was it a smart idea. But I've also learned that if I were to wait on people to be able or willing to go along, I'd barely ever get to do anything remotely outdoorsy. I almost got lost twice while out hunting, once during a managed deer hunt and one just regular one in the summer. I'm definitely a fan of the compass. I got temporarily lost twice for an hour or so, while out hunting. Managed to get my bearing and find my way back. 2nd time wasn't so much lost as having left my heavy bag on a ridge from which I decided to explore a little (turned out a lot) and then I went looking for about an hour or two to find that exact ridge, and my backpack (so family doesn't freak when they don't hear from me at nightfall, even though I knew how to get back to the car, just happened to have left the keys in the bag too). Anyways, all turned out well. Compass helped a lot. As I noted the ridge was so-and-so directionally facing before I left to explore. Definitely learned a lesson from that one. Now I don't stray far without that backpack. So I don't have to look for it like an idiot.

But yeah, there's plenty of places to break an ankle or leg out there.

[jdmidwest]

While I carry electronics like a gps, I don't want them as my sole means of navigation. Cell phone usually stays in truck unless I know there is service. Most areas I roam do not have cell service as of yet, so it is just dead weight.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Matches are nice, if they light. I'm surprised none of you carry a fire starter and tinder? Steel wool in 0000 size is a great tinder material and will take a spark well, wet or dry.

I think given the reason for the supplies I would have a good machete also.

[Flysmallie]

Steel wool in 0000 size is a great tinder material and will take a spark well, wet or dry.

All you have to do is poke it with a little 9V battery and it will light right up.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Where's the granola bars (energy)? and/or a bullion cube or 2 of chicken broth

A swiss army knife

cheap plastic poncho which can be made into a small shelter or ground cloth

What about a flask of some fire-water? calm the nerves or a helpful firestarter

[ness]

There's all kinda fire starter ideas out there -- lint, vaseline soaked cotton balls, the steel wool that was mentioned. I gave up on the waxed matches. I'm thinking maybe one of those blow torch cigar lighters.

[jdmidwest]

There is a magnesium bar on each of the orange whistles for sparks and cotton balls for tinder. Large kits have a bar of wax sawdust fire starter in them. But a match or lighter goes quicker.

As far as snacks and food, those are in the pocket on a walk anyway along with a bottle of water. In a survival situation, food is the last thing you really need. Keeping dry and comfortable, hydrated and safe, and have some type of signal device are further up on the list.

The space blankets double as a tarp for a shelter, the paracord is multistranded to rig the shelter with.

One thing I am looking for is a good cheap source ot the clotting powder. Most I have found have been pretty expensive. But it would be handy in the first aid kit to stem bleeding from a deep cut or gunshot.

[hank franklin]

I carry a change of clothes pretty much everywhere. UnderArmour shirt, packable rainpants. I have a small magnifying glass to supplement matches and lighter.

All my survival gear goes in a small waterproof bag. If I flip my canoe it's the first and theoretically only thing I'd need. It rides right at my feet. I sometimes clip it to the boat but mostly I just let it ride.

When backpacking I usually transfer all the gear into a large ziploc bag or two. Again, key is to keep the stuff dry.

My closest encounter with backwoods danger came as a young guy hiking the Smoky Mountains. 3-night hike. Night one was fine. Night two started fine but after bed unexpected rain came. A lot of stuff stupidly was left out and drenched. We waited in the tent under rain until mid-morning and then packed up wet in a small break in the rain. Pretty much everything was wet, tent floor was soggy and the sleeping bags got in it. The clothes we were in were dry enough; change of clothes had stayed dry through the night (in a stuff sack used for a pillow) but we changed into dry clothes as we packed up and by mid-day with heavy rains back on we were soaked again. It was probably 50-ish but we were stating to chill and rain was not abating. By mid afternoon we had a decision to make, try to push out or hope for the best. We were pretty deep in and not exactly confident in the map, and had an idea to push for one of the bear shelters or whatever those raised platform cage things they have there. Fortunately by late afternoon the rain abated and we took the first chance we had to put up camp and try to dry out. We gathered enough dry stuff and soon enough had quite a good fire. For whatever reason I've never had much trouble starting a fire, you can always find dry stuff in the woods if you look. Long story short the worst part of the trip was trying to get back to dry clothes. In soggy clothes we were basically screwed, without fire we really would have been on the edge. The semi-dry clothes dried well enough once we put them back on and hung around the fire. But literally nothing in the camp ever really got dry. The sleeping bag in particular was spongey despite efforts to dry out. Yuck. It all turned out well enough, the next morning was glorious, but we really were on the edge for a period. Without fire ability and dry clothes we wouldve been up against it.

Stay dry my friends!

[hank franklin]

Also, I agree that a slip and fall, broken ankle, etc. is a real hazard. If you're out alone, an ounce of prevention...just don't do something stupid.

I've also become a stickler for maps. They are easy to get from Internet sources and with a compass can keep you "in contact." I will not go on a journey of any length without a good map.

[LarrySTL]

I got lost twice my first year prowling around methland. Once I tried to take a shortcut on the inside bend of a stream, walked too far into the trees, etc etc. The other time was driving and the map had country road numbers, but outside the car it was street names, so I am looking for Co Rd 172 and seeing Smithfarm Rd. The cell wouldnt get a signal there, of course.

I got back eventually and promptly bought two compasses, one boyscout size one thats in the glove compartment, and the other the size of a nickle thats on a small nylon strap with a carabiner. I wouldnt want to navigate with the small one, but having N S E W to solve "which way is the darn road from here" was good. I clip the small one to my fannypak or if I am not even taking that, I clip it to the paracord on my swiss knife.

I do think about "what if I get soaking wet". I probably ought to think more about "what if I break a leg", let alone if I get soaked AND break a leg. I also maybe should remember that even in July, if I fall in, get soaked, break a leg and the temp drops into the 50s that night, I probably should not think of the space blanket as a seasonal thing.

Thanks for the suggestions on supplies.