Wilderness Survival: The Must-Haves and Must-Know

It is important to be prepared when going into the outdoors to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Regardless if you are an avid hiker, camper, or outdoors enthusiast, having the ultimate wilderness survival kit and understanding the emergency priorities can greatly impact the outcome when faced with unforeseen challenges.

What is a Wilderness Survival Kit?

A well-prepared survival kit increases one’s chances of surviving in remote environments until search and rescue arrives. It is essential and includes tools and supplies like a knife, compass, small flashlight, fire starter, first-aid supplies, shelter materials, waterproof matches, and food rations. The purpose of this kit is to help individuals live long enough and overcome challenges.

Even though actor Julian Sands, who is highly prepared and experienced in hiking, had spoken about the dangers of mountain climbing, he still went missing in the San Gabriel Mountains, California in January 2023. Six months later, on June 27, 2023, Julian Sands’ remains were discovered on a trail near Mount Baldy, California.

Recommended Wilderness Survival Gear Kit List

Shelter and Sleep

Compact and lightweight tent or tarp : Provides emergency shelter bivy sack and protection from the elements.
Warm sleeping bag and insulated sleeping pad : Essential for a good night’s rest in challenging environments.
Emergency blanket or shelter : Traps your own body heat and protects from extreme temperatures.

Food, Heat and Hydration

Lightweight and high-calorie food options : Energy-rich snacks, meal replacement bars , or freeze-dried meals.
Fishing gear or snares: Allows you to catch fish or small game for sustenance.
Reliable fire-starting tools: Matches, lighters, or spark starters to ignite fires for warmth and cooking.
Versatile knife or multi-tool : Aids in various tasks such as cutting, preparing food, sharpening sticks, and more. It is helpful that your multi-tool got a bottle opener on it.
Water filter or purification tablets : Allows you to instantly purify and drink safe and clean water from sketchy sources without worrying about diarrhea and picking up a nasty parasite. One less worry when you’re trying to survive.
Collapsible water container: This allows you to carry and store water efficiently.

Navigational tool s: A compass and map or a GPS device for accurate navigation. Download maps. Even better, a personal locator beacon to pinpoint your exact location.
Signal mirror or whistle: This enables you to attract attention in case of an emergency.
Comprehensive first aid kit : Includes bandages, antiseptics, medications, and other medical supplies.
Paracord or rope: a paracord bracelet is useful for building shelters, creating traps, or securing items.
Headlamp or flashlight : Provides hands-free illumination for when it gets dark and you’re trying to find or build shelter.
Fanny pack : Provides accessibility, mobility, weight distribution, organization, and preparedness by keeping essential items easily accessible on your waist.
Duct tape : A versatile tool for repairing gear or creating makeshift solutions.
Personal hygiene items : Toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer for cleanliness.
Survival manual or guidebook : Bushcraft BIble-8-in 1: Learn the Art of Wilderness Survival book contains valuable information that teaches you ancient survival skills for when you’re truly off the grid and all devices are dead.

It is essential to have these necessary items in your survival kit to ensure your safety and well-being during outdoor situations. Take into account your individual requirements and the surroundings you will be navigating in order to customize your kit accordingly.

How to Build Your Wilderness Survival Kit

Choosing the Right Backpack

There is no doubt that your backpack is the essential base of your survival equipment. Choose a backpack that is both durable and comfortable and that fits your body size. Take into consideration how much space you need for the duration of your hiking trip. For a one-day hike, a daypack with a volume of 20L to 30L is sufficient to hold all your essential hiking gear. However, if you are planning to take a sleeping bag, tent, sleeping pad, cooking equipment, and extra clothing layers, you will need a larger backpack with a volume of 40L to 50L.

When facing extreme conditions, it is essential to dress and layer properly to ensure survival. Remember to bring moisture-wicking layers, waterproof outerwear, durable hiking boots, and spare socks. Keep in mind that lightweight, quick-drying fabrics that offer protection from the weather are the best choice for this purpose.

Before you leave the house, make sure to consider the weather conditions for the day and week ahead for your hike.

Shelter and Sleeping Gear

When planning for shelter in the backcountry, it is important to think about the duration and type of adventure. In fact, if you find yourself in a survival situation, a lightweight tent or tarp can offer protection against rain, wind, and insects.

To ensure a comfortable night’s rest, it is recommended to invest in both a warm sleeping bag and an insulated sleeping pad in order to retain body heat. Additionally, carefully consider the weather conditions and terrain when selecting the most appropriate shelter and sleep system from the recommended survival gear list.

Starting a fire is a crucial skill for survival in the wild, and it is highly recommended to include fire starting tools in your list of essential gear. Ensure you bring waterproof matches, a dependable lighter, or a fire starter kit containing tinder or cotton balls that have been soaked in petroleum jelly.

These are a few tools that you can use to generate heat, prepare food, and boost your morale. Furthermore, remember to pack spare batteries as well as a headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries to facilitate night-time tasks.

Navigation and Communication Devices

When navigating in the wild through mountainous terrain, it is important to have dependable tools. Make sure to bring a map and compass and become proficient in their usage. Additionally, having a handheld GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB), or smartphone app can serve as a backup.

In emergencies, it is crucial to have whistles, signal mirrors, or small flashlights for communication and attracting attention. Additionally, it is advisable to carry a backup solar charger or extra batteries to ensure that your devices remain fully charged and protected.

Hydration and Water Purification

Staying hydrated is essential for survival in the wilderness. Numerous instances of hikers underestimating their required water supply and succumbing to dehydration have been documented through news coverage.

In order to maintain a constant water supply, it is advisable to have a durable water bottle or a hydration bladder. Moreover, it is recommended to include water purification methods like filters, purifying tablets, or a portable purifier.

These tools are designed to assist you in obtaining clean drinking water from natural sources.

Food and Cooking Essentials

Energy bars are undoubtedly the most convenient way to refuel without any prior preparation. Include lightweight, high-calorie items like protein bars and dried fruit in your daypack. This method is hassle-free and clean. Energy bars, dehydrated camping food, and trail mix are the most convenient choices for nourishment.

If you are going on a trail for a few days, make sure to include dehydrated backcountry meals in your pack. Right on Trek offers award-winning tasty meals. Additionally, bring a portable stove, mess kit, survival knife, and utensils so that you can satisfy your hunger until you figure out how to trap or catch fish for your next meal. It is important to carefully plan your backpack and meals to ensure you have sufficient food for each day hike.

First Aid Kit and Emergency Supplies for Wilderness Survival Kit

Whether you are in exotic jungles or embarking on a 3-hour hike, it is essential to have a comprehensive first aid kit. This kit should consist of bandages, duct tape, antiseptic ointment, pressure dressing, band aids, triangle bandage, pain relievers, tweezers, and a first-aid manual.

When considering the necessary survival gear, it is recommended to include a small flashlight, a whistle, a space blanket, a multi-tool, and a portable phone charger with full charge. In case you are accompanied by a dog or rely on medications that should not be skipped, it is advisable to customize your first aid kit according to your individual requirements and medical conditions.

Wilderness Survival Skills

Before venturing into the great outdoors, you need to know the wilderness survival skills.

Finding and Purifying Water

Locating Water Sources

Finding a reliable water source is vital for survival in the wilderness. Natural sources of water, such as rivers, lakes, and streams, are the best options. Clear running water is preferable, as it has fewer contaminants compared to stagnant water.

When considering the presence of nearby water sources, it is useful to observe green vegetation as an initial clue. Areas with abundant plant life should be considered. It is important to be aware that sharing water sources with animals raises the risk of contamination, thus it is advised to approach water sources with caution.

Water Purification Techniques

Once a water source has been found, it is crucial to purify the water in order to eliminate impurities and ensure it is suitable for drinking. Below are several commonly employed techniques for purifying water in wilderness settings.

Boiling: Bring the water to a rolling boil for at least five minutes to kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. This method is effective and requires no specialized equipment.
Filtering: Use a portable water filter or create your own by layering materials such as pebbles, sand, and crushed charcoal in a container (like a two-liter bottle). This method can remove contaminants and improve the taste of water.
Purification tablets: Adding water purification tablets is another effective option for making wilderness water safe to drink. Follow the instructions on the package to ensure the correct dosage is used.

Building a Shelter

In order to survive in the wilderness, it is crucial to have the skill of constructing a shelter. Building a shelter is highly important as it acts as a protective shield against different weather conditions and aids in maintaining body temperature. This section will focus on the process of choosing an appropriate spot and the various forms of shelters available.

Selecting a Suitable Location

When selecting a site, it is important to choose a location for your shelter carefully. Remember to consider the following factors.

Proximity to resources: Ensure that your chosen spot is near materials like wood, water, and food sources.
Drainage: Avoid low-lying areas prone to flooding.
Protection from elements: Take advantage of natural barriers such as trees, rocks, or slopes to protect yourself from wind, rain, or snow.
Visibility: Balance the need for visibility to spot rescuers with the need for concealment from potential threats.

Starting and Maintaining a Fire

Fire Starting Techniques

There are different ways to initiate a fire in the wild. These approaches can be classified according to the tools and techniques employed.

Friction-based methods: This includes the bow drill, hand drill, and fire plow, where friction between two pieces of wood generates enough heat to ignite a tinder nest.
Spark-based methods: Flint and steel, ferrocerium rods, and lighters work by producing sparks to ignite tinder. It may take a few attempts to get the sparks to catch on the tinder.
Lens-based methods: Magnifying glasses, eyeglasses, and even plastic water bottles can be used to focus sunlight onto tinder to produce enough heat to start a fire.

After the tinder is set on fire, it can be softly blown on to encourage the fire to increase in size.

Choosing the Right Fuel

When constructing a fire, it is vital to collect the appropriate materials for efficient combustion. There exist three primary classifications of fuel:

Tinder: Small, dry materials that easily ignite like dry grass, leaves, birch bark
Kindling: Small branches and twigs that burn hot and quickly like pine needles, small branches, dry twigs
Fuelwood: Larger branches and logs that maintain the fire for long periods such as hardwood branches, thick logs

First, it is important to keep fuel dry and off the ground until it is needed. Begin by starting with tinder, then gradually introduce small kindling to establish a steady fire. Lastly, add larger fuelwood to sustain the fire and maintain it for extended periods of time.

Procuring Food

It is crucial for survival to have knowledge of obtaining food in the wilderness. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced survivalist, it is important to be familiar with ways to acquire nourishment in natural surroundings.

Identifying Edible Plants

When in the wilderness, it is important to have the skill of recognizing edible plants. Prior to going out, it is advisable to become acquainted with the plant life that exists in the specific area you will be exploring. Additionally, it will be advantageous to bring along a plant guide that is specific to the region.

There are several types of plants that are edible.

Dandelions
Clover
Plantain
Wild berries, such as blackberries and raspberries

It is important to exercise caution when consuming plant life if you have doubts, as toxic plants often share similarities in appearance with edible ones.

Hunting and Trapping

If you want to obtain food while in the wilderness, another choice is to hunt and trap animals. To enhance your chances of being successful, it is advisable to bring the right tools with you, such as a knife, spear, or bow and arrows.

There are certain effective and straightforward techniques for trapping and hunting, such as:

Snare Traps: Constructed from wire, string, or rope, snare traps are designed to catch small animals, such as rabbits or squirrels. Place the traps near signs of animal activity, like burrows or trails.
Fishing: Utilize hooks and lines to catch fish, while also familiarizing yourself with handmade alternatives such as spearfishing or constructing makeshift nets.

When engaging in hunting and trapping activities, it is important to consider local regulations and show respect towards protected species or wildlife preserves. Familiarity with these rules and practices is crucial for ensuring both your safety and the well-being of the ecosystem.

Navigation Skills

In wilderness survival situations, it is crucial to possess proper navigation abilities. The ability to effectively move through unfamiliar terrain can be the determining factor between survival and catastrophe. Within this section, we will examine two fundamental navigation approaches: utilizing a compass and employing natural navigation techniques.

Using a Compass

To effectively navigate using a compass, it is crucial to comprehend that it is a dependable and priceless device for wilderness orientation. By correctly utilizing it, one can successfully maneuver through their environment and easily return to safety. To ensure efficient navigation, follow the subsequent steps:

Hold the compass level and steady in your hand, ensuring the needle is not touching the dial.
Rotate the compass, aligning the orienting arrow and north indicator with the magnetic needle’s north.
Determine your desired direction of travel and rotate the compass housing to align the direction of travel arrow with that bearing.
Hold the compass flat in front of you with the direction of travel arrow pointing ahead. Identify a landmark in the distance that lines up with the direction of travel arrow and proceed to it. Repeat this process as you move through the wilderness.

Signaling for Help

Having the ability to signal for help is extremely important if you find yourself stranded in the wilderness. Being able to effectively communicate your distress can significantly enhance your likelihood of being rescued.

Creating a Signal Fire

To attract attention effectively, signal fires should be made visible from both the air and ground. This can be achieved by choosing an elevated area or clearing.

Use green branches and leaves to create thick smoke.
Position the fire carefully to avoid accidentally starting a wildfire.
Follow the rule of threes: create three separated fires in a triangle or line to indicate distress.

When considering things in a systematic manner, remember that the color of smoke can also indicate various messages. In order to produce white smoke, employ green vegetation, or alternatively, incorporate oily materials like rubber or plastic to generate black smoke.

Using Signal Mirrors

To utilize a signal mirror as an alternate means to seek assistance, adhere to the following steps:

Face the sun and hold the mirror close to your face, just below eye level.
Look through the mirror sighting hole or reflective surface, aiming the reflected light towards the area where you believe rescuers to be.
Signal using the International Morse Code for SOS by flashing three short, three long, and three short flashes.

If you happen to lack a signal mirror, alternative reflective materials such as a smartphone screen or even aluminum foil can be utilized.

Having multiple signaling methods in your survival toolkit is crucial, aside from signal fires and mirrors. Whistles, flares, and brightly colored clothing or markings can also be useful in drawing attention and improving your likelihood of being rescued.

Basic First Aid

In this section, we will cover the importance of having basic first aid knowledge when exploring the outdoors. Specifically, we will tackle the topics of treating cuts and wounds and how to identify and manage hypothermia and heat exhaustion.

Treating Cuts and Wounds

When treating minor cuts and wounds, it is essential to follow these steps to prevent infection and aid in the healing process.

Wash your hands or wear disposable gloves to maintain cleanliness.
Stop any bleeding by applying pressure on the wound using a clean cloth or gauze.
Clean the wound gently with clean water to remove dirt and debris.
Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the wound surface.
Cover the wound with a sterile dressing, adhesive bandage or gauze, and secure it with medical tape.
Change the dressing and reapply antibiotic ointment as necessary, or at least once a day.