In the wilderness, the difference between life and death often comes down to whether or not one has a well-stocked survival kit. The absolute best survival kits will provide you with everything you require to survive a specific scenario, such as food, water, medicine, and a place to find refuge. Keep in mind that the storage of your emergency supplies should be done with an eye toward being prepared for any situation, as this is the single most important thing to keep in mind. This involves ensuring that you have a sufficient amount of food and water, as well as the knowledge required to build a makeshift cabin or shelter in the event that one is required. Last but not least, if you want to avoid becoming lost in the forest, you should be able to navigate even if you don’t have a map or compass with you.
Despite the fact that many individuals might choose to rely on their smartphones in the event of an emergency, purchasing a high-quality survival kit is a choice that is more reliable. These kits contain a large quantity of supplies that could assist an individual in staying alive until they can be rescued. They are also available in a broad number of sizes and styles, providing a great deal of versatility in terms of the ways they can be carried.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Survival Kits
Take some time to consider how you intend to make use of a survival kit before making a choice on which one to purchase. For example, would you be camping in a remote place where it is possible that you will run out of food or supplies? Or are you more likely to be affected by a natural disaster, in which case you will require a pack that can keep you alive for a number of days. Your responses to these questions will assist in determining the characteristics and features that ought to be included in your kit.
Intended Use
Before you go ahead and buy the equipment, give some serious consideration to how you want to put it to use. If you are looking for a kit that can serve a variety of purposes and will be shared with friends and family members who may find themselves in need of it at some point in the future, you should look for something that is easy to carry and lightweight. This kit should include tools for basic food and water purification as well as first aid supplies. If, on the other hand, you are purchasing a kit for a particular circumstance or you simply want a backup plan, you might think about spending a little bit more money on heavy-duty gear such as fire starters, lamps, knives, and other items that might come in helpful.
Material
The types of materials that are included in survival kits are very different depending on whether or not they are designed to be used outside or indoors. Because they don’t have the shelter of walls and ceilings to prevent them from toppling over or being destroyed by strong winds, outdoor kits typically weigh less and are less robust than indoor ones. This is because they don’t have the ability to withstand the elements. Nevertheless, both varieties of kits ought to have a knife, ideally a sharp one, so that the user can cut themselves free in the event that they become entangled.
There is no one best way to store survival gear because each alternative comes with both positives and negatives that must be considered. Although it isn’t usually the most convenient option, some people choose to keep all of their kits together in their storage space. When browsing through a large storage locker, having distinct compartments allows you to organize objects according to kind or category (such as cooking equipment, sleeping bags, and so on), which can be helpful.
Keeping your gear at your place of employment or school, where it is quickly available in the event of an emergency, is yet another alternative. Doing so helps limit the likelihood that it will be misplaced and helps reduce the danger of loss.
Size/Capacity
The size of the kit itself doesn’t matter muchas long as it contains everything you need to survive. But the size of your bag or pack does matter when it comes to carrying or storing the items in it. Large packs aren’t necessarily better; they simply weigh more and unless you’re walking around with a huge ruck sack full of supplies, chances are you won’t even notice the weight. However, smaller packs tend to be easier to carry around and access in an emergency. They’re also less bulky and take up less space when packed away.
Weight
It’s important to remember that while having a lot of stuff in a bag or pack makes it look like a big deal, it really isn’t. Sure, a couple of pounds might seem like nothing to most people, but when you’ve been hiking all day and haven’t had anything to eat or drink, every ounce counts. Even if you’re not out camping or hiking, but instead just trying to stay alive in an urban environment, every little bit of weight matters. A few ounces can mean the difference between able and unable to perform everyday tasks.
Included Items
- Water purifiers treat contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoans using ionization, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet light treatment, and chemical methods.
- Meals and snacks provide fuel for getting through the day.
- Sleeping bags offer comfort and warmth during cold weather emergencies.
- First aid supplies including bandages, painkillers, and antibiotics treat injuries.
- Tools include knives, forks, spoons, and fire starter materials.
Types Of Survival Kits
Survival kits are designed for different purposes. Some are meant to be used as a standalone item, while others are intended to be part of a larger kit. The key is knowing which type you need and finding the right one.
Emergency kits
These kits are geared toward specific emergencies. For example, an emergency medical bag or pack (EMB) will have all the essentials you need to survive during any emergency medical situation. It’ll include basic supplies like band-aids, but it won’t necessarily be well stocked with other items like flashlights, batteries, and water filters. Emergency Medical Kits on the other hand, are specifically designed to meet the needs of anyone who may require immediate care in any emergency setting including wilderness survival situations.
These kits typically contain more extensive first aid equipment than EMBs along with basic foodstuffs such as individual servings of MREs (Meal Ready-to-eat), shelf stable foods, nonperishable foods, and/or freeze-dried meals.
Miniature survival kits
Miniature survival kits are small kits containing a few essential tools and/or provisions. They’re great for keeping in your glove box, hiking packs, camping gear, or even your bathroom cabinet. Miniature survival kits often come in a compact form factor so they can fit more easily inside tight spaces. However, their contents are limited compared to larger survival kits that offer a wider variety of options. Miniature survival kits are also less expensive because there’s no need to buy extra space for extras.
Emergency evacuation bags
An emergency evacuation bag (EEB) is a smaller version of a tactical backpack. While both types of backpacks are capable of carrying heavy loads, EEBs are better suited to quick getaways due to their lighter weight.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
When choosing our recommendations for this article, we relied on personal experience with a variety of brands and models. In order to choose the best survival kits available today, we looked at what features were most important in a wilderness survival kit – something that would be useful for building shelter or hunting food.
We also took into account what types of items people typically use in a wilderness survival situation – things like knives, sleeping pads, and water filters. Based on these two criteria points, we came up with a list of the top picks for the best survival kits you can buy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Survival Kits
What is the best type of survival kit?
The most important thing when picking a survival kit is to understand what you’ll be using it for. If you know that you’re going into the backcountry and are likely to encounter extreme conditions, then an emergency survival package is ideal.
How much weight can a survival kit hold?
Most lightweight packs weigh in somewhere between 20-35 pounds depending on features like compression straps, ice axe/crampon retention systems, and other accessories. Most large or heavy duty packs will have a maximum load capacity of 50 pounds.
Are there any legal ramifications for carrying a survival knife?
That solely depends on where you live. Fixed blade knives are typically not regarded as true “survival” knives since they lack several essential parts required for self defense, such as a non-slip grip handle, a pry face, or a sharp tip. However, some states do not permit the concealed carry of fixed blade knives.