5 Must Have Items That Will Make Wilderness Survival Easier
Drinking Filter Straw
You can avoid the need to rig a portable filtration device by including a filtration straw in your bag. They are small, lightweight and can be used on-demand without the need to gather and process water. A good straw should have the capability to process more than 20 gallons of water and have a special lining in the filter to prevent the formation of mold or bacteria while not in use. These are inexpensive, durable and can give you access to water when you want a drink, and they are worth their weight in gold during a survival situation when portability and space is at a premium.
Fire Starter
A good fire strike kit will help you to avoid the need to prepare mini-starting kits or use improvised ways to ignite kindling. While it is a good idea to have these and similar items on hand, you can avoid the need to ever use them with a fire strike tool. These are small, compact and lightweight, and a good tool will only cost a few dollars. Look for a starter that uses magnesium and can be good for around a thousand strikes. You can also find many strikers that come with various accessories or attachments that make it a great multi-purpose tool as well. Again, shop around and add a good one to your survival kit or bag in order to save a lot of time and energy in the field during an emergency.
Whistle
A survival whistle is one of those items that often gets overlooked while obtaining supplies for a bug out bag or survival kit. They can be used to signal for help or to call to others in your party if you get separated. The can also be used to scare vermin and other animals in some cases. You can find lots of survival whistles out there, but consider getting one that has other features as well. Remember, multi-purpose tools may seem unnecessary now, but you can use all of the help you can get later.
Solar Lantern
Using the sun to provide you with light during the night is a great way to save on battery use, and there are some really good solar-powered lanterns on the market today. Find one that is lightweight and collapsible so that it will be easy to pack and transport.
Survival Flashlight
You want a flashlight that is durable, compact and powerful. Keep in mind that there is a good chance that your light will get wet, dropped and abused in other ways out in the field, and cheap plastic ones will probably break long before you get to safety. Look for a flashlight that has an adjustable beam, strobe capability and is water resistant. Consider getting one that also has a pen-clip as well. This will make it easy to carry and use without needing to pack and retrieve it when needed.
These are just a few examples of common items that can make all of the difference in the world during a survival situation. They also represent items that we tend to forget during our preparations because we have a tendency to complicate the simple and overlook the obvious. Consider these and other items that can make your life easier during a crisis and stock up today so you won’t have to resort to using primitive bushcraft techniques later.
