Wilderness Survival Kits

Planning ahead is the key when preparing Wilderness Survival Kits. Seasoned adventurers and novice campers alike should test every item in their kit before they are needed. A compact tent may be lightweight and claim to be waterproof but until you have set it up in the pouring rain you will not know if it will actually be waterproof.

Wilderness survival kits must contain the basic supplies that any survival kit has. Some type of shelter, or the items to construct one; foods that store well and stay dry and are nutritious; a first aid kit; clothing; bedding; tools; fire starting kit; water filter or purification tablets and a container; radio; flashlight and personal hygiene products. This may seem like a lot to be packing, but with research and planning a kit of this type can weigh less than 50 pounds.

Shelter

There are many lightweight small tents available today. A good all weather 2-man tent will weigh about 6 pounds with poles and ground tarp. Small survival tents like the one available through Nitro Pak weighs a few ounces. The survival sleeping bag also available through Nitro Pak is constructed from space blanket material. It will provide emergency, water resistant instant shelter and weighs 3 ounces. Space blankets and tarps can be used to create shelter quickly and are lightweight.

Food

If you know a handful of edible plants you can supplement your wilderness food supply. Trapping and hunting small game or catching fish will also add food supply. High nutritious foods that are packaged for long term storage should be included in your kit. Freeze dried foods are lightweight and hydrated using cold water. Dehydrated food requires some cooking but lightweight. Lifeboat rations are heavier but these require no preparation and contain the daily dietary requirements. MREs Meals Ready To Eat are heavy but they include a complete meal in one pouch. The heavy plastic bag has many other uses. The bag can be used to store water, hydrate freeze dried foods and store other items. All of these products are available through Nitro Pak.

Tools

Your survival tools will be the heaviest items in your kit. A multi-purpose tool, a machete, hatchet or campers axe, a saw, and a fixed blade knife will provide you with all the tools you will need. Multi-purpose tools and knives can be worn on your belt. This will not reduce the overall weight but it will reduce the weight of the kit. Knives & Multi-Tools

Water

Water purification tablets will require that you have a container to store and treat the water in. The Katadyn water filter is a portable unit that will filter bacterial and viral contaminates from water. Smaller purification systems are also available through Nitro Pak. Collapsible water containers come in 1 to 5 gallons sizes and pack flat for easy carrying.

Light/Radio

Space saving gear like the all in one crank AM/FM short band radio available at Nitro Pak has an internal rechargeable battery and a built in flashlight and signal light. Choosing a product that performs many tasks reduces the weight of your kit. Emergency Radios

Clothing

Storing your hiking boots and or tennis shoes with your survival kit allows you to be ready to leave at a moments notice. A minimum of one set of clothes, one high quality sleeping bag, extra socks, a hat and work gloves should be included in your kit. A small waterproof bag containing a bar of soap, hand towel, wash cloth, toothpaste and brush is enough to provide personal care.

Making wilderness survival kits is easy. Once you have it packed try it out. You should be able to wear or carry this kit for at least 30 minutes. If you can not, remove some items and try again.