Preparation is the Key to Outdoor Survival

The outdoors can be a beautiful place to create wonderful memories, but can also be hostile and unforgiving for those unprepared to deal with an outdoor emergency. The time that you take to prepare for an unexpected emergency that may occur, when outdoors, is time well spent.

Any outdoor activity, whether it is camping, hiking, or four wheeling should be well thought out and prepared for. Planning ahead with the basic survival essentials will improve your mental state and chances to survive in the outdoors if you find yourself in an emergency situation.

On average we can survive weeks without food but only a few days without water. Having a fresh water supply or water purification system in your outdoor survival gear may mean the difference between life and death.

Another important piece of survival gear is a shelter. A good shelter will protect you from the elements and provide protection from insects and rodents. It is important to have a shelter that is big enough for movement but not so large that it will not contain your body heat.

These are just two examples of basic human needs you should consider and prepare for when you go into the outdoors. If you are ever lost in the wilderness, it can be very difficult to survive without any supplies. Below you will find a basic checklist that you may use as a guide for making your own personalized list.

Outdoor Survival Checklist:

Ο   First Aid Kit

Ο   Emergency Kit

Ο   Camp shoes or sandals

Ο   Two extra pair of wool socks / two pair liner socks

Ο   Pocket knife

Ο   Wide brimmed hat

Ο   Towels and Toilet Paper

Ο   Mess kit and cup

Ο   Cookware – pot, skillet, coffee pot – take what you will use

Ο   Tin foil

Ο   Stove and fuel

Ο   Waterproof matches

Ο   Fire starter sticks or gel packets

Ο   Water filter / purifier

Ο   Tent

Ο   Sleeping bag (pillow, optional)

Ο   Plastic ground cloth cut to fit just inside your tent’s perimeter – tarp

Ο   Day pack

Ο   Camera and film

Ο   Binoculars (optional)

Ο   GPS devise

Ο   Flashlight and extra batteries

Ο   Cellular Phone

Ο   Large plastic trash bags

Ο   Pack cover for rain (large trash bag will work)

Ο   Rain gear or poncho

Ο   50 feet of good rope

Ο   Bear Spray

Ο   Bear resistant container or a couple stuff sacks for hanging food and smelly stuff away from critters

Ο   Ziplok bags

Ο   Map, trail guide and Permits in waterproof bag.

Ο   Paperback? Deck of cards? Pen and Paper – optional

Ο   Hiking stick – they work great and decrease tiredness

Ο   Good water bottles

Ο   Spare glasses

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