| When planning a trip into the wilderness, whether it | | | | be very helpful as well. |
| be for camping, fishing or hunting there are some | | | | I usually carry a good multi tool as well. This can be |
| survival essentials that you must take with you. | | | | clipped on your belt along with the knife. With the |
| Shelter | | | | advances in technology, you have other resources |
| We will start with your shelter. This is one of the | | | | readily available these days, including a GPS and |
| obvious survival essentials. Although some people do | | | | satellite telephone. |
| not mind sleeping under the stars, having shelter | | | | Backpack |
| from the elements can make or break your trip. | | | | A good waterproof pack would be an important |
| There are many different types and sizes of tents | | | | piece of equipment, but would it be a survival |
| on the market. Determine how many people will be | | | | essential? Not necessarily, a pack will not save your |
| sharing your tent before your trip and whether or | | | | life, but it will keep your gear from getting wet and it |
| not you will need a second tent to store your gear. | | | | is much easier to carry everything as well. |
| If you do not want to bring another tent, bring a | | | | Fire |
| tarp (if you have room) to cover your supplies to | | | | At one time, waterproof matches were considered |
| keep them dry. | | | | one of the survival essentials. However, not so much |
| Secondly, a sleeping bag that is designed for the | | | | anymore. With the advent of fire paste and other |
| climate is another of the survival essentials. All | | | | fire starters, matches are becoming obsolete. I have |
| sleeping bags should have a label that indicates the | | | | had waterproof matches get wet and become |
| temperature rating of the bag. However, they are | | | | useless. Even carrying a small lighter is a good idea. |
| not always accurate. This is one item that you should | | | | There are ways to start a fire without some fire |
| not go cheap on; you usually get what you pay for in | | | | starter of some kind, but it can be difficult without |
| a sleeping bag. | | | | experience. |
| Food and Water | | | | First Aid Kit |
| You should always bring enough food; this may seem | | | | Having a stocked first aid kit is another of the |
| like an obvious survival essential and it is. When | | | | important survival essentials. Before leaving on your |
| planning your trip, it is very important to plan your | | | | trip, check your kit to make sure it is not out of |
| meals. This way you should be sure of taking enough | | | | anything. Some important components of the kit |
| food and not taking too much with you, especially if | | | | should be band-aids, antiseptic, gauze, tweezers, bug |
| you are hiking or portaging. | | | | bite cream or spray and other items that may be |
| Since water is heavy to carry, take a water filter and | | | | needed for the area you are traveling in such as |
| pump or iodine tablets if there will be water where | | | | snakebite kits etc. Also, included should be painkillers |
| you are going. If water is going to be scarce on your | | | | such as Tylenol for example. If anyone in your group |
| trip then one of your survival essentials will be taking | | | | requires specific medication then they are responsible |
| enough water with you for everyone in the group. I | | | | for bringing it with them. |
| hope that you will have a pack mule or something to | | | | Planning |
| carry it all! | | | | Planning the trip is one of the most important |
| Make sure you have a variety of healthy food with | | | | aspects of the survival essentials. Your route should |
| you so that you are not deficient in some vital | | | | be mapped clearly. You should have more than one |
| nutrients. You can expend a lot of energy while | | | | map with you. In addition, you must provide your trip |
| outdoors and you need to replenish your strength | | | | plans to friends or family who are not going with you. |
| each day. | | | | People need to know when to expect you back and |
| Tools | | | | where to look for you if you are not back on time. |
| A sharp hunting knife is another of the survival | | | | Alert the local authorities or park Warden to your trip |
| essentials. No camper should venture into the | | | | plan as well. In addition, stick to your plan; do not |
| wilderness without one. It is used as a tool and a | | | | decide to change it when you have already begun |
| weapon of protection if needed. | | | | the trip. Search and Rescue can be quite expensive! |
| An implement for cutting wood is also an important | | | | Wilderness trips can be a lot of fun if planned |
| tool. Check out the local camping supply stores for | | | | properly. Never take a trip without the survival |
| some very handy folding saws. A small hatchet can | | | | essentials. |