Survivalism is rising in popularity these days as people grow ever more aware of our dependence on technology and how ill-equipped we are to survive without it. Knowing how to prepare for the event that you may not have access to electricity, running water, or cell service is a valuable skill, and one that everyone can learn. One of the most important aspects of preparedness is your survival kit. Within this kit will be items that will aid you in creating shelter, staying warm and hydrated, and basically surviving in a situation where you’re left to your own devices. Your survival kit can include whatever you deem necessary, but it should be lightweight and easily accessible so you can grab it quickly when needed. Here are the top 3 items we think every survival kit should contain.
Emergency Blanket – $1.95 – $39.95
Every survival kit should contain more than one way to stay warm, and one of the most efficient ways is with an emergency blanket. These blankets are constructed from a metalized material that reflects 90 percent of your body heat back to you and are completely wind and waterproof. They are ultralight and compact, taking up little room in your kit. Plus, an emergency blanket can be used as a footprint or tarp, or even a stand-alone shelter. For the price and convenience, an emergency blanket is a must in your survival kit. Be sure to check out the double-sized and bivy options as well.
If one of your methods of staying warm includes fire, you should also have more than one way of starting a fire. Waterproof matches or lighters are common and easy to carry, but a fire starter is a sure bet when it comes to reliability. A common type of fire starter is a flint striker, which generates a spark of up to 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit to start a fire in any conditions, wind and rain included. Flint strikers are good for thousands of fires, and despite their ability to create a force of nature, are completely safe to carry around in your pocket or backpack. To increase your odds at getting a fire going, you could even pack along tinder that is designed to ignite even if soaking wet. You’ve got plenty of options in the world of fire starters, so choose the ones that you feel comfortable with.
Water Filtration/Purification – $14.95 – $99.95
Whether you’re stranded out in the wild or in the midst of an urban tragedy, you’re going to need water to survive. Since it’s impractical to always carry around gallons of water to be prepared, you’ll want to consider a water filtration system instead. Backpackers and long distance travelers are the target demographic for water filtration systems, making them lightweight, compact, and relatively easy to find. The methods for water filtration range from gravity bladders to drop-in water bottle filters to the increasingly popular SteriPen, which purifies water with UV light to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria, virus, and protozoa, making it worth the initial expense in our opinion! When it comes to filling the need for fresh drinking water, you’re going to want a couple of effective options in your survival kit.
