You can never have enough survival gear, especially when you need to uproot your entire family from your well-established lifestyle and venture into unknown territory far from home. This is what happens when you have to bug out and head to a rural environment. Whether the result of natural disasters or man-made intervention, traveling into the woods, desert or dense, jungle-like setting can put a significant strain on you and your loved ones.
Going from having a bunch of “stuff” to the bare minimum can be very difficult. You can only carry so much, so choose wisely and pick only those items that can do a multitude of tasks.
Luckily for you, the selection is grand: wood saw combos, 25-function multi-tools, and knives that not only cut and slice but can also produce fire.
Do your homework, plan and purchase your survival gear well ahead of even a hint of a warning, and you and your family will not only survive the drastic change in lifestyle but also thrive in the abundant backyard of nature, itself.
To properly survive out in the wild or in the big city, you need two things: book smarts and experience. Cross the first one off your list with Survival Summit’s comprehensive survival DVD series. You’ll learn from survival experts how to survive—and thrive—when the worst occurs across the nation or in your own backyard. From
escaping kidnappers in an urban area to construction of a bow drill to create much-needed fire to building your own amateur radio to contact others in time of crisis, this series of DVDs has you covered for nearly every known (and unknown) emergency that might occur.
Be prepared with the facts, skills, and tactics necessary to survive brought to you by experts and relayed to you in a simple-to-understand, straightforward and entertaining format. Choose your interests or purchase all DVDs for an unbeatable survival instructional “library” at your fingertips. All DVDs are sold separately. Streaming options are available.
Survival Land Navigation
Run time: 1:30
MSRP: $29.95
Survival Escape & Evasion
Run time: 1:45
MSRP: $29.95
Survival Skills
Run time: 3:30
MSRP: $49.95
Survival Communication
Run time: 1:42
MSRP: $29.95
Survival HD High Desert, Low Mountain
Run time: 5:58 with bonus content
MSRP: $69.95
Survival Suturing
Run time: 0:55
MSRP: $29.95
Home EMProvement
Run time: 0:55
MSRP: $29.95
Survival Bug Out
Run time: 1:57
MSRP: $29.95
Overview
A multitude of survival gear in the palm of your hand. The SOL Origin combines fire making, signaling, fishing and navigation equipment in one compact and waterproof unit. It contains fire tinder, a Fire Lite sparker, fishing line, fishing hooks, a liquid-damped compass, extra-sharp knife, rescue mirror, sewing kit, nylon cordage and more than 60 complete survival tips. This tool is perfect for hikers, campers, outdoorsman or the average “Joe” out for a weekend of adventure.
Conservation of precious space in your pack or gear bag is a top priority for this ultimate survival cache; it stores easily nearly anywhere.
Specifications
• Rugged, waterproof, hinged case
• Multi-functional components
• Compact, integrated item design
• Includes survival tip booklet
MSRP: $40
Overview
You never know how long an emergency situation might last, and upon your return, valuable medical supplies could be seriously lacking. Avoid this dilemma with the Adventure Medical Professional Guide I Medical Kit. This overstuffed “hospital away from home” equips you with all the necessities to treat injuries seconds after they occur.
From burns to deep cuts to severe broken bones, you will have what you need to prevent a bad situation from getting far worse. Remember, in the backwoods or in an evacuated city, there are no medical facilities open for your convenience. So, be prepared well ahead of time with this comprehensive first aid collection.
Specifications
• Includes more than 200 pieces of essential first aid survival gear
• Addresses bleeding, burns, fractures, CPR and more
• Great for groups or long outings
• Includes Wilderness & Travel Medicine book
• Nylon bag with water-resistant zippers
MSRP: $300
Overview
The SOL Hybrid 3 Kit features three categories of survival gear supplies—all in one convenient, easy-access pouch. This kit combines the best high-quality supplies for medical and first aid issues; survival basics such as fire starters, signaling devices and tinder; and needed protection from the elements (survival blanket, nylon cordage and shelter repair aids).
It’s filled with more than 50 essential survival items. Best of all, it features a detachable pouch for short trips away from your camp, allowing you to bring just what you need on your short adventure.
Specifications
• Detachable pouch for short excursions
• Hospital-quality tools
• Lightweight nylon bag
• Easy to access and use
• Size: 7x6x2.5 inches
• Weight: 20 ounces
MSRP: $60
Overview
Eighteen tools at your fingertips and built tough to withstand the harsh and relentless power of Mother Nature. That’s the SOG Powerplay in a nutshell. This ultra-strong multi-tool can be a lifesaver when out in the unforgiving outdoors.
The Powerplay features pliers that lock like a vice without slipping, a straight edge and fully serrated blades that are perfect for slicing or sawing, wire cutter, crimper, bottle opener, Philips and flathead drivers, file and much more. The Powerplay includes a hard-molded, quick-access belt case so you’ll never lose this remarkable tool.
Specifications
• 18 total implements
• Blades are accessible without opening the tool
• Includes a hard-molded nylon carry pouch
• Lifetime warranty
MSRP: $77
Overview
Fire keeps you warm, cooks your food and protects you from dangerous animals. Don’t be left without it and out in the cold. The Guaranteed Fire Kit, personally created by survivalist Creek Stewart, offers you a number of ways to create a life-sustaining fire.
From matches to a Fresnel lens to a mini fire steel, you’ll have a fire blazing in no time. Add the kit’s included tinder, a nine-hour candle, steel wool, char cloth, punky wood and a heavy-duty carrying pouch, and you’re good to go, no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.
Specifications
• Self-contained fire kit
• Custom created by Creek Stewart
• Durable carrying bag
• Great addition to your bug-out kit
MSRP: $49.99
www.NotIfButWhenSurvivalStore.com
Overview
Designed by fishermen, the Standard Survival Fishing Kit will help you land dinner while under survival or emergency conditions. Well stocked with more than 40 items that include hooks, line, lures and more, this amazing, little pack combines the needs of fishing with the mindset of survival.
Pre-made fishing lines cut prep time short, allowing you to focus on “the catch” and replacing much-needed lost calories. This survival gear kit also includes a Derma-Safe utility knife.
Specifications
• Pocket-sized tin
• Durable and watertight construction
• More than 40 brand-name items
• Fishing manual included
MSRP: $22.95
Overview
You can never have enough survival gear, and Smith’s Pack Pal 10-N-1 Outdoors Tool reinforces that belief to
the fullest. This incredible multi-purpose survival gear packs numerous outdoor survival items into one, compact package.
The 10-N-1 is an incredibly lightweight, yet extremely durable, tool that includes a carbide knife sharpener, saw blade, tweezers, compass with integrated paracord storage compartment, signal mirror, standard sharp knife blade, whistle and firestarter. A removable LED light allows you to find your way at night, and the tool’s included paracord “handle” unravels to produce usable cordage. This tool is perfect for camping, hiking or in preparation for a worst-case survival scenario.
Specifications
• Carbide knife sharpener
• Lightweight construction
• Removable LED light
• Signaling equipment
MSRP: $29.99
Overview
Mykel Hawke’s exclusive Hawkchete can hack and slash its way through even the toughest of foliage and small branches. This amazing survival tool is constructed of carbon steel and sports a non-reflective black epoxy coating.
Its ingenious “top-heavy” design puts its weight and power into every swing, decreasing user fatigue and allowing you to travel longer distances while resting less frequently. The Hawkchete comes with a heavy-duty sheath and lanyard hole that is ready to attach a length of paracord.
Specifications
• Overall length: 23 ⅜ inches
• Blade length: 18 ⅛ inches
• Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Carbon steel blade
• Santoprene handle with rubber inserts
• Sheath included
MSRP: $49.99
Adventure Survival Bracelet
Overview
Sixteen survival tools, all secured tightly around your wrist … that’s the Adventure Survival Bracelet. This compact, all-in-one survival gear features a liquid-filled compass, whistle, knife, fishing line, glow light, signal mirror, ranger bands, tinder packets—and much more. Its outer “shell” is genuine 550 paracord (three color combinations are available). Attached securely around your wrist, this comfortable and comprehensive kit goes
wherever you do, ready to lend a hand when things go bad. The Adventure Survival Bracelet is handcrafted and backed by Wazoo’s lifetime warranty.
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared in the February 2017 print issue of American Survival Guide.