While many people have an idea of what they should pack in their first aid kit, there is no standard size or style. Therefore, it is important to know how to make one that fits you!
There are several good resources online and at most drug stores for making your own first aid kits. The best way to determine if yours is too large or small is by using it!
Make sure to include things such as band-aids, pain relievers, antiseptic wipes, cough drops, oral hygiene supplies, and any medications you regularly take. Also including waterproof matches or a compass will be very helpful.
Stocking up on food is another essential item. We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to eat well before a crisis happens. Make sure to keep tabs on your snacks so you don’t run out suddenly.
Wilderness Survival Skills
Wilderness survival skills are essential for anyone who spends time in outdoors. Whether you’re a backpacker, a camper, or a hunter, having the right knowledge and skills can mean the difference between life and death in a survival situation.
The vast majority of wilderness survival situations are preventable, and the more you know about the environment, the better positioned you’ll be to prevent them. This means learning about the terrain, the plants, and the wildlife in the area. It also means learning about the weather and what to expect at different times of the year.
Another important part of wilderness survival is understanding the basics of shelter. This means knowing how to build a shelter that will protect you from the elements, as well as the animals that may occupy the area. It also means knowing how to find water and food in the wild, and how to make fire.
Knowing how to navigate is a key skill when it comes to wilderness survival. Knowing how to read a map, use a compass, and find your way in the wilderness is essential when it comes to finding your way back to civilization.
Knowing how to signal for help is also important in a wilderness survival situation. This means learning how to make a fire, choosing the right location for the fire, and understanding how to signal for help with smoke.
Finally, it’s important to learn about wilderness first aid. Knowing how to treat common injuries and illnesses, as well as knowing what to do in the event of a medical emergency, can mean the difference between life and death in a survival situation.
Wilderness survival skills are essential for anyone who spends time in outdoors. With the right knowledge, you’ll be better prepared to handle any situation you encounter in the wilderness. With the right skills, you’ll be better equipped to survive and make it back home.
Survival Gear Essentials
Whether you’re going camping, hiking, or just planning to be prepared for any emergency, having the right survival gear is essential. From a trusted knife to a reliable fire starter, this guide will provide you with the survival essentials you need to make sure you’re prepared for whatever life throws at you. Read on to learn more about the essential survival gear you should have in your arsenal.
First aid kit
A first aid kit is an essential tool for any home, office, or vehicle. Having one well-stocked and easily accessible can be the difference between a minor injury and a major one. Whether you’re a new parent, a caregiver or just someone who likes to be prepared, having a first aid kit on hand is a must. With just a few basic items, you can be ready for any emergency.
Flashlight
The flashlight has been a staple of outdoor activities and emergency preparedness for generations. Its portability and versatility make it a must-have for any camping trip or emergency kit. With so many options available, it can be hard to know which flashlight is right for you. From classic incandescent models to modern LED-powered lights, let’s take a look at the features and benefits of these indispensable tools.
Paracord
Paracord is an incredibly versatile and durable material that has become a staple of the outdoor lifestyle. With its many uses, it’s no surprise that paracord has become a must-have item for campers, hikers, and adventurers alike. From harnesses to belts, lanyards to tourniquets, paracord has become an indispensable piece of gear for anyone looking to be prepared for the unexpected.
Multi-tool
The multi-tool is an essential item for any outdoorsman or DIY enthusiast. It is a versatile, compact, and durable tool that can be used for a variety of tasks from tightening screws to cutting rope. Whether you are camping, fishing, or just doing some basic repairs around the house, a multi-tool can be a great addition to your toolbox.
Waterproof Bag
A water-resistant bag is one of the most important items you can have when hiking or traveling. This will be your new favorite pocket to store everything in!
Waterproof bags are very popular these days due to their durability and ease of use. Many people choose them because they like the way they organize things and how easy it is to access anything inside the bag.
Some examples of water-resistant bags include backpacks, handbags, luggage, and other types of carry-on-sized products. These are great because you do not need special waterproofing tools to use them!
These bags usually have several compartments that hold all of your daily needs such as phones, passports, money, etc. An accessory holder also comes with many ones so you do not have to worry about that.
Making sure your belongings are protected in this bag is an essential piece to having a successful travel experience. You want to make sure there are no holes or openings that could cause water to seep in and potentially damage your equipment.
Many people keep the zipper closed at first before opening up the rest of the components to ensure full coverage.
Survival Knife
A knife is one of the most important items to have in any size collection. You can make it your main tool- not just for survival, but also as an everyday casual item. Many people use their knives for eating purposes only!
A great all-around blade should be at least 3 inches (7.5 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5cm) wide. These are considered “every day” blades because they are easy to find and inexpensive. Some brands are even manufactured with durable plastic handles!
The best back pocket knives contain steel that is either carbon or titanium clad. Carbon steels are heavier than titanium ones, but they retain their shape much better when you cut things with them. Titanium blades will eventually color-match your skin tone so if this is something you care about then go for a titanium blade!
Some additional handy tools include a folding spoon, leatherman style sheath, and maybe a lanyard too. All three of these can be purchased separately if you don’t want to spend extra money on them.
Compass
A compass is one of the most important items to have in any size of wilderness adventure. You can make do without it for about an hour before you really need it, but it will help keep you safe in the long run by giving you knowledge of which way is north.
A basic magnetic compass works by detecting changes in current flow through iron or steel objects. The device has two needles that are aligned either North or South, depending on where you place the needle tip when using the compass.
The position of the sun determines whether the compass points south or west at sunrise and sunset, so during other times of the day it re-calibrates itself as needed. Some more advanced compasses have automatic orienting features too!
Experts agree that even though they cost around $20-$30, they are worth their weight in gold. Because they’re designed to be used often, there are many third-party brands that offer durable compasses that work just as well if not better than the original ones.
Matches
A large part of surviving is having enough materials to help you start a fire. Many people forget this, but we still need to know how to start a fire even if there are matches in our house!
Matches are one of the most important things that anyone should have in their personal emergency kit. They are typically made out of paper with chemicals on it that burn, and usually you roll them up and apply light pressure to set off the matchstick.
Matches can be tricky to use properly though, as you don’t want to overwork or press down on the chemical too hard without lighting the match first. This could cause the match to break instead of helping it to ignite the next piece of material!
There are many ways to learn how to use matches, so do not worry! There are several different websites and videos about this trick tip easily.
Food
While it may be fun to watch TV or browse the internet while you’re waiting for rescue, don’t depend on it to survive.
Most importantly, know how to prepare food!
You should have at least one meal per day that is made of foods that can be either cooked or raw.
This could be anything from roasted vegetables and pasta dishes to fruits and nuts as snacks.
We wouldn’t want you spending your time before rescue eating only potatoes and carrots, so make sure to mix it up!
Cooking and gathering basic recipes is an excellent way to preserve the nutrients in these foods and also purify the air by breaking down more complex molecules.
Drinking purified water is another important part of pre-survival training because it helps keep you hydrated and healthy. You can also use this water to prepare meals if nothing else is available.
Avoid buying packaged foods unless they include nutritional information and do not contain much salt or fat. These additives are unnecessary costs that contribute to our growing waistlines.
The healthier option is to buy whole foods (foods that haven’t been processed too much) such as berries, chicken, fish, etc. Nutrient density will suffer due to the packaging, but we need those vitamins and minerals for health!
Removing most of the ingredients will restore some of the flavors and increase the shelf life, which both help with nutrition during difficult times.
A Safe Place to Sleep
Finding a safe place to sleep is one of the most important things you can do if you want to survive an earthquake.
In a disaster situation, there are often not enough beds or space to allocate ones that exist. Plus, there may be too many people trying to get as much rest as possible before they have to resume their normal lives.
Fortunately, you can still find a way to make sure your body gets the rest it needs by investing in a mattress set-up that includes a sleeping bag as a cover.
A sleeping bag will also help keep you warm while protecting your skin from dirt and water exposure.
Warm Clothing
One of the most important things you can have is warm clothing. You will want to make sure your feet are protected, as well as your hands and face.
Warm hats are also helpful in keeping your head warm. Try buying second-hand clothes or hunting down old woolen blankets that you can re-purpose into warmer clothing.
Winter comes with its own set of dangers: snowstorms, avalanches, floods, and exposure to cold. Be prepared!
Make sure to keep an eye out for those who may need help due to winter weather conditions.
Fire starter
Fire is our main source of light, heat, and communication in the wilderness. While not everyone has to know how to make a fire, knowing what kind of fuel you have and being able to start a fire with it is very important.
There are several types of fuels that will work when used properly. Many people only use one type but using more than one can prove quite helpful in creating a proper burn.
Thicker branches require longer to burn down so they’re better to use if you want to get some warmer flames or keep warm yourself while waiting for help to arrive.
Towels are great to use as tinder because they naturally contain flammable fibers. Simply soak the towel in water to extinguish it first!
When no good pieces of wood are available, you can try grass, old clothes, or even dry weeds which may spark easier. Just be sure to mix them together and roll them into a tight pack before trying to ignite them.
Never throw away paper or other combustible materials unless you know how to handle them safely without starting a new fire.
General tips: Use small soft natural objects like twigs, thin sticks, or dried leaves to start your fires. Never use metal objects as they may cause sparks that could ignite nearby material.