Survival essentials.

[SCUMFROG]

My son and I are putting together a survival pack for gun safety class. I know the basic stuff, compass, map, mirror, flint for starting fires. But what else would be a good thing to have just in case?

I'm taking the class also. I'm learing alot I didn't know.

[gunflint]

We've found a few people because they had a cheap two-way radio with them. TP, bug spray. And most of all common sense.

[Questor]

Tools for prevention are the most important ones, but here's what I take in my hunting vest:

1) Forget flints. Get a good quality butane lighter. I like the wind-proof style even though it doesn't have much burn duration. It's like a little welding torch that can light anything.

2) Two compasses. One pin-on style so he can stop, look down periodically, and know his heading. This, accompanied by the discipline of knowing the route you want to take and the general direction for arriving at your destination. The second one is a backup.

3) Small flashlight of good quality, like a mini-maglite.

4) Pocket knife.

5) Toilet paper.

6) Hand-held GPS and the discipline to navigate with it.

7) Cell phone (which is usually useless in places I hunt.)

8) An attitude that getting lost is practically impossible unless you are suddenly brain damaged or otherwise incapacitated. This is based on knowledge.

And also very important: Season-appropriate clothing and footwear, usually including at least a light water- repellant jacket to stop water and wind.

[DinkADunk]

There's lot's of stuff you can take but having appropriate clothing is key; hypothermia is no joke. A map and compass are great to have but you must know how to use them. You must practice with a map and compass; each year, spend a day and navigate with just a map and compass in the trees without using your GPS. I spent a few years as a field Geologist using a map and compass 12 hours a day, 6-days a week and I still spend a day every year refreshing my skills. Some other usefull items are

A good knife

Part of an abdominal pad - great for applying pressure to major bleeders. These things will suck up a bunch of blood.

A small first aid kit.

High calorie, high fat, food. I like a good nut bar as they don't get too gooey when warm.

Any medicine that may be needed. I bring an asprin and an extra beta blocker with me just in case (instructions from doc)

Now, if you are going anywhere where cell phone coverage is an issue, going out by yourself, if you're older, or if you have any health issues then get yourself an ACR PLB-200. This unit has a built in GPS and it will notify emergency workers of your location via satellite. There is no registration fee's, no usage fees, you only pay for the unit and then register it. I have some heart issues and use to get Afib every once and awhile. I was on the Brule steelhead fishing and my pulse decided to go up to 300bpm for no reason; not a huge problem but your heart isn't as efficient as it is when it's in a normal range. It took me 2 hours to crawl back to my truck (basically a 10 minute hike up a hill) and an hour to get to an ER in Duluth (cell coverage is fairly poor out there). I was very tempted to use the PLB, but I was making progress and my heart was stable, although fast, so I got myself out of trouble. I was very glad I had it and I carry it with me when every I travel or go fishing.

[CrappieAttitude]

Quote:

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I'm helping my son put together a survival pack for his gun safety class. I know the basic stuff, compass, map, mirror, flint for starting fires. But what else would be a good thing to have just in case?

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Being that this is for a gun safety class, I would venture to guess that your son is probably about 12 years old (give or take) I think us as adults would end up having all of the electronic equipment necessary to make sure that we didn't get lost in the woods.

I would definately make sure you have the basics, and two compasses would be a great idea. If your son knows how to use a compass correctly it would probably be more of a survival need than a GPS relying on 2 AA batteries. (If the funds provide of course a GPS would help, but I am remembering as a kid in gun safety creating a survival pack that would be realistic for me to have with me at age 13)

Other key things besides what has already been mentioned are as follows.

1. poncho (Being wet and lost would be alot worse than just being lost)

2.Some sort of rope. I personally like the 25 foot sportsmans rope you can get. Thin diamater and strong enough to secure most of anything.

3.Water bottle

4. Flashlight (Those new LED crank up lights are pretty slick and you don't have to worry about batteries)

I feel honestly that if you should happpen to become lost, going into it with the proper mindset and the ability to keep your composure would be more of an essential than some of your items in the pack.

CA

[Farmboy1]

Survival blanket (small ones you can pick up at Gander, Cabelas, etc)

Water purification tablets, "straw" purifier, or something similar.

Small Mirror for signaling.

Common Sense

[SCUMFROG]

He's 16 and is just now getting into hunting. Thanks for all ideas..

Keep them coming.

[sparcebag]

I Dont believe I saw a small important item! A whistle can be heard much easier than a hollar! Most of these lists I'd die of exaustion,luggin it around! WHISTLE>FIRESTARTER>CANDY BARS COMPASS WATER GARBAGE BAG AMMO WAX CANDLE.Presuming your not going 20 miles and dont plan on over night

[big musk411]

All good stuff here. I will second the wistle. Also a magnesium fire starter. It can get wet as opposed to matches and lighters. Fun to play with as well.

[Orlip]

Quote:

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I Dont believe I saw a small important item! A whistle can be heard much easier than a hollar! Most of these lists I'd die of exaustion,luggin it around! WHISTLE>FIRESTARTER>CANDY BARS COMPASS WATER GARBAGE BAG AMMO WAX CANDLE.Presuming your not going 20 miles and dont plan on over night

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I as well could not believe it took this long for that ever important whistle to come into the list.

[Nate McVey]

Some cotton balls coated with vasoline is a GREAT fire starter. I carry a MSR stove with me on hunts in CO, it is small and light and will boil water in under 3 mins. above 10,00 ft.

[kaz2611]

a leatherman