Quick Basics

You can go online and look up survival guide and drown in the amount of information that pops up. How do you read it all, learn it all and what's most important? Well, I am going to try and condense a bunch of stuff down for you. In a perfect world, you would be equipped with a small energy sipping netbook that you have customized to help you through your emergency. (We will cover this subject later).

But lets say that doesn't fit your budget or you just can't make that happen right now. Well, here are some easy to use printable lists. We suggest you print a copy (or more), put it in a binder and keep them in safe places.

Lets look at what survival is first;
- The will to survive
- proper mental attitude
- peak fitness
- Skills and knowledge in hunting, gathering, shelter & fire building, first aid, etc
- Tools (knives, shovel, survival manuals, etc)

A note about Tools and Skills/knowledge - if you focus only on tools and not develop other elemental skills, you may regret it. On the other hand, the more you know - the less tools you will need. To survive is to rely on as few physical elements as possible.

The lists. Now remember, there are different reasons for survival. Perhaps you've lost your way in the woods while camping or all Hell as broken loose on Earth. What you put in your survival pack is up to you and up to your situation. For any general situation, this is the best list I could come up with.

One Week Survival Kit (taken from Common Sense Survival by Bob Newman)

First Aid
6 2"x2" gauze pads
6 4"x4" gauze pads
Roll of standard medical gauze tape
Assortment of povidone iodine wipes
Eye patch
Antibiotic/antiseptic cream
Package of steri-strips
Moleskin
Bandage scissors & tweezers
1 3" elastic bandage
1 3" gauze roller bandage
Sawyer brand Extractor Kit (snake & insect bites)
2 cravats


Signals

• Sturdy plastic whistle
• Pencil flare launcher with 6 flares
• Shatterproof signal mirror
• Sturdy flashlight with extra batteries
• Extra bullets/shells if you have a firearm
• Several strips (3"x12") international orange cloth

Fire

• 1 35mm film canister with cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly
• Magnesium block with striker
• Commercial tinder sticks
• Magnifying glass
• Butane lighter
• Waterproof container of wooden "strike anywhere" kitchen matches

Food and Water

• 100 yards 15 lb. test fishing line
• Hooks, mostly small
• 1 packaged prepared catfish/scavanger bait
• 1 bottle PotableAqua brand, halazone, or iodine tabs for H20
• 10' surgical tubing
• 2 plastic collapsible containers
• 1 clear plastic bag, large
• 1 dry compressed sponge (unused)

Shelter

• 1 solar blanket
• 50' parachute cord
• Several chemical heat packs
• Wire saw
• 1 8'x8' tarp, reflective on one side
• 3 survival candles

Other

• Fixed or lock-blade knife
• Silva compass
• Topographic map
• Spare eyeglasses/sunglasses
• Spare wool hat
• Aspirin or Tylenol
• Prescription medicine
• Other items unique to your needs