How to Make a Wilderness Survival Kit

If you're going to be in the wilderness overnight, it is important to pack your wilderness survival kit with essentials that will last the duration of your stay. You can get most of these items from your local camping and outdoor store or department store.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Buy a vest or back pack to contain your survival supplies. You will need to have room for emergency food, water, heat and light at a minimum.
2. Packs food ration bars or meals ready to eat (MRE) in case you can't bag that buck or snag that snapper. Your wilderness survival kit should also include some water purification tablets so you can have fresh water from any source. You may also want to pack pouches of emergency water in case you are injured and cannot get to water easily.
3. Make or buy some waterproof matches. Pack them in a waterproof container, such as a zipper sandwich bag. A butane lighter or a magnesium fire starter is also useful.
4. Shed some light on the subject by packing a flashlight and extra batteries in your wilderness survival kit. A good LED flashlight can be used to see in the dark or as a signal if you need help.
5. Take a buddy with you--just not in your emergency pack! It is never a good idea to go out into the wilderness alone. You never know when something might happen. And who is going to believe that story of the Big Foot sighting if you don't have a witness?
6. Tote a tent or other form of shelter, such as a tarp. You should also pack a reflective emergency blanket for each person in your party. If you aren't able to take a tent with you, use your heat-reflective blanket or a tarp to make a lean-to for protection from the weather. You can also use the tarp or emergency blanket to collect water in a pinch.

Tips & Warnings

• Pack some cash in case you have to go into town for essentials.
• Make your own waterproof matches by dipping wooden matches in paraffin wax.
• Your water purification tablets are iodine based and may be used as a disinfectant for an injury.