How to Prepare a Survival Vest

Prepare a survival vest by assembling gear in a fishing vest.

A survival vest is designed with pockets to hold a variety of gear and equipment that can be used for survival. The survival vest can be worn during outdoor activities such as hiking and backpacking so that survival items are on hand if needed. The preparation of a survival vest begins with the selection of the vest itself and consideration of the items that should be included.

Things You'll Need

• Fishing vest
• Knife
• Multitool with knife blade
• Water purification tablets
• Collapsible water storage
• Water proof matches
• Fire steel
• Disposable lighter
• Tinder
• Aluminum foil
• Fishing hooks, line and weights
• First aid kit
• Bullion cubes
• Hard candy
• Paracord (30-feet)
• Snap chemical lights
• Small flashlight
• Strobe light
• Whistle
• Signal mirror
• Space blanket
• Survival saw
• Survival instructions
• Bandanna
• Compass
• Protein bars
• Orange survey marking tape

Instructions

1. Choose a fishing or similar type vest that features pockets on the outside, inside and back for accommodating survival gear.

2. Organize the survival gear based on size and purpose. Divide the gear into larger items that are soft such as a survival blanket. Consider grouping items based on purpose such as fire starting and water purification. Group food items such as protein bars together.

3. Place larger items like survival blankets and bandannas in the larger rear pocket of the fishing vest. Organize the items so they are flat and will ride comfortably if a backpack is carried over the vest.

4. Organize inside pockets to carry items including medications that are part of a first aid kit. Pain relief tablets and personal medications should be carried in a sealable plastic bag inside the vest for protection. Also carry identification, for example, inside the vest.

5. Place matches, lighters and fire steels together in an outer pocket along with tinder such as dryer lint to keep fire making materials together. Choose another pocket for signal aids such as a whistle, compass, mirror and orange survey tape.

6. Place water collection and purification items including a collapsible water container, water purification tablets in a separate pocket for easy access. Include a survival guide in this or another pocket with extra room.

7. Designate a pocket for food items including protein bars, candy, bullion cubes and aluminum foil for cooking. A tool pocket should also be designated for including a survival saw, multitool, knife and paracord.

8. Designate a pocket that is large enough to accommodate a first aid kit. Choose a pocket that can easily be accessed with only one hand if the need should arise due to injury. Include a basic first aid guide in this pocket for reference.

9. Include a light pocket for holding chemical snap lights, as well as a small battery-powered flashlight and an emergency strobe light.

Tips & Warnings

• Assemble additional items based on personal need in the vest.

• Organize the vest so that items are placed in a logical order based on the user.

• Check expiration dates of medications, treatment tablets and food items periodically.

References

• Simple Survival: Survival Vest