Surviving in the wilderness often comes down to making the right choices and having a little luck. When Travis Heggie and Michael Amundson of the University of North Dakota studied search and rescue efforts in U.S. National Parks, they found that 78,488 people required the assistance of search and rescue between 1992 and 2007. For 2,659 of those people, help came too late. A survival kit gives you tools that can increase your chances of survival. Keep a survival kit in your pack and ready to go with you anytime you venture out on a backcountry expedition.
Knife or Multi-Tool
You can use a knife to shave wood for kindling or cut branches to build a shelter or a splint for an injured limb. With a knife, you can also make repairs to equipment, build a trap for game and prepare the game for eating. Although most people hope they'll never be put to such a test, one climber, Aron Ralston, survived being trapped in a slot canyon in Utah because he was able to use his multi-tool to amputate his hand, which had become trapped under a boulder, reports MSNBC.
Matches and Fire Starters
The ability to start a fire can be lifesaving. Some people prefer to carry a butane lighter, whereas others opt for matches. Keep even waterproof matches in a watertight container such as an old pill bottle or film canister. Cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly make small, portable fire starters that will help you start a campfire even when your wood is damp. Carry these in a separate pill bottle or film canister.
Compass
Together with a map, a compass can help you find your way out of the wilderness. In addition to carrying the compass, you should practice using it. Learning to read a compass will help you travel in one direction instead of walking in circles should you become lost.
Map
Always take a map of the area to which you're traveling. Even if you become lost, you should be able to use the map to locate landmarks. Study the map before you leave and familiarize yourself with the lay of the land. With a compass, a map can help you find your way back to a trail.
Extra Food
When you're planning meals for a wilderness trip, pack at least one additional meal and several additional snacks as emergency rations in case unexpected circumstances delay your return. Energy bars and hard candy will stay edible in your pack for months, even years. They can help sustain you for several days if you need to await rescue.
Whistle
A whistle can emit a sound much louder and much longer than the human voice. Three burst of the whistle are a common distress signal that can lead rescuers to your location.
First Aid Kit
If you become ill or injured in the wilderness, you may be a day or more away from help. Purchase a small first aid kit to keep in your pack. Outfit it with bandages, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment and common over-the-counter remedies such as a pain reliever, antacids and antidiarrhea medication.
Light
A headlamp or flashlight will allow you to find your way in the dark and can be used as a signaling device.
Space Blanket
Space blankets are lightweight reflective blankets that help you maximize the use of your body heat to stay warm. You can use the shiny metallic surface as a signaling device in the daytime and ward off hypothermia in cold weather and at night.
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