Page 61 - American Survival Guide - October 2017

KITS—COMMERCIAL

VS. HOMEMADE

These days, there is a plethora of survival kits readily available
that cover many of the bases. However, there are also a lot of
useless kits being o ered that make your choice even more
confusing. The cheaper survival kits are riddled with inferior
pieces, which can be more disposable than useful.
Before buying an assembled kit, your needs and options should
be thoroughly researched to ensure your selection at least covers
the basics: fi re, direction/navigation, signaling, shelter and water
purifi cation. Cordage and cutting tools should be added if they
aren’t already included.
Adventure Medical Kits o ers many pre-packaged kits, but I
prefer this company’s simpler kits, which leave room for adding
items I know I’ll need. Randall’s Adventure & Training o ers a few
kits which are all inclusive and without too much unnecessary
stu . Rather, they include substantial pieces that have been
proven to be useful. The company also o ers pouches that allow
a survivor to pack their own kit.
I prefer to pack my own kit to ensure I only include the
necessities and not much more. I like the adage, “If you don’t
have it, you probably don’t need it.” Less gear and more skills and
practice go much further than being kit dependent! Whatever kit
you decide to use and how you pack it—I can’t stress enough the
importance of practicing with it and not being afraid to adjust the
contents as you see fi t.

I REMEMBER THE DAYS OF Kit-Building Tips
Metal containers may be used for boiling and collecting water,
EXCITEDLY RETURNING FROM holding tripods together, signaling and other tasks. Brightly
THE DOLLAR OR HARDWARE colored items can be good for signaling by using clothing or
fabrics as fl ags or tying other items to tree branches. Paper
STORE WITH ALL THESE LITTLE (tissues, receipts) can be good tinder and kindling for fi re. Water
COMPONENTS, INTENT ON bottles are good for additional water storage and keeping tinder
dry. There is no place in the world where a hiker won’t fi nd some
STUFFING THEM INSIDE A SMALL sort of trash that can be used as “survivor’s gold.”
ALTOIDS TIN.

They were told they could use anything from that point onward to help supplement their
survival for the next 48 hours. (This forces people to use the power of observation and
offers a chance to be creative.)
Every trip into the wilderness offers us a chance to observe and collect—if the situation
ever were to arise—so take advantage of it.
KIT-RELIANT
Dave Canterbury popularized the “fi ve Cs” and the “10 Cs” of survival. However, the items
on these lists are often already being carried by anyone expecting to spend an extended
period in the wild. Dave fi ne-tuned the lists for us and made them more purpose driven, which
simplifi ed things for a lot of people.

[ASGMAG.COM] AMERICAN SURVIVAL GUIDE 61

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