A
survival kit
is a package of basic tools and supplies prepared in advance as an aid to survival in an emergency. Military aircraft, lifeboats, and spacecraft are equipped with survival kits.
Survival kits, in a variety of sizes, contain supplies and tools to provide a person with basic shelter against the elements, help them keep warm, meet their health and first aid needs, provide food and water, signal to rescuers, and assist them in finding their way back to help. Supplies in a survival kit normally contain a knife (often a Swiss army knife or a multi-tool), matches, tinder, first aid kit, bandana, fish hooks, sewing kit, and an LED flashlight with batteries.
Civilians such as forestry workers, surveyors, or bush pilots, who work in remote locations or in regions with extreme climate conditions may also be equipped with survival kits. Disaster supplies are also kept on hand by those who live in areas prone to earthquakes or other natural disasters. For the average citizen to practice disaster preparedness, some towns will have survival stores to keep survival supplies in stock.
General contents
Shelter or warmth
Reflective "aluminized" (Mylar coated) space blanket or survival blanket to retain body heat (and signal)
Lightweight poncho for protection against wind and rain
"Tube tent" or bivvy bag
Tarp with grommets or tie-tapes (best if nylon or polyester)
Large plastic trash bag as poncho or expedient shelter roof
Mosquito net to keep off biting insects
Wide-brimmed hat
Knitted or fleece "watch cap"
Magnifying glass for fire-starting
Ferrocerium rod (AKA "Metal match," "Hot Spark," "Firesteel," "Magnesium bar") and fire striker for fire-starting
Waterproof matches
Matches in waterproof container (include striker -- facing away from matches, if not "strike anywhere" matches)or melt candle wax all over your matches beforehand.
Butane lighter (will not work below freezing - carry inside clothing)
Hexamine fuel tablets (Esbit) or "heat tablets" for fire-starting
Cotton balls or pads smeared with white petroleum for fire starting (can be carried in 35 mm container or heat-sealed inside large diameter plastic straw)
Dark-colored (black preferred) shoe polish for fire-starting (also gives off an odor that can repel animals and insects, and can be used for marking and camouflage)
Health and first aid
First aid kit with bandages, sterile pads and gauze, first aid tape, tweezers, surgical razor, disinfectant pads, oxytetracycline tablets (for diarrhea or infection) and aspirin. Also keep an extra pair of prescription eyeglasses or contacts. Any material in the kit that may be damaged or rendered ineffective by water should be wrapped or sealed in plastic.
Antibiotic cream (also fire-starting)
Insect repellent
Hand sanitizer (also antibiotic and fire-starting)
Salt to maintain ability to perspire
Soap
Toilet paper
Feminine hygiene products (also fire-starting)
Supply of personal prescription medications
Hydrogen peroxide
Epinephrine and antihistamines (example "Benadryl" diphenhydramine) for allergic reactions, primarily to insect stings
Rubbing alcohol
Lip balm
Sunscreen (30 SPF or more is recommended) for when clothing cover is not available
Polarized sunglasses (Protects eyes from glare, especially at sea, in the far north and in the desert)
Suture kit
Food and water
At least three days' worth of water (1 US gallon (3.8 l; 0.83 imp gal) - approximately 8 pounds (3.6 kg)) per person per day: two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation). Commercially bottled water is the safest and most reliable emergency supply of water, kept bottled in its original container and unopened. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends replacing water at least once each year.
Commercial water filter
Metal container to boil water
Mess tin to boil water and cook food
Iodine or chlorine tablets for emergency water purification if boiling or filter not available.
Table salt for food and also can be used for brushing teeth.
Collapsible (empty) water bags or containers (Often unlubricated condoms are used in place of commercial water bags)
Canned food, Ready-to-eat meals (MRE), or high-energy foods such as chocolate or emergency food bars. Hiking meals, such as dehydrated food, can also be used, but are not ready to eat - they require rehydration (water), but most are prepared in the bag rather than needing a cooking vessel. Canned foods heated in a closed can may explode.
Fishing line and gear (fish hooks, lures, and split shot leads)
Snare wire
Gill Net (for emergency fishing)
Tea, gum, and hard candy (as a morale booster)
Water Purification Tablets
Signaling, navigation and reference
Whistle - Inexpensive and easy: blow into it three times to alert rescuers.
Signal mirror - Learn how to use it in advance.
Chem light/glow stick - Should come with a string. Tie it on and twirl the chem light in a circle; this signal is highly recognizable to aircraft.
Flare - Three fires in a triangle is the international distress signal
Surveyor's tape - orange or chartreuse for marking location for rescuers
Pen/pencil and paper for leaving notes to rescuers about direction of travel
Compass and maps/charts (if location is known in advance)
Survival manual for technique reference
Multipurpose tools or materials
Fixed-blade knife - sturdy in safe sheath
Multitool knife such as Swiss Army knife or multitool
Sharpening stone or tool
Folding saw or cable saw
Heavy-duty needle and thread for repairing clothing and equipment
Plastic bag(s) or trash bags
Heavy-duty aluminium foil for frying food and signaling
Brightly-colored bandanna or scarf for filtering water, bandage, sun protection, and signaling
Sturdy cord or "550" parachute cord for setting up a tarpaulin and snaring small animals
Firearms and ammunition for hunting and self-defense
Hatchet with sheath
Candles for warmth, light, and signaling
Lifeboat survival kits
Lifeboat survival kits are stowed in inflatable or rigid lifeboats or life rafts; the contents of these kits are mandated by coast guard or maritime regulations. These kits provide basic survival tools and supplies to enable passengers to survive until they are rescued. In addition to relying on lifeboat survival kits, many mariners will assemble a "ditch bag" or "abandon ship bag" containing additional survival supplies. Lifeboat survival kit items typically include:
Safety equipment
Life jackets
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Communications and navigation
Compass
Distress beacons (EPIRBs)
Red flare, rocket parachute flare, and/or smoke signal flare
Radar reflector (to help rescuers locate the raft)
Lantern and fuel and/or searchlight
Radio transceiver,standard VHF marine and a optional amateur radio if a licensed radio amateur (see Ham Radio) or an AM/FM/Weather/Shortwave radio receiver
GPS
Food and water
Emergency high-calorie rations and/or hard bread
Fishing kit
Rainwater collection equipment
Seawater desalination kit
Water (typically 3 liters/person)
Other tools and boating items
Hatchet and knife
Waterproof flashlight
Heaving line
Ladder
Sea anchor (also called a "sea drogue")
Bailer
Bilge pump
Boat hook
Bucket
Military kits
Survival kits for military aviators are often modified according to the environment of operations:
In desert areas, survival kits may have more water and sunscreen, and have additional items such as shade hats, a compass, a whistle, medical equipment, tinder, matches, and sun glasses.
In tropical areas, a survival kit may have mosquito head netting, additional insect repellent, anti-fungal cream, a machete, water purification tablets, foot powder, matches, a flint strike, a compass, a wire saw, a space blanket, medical equipment (gauze pads, elastic gauze bandage, antiseptic creams, anti-malaria tablets, anti-infection tablets, bandages, etc.), salt tablets, a fishing kit, snare wire, extra socks, a candle, a signal mirror, flares, a sewing kit, safety pins, tinder, tape, a whistle, and rations.
In arctic or alpine areas, survival kits may have additional cold weather clothing (winter hats and gloves), sleeping bags, chemical "hand warmer" packets, sun glasses/snow goggles, snowshoes, a collapsible shovel, a snare wire for small animals, a frying pan, a camp stove, camp stove fuel, a space blanket, matches, a whistle, a compass, tinder, medical equipment, a flint strike, a wire saw, extra socks and a tent designed for arctic use.
For personnel who are flying over large bodies of water, a survival kit may have additional items such as flotation vests, fishing nets, fishing equipment, fluorescent sea marking
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