Some survivalists do not practice specific techniques; instead, they teach the belief that it is better to have specific skills as a precaution.
Survivalists get prepared for an expected disaster by acquiring abilities and specific supplies before the emergency happens. This article, Survival List-Essential Things you must have, will help you determine the particular skills and the top items to gather in advance.
The Top Must-Haves
- food and water
- shelter from the elements
- clothing for extreme temperatures
- protection against wildlife (carry bear spray, a gun, or another type of self-defense)
- method to create fire or as an emergency signaling device (matches, lighter, etc.)
- your first aid kit and supplies, along with any prescription medication in case of illness or injury
All essentials needed are on this survival list. Every item is essential to survive. Have your bug out bag pre-packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Survival List Critical Items
The items on this survival list are critical to your survival. You should consider these items to be your top priority; if you don’t have these things, you could die.
Starting with the area where you live: plan to survive for at least three weeks without outside help. Have food and water enough to last at least a week, but try to ration it if possible. Add the following as needed.
- Rope if you need to catch animals or tie up your dog
- Extra blankets
- Always have a shovel
- Include a five-gallon bucket to dig for water. It could also be used as a pail to retrieve water from the creek (or any nearby body of water).
- Some pepper spray if I encounter another person
- A large knife if an animal attacks me
- Work gloves if the fire went out, and it was necessary to clear anything to start the fire again
- Learn to start a fire with twigs, dry grass, tinder, and two sticks. Have plenty of wood to burn when you need to build a fire. Also carry some rope for tying things together.
- Put together a small tool kit with some extra screws, nails, and additional screw drivers.
If you live in the woods, there are plenty of places to get shelter, like hollow logs or caves.
If it is cold, there are plenty of heat sources:
The fire pit, the sun, and even body heat with multiple people sharing a blanket. Also, wear various layers of clothes to help keep in body heat.
When raining, try to locate a shelter to stay dry. If possible, build a shelter using whatever materials were on hand and use the extra clothes as waterproofing around your body.
If you needed to move quickly, like if a dangerous animal is chasing you, then you might have to run to stay alive. You could use your glove as a makeshift shoe if my shoes fell off during a run.
Running over rocks or climbing on rough surfaces can injure your feet, so having a pair of gloves for walking would keep the soles of your feet from getting bruised up. Use a stick as a walking stick for extra support and help to move through the woods.
Another danger is getting injured from falling or tripping.
A survival kit could be carried in a backpack or purse to help treat injuries.
Bandages, disinfectants, and pain-killers would all help stabilize any wounds.
The last thing you would need to bring would be your cell phone to contact help if necessary. You can keep it in a waterproof container to prevent damage. You can take along a GPS device too.
Add any new skills or items as you think of them.
The skills you will need to learn about surviving in the wilderness.
To survive, you will need shelter, good shoes for walking through rough terrain, and most importantly, a resourceful attitude!
Additional survival list of tools you will need
- Cutting tool (survival knife, machete, ax, etc. this is the most important item)
- A fishing line and hooks (preferably a few, should be very small for convenience when carrying)
- A water filter or purifier (water may be hard to find in the wild, you will need this item to survive without dehydration)
- A sleeping bag and blankets/tarps to stay warm at night time
- A backpack to hold all these things in
Advanced survivalist are more likely will carry a compass with them. This is use if they get lost while hiking or hunting.
What are the types of shelters you use in the wilderness?
Four major shelters can be constructed in the wilderness depending on the situation and materials available.
A simple lean-to:
This shelter is very easy to build and will keep you concealed from predators or other people. You can build this type of shelter with minimal effort and materials.
The basic idea behind a lean-to
– Is constructing a shelter using two trees. The sides of this shelter are constructed using a tarp, wool blanket, or another synthetic material. A portable tree shelter or a sleeping mat can be used for the roof, or the materials you have are draped over the trees so that they overlap like roof shingles.
The lean-to is also very easy to make and can be built in almost any environment, whether hot or cold. This shelter can also be built with materials that are found on the ground. This shelter keeps the user protected from wind, rain, or snow but has no floor, so it will not protect you from predators lurking around.
The lean-to is the simplest form of shelter available to us today. To make this shelter more useful, you can add an inner wall made of dirt or straw to offer insulation from temperature and moisture.
Snow cave:
Snow caves are very much like a regular cave. It insulate the user from extreme temperatures, rain, and wind. To build a snow cave, one must first dig a trench vertically into the ground until you reach the dimensions you want for your cave.
Dig horizontally into the trench you just made until it is as wide as you would like your shelter to be. Then create a dome-shaped ceiling above the trench and compact the snow as you go.
You will need to insulate the sides of your shelter with something that will not allow heat to escape, and one way to do so is to create an inner wall out of dirt or straw.
You can also build the shelter with materials you find in the wild. If you were in a desert environment, you could use sand as your insulating material.
This shelter keeps the user safe from extreme temperatures, rain, and wind. Still, it can be challenging to escape if an avalanche buries it or creates a blockage.
A Debris Hut:
For warmth to be trapped inside, this shelter is made out of a reflective material such as aluminum foil. The best way to build this type of shelter is by making a circular pit in the ground large enough to fit you and your equipment when lying down comfortably.
Next, cover the pit with a thick layer of leaves or brush, and then cover it with a thick coating of aluminum foil. To complete this shelter, let the foil heat up by lying on top of it or pushing it up against your body.
The heat that builds up under the debris will keep you warm throughout the night, but it requires a lot of preparation and takes a very long time to build.
A Hunting Blind:
A hunting blind is an extremely effective way to conceal yourself and your equipment from the prey, other humans, or predators. It can also can take several forms depending on the materials you have to use. Still, the basic idea behind all of them is to conceal yourself from your prey completely.
To make a good hunting blind, you need a portable tree shelter and some covering material such as a tarp or blanket.
You then complete the blind by covering your tree shelter in dirt, leaves, dead grass, or any other material that will blend in with your surroundings. It is crucial to conceal yourself completely when using a hunting blind. Your scent will remain trapped inside.
Wrapping up
When it comes to shelter, there are several things you need to consider. How you build a shelter depends on the environment around you. When there is snow or rain, building a frame shelter will be your best option.
Suppose it is not warm and dry where you are. In that case, insulation should be your priority. You can build an insulated shelter made out of tree bark or leaves that will give you the protection needed.
Building a debris hut made of aluminum foil will be your best option if you are in a desert environment.
Proper clothing is also an essential part of any shelter. It is always necessary to have the right materials to build a shelter, make a campfire, or stay comfortable while traveling cross-country.
Clothes are created with the use of either synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester are very good to wear for cold climates. Another option is wool. When you are traveling in a warm climate, and then choose clothes that are light and airy.
Hope this Survival List Essentials Things You Must Have has been helpful.