12 Multi-Purpose Gear Items For Your Emergency Survival Kit
- Author Shane Montana
- Published May 11, 2018
- Word count 1,054
Your emergency survival kit should be compact, light-weight, and contain sufficient gear to support you for several weeks if need be. Your kit should contain as many items as possible that serve multiple purposes. Here is a list of the top twelve items, and some of their uses.
- MULTI-TOOL WITH BELT SHEATH
This is one of the most important item
in your kit. While accessories will
vary, a good multi-tool may contain pliers,
wire cutter, wire stripper, multiple
Blades, can/bottle openers, various
screwdrivers, nut drivers, scissors,
tweezers, ruler, awl, etc.
- MACHETE
Although not very compact, a machete is
lighter than most hatchets and serves more
purposes. If you have a machete and a
multi-tool in your kit, you will not need a
hatchet or a knife. The only function lost
with this elimination is the hammer on
the back of most hatchets, but sticks or
rocks will work just fine for most
hammering needs in survival situations.
Blades are made of many different types of
metals and alloys, in different tempers and
thicknesses, widths, lengths, styles, and
shapes. Handles are made of many different
types of materials in many different shapes
and sizes. A good survival machete will
have a semi-flexible blade 18 inches or
longer that is easy to sharpen, yet keep
a good edge with moderate use. Most
importantly, the handle MUST be comfortable
and fit well in your hand. With a machete,
you can perform any task that can be done
with a large knife or hatchet. It can also
be used to dig or pry, or as a formidable
weapon. Install and use a wrist lanyard
when chopping or swinging a machete.
- PARACHUTE CORD
The most common type of para-cord has a
tensile strength of 550 pounds. That is far
heavier than needed for most survival uses.
The diameter of this cord is 4mm. That
doesn't sound like much, but it adds up.
Shop around and smaller diameter cord
can be found. Cord with a tensile strength
of 200 - 250 pounds is quite sufficient and
has half the bulk.
There is an endless number of uses for
para-cord. Use it to erect and build
shelters and useful camp furnishings,
repair clothing and gear, as a sling for
containing and carrying loads, bundles of
firewood, boughs, reeds or grass for
bedding, pull dead branches down from trees
for firewood, boot lacing, belts, snares
and traps, "burglar" alarms, binding
splints, and secure bandages in place, fire
starting material... the list goes on.
Carry a minimum of 30'.
- DUCT TAPE
Get a good heavy-duty brand name roll. Use
it to repair clothing, boots, tools, and
equipment, construct shelters, furnishings,
and implements. Use it to relieve hot
friction spots on feet to prevent blisters,
and wrap around hands for makeshift gloves.
Twist into a "rope" if needed, which is
good for making snowshoes. It also makes a
good mousetrap and decent fire starter.
- DENTAL FLOSS
A 200' spool of waxed dental floss can be
invaluable. While important for maintaining
good oral hygiene, it can serve other
purposes such as repairing small items,
sewing and stitching clothing, boots (or
even skin), making tools and weapons, or
used as fishing line.
- SMALL DIAMETER WIRE
This can be galvanized, stainless steel or
copper. The more flexible the better. Use
it to repair gear items, make snares and
traps, and at the fire pit to suspend a pot,
meat and other foods over the fire to cook.
A grill or "toaster" can be made with wire.
- PLASTIC SHEET
A black 6-mil heavy-duty sheet 6'x8' or
larger. Use as a wind block, lean-to,
shelter roof, rain-fly, ground tarp,
blanket, poncho, and to protect gear and
clothing from rain, snow, and dew fall. Use
to collect and store water, make a solar
still. The black color absorbs sunlight
creating heat which will help keep you warm
and will generate more water quicker than
clear plastic when used as a solar still,
and it may be more visible to rescuers in
certain terrains and conditions.
- MYLAR SURVIVAL (SPACE) BLANKET
The reflective qualities of a space blanket
are ideal for reflecting your body heat
back to you, or campfire heat toward you or
into your shelter. Used along with the
plastic sheet there are many combinations
and configurations that can be incorporated
to provide shelter and/or bedding. A space
blanket is shiny like aluminum foil on at
least one side, which is good for signaling
rescuers under sunny conditions.
- WAX CANDLES
Use for lighting, warmth, cooking, lighting
fires, or signaling at night. Melted wax
can be used for waterproofing leather
boots, and thighs, knees, and seats of
cotton pants. During "bug season" include a
citronella candle to ward off insects. If
out of water and your mouth is dry, chewing
on a clump of wax will generate saliva, and
it may help curb hunger pains. The act of
chewing helps blood circulation in your
head which may result in a more alert
brain, which is good in a survival
situation.
- HEAVY-DUTY ZIPLOC BAGS
1 or 2 Gallon-size bags are ideal for
packing clothing items, food, toiletries,
and other gear items. Use to collect and
store water. The 1 gallon-size bags can be
worn over socks to keep feet dry, or on
your hat or head to keep your head dry.
Sandwich bags work great for holding
smaller items. Worn-out bags can be used to
start fires.
- HEAVY-DUTY PAPER TOWELS
Paper towels are good for not only the
obvious everyday uses we find for them, but
also serve other uses such as; note paper
and wound dressing, filtering sediment from
drinking water, and toilet paper.
- FLAMMABLE FOOD
Fritos and Doritos snack chips are the best
choices. While not the healthiest food
available, it will still provide fuel for
your body, and much-needed salt which helps
prevent muscle cramping. Fritos and Doritos
highly flammable. Use 2 or 3 as tender, or
light the whole single-portion bag for a
quick fire in wet conditions.
When assembling your kit, think of other
uses an item might serve or other items that might serve its purpose. Consolidate to
eliminate the need for several single-purpose items to reduce the weight and space requirements of your kit. Assemble your kit
to suit your particular needs, but keep it simple and streamlined with multi-purpose survival gear items and face your next
survival situation with confidence.
Shane Montana has been a Hunting and Fishing Outfitter and Guide in Montana for over 25 years. Utilizing the knowledge and experience acquired from this career, he currently manages a website selling survival gear and camping equipment. His store can be found at https://www.survivalgearshack.com.
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