12″ x 24″ sheets of aluminum foil

Use for cooking or as a signal reflector.

Heavy plastic bags, preferably Zip-Lock

Use to keep things dry, such as food or other dry goods, or to store water.

SPACE® Brand Emergency Blanket

Good for personal shelter and warmth, as well as for signaling.

High shrill whistle

Use to attract attention. Three short blasts is recognized as a distress signal.

Good quality compass

Use to find your bearings and to help navigate if you are lost.

Waterproof matches with tinder

Fires are important for warmth and signaling.

Bright colored bandana or cloth

Bandanas can be used for basic filtering of dirty water, as a sling, or a headband or mask to protect your face. The bright color gives you another signaling device. Tie-die bandanas and blaze orange bandanas are also available.

Instant soup mix or bouillon cubes, salt & pepper

You can boil water in aluminum foil, add the soup or bouillon and spices to sustain yourself.

At least one small AA or AAA flashlight with batteries

Having a light source is crucial at night. Flashlights make great signaling. Don’t forget to keep fresh batteries in your flashlight! Also consider a self generating flashlight.

Extra batteries for each flashlight

Carry an extra set of batteries for each flashlight you have.

Multi-function pocket knife or Leatherman tool

Having a multitude of basic tools, especially knives and pliers, will come in handy during many emergencies.

Water purification tablets

During an emergency, having potable water is invaluable. These tablets will ensure you can make drinkable water out of otherwise non-drinkable water. Use your bandana as a crude filter to remove particulates from the water first.

Small fishing kit

Keeping hooks, lines, lures and snares with you will allow you to catch fish in case you run short on food.

Signal mirror

Another signaling device - works very well to reflect sunlight.

Wire saw

Good for cutting up tinder for fires and for building crude shelters.

Hard candy and/or high energy bars

Calorie-packed foods provide sustenance and the act of eating provides peace of mind.

Heavy-duty cord

Useful in holding together crude shelters, for making repairs, and for making snares.

Thread and needle, or a sewing kit

Provides a means to patch torn clothing or sew smaller pieces of fabric together for larger signaling devices or for shelter. In an extreme emergency, can be used to suture wounds.

Insect repellent

Lip balm

Use for personal comfort.

Small bottle of high SPF sunscreen

The sun’s can leave you with blistering burns, especially if you don’t have suitable shelter and even during the winter. High SPF (40+) can help protect you from this.

Small first aid kit

Bandages, antiseptic, pain-relievers, snake-bite kit, etc. It’s a good idea to suit your first aid kit to your personal needs and the expectations of your upcoming adventure.

Pocket hand warmers

In the extreme cold, pocket hand warmers can help stave off hypothermia. In the minor cold, they can certainly add to your personal comfort.

Survival guide or notes

Keep a survival guide or set of notes with you to remind you of what to do and what not to do during an emergency.

A map of the local terrain

If possible, having a map of the local terrain, especially one that includes nearby cities, is extremely helpful in finding your way to safety. Use with your good quality compass to navigate to the nearest town or shelter.

A picture of your loved ones

In dire situations, a picture of your loved ones provides you with the will to survive.