Quick Reference Survival Checklist

When I set out on a backpacking trip or even a day hike, my mind jumps forward to the views I will see, the interesting things I might find, and the serenity I know I am going to feel from communing with nature. Like most people, thoughts of disaster, plans going awry or getting stranded are far from my mind. Though it isn’t healthy to be constantly thinking of doom and gloom, there is a problem with the opposite mindset as well. If we never think about potential problems, how will we ever be prepared when they happen?

Disasters can often turn into tragedy when unprepared people embark on a journey that they think will be quick and simple. Simple day hikes can turn into survival situations if even just a few things go awry, such as a car breaking down in a remote area, getting lost, sudden, severe weather changes, etc. That is why I recommend carrying the items from this survival essentials list even during short hikes, and definitely during longer trips. It is always better to be prepared and not need to use the gear than to need it and not have it.

The following list is known as the 10 essentials, and as the name implies, each of these things is crucial to have in a survival situation. Each number on the list can be regarded as an important category related to survival with some specifics in parentheses.



To skip to a detailed quick reference list click here

Survival Essentials List

1. Navigation (Map & Compass)
   
2. Sun Protection (Sunglasses and Sunscreen)
3. Insulation (Extra Clothing)
4. Illumination/ Signaling (Headlamp/ Flashlight)
5. First-Aid Supplies
6. Fire (matches/ lighter/ candles)
7. Tools
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Shelter

Now let’s dive a little deeper

The above list is a helpful starting point. But it can still be confusing to know exactly what you should put into your essentials kit. So let’s take a look at each number, one at a time.

1. Navigation

I use my phone or a handheld GPS for navigation far more often than I use a compass. However, we’re preparing for unexpected, and unplanned potentially dangerous situations here. So let’s think about what could go wrong if you are relying on a cell phone or GPS to navigate while backpacking.

The big issue: batteries. Your phone battery or GPS could conk out and then you could be completely lost. Also, a GPS is not perfect and they have been known to malfunction and lead people astray. Having a good map of the area and compass, and knowing how to use them, is an excellent backup.

Click here for a refresher on how to use a compass, and here for tips on topographic map reading.
You can also carry brightly-colored surveyors tape also known as flagging tape. If you are trying to find your way, and suspect you may need to backtrack you can tie the flagging to a branch so that you will be able to return to that area. Flagging can also help rescuers follow your trail.

2. Sun Protection

This one is pretty self-explanatory. At the minimum, I would take a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a bandana. As an added bonus, bandana’s have many other uses such as collecting kindling for a fire.

3. Insulation

This category is largely dependent on the type of weather you are expecting and may change accordingly. If I am heading out on a winter hike, I will definitely have a lot more included in my insulation category.

(For tips on how to stay warm in cold weather click here)

4. Illumination/ Signaling

You will want a flashlight or headlamp in your emergency kit. I prefer a headlamp because it allows you to use your hands for other things. And don’t forget the extra batteries! This category also includes signaling essentials which can help you be found by rescuers or anyone who may be searching for you. A loud whistle is excellent. You can also pop in an old CD or DVD which can be used as a signal mirror.

5. First-aid

I carry some basic first-aid supplies in my survival kit. Some things I include are basic pain-killers like ibuprofen and Tylenol, allergy pills, antiseptic wipes, bandages, medical tape, gauze, tweezers, and safety pins. For more details on assembling a first-aid kit click here.

6. Fire

The ability to start a fire is very important. If you were stranded on a cold night, fire not only helps keep you warm and avoid dangers such as hypothermia, it can signal others to your location. You should carry both fire-starters and small fuel sources. These items are small so you should carry a few different types.

Here’s what I carry:

• Matches (strike-anywhere are best) in a waterproof container
• Small disposable lighter
• Magnesium block (these can be difficult to get the hang of, but they can’t be ruined by water and they don’t require fuel so they’re a good thing to learn how to use)
• 6-8 cotton balls saturated in petroleum jelly
• Lint (burns really well and can help you get your fire started)

7. Tools

You’ll want a good knife. It’s always good to have a fixed, steel bladed knife with a tang that goes all the way through the handle. Pocket multi-tools can be convenient but they can break more easily and the blades are often too small to be of any real use for cutting branches or carving.

Cordage is very important as well. Pick up 100 feet of 550 parachute cord. You can purchase this in a small bundle almost anywhere, including your local Walmart. And pop some unwaxed dental floss in there. You can use this for stitching small things, or as fishing line, etc.

Heavy Duty freezer bags can also be useful for water carrying. Stick a quart size and a gallon size bag in your kit.

And you can never go wrong with Duct-tape. You can wrap duct tape several times around a water bottle, to be used when needed.

8. Nutrition

I never go anywhere without at least two granola bars. Make sure you have some in your kit! Or protein bars, candy bars, anything works as long as it can provide you with a few calories to keep you going when you need it.

9. Hydration

This is the most important item on the list. You should bring water with you, but you should also have the ability to get more water from natural sources. I don’t hike without carrying at least 2 quart-sized water bottles filled with water. You can also include a collapsible water container in your kit. These don’t take up much space, so why not? Throw some iodine tablets in there while you’re at it.

I usually carry my Sawyer water bottle filter, along as well because it’s so easy to use, but it’s not required for your kit if you’ve already got another way to purify.

Click here for more detailed information on water purification

10. Shelter

This is perhaps the second most important on the list after water. Don’t worry I’m not telling you to carry a tent with you wherever you go. You’d be surprised at how little you need to make a useful shelter.

You can find emergency space blankets in the camping section at Walmart, they are only about 2″ X 3″ and weigh almost nothing! Definitely get one for your kit. You can also add a more heavy-duty space blanket as well. Many of these have grommets on the corners so you can tie them up like a tarp if needed.

If you’ve got a little extra space, why not include an actual 20ft tarp? These are very lightweight and combined with your paracord from number 7 above can make all types of excellent shelters.

Large heavy-duty trash bags or an emergency poncho can also be used as inexpensive, lightweight shelter material.

Storytime: how I was saved by a poncho and a rain jacket in the middle of the desert

I’ve been carrying all this stuff around with me for a few years and believe it or not I got into a bit of a survival situation just a few weeks ago.

I was working on a vast area of land that had been burned by a huge wildfire. It was the middle of summer in the Southern Idaho desert. All there was for miles around was the burnt stubs of what used to be sagebrush plants and ash. My crew and I were surveying the burnt fence line on ATV’s. We had divided the land and separated to survey our sections.

A few hours into the day, right around the hottest part, my ATV overheated and conked out. I was stuck in a burned wasteland with no shade for miles around. Luckily I had cell phone service so I was able to contact a crewmate and send him my location.

It was slow going in the trackless desert and my crew mate was a few miles away so I settled in to wait. The sun beat down overhead with its unrelenting rays and It quickly began to burn. I was so glad to be carrying some trusty survival supplies, including sunscreen, lots of extra water, granola bars, and a hat. But most of all I was glad I had an emergency poncho and a rain jacket.

You might be thinking to yourself how ridiculous that sounds. There was not a cloud in the sky and I would have welcomed the chance to get drenched in rainwater. But I tied the ends of the poncho and rain jacket to a couple of shrubs in an unburnt sagebrush patch and managed to get a little square of shade just big enough to lay down under.

It may not seem like much, but I can tell you the difference between the shade and when I poked my legs out into the sun was immense! The 50 cent poncho saved me from a few miserable hours in the beating sun and actually made waiting quite enjoyable.

My crew mate got a flat tire on his way to come to rescue me which prolonged the sun exposure. Now, in this instance I would have survived without the shelter I rigged up. I could have even walked back to our truck which was only a few miles away if I had to. But boy, am I glad I had the ability to create myself some shade. And I know that if the situation had been worse, I had all the supplies I needed to get out in one piece.

Your Safety is Your Responsibility

We have so many wonderful safety professionals who are willing to put their lives and comfort on the line to help others. Policemen, firemen, paramedics, search and rescue personnel, the list can go on and on. But the truth is, you are ultimately responsible for your own safety.

As you assemble this survival kit and learn to use its contents you will take your safety into your own hands. These items will help you be a more self-sufficient backpacker and are useful to the complete greenie as well as the most experienced two-foot traveller.

Remember, preparation is the antidote to disaster.

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Quick Reference Survival Checklist

Click here for a printable PDF version

Here is a quick reference detailed checklist for your convenience as you assemble your survival kit. Remember that redundancy is key. If you have multiple items for a single purpose you have fail-safes if one of the items breaks or doesn’t work the way it should. These items can all fit into a small to medium sized backpack

Navigation _ Map (7.5 minute topographic) _ Compass _ 3-4 feet of brightly colored Surveyor’s tape _ Extra batteries (for GPS if you have one) Sun Protection _ Hat _ Sunglasses _ Sunscreen _ Bandanna Insulation _ Warm beanie _ Gloves _ Warm socks Illumination/ Signaling _ Headlamp _ Extra batteries for the headlamp _ Whistle _ CD or DVD for light signaling First-Aid Supplies _ Ibuprofen _ Allergy pills _ Antiseptic wipes _ Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes _ Medical Tape _ Gauze

_ Tweezers _ Safety pins Fire _ Matches in a waterproof container _ Small disposable lighter _ Magnesium block fire starter _ 6-8 cotton balls saturated in petroleum jelly _ Lint or other easily combustible material Tools _ Fixed blade, steel knife _ 100 feet of 550 rated parachute cord _ Dental floss _ Gallon and quart-sized, heavy-duty freezer bags _ Duct tape Nutrition _ 2 granola/ protein bars _ 2 candy bars Hydration _ 2 quart sized water bottles, filled _ Collapsible 1-2 gallon water container _ Iodine purification tablets Shelter _ Emergency space blanket _ Heavy duty space blanket _ Emergency poncho _ 2 Large heavy duty trash bags

Have you ever found yourself in a survival situation? If so let me know how it went in the comments below.

And as always, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Happy travelling!