A Survival Tips and Techniques Blog | UrbanWoodsman.com

This is a response to a PM I got from jsh1284, I hope this video helps, and I hope it starts a broader discussion on the topic. If you guys have suggestions, please toss em in there…

Having the right camping equipment will make your outdoor experience safer and more fun. The more often you camp, the more you may want to invest in nicer equipment and supplies. Some of these items will make your camping trip more convenient and more comfortable. Shop on the Internet and at local sporting goods stores to research prices and available pieces.

Shelter
Tents are the traditional means of sheltering from the environment when camping. There are many styles available with various features. Your budget and needs will determine which one is right for you. Tents can range from $100 to more than $500. Use of tarps and padding can help with waterproofing and comfort.

Sleeping
Sleeping bags are a minimum requirement for keeping warm and comfortable while sleeping. However there are other sleeping options and accessories that can make sleeping more comfortable. Quality sleeping bags start at approximately $50.00 and can go up depending on features. Adding a sleeping mat and sleeping pillow that are waterproof can also enhance comfort.

Cooking
Campfire cooking can be a fun way to eat meals but if you want a bit more flexibility there are many tools available. Hibachi style portable grills can give you a means of grilling meats, heating sauces, and vegetables without having to build a fire on the ground. Gas powered portable stoves are also available and can range from $50 to $200. These are affordable ways to make cooking more convenient and give you more options. Coolers are useful to keep perishable items from spoiling. There are also mini refrigerators available.

Safety
Survival and first aid kits are essential supplies for every camper. They can help save lives and tend to minor ailments. Ensure you always have a fully stocked survival and first aid kit available. These should include items for bandaging, pain relief, insect bites and topical antibiotics. Survival kits should include items for warmth, light, food and water. You can purchase pre-made kits or make a checklist and purchase individual items.

Fun
Camping guides and books are useful to bring to help identify wildlife and to give tips while outdoors. They can also include recipes and ideas for fun. Kayaks can be a fun way to enjoy the water and many are available in inflatable models, making them lightweight. Binoculars can help look for wildlife and nature. Toys like Frisbees and footballs can provide entertainment while outdoors.

After deciding where you will camp, make a list of activities you want to engage in. Then, compile a checklist of all supplies and gear needed to ensure you will have a safe and fun trip. Make sure to go through the list so nothing is missed. This will ensure you have everything needed for an enjoyable camping vacation.

However, just because a company declares its survival kit to be “emergency gear,” there’s really no guarantee that these items will actually be of good quality, or will be effective in a dire situation. There’s nothing worse than reaching for your survival kit during a power blackout in hurricane season, and realizing that the flashlights come with weak batteries.

Here are a few of the things to look for when you buy a survival kit.

The Kit Should Contain All Basic Supplies
You would be surprised at the number of kits out there that neglect to pack water. No matter what the emergency, water is one of the biggest necessities you will face.  It’s also common to have kits that don’t contain other bare essentials, like torch lights or matches.  Always look at the accompanying picture of your survival kit to determine if it has all the things you’ll need.

Items Must Be of High Quality
The items in your kit should be top of the line. Before ordering a kit, don’t hesitate to ask the company where they source their items from.  Compasses must not be mere showpieces, but must function well.  A knife must be a high quality one, with a fixed blade and sturdy handles.  Buying a poor quality kit may be cheaper, but ultimately, it all comes down to the price you’re willing to pay for your survival.

Adequate Quantity of Items
Make sure that you’re not being hoodwinked about the number of items in your kit.  Some unscrupulous companies actually add up the number of matches in the matchbox to pump up the number of items in the kit.  Make sure you have adequate quantities of the supplies before you make a purchase. A first aid package that’s part of a survival kit must contain more than a 50 ml bottle of antiseptic solution and four Band Aids.

Versatility
Your kit should contain a few things that can be used in a multitude of ways in a pinch. For instance, garbage bags and duct tape have so many uses, they are hard to count.  These don’t take up a lot of space, but can be incredibly handy. 

Expensive vs. Low Cost Ones
Low cost survival kits that seem like a bargain may have you playing Russian roulette with your life. Remember, when you finally do open your survival kit, it may be when you realize you’re out of fresh water supplies during an incoming storm, and the announcer on the TV intones that government help won’t be arriving for at least 36 hours.  Do you really want to be stuck with two packets of potable water for your family of four? 

Expiration Dates
Ask your kit supplier about the expiration dates for the items in your list. Remember, that even if they are marked as being good for five years or more, they may lose some of their longevity or potability, in harsh conditions in warehouses, or during transportation.

Easy to open
Your survival kit should be easy to open in an emergency.  This is where high quality and expensive emergency gear comes into the picture again. You don’t want to be left grappling with a bag zipper, in an emergency.

Easy to Use
Emergency survival gear can range from basic kits that are designed for use by those who have little experience surviving the great outdoors, to full-scale, ultra sophisticated, military-style kits that can require some skill to use.  If your idea of survival is doing without the air conditioner in autumn, you are probably better off with a simple and basic kit that doesn’t requite high-end expertise to use.

Buy More Than One Kit Depending Your Needs
There can’t be a single survival kit that can prepare you for everything from a power breakdown to a biological attack.  It’s always best to customize your requirements at different points, with a choice of two or more survival kits.  For instance, if you are an avid trekker, you’ll probably need more than one wilderness survival kit, in addition to a basic survival kit.  Besides, it’s a wise idea to have a kit each in your home, car and office.