Items to Include in a Survival Backpack Kit

A survival backpack kit can give you the tools you need to survive in any situation. By packing a few essential items, you can ensure that you stay warm, safe, and well-fed whether you are camping or waiting for help to arrive after a natural disaster. The first thing any survival backpack kit should contain is a water purifier. You can purchase a small purifying system that allows you to make water from a stream or lake safe to drink, or even buy tablets that you can add to water to kill disease. As a back-up method, you can boil water, but this is time consuming and does not filter out insects and debris.

You will also need fire-starting supplies. Hypothermia can set in quickly, whether you are camping in the high mountains or trying to survive after a major hurricane, earthquake, or other disaster cuts power to your home. A flint and some kindling is usually enough to get a fire going, but a small lighter or matches in a waterproof container can be helpful as well. You may also want to include a pocket-size mirror in your kit. This can be used to focus the sun to help start a fire, as well as signal for help if lost. A flashlight or headlamp is another must-have in any survival backpack kit. Many survivalists and camping enthusiasts opt for small headlamps which allow them to navigate without restricting the use of their hands.

You may want to include extra batteries or even invest in a flashlight that can be charged during the day using solar power. Do not forget to include a knife, or better yet, a multiple tool kit in your survival backpack. A knife can be essential when creating bandages, cleaning fish, or protecting yourself while camping in the wilderness or after a natural disaster. Many knives come as part of a multiple tool kit that contains pliers, a can opener, and a wire-stripper, all items that could come in handy in a survival situation. Every survival backpack kit should contain a first aid bag that is well-stocked and updated as your health needs change. Be sure to include extra doses of any critical medication that you require, such as insulin or heart medication.

You will also want to include sterile wipes, adhesive bandages, fabric bandages, over-the-counter pain medication, antibacterial ointment, and medicine for stomach ailments and intestinal distress. Extra clothing can go a long way toward keeping you warm while camping or in an emergency situation, especially if the clothes you are wearing become wet. You may want to include a heavy pair of socks in your survival backpack kit, as well as gloves and a hat. Some survival experts say that a hat is especially critical, as much of your body heat escapes through your head.

There are some features of your survival backpack kit that will differ depending on whether you plan to use it for camping or in an emergency situation. If you are camping, do not forget to include a warm sleeping bag and a tent. Both should be rated for the temperatures where you expect to camp. For example, some sleeping bags are rated for temperatures of 32 degrees and above, while other, heavier versions are approved for temperatures of zero or below. Backpacks that are meant for emergency situations should be kept in an easily accessible place. You may want to have one survival backpack kit in your house and another in your car or office. Make sure to have enough supplies for every member of your family, and don’t forget a change of clothes, and formula and diapers for infants.