Minimum bush survival kit

Depends a little on time of year - obviously you're not going to worry as much about warmth in the summer as in the winter.

One thing about 'space blankets' i was told recently - a buddy of mine tested a few when they were introduced. He found in conditions like snow they tended to be somewhat ineffective. They also don't 'breathe' so if you're wet, it can cause some additional problems.

But they make a hell of a reflector. So - he found by using sticks and a space blanket to create a 'reflector' around his fire pointing at his shelter, the shelter stayed a hell of a lot warmer even with a small fire (and offered some protection to the fire from wind/rain ext. ). Build up some decent coals, throw a few longer burning logs on, and the reflected heat can keep you warm even in very cool temperatures without having the fire right in your shelter.

Orange garbage bags are a 'must have'. Aside from what was already mentioned, you can cut them and use them to add additional waterproofing to your shelter. You can also cut them and lay them on the ground with some rocks (arrow shaped pattern is good) to mark your location. They can also be used in a hole or the like to catch rainwater. Take 3 or 4. THey weigh nothing and take up little space.

Food and water are serious concerns - if water is plentiful in the area (especially if you have an orange garbage bag to collect it in from a stream or something) then a very small tin cup to boil some water (or just drink some) is very handy. Boiling water is not a bad idea, depending where you got it. The last thing you need is to get sick. Throw in some 'ramen' noodles or something similar - they are very light and they are very fatty and high in calories. (protein bars are fine too, whatever.) You can break off sections and cook them in your little cup, or they can be eaten 'raw' if necessary. A pack has about 300 calories - not much, but enough so you'll have SOME food energy to keep you going. If you are injured, you may not be able to forage for food.

A little snare wire wouldn't go amiss either.

Some firestarter isn't a bad idea. If it's wet or you're injured, the last thing you want to be screwing with is looking around for tinder and such and 'trying' to get fire going. Get it going NOW, and once you've got it going it's easier to keep going.

Remember - in most cases you're waiting for them to find you. You want to do as LITTLE work as possible. Conserve your energy - get set up early with lots of wood and water, and sit tight.
 
Yup, wrapping yourself in a spacce blanket or a garbage bag is not a ggood idea for any length of time.
I use mine for ground sheets and reflectors, and they work well.

I use to carry a light sleeping bag wwith me whenever I was planning to stay rough , but for thhe most part, if that was the case I took the dog team, becasue of the distance I needed to go.
It's always nicee to hhave a dawg that can handle a pack.
alike I said before, most people don't PLAN on getting themselves "wildernessed"

, but where I was , there was no one coming and no one expecting me for a month at a time, so you had to be prepared every hour of the day in some emergency happened.
Those that have been in that same situation know that your attitude changes toward everyday living, your senses highten, and you think a bit differently than you would in town......
Cat
 
lcpaintballer said:
Yes I know that. But how many people could live with nothing for 60 days alone in the bush.

.

If you are in the bush....you don't have "nothing"....in fact, you have food, shelter, water, fuel & fire, and if you are industrious enough: clothing all around you. The fact is that the only thing you need to survive for 60 days in the bush is knowledge. There are many things that can make life easier (knife, fire making kit, synthetics, etc) But there is nothing you can carry in that you would definitely die without.

knowledge,knowledge,knowledge,knowledge,knowledge,knowledge. Its free, really easy to carry, weighs nothing and is the one thing that can truly save your life in the bush.

Ryan
 
While skills and training are a definite assett what you carry in your pack on your back can make the difference between surviving a survival situation and becoming a statistic. The gut wrenching feeling when one first becomes aware that he/she is lost can cloud good judgement. The ability to think clear is a chore in itself and the knowledge you have the essentials in your pack to deal with a surviival situation is huge.
 
one thing I'd add is a tyvak boiler suit good to get out of the wind quick if you get wet or damp, just remember it can cause moisture use it like a wet suit in diving to maintain a core temperature, it's a temporary solution to let you stabalize the situation..
 
I hope that any one who figuers he can survive around here with nothing but a knife and a roll of twine plans the adventure in the summer or early fall. You see the birds are here then, and it makes it easier to locate and recover the body.

The worst thing you can do it decide what supplies you need from the comfort of your living room. The list should be constructed over time from previous experience. When you are wet, cold, and hungry the list will look a bit different than the one you make at home.
 
The worst thing you can do it decide what supplies you need from the comfort of your living room. The list should be constructed over time from previous experience. When you are wet, cold, and hungry the list will look a bit different than the one you make at home.

What are you saying? That i don't REALLY need the portable dvd player and copy of 'alone in the wilderness'? - yeash, good lord man, we're not savages around here after all! :D :D :D
 
Boomer said:
I hope that any one who figuers he can survive around here with nothing but a knife and a roll of twine plans the adventure in the summer or early fall. You see the birds are here then, and it makes it easier to locate and recover the body.

The worst thing you can do it decide what supplies you need from the comfort of your living room. The list should be constructed over time from previous experience. When you are wet, cold, and hungry the list will look a bit different than the one you make at home.


but what is the minimum you could survive with.

a knife and some string are a lot better to have then a rock.

and a 30lb pack of gear is great but not always practical.

I spent enough time in the woods, and we had different survival packs depending on what we were doing and what season it was. Most of the time the pack stayed on the quad, or at the Helicopter LZ

But the knife, string, and first aid kit was always in the vest pockets.
 
I think the only good use for one of those foil space blankets would be to make a Whelen tarp/shelter. I bet they'd work awsome for that, but even for a quick lean-to or teepee so you could have a small fire inside (I said a SMALL fire) I bet that would be just toasty.
 
Foxer said:
Depends a little on time of year - obviously you're not going to worry as much about warmth in the summer as in the winter.

One thing about 'space blankets' i was told recently - a buddy of mine tested a few when they were introduced. He found in conditions like snow they tended to be somewhat ineffective. They also don't 'breathe' so if you're wet, it can cause some additional problems.

But they make a hell of a reflector. So - he found by using sticks and a space blanket to create a 'reflector' around his fire pointing at his shelter, the shelter stayed a hell of a lot warmer even with a small fire (and offered some protection to the fire from wind/rain ext. ). Build up some decent coals, throw a few longer burning logs on, and the reflected heat can keep you warm even in very cool temperatures without having the fire right in your shelter. .


Anyone that's ever spent a cold night out wrapped in a space blanket knows how good they are.........

Like you said they're great for reflecting the heat from the fire, just don't get them too close. :D

I like to line the back of my lean-to with one to reflect heat, kinda like a campfire oven. Helps with the "burn on one side, freeze on the other" nights, along with any drafts. With a 6ft long fire in front, bank behind to reflect, it's not too bad. Firewood up though.:)
 
woodchopper said:
but what is the minimum you could survive with.

a knife and some string are a lot better to have then a rock.

and a 30lb pack of gear is great but not always practical.

I spent enough time in the woods, and we had different survival packs depending on what we were doing and what season it was. Most of the time the pack stayed on the quad, or at the Helicopter LZ

But the knife, string, and first aid kit was always in the vest pockets.


No one wants to find out what the minimum is, because if you do not have the minimum for the circumstances you find yourself in you are dead. Picture the look on some one's face when eight hours out to sea they switch tanks to find only to find the second tank empty. They don't have the minimum.

A simple choice of picking regular matches rather than water proof, could mean your death in certain circumstances. If you neglect to throw a few fresh batteries in your pack, you have made the difference between talking to your rescuers and not. You plan to hike the 18 miles to the cabin and being a minimalist, you know everything you need is there so you take nothing with you. A storm comes up and you can only make 12 miles, - you have a problem. Why would anyone choose to take the minimum? Every year people die due to oversight, poor planning, or over confidence.

A few years back, I was involved in a hike across the river from here. It was a beautiful summer's day in mid July. the temperature was in the high 20's, and the forecast was good. I new is was easy to get fooled so I took my goretex. Shortly after lunch we looked back towards the bay and say large round fog banks moving in from the east. The temperature started to fall, then the rain started. We called for a pick up, but we had to wait a couple of hours for the tide. We found shelter and waited, but it was not very comfortable. By now the wind was gusting to 70 clicks. The Zodiac arrived, we piled in, and half way across the river in the middle of July it started to snow. None of us had the minimum, and if the boat had not been able to come for us until the next day, we would of been in trouble.
 
Last edited:
I think when a person THINKS he has a decent survival kit put together he should test it out by spending a couple of nights in the bush outside the trailer, motorhome, RV or whatever and see just how well it works. There might be a few surprises and maybe some refinements afterwards.:eek:
 
waynesixgun said:
I guess if you are dry space blankets are okay ..I have one of the space blanket sleeping bags in my pack as well..

This?

1038.jpg


LH
 
I use a fishermans friend tin with the following items as a bare minimum, it is small and light and easy to take with you.

  • Razorknife Blades
  • Matches
  • Fishing Kit:asst. hooks, swivels, split shot
  • 20 lb. Fishing Line
  • Brass Snare Wire
  • Button Compass
  • LED mini light
  • Water Disinfectant Tabs
  • Condom(for water storage and treatment)
  • 550# Mil Spec. Parachute Cord
  • Duct Tape
  • Poly/Cotton Sewing Thread
  • Sewing Needles, 1 large, 1 medium
  • Thin Pencil
  • Paper
  • First Aid Kit - band-aids, butterfly closures, alcohol wipes
  • Orange Garbage Bag
  • Candle
  • Tea bags

I also use a fanny pack with additional gear for any longer hikes;
  • Water
  • space blanket
  • GPS & extra batteries
  • good compass
  • touque & extra gloves
  • leather shoelaces
  • first aid kit
  • flashlight
  • knife (2) and sharpening stone
  • flares
  • small saw
  • flask (you never know how long you may be stranded for)
  • rainjacket
  • Powerbars

I like that bivy bag though, may have to add that to my kit
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom