Nov22009
49 Comments
13 Survival Must-Haves You May Not Have Thought Of
Think outside the knife! Photo by Germain Wu
I’ve read dozens, and I mean dozens, of lists telling me everything I need to have with me to survive. Usually there are no surprises. I know a flashlight, pocket knife, and water are musts, but every now and then I come across something that makes me say, “a-ha!” Here are thirteen of my favorites.
- Lightsticks. You can pick up one of these every time you wander into a Home Depot. They don’t need batteries and can be hung around the neck with a string making it easier to spot everyone in your party when it gets dark.
- Wool socks and sweaters. People have literally frozen to death wearing their layers of cotton knit tees and hoodies. For true survival conditions, nothing beats wool.
- Upholstery needles and thread. What if a sleeping bag or tent rips and you have no way of mending it?
- Roll of quarters. Handy for phone calls and laundromats, but if you put it in a sock and wield it like a sling, you have a handy-dandy weapon!
- Pencils. Forget the pens. They can run out of ink and freeze in cold weather. With a pocket knife, you’ll always have a sharp pencil.
- Super glue. Professional hockey players always have this on hand to seal up small cuts, and the glue itself is harmless. Unless you get it in your eye, like I did. But that’s a story for a different type of post!
- Rubber bands. String just doesn’t cut it when what you really need is a rubber band
- Tampons in a cardboard tube. Did you know a tampon can be fit snugly into a bullet wound? Guys on the battlefield carry these with them. Just be aware that the blood in the wound will begin to clot. Leave it to a medical professional to remove the tampon from the wound. They’re also good for kindling.
- Paracord belt. It’s an accessory and survival tool in one!
- Waterproof wrist watch. Makes perfect sense. I had just never thought of it.
- Animal repellant trash bags. Use these when you’re camping and animals will stay the heck away from your trash.
- Safety pins.
- Dental floss. Besides helping to keep your teeth clean, it makes sturdy thread for mending.
What have I missed?
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Audrey
Good ideas, never would have thought of the tampon for wound care. Thanks.
TheSurvivalMom
You and me both!! LOL
SallyD.
Actually the OB type is better. They are smaller and will fit most bullet holes, as per the Navy Medic who has a bagful for his tours in hostile areas. For a prepping plan they do take up much less room than cardboard applicator types. For larger wounds such as a chest wound or large leg wound a maxi-pad is very handy, cover with a bandage or large strips of cloth to keep it secure.
thesurvivalmom
That’s what I carry! No need for the big plastic or cardboard, “applicator”. (Who knew you “applied” tampons???)
Sgt Joe
Hi Mom, I love the new look of your site! I also have checked out many, many lists and there is one thing I see almost all forget also. A cleaning kit for your weapon. These come in nice plastic containers, they are not too costly and are definately needed. One of the first things you are taught in boot camp, a dirty weapon is not a weapon anymore. Thanks and keep up the good work, you seem to hit on subjects others don't.
TheSurvivalMom
You're right about the cleaning kit. If you have a firearm,you'd better have some way to clean it and keep it conditioned. Thanks for visiting my blog!!
ErnBatavia
In the case of earthquakes, learn from my bad experience in the '94 Northridge event….keep your paper goods far away from your plastic water jugs — the bottles split when they hit the garage floor and walls.
Ruthie D
An Army issue P-51… the bigger version of the P-38 can opener. They have a hole in them for wearing on your key chain or your your i.d. (dog tag) neck chain. Very simple, very small, and quite the lifesaver if you need to open a can. I purchased a half dozen cheap clearance can openers that can be used for barter. Also bags of individually wrapped hard candy will make good barter material or a treat at the end of a long day. P.S. make sure you have a way to keep that firearm dry… keep it by those paper goods last mentioned. lol
fayettebill
Ruthie D – P-51, absolutely!! We actually use one in our day to day lives. We tried several electric openers and that thing with the wing that you turn. Always went back to the P-51, fast, easy to store and doesn't need electricity.
LizLong
Where do you buy them?
WhoIsJohnGalt
Military surplus stores usually have 'em pretty cheap. I just checked amazon and found a 10-pk (brand new) for under 7 bucks.
LizLong
I like this list. Thanks! However, you can also buy the lightsticks in bulk on eBay, and other places I'm sure, for less. And you can get pencils, glue, and paper cheap cheap and cheaper at Target, Walmart, etc, when they clearance the back to school supplies – along with spare back packs for the kids to put their Bug Out Kit into (unless you just use last years back pack for that). Personally, I think hairbands are good in conjunction with the rubber bands. There are big ones designed for headband use as well as the standard size. They last for more years (or it seems like it at least) and they don't stick on things as easily. Rubber bands for braces are also good to have on hand if you need small rubber bands.
This widget may not be a must-have, but I think it's pretty high up on the "nice optionals" list. I've always wondered about the advice to fill a tub since, I don't know about you, but I do NOT want to drink anything from my tub most of the time. It's not like it's terribly dirty or anything, just not up to snuff for potability.
http://www.hurricanestore.com/product147.html
P.S. Yes, I do generally have a lot to say. That's why my screen name is most often BabblesLong.
TheSurvivalMom
Right at this moment, I'd be pretty hard pressed to go take a drink out of water from my tub, and if water becomes scarce for whatever reason, you sure don't want to waste it washing out the tub first! If you didn't have the Water Safe you mention, I wonder if those extra large black trash bags would work. You could probably fit three or four in a tub and then use a drop or so of bleach to make sure it was safe for drinking. I wish water didn't weigh so darn much. And yes, I hit the back to school sales pretty hard every August!
Jason
Try this for to safely fill your tub with potable water: http://www.waterbob.com/Information.do?forward=ho…
TheSurvivalMom
Thanks, Jason. I've seen those before, and they are definitely a good idea.
lynda
I went to an expo recently and I came across a Reusable Glow Sticks. Has an indefinite life. And its only $7 plus they have some other cool products. Then you only need one for each of your family members. It will save you loads over time. http://www.uvpaqlite.com/
LizLong
I have a waterproof watch (less than $15 from Target), but I also have a WIND UP watch. Once again, gotta love eBay. It was $.99 + shipping from China, for a total of maybe $15 (it's being shipped halfway around the world – that's not a mark up). If my batteries die, then I still have a functional watch, as long as I wind it. I think China's actually the perfect place to get a mechanical watch from since they probably have more than a couple areas where getting a watch battery replaced is easier said than done. Also, spare batteries and a widget so you can replace a dead one.
Joy
Be very careful about using tampons for plugging wounds. As the tampons take on fluid (blood), they expand and can cause tissue damage in addition to the original wound. Plus, if you remove the tampon from the wound, you may end up pulling the clotted blood from the wound, causing new bleeding.
TheSurvivalMom
Joy, I've heard that tampons are commonly used on the battlefield by our military. I wonder what technique they use to remove them? That's something else for me to research!
10 to 1
I think dutch ovens with the Tri legs are a must have… after all we have food but it needs to be cooked. One would be hard pressed to compete with the versatility of the Dutch oven. Bake, boil, saute, roast the one pot does it all.
sarah
I love lists! The idea of using black bags for water collection is only useful if you arent consuming the water. Most bags have pesticides in or on them. For flushing and such it might just work.
tannersmommy
They make a plastic holder that fits in your tub that is made to hold water in case of emergency. I think it was called a tub bladder or something like that. Got mine on…. you guessed it, EBAY!
tannersmommy
I think that it is called a water bob.
WoodsCrawler
It is…and if you go to the web site they are out of stock at this time and don't show a price for what they would be if they had them. eBay has them for different prices (the single ones) but I'd like to know what the 'normal' price would be.
Vicki
The warning about the tampons is a good reminder for everyone. To follow up,tampons are great because they are very absorbant, however direct pressure is the preferred method to stop bleeding. Whatever dressing you use, gauze, tampon, bandana, etc., you should NOT remove it if it becomes saturated (for the reason above.) You should just add another layer on top and keep applying pressure until help arrives or you can transport to a Med. Facility.
I highly recommend that everyone take a first aid/CPR class. You don’t know whose life you may end up saving!
Whatsupdoc
I don't know if this is the proper place, but keep your automobile gas tank full or not less than 1/2 at all times. If you have to evacuate you won't have time to find a gas station. Also know alternate routes to a safe place. And keep a G.O.O.D. bag in the car.
TheSurvivalMom
That's great advice to pass along. One friend who attended a CERT class was told, "A half tank is an empty tank." With the high gas prices, it hurts a lot less to pay $25-30 or so for that half tank of gas!
peterpiper
Regular sanitary napkins are equally good to stop bleeding. They also make good large bandages. I have several kinds of different thickness.
2horsecowboy
Tampons in bullet wounds are meant for "1st aid purposes only", meaning PLUG THE WOUND, GET THE VICTIM TO THE DOCTOR." He'll know how to treat the problem from there. Until then, if there is a long time frame getween the two, pull the plug only when signs of infection set in and only if there is some/any form of anti-biotic and blood stopping available..
Emergency Medicine is common sense. If it is working, run with it. If it aint, try something else.
Quick Clot ,A tampon and a Kotex is carried in my 1st aid kit when I go hunting bear country in Colorado.
I also have a top notch 1st aid kit in my truck for "JUSTIN"
bleys2112
Cut-up strips of inner tubes make great fire starters and work great regardless of wet conditions.
Also, the three things you should NEVER “skimp” on are your boots, your sleeping bag and your knife. If any of these items fail, you could perish. Everything else you can make due on.
TheSurvivalMom
Now that's a new one I have never heard of before! What a great idea, and your advice about the boots, bag, and knife is solid.
Nathan H
Great Tip a must Remember bit of advice!
Thanks
sheen
Not sure about this one or not but something I was thinking about…….You know dryer lint….it is great for kindling a fire..So, if you were to save some of it instead of throwing it all out than you will have a slow burning kindle for a fire. and you can compact it tight in a small container or baggie
dangle
This works very well. i have been saving my dryer lint for kindling on backpacking trips for several years. it gives you time to build on top of the kindling as it burns slow and hot.
allie
Steel wool and a nine volt battery works really well.
Mrs. Jack
I read somewhere sheen that you can take a tunafish can or equivalent and put drying lint into it as you pour melted housewax into it….it takes a lot of drying lint, more than you think…but then take a fork to loosen up the dryer lint and light it like a candle. (when wax is hardened) It will stay lit for a very long time, and you can use it like sterno…cook over it or warm up a plate over it….etc. Brilliant idea, very cheap candles or heat or cooking ability.
LibertysTears
We used to do this in girl scouts with cardboard rolled tight into a tuna can and parafin wax.
Shadekat
Nylons. Strange being that i'm a male. But these do help reduce rubbing under socks and provide a little more warmth in the layers.
A lot of the history of tampons goes back to first aid uses, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampon
Pencils are nice but a good china marker, or grease pencil helps lots, can mark on a lot more surfaces more clearly.
Pencil sharpener. Never 100% rely on your packed tinder for firemaking, only use that when there's no other alternative.
Katie
I always carry a regular disposable diaper with me. it's not just that I have a toddler who isn't potty trained – they're terribly practical. I have used them to wipe up messes, catch vomit from a car-sick child, and they are so absorbent that I would even use them as pressure dressings for a bleeding wound – the sticky tabs can even help secure it!
bryan
i took a first responder first aid class and was told the disposable diaper is also good for a head/scalp wound which bleeds quite badly.
Katie
That's a great point, Bryan! I've even seen hospitals use disposable diapers as ice packs. They open them up fully, saturate them with clean water, then freeze them.
WritingABookHere
For fire-starter, my mother used to used to keep cardboard egg cartons in the laundry room. She would stuff the bottom egg compartments with lint. When it was full, she would then melt paraffin in an old can (in a boiling bath in another pan on the stove). She would then use tongs to pour the melted paraffin into the lint filled egg carton. Worked like a charm for our barbecue! 1-2 egg compartments did the job with charcoal.
Another thing that I had a mom tell me was the glow stick necklaces for her kids for night-time while they were in a strange location. That way she could keep track of her kids in the dark. Plus the kids will have fun for the night, maybe lightening up the situation.
Lastly, somebody told me that an emergency thermal blanket is good to have. It can create insulation to a tent, your sleeping bag, and of course is good if someone goes into shock. A park ranger my husband met says he uses it for a poncho. Warm and waterproof.
Huston
This has a couple bits of just plain wrong information.
Shoving a tampon in a bullet wound? Seriously?! Bullet wounds are much worse than people think. It's not a simple in and out that makes you bleed. Shoving a tampon INSIDE a bullet wound will only aggravate it. Not to mention, those little cloth fibers can stay inside the wound after it "heals" and cause infection stupidly easily. I NEVER carried these in my first aid kit while deployed. If anything, use it as tinder for fire or on the OUTSIDE of the wound as a pressure bandage. DO NOT EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, STICK A TAMPON INSIDE OF A BULLET WOUND. I have seen this suggestion countless times by people with little to no first-aid training, and I hope to god that no one who believes this would ever perform first aid on me.
Also, stick a roll of quarters inside of a sock ? No thanks. Anyone who has ever tried this, or even thought about it extensively can tell you that one swing with a weight of some kind inside of a sock (doesn't even have to hit) will ruin the sock when it breaks and you may just lose your roll of quarters. Better off hitting someone with your fists.
TheSurvivalMom
No one here is suggesting a tampon in a wound as a first choice in a crisis, but I\’ve read too many first person accounts of them being used in a real emergency by members of the military. The danger, actually, is removing them because, if not done correctly, pulling it from a wound would also remove any clotted blood as well. As far as the quarters go, well, again, it\’s just a suggestion! Lighten up!
Aaron Ladd
You suggest Tampons as a first aid measure… It works great for nose bleeds that just won't stop the typical way. We use them in the ER all the time… and they have a built in pull cord for when it is time to remove them. Not great for GSW's ( as people have said) so please do not use them in that way.
I carry several overnight maxi-pads though, as they are highly effective for pressure with major bleeding, as others have said… and they do not stick to the wound.
Dental Floss is also great!!! Your are totally right… it can be used for tons of stuff… It is sterile, and therefore can be used as a suture if you are in a pinch… Just sterilize the Upholstery needle, you suggested, with a lighter, and get sewing( I carry several suture kits with needle drivers, but the floss is a good back up)
Sarah
Baby diapers work great for wounds too. My mother (an ER RN) confirmed use of tampons for sucking wounds. Sucking wounds are trauma chest wounds that are aggravated by breathing and beating of the heart. (So GSW to the chest) BUT they should only be used if no other dressing is available and you can get med help in the immediate hours following the trauma.
Tami
You forgot to mention the Holy Bible. And that, added to your list here, is everything I need to have with me to survive! (and bear mace. and a sling-shot. seriously.)
Carrie
One thing I haven’t Seen on any of the lists yet are (and I know this sounds gross at first) reusable femine pads. I happened to come across this great brand who also makes diapers. Called Charlie Banana. They come in packs of 3 for about $18 and are made of the softest cotton and super cute. I ordered mine on amazon. Have yet to use them but I put them in my bug emergency bag. They claim that just by washing them in a bucket of water they stay super white. So I figured this might be better then storing pads by the tote full. Check out the link. http://www.charliebanana.com/3-Feminine-Pads-Butterfly-Regular-Box_p_19.html