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Let’s Talk Survival Kits

Anyone interested in survival or prepping has most likely been overwhelmed with lists of “must have” items for their survival kit. And it seems every weekend survivalist and serious expert has deep set opinions about what you should or should not have. This article is not going to tell you what to put in your kit, instead it’s going to discuss some problems I have noticed in the survival/prepper world that, in my opinion, is being ignored.

The problems:

1. How you should differentiate your survival kit, bug out bag/go-bag, and your more extensive rucksack, and why this is important.

2. How to prevent “kit-creep” or the tendency of each of these kits to unintentionally grow in size and loose practicality over time.

To avoid any heated debates about specific items we are going to talk general strategy not specific items.

Why multiple kits and why you should listen to us.

The contents of Survival Kits is a highly debated topic among survivalists.

The way we conceptualize our layered kits is based on numerous discussions with serious outdoorsman, survivalist, special forces soldiers who at times must travel very light, and others who have years of real life survival experience.

They all agree on some levels of escalation in the complexity of their kits based on the situation. Here is what we have found to be the most clear and concise breakdown of each level of kit and its purpose, along with a few tips for keeping them trim and efficient.

 

#1 Your Never Leave Home Without It, EDC, or Pocket Survival Kit

Every Day Carry (EDC) Survival Must-Haves

Call it by whatever name you want, there are certain absolutely critical items that you ought to carry on your person (maybe even 2 of each in different pockets) every day.

No matter who you talk to this list always includes a knife and a way to start a fire. But this article isn’t about specific so let’s avoid the heated debate on the “must haves” for these two items.

The idea behind the EDC kit is two-fold.

First, these items must be easy to carry every day no matter what. For many of us it’s totally impractical to carry a bug out bag everywhere we go. These EDC items should get you through a pinch, knowing that you are not getting ready for the apocalypse every time you run into the grocery store to grab a dozen eggs.

This everyday survival kit must be very small. Some may opt for a pocketknife and a bic lighter and call it good. Others may create a small “mint-box” sized container packed with some bare essentials, still others carry a “swiss-army” style knife. There are no rules, it’s whatever you decide is the bare minimum that you are comfortable with.

Second reason for an EDC kit. In a real life survival situation there are dozens of different scenarios in which you may be separated from your bug out bag or rucksack, either by nature or violence. Having a last ditch kit in a cargo pocket is a must.

If you find yourself relying on this small kit in a real life survival situation the sh*t has truly hit the fan and all other prepping and planning has gone out the window.

Every time you describe the contents of this kit to a fellow prepper he or she will invariably point out 10 different items it’s missing. If that person wants to walk around decked out in “tacti-cool” clothing and lug around a 50 liter backpack containing everything but the kitchen sink every day for the rest of their life more power to them!

I like to be able to go out to dinner with friends in shorts and a tee-shirt every once in a while. By creating a compact EDC kit I can still do that and have a level of preparation that I am comfortable with.

So the EDC kit must be small enough to carry no matter what kind of clothing you wear every day and needs to be very compact. Yes, it will be missing items that are useful. But it’ll have the basics that you have decided on based on your region and comfort level.

 

#2 A Bug out Bag

I think this is where even more confusion begins. Hard core preppers have a hard time knowing when enough is enough, myself included.

In my experience, the more a person uses their bug out bag the more they trim down the un-necessary equipment. Many preppers would be chucking items left and right after a few miles of lugging their excessive crap around in the woods.

No offense, but if you can’t carry your kit comfortably for 10 miles or longer you need to re-assess your packing list.

The best advice is to take your bug out bag on a short camping or hunting trip. Do this a few times and give some serious thought to items you still haven’t used.

Remember, a bug out bag is not supposed to have everything. It’s supposed to be light and highly portable. It’s probably going to live in the back of your car for a long time so it can’t take up the entire trunk!

The first time I went deer hunting I must admit I brought way too much sh*t. Luckily, I went with a few very savvy and well-seasoned hunters. They left camp with a super small bag. By traveling light they were able to make some serious tracks in the woods to get away from all the other hunters and increase their odds. They knew from years and years of experience what they did and did not need for a day in the woods. I was lucky to have their experience as a resource. I recommend you find someone with some serious outdoors survival chops in your area to learn from, and avoid the arm-chair gurus who tend to love stuffing their kits with over-priced gadgets.

Survival Expert and former DELTA Force Operator Dale Comstock

One expert with serious real life experience is Dale Comstock. When he contacted us to put together his survival program he was troubled by some of the survival BS out there on the internet. He’s had a lifetime of experience living out of a rucksack in combat zones around the world. That kind of experience is something most of us will never have. It’s nice when true experts are willing to clue us average guys in on what you need and what you don’t need to survive a real disaster. Dale’s expertise in more in the area of crisis survival where other humans are problem number 1, and nature is problem number 2. It’s a unique perspective that many bush-craft survivalists simply don’t have. Both perspectives are important and valuable. Even more important is understanding where one’s expertise ends and another begins (but that’s a topic for another day). If your curious about Dale’s program click here.

Let’s get back on track.

The most difficult question for a any prepper or survivalist is not what you should include, it’s what you shouldn’t include. After a few test runs with your kit in the woods I can almost guarantee you that your packing list will get smaller not larger.

 

#3 A Rucksack / Blow out Bag / Everything is Going to “Hell in a Handbasket” and you’ve has some time to prepare bag.

Alright, this is where you can go a little nuts. Let’s face it gear is fun and this bag is where you’ll put all your favorite cool, but still highly useful, gadgets for when things are going to be rough for an extended period of time.

Yes it’s going to be larger, but your escape plan has taken this into consideration. Its size will be determined by the size of your family, your budget, your region, your mode of transportation and your designated hide site location.

The biggest problem I see, is too many people not knowing when to draw the line with the other two kits. Their everyday carry kit slowly creeps its way into becoming a bug out bag, and their bug out bag slowly grows into a rucksack. This is a dangerous tendency that can leave you vulnerable.

Don’t forget that there should be overlap between all these kits. This built in redundancy is a good thing as long as it’s not excessive.

Remember, if the SHTF you’ll be tossing your rucksack into your car and getting out of dodge. Also, in your car will be the bug out bag that’s been patiently waiting there for months, and in your pocket or somewhere else on your body will be your EDC kit.

You don’t leave any of the lesser kits at home because you have the larger one. If you are traveling alone you probably won’t be carrying both your bug out bag and your ruck sack, so the overlap between bug out bag and rucksack must be complete.

For those of us with a family, the various kits will be distributed among members based on size and strength.

I hope you’ve found this useful. This is a topic that has had plenty of attention over the years and I’ve avoided it for that very reason. However, I can’t stand seeing what I call “kit-creep” happening among survivalists. Define your kits purpose and trim out the fluff. Focus on quality not quantity.

Let us know what you think.

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21 thoughts on “Let’s Talk Survival Kits”

  1. Interesting article. However, I would really like to see a list of the different packs. Realizing everyone is going to assemble differently. An example list would be a good starting place to take from and or add to.

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  2. I really thank you on everything you are sending me,i have spent 30 years in the military and sometimes I forget my teachings so what you are sending me makes me to realize again and to take survival seriously,so keep sending me info.cause trust me I believe shit is going to hit the fan and it will be our government that is going to create the situation so again thank you

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  3. Thank you!!!!!!

    I am an older widow who lives 1/4 mi. from an earthquake fault line in a California forest area. I’ve been gathering emergency supplies for a few months now but was really “winging it”. This will really help me get my ducks in a row.

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  5. Suggestive lists would be such a help. I am a very elder widow & have no family to count on. I am homebound, and have no added income to supplement my social security check. Therefore, I have to stay in my apartment with 2 under 4lb. senior dogs and 1 kitty. I am very concerned about being prepared for what if. My first priority is self denfense and have ordered a Walther CCP 9mm after test firing several to make sure I was compatible and able with my firearm. I am in the process of learning to become reasonably proficient with it prior to it arriving. The range has one I can rent.
    As my money is limited , I want to make sure that I spend it wisely, and on items that are important for my best chance of survival,ie a hardcore suggestion list would be invaluable. That would make your excellent article perfect!!
    Take care and God bless to all.
    Be safe

    Reply

  7. MY WIFE IN I ARE OVER Y70 YEARS OF AGE AND IT IS UP TO ME TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF SURVIVAL KT. THE MORE I LOOK AT THEM IN INTERNET I AM MORE CONFUSED AS TO WHAT I REALLY NEED TO HELP US CONTINUE TO SURFIVE WHEN SHTFAN.

    BREAK THE KIT DOWN SO I CAN SEE WHAT YOU RECOMMEND FOR ME AND MY WIFE.

    Reply

    1. Based on the number of request I’ll be putting together a guideline for survival kit contents very soon. Thank you for the feedback.

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  8. Use the items in your kits before you need them to weed out the marketed items and replace with real world functional ones. Just may mean the difference between surviving or not.

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  9. I like Dave Canterbury’s 10c’s of survival,the 11th C is a cutting tool sharpener.
    Security and protection from others is a priority if it is really an end of the world scenario,such as EMP etc.
    I am a proponent of the INCH bag mentality,that is I’m never coming home. you have to assume you may never be able to return home or be able to resupply. in the military you can resupply or get various other forms of support.
    people make assumptions that they will be able to go home etc. it’s called the normalcy bias,people cannot imagine life ever being different than what they have known to be normal,electricity,running water,grocery stores etc.
    with that in mind my kit is based upon wilderness survival and avoiding the battle field of chaos. it would only be a matter of time if you think you can be rambo,and fight your way out of a SHTF. I’m a proponent of self reliance and Aquaponics farming so that way you don’t have to bug out if SHTF from EMP or economic collapse etc,all this talk of bugging out etc,you don’t live where you need to be and you don’t have a self sufficient life style,think Amish etc,you think they are gonna bug out and leave their self sufficient farms and community’s no they will stay put and help each other in their community.

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  10. For everyday carry, I put HBO tabs in a water proof case that’s made for nitrate pills. Small diamond file to sharpen knife. 3.75 in blade pocket knife. A endless match, 3 cotton balls for tinder.an 888 sheet of clear plastic (water gathering) 30 yes of 4 lb test fishing line a foil blanket, a disposable poncho.all but the knife is then wrapped tight with 12 feet of paracord.
    Same in bugout..except 50 ft of paracord, 2 ponchos a 5×7 feet tarp for shelter, 2 magnesium fire starters, full size knife sharpener, a camping axe. And a small first aid kit,and a map compass
    Rucksack same except 100 feet paracord, a 10 fixed blade knife, a spare folding knife a small folding camping saw.a medium size first aid kit. Spare mag fire starters, 6 more. 1 can of playdough. (Just need to scrounge for rust).1 small and 1 full size knife sharpener, 2 bottles of HBO pills, 2 map compasses 3 small pads for recording with 6 pencils. Extra 5×7 tarp, and a container of cotton balls with Vaseline for fires. And a 21 inch blade machatte.
    When money allows I will get a portable burn anything rocket stove, several solar fold up inflate lights, and 6 aquasticks. Would love to get a governor and 100 rounds of 410 shells for it.

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  11. Purchased bicycles and 1 kiddie trailer for adult grandchildren and great grandchildren, in case vehicles won’t work. Trailer can be used to bring water from lake a mile away. Appreciate differentiating between 3 types SHTF bags. Clothing is my question – Minnesota winters and hot, mosquito & tick summers. Children grow quickly, so larger size clothes?

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  12. It seems that the first aid kit is the most difficult part of any emergency bag. I have seen some that are basically bandages and ointment and others that include surgery kits. Since few of us have medical training, advice on what to include would be a great help.

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  13. Very good article – tends to put things in perspective if people pay attention and think about what you are saying .Thanks again for the info.

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  16. with all that is happening in the world today, being ready is a must, i have been to bosnia and yugoslavia in the 90s and have had my share of shit . when i came back to civilian life , i had but one thing in mind, and that was to be prepared for any situation, thus we can not nor estimate or underestimate the crisis that can come our way , the trick is to stay focus and calm. have our gear ready on short notice, I do not trust our governments to help in a crisis, in many cases we will have to fend for ourselves, but with training , skills and the right material we have a better chance to survive the unexpected. the info you give is outstanding i would say the same for the material , keep up the good works, god bless america.

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  17. I have only been ready your information for the second day but it makes so much sense. People here in Australia my family and friends laugh at me as I am explaining what I am doing. I live in Adelaide where I am more fortunate we dont have too many disasters,but eh the day will come. The whole of South Australia once went black for 1 day to 5 days in areas with no electricity. I was prepared.

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  18. Thank U from Downunder. I’ve started building a kit, and Dave Canterbury’s 10Cs was very grounding. I like being challenged to think outside the square. Anarchy lies just beneath society’s laws and social niceties. Many of Ur suggestions, how to win a fight I seemed to know intuitively but as I said, I like to be challenged. White, Yellow, Red, Black Yes sir! Cheers Mate!

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  19. Very good article and very informative I’m starting to prepare a bug out bag where can I go to get a list of things I need to put in my bug out bag and my everyday carry I always carry a knife and a lighter are there any resources

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  20. Some excellent points there, though sometimes i like to go with the minimum kit just to test myself, because we never no when a life and death situation will happen, like the old military saying, train hard fight easy.

    Reply