Essential Survival Gear For the Outdoors

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When deciding to go out and enjoy the great outdoors there are a lot of things that people need to be prepared for in case an emergency or a disaster arises. First off, it's important for people to have the proper knowledge they need in order to survive certain situations.

It's equally as important to have the necessary survival gear and to know how to use it. This article will discuss eight of the most important kinds of survival gear that people should bring along when hiking, sight seeing, camping, fishing, back packing, or hunting in the wilderness.

Shelter

First off, finding or building a shelter is of primary importance when going to the outdoors. If you are going to be in the rugged outdoors for any length of time, you will surely need shelter to stay dry, warm, safe from wild animals, and away from pests and insects.

Obviously, if you have packed a sturdy tent you can use this for shelter. If you don't have a tent, look in your immediate surroundings for "natural" shelters such as trees with low hanging branches, a rock formation, a large boulder, or a cave.

If you cannot locate a natural shelter, you will have to build one. Did you pack a large tarp? If it is winter and it has snowed, you can build a snow cave and put the tarp on the floor of the cave to keep you dry and warm and out of the elements. If you are around trees, you will be able to build a simple "lean to" shelter or a debris shelter. If you brought a tarp, you will be able to use the tarp when building your simple shelter.

Keep in mind that many of the fatalities that occur in the wilderness are because of hypothermia--so having a shelter to keep you safe, warm, and dry is critical for survival.

Map and Compass

Second, having a map and a compass are also important when venturing in the great outdoors. You will need both items to know exactly where you are and where you are going. This is important in case you get lost, in case you have to communicate to the outside world where you are in case you need assistance or need to get rescued, or in case you need to travel to another location for food, water, or for shelter.

Water

Third, water purification tablets or drops and a metal container for boiling water constitute another important piece of outdoor survival gear. Obviously, people should bring plenty of clean drinking water with them, but what happens when a crisis occurs and you are totally out of water?

This means that you will have to find water in your immediate surroundings. The problem is that the water you find, whether it is in a river, in a lake, in a stream, or in a puddle from rain water, may not be drinkable. The solution: either boil the water thoroughly before drinking or add water purification tablets or drops.

Building a Fire

Fourth, it is essential to be able to build a fire when you venture into the wilderness. Indeed, a fire can be used for warmth, for cooking, to boil water, to keep wild animals away, and as a signal to let others know where you are located in case you need to get rescued.

Fifth, bringing a variety of clothing is one of the most important pieces of survival gear. The weather can change rather quickly in the outdoors and so it's important for outdoor enthusiasts to be prepared no matter what the weather brings. This usually means bringing rain gear as well as clothes for extremely warm and cold weather.

Food

Sixth, bring enough food is obviously important when going into the great outdoors. Similar to the point discussed above regarding water, however, what happens when an emergency arises and you run out of food? This means that you will have to find food somewhere in your surroundings.

In wilderness settings, there will usually be wild animals and a water source such as a river, stream, or a lake. This is why having fishing gear and traps for hunting are some of the most essential survival gear items that can be taken on outdoor excursions. In addition, look for wild berries and fruit bearing trees near your campsite.

First Aid Kit

Seventh, having a well-stocked first aid kit is essential for surviving in the outdoors for any length of time. Rather than listing all of the items needed in a first aid kit, do a little bit of research at the library, online, or simply go to Gander Mountain, Dick's Sporting Goods, or even to Wal-Mart and look into purchasing a well equipped "outdoors" first aid kit BEFORE you go on any extended trip in the great outdoors.

Emergency Survival Kit

And finally, you will need an emergency survival kit that contains tools that will come in handy when you are constructing a shelter, making a fire, building your animal traps, cooking, or perhaps when you are boiling water.

Some of these tools include a multi-purpose knife, multi-tool with a saw, and a pair of pliers. Your emergency survival kit should also contain a number of other necessities that you cannot find in the "wild" such as: matches, toiletry items, aluminum foil, rope, whistle, mirror (for signaling), manual can opener, flashlight (with extra batteries), simple sewing kit, windup radio, and a cell phone with a phone charger.

Essential Survival Gear For the Outdoors: Conclusion

When venturing into the outdoors or into the wilderness for virtually any length of time, you need to be prepared for a number of unforeseen situations that could lead to an emergency or to a crisis.

Examples include the following: man-made and natural disasters, emergencies caused by the weather such as tornados, hurricanes, floods, and snow and ice storms, or medical emergencies caused by a lack of food and water, injuries or accidents, poisonous insect or animal bites, or wild animal attacks.

If you plan ahead and bring along the nine types of survival gear outlined above AND you know how to use this gear effectively, you and your fellow outdoor enthusiasts should be able to have a nice and safe time in the wilderness or in the great outdoors.

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