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Every man should have at least the basic kit to survive in the wild.
Very little is needed to survive if you have the knowledge and good basic equipment.
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I'm going to give my top 5 basic tools and equipment items to have with you to be able to survive in the great outdoors.
This is my rough guide, you may have other/different ideas that you would incorporate instead.
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1. Lock and Fixed Knives(Obviously!).
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Obviously this was going to be number one. Having a knife, preferably two, instantly makes life a hell of a lot easier. Whether it is for skinning, killing, making new tools, or making a shelter, a knife is an absolute MUST for survival not to mention having a knife with you is helpful for all the little problems the day might hold.
Having a locking knife means that its much easier to carry around because it will fold up taking up less room and, when you are using it, will be much sturdier than a standard folding knife.
A fixed blade knife tends to be much sturdier than a lock knife meaning you can be more rough with it.
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For me I would aim to carry one of each.
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2. Paracord.
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Paracord is another necessity for survival. It is one of the strongest ropes and is very cheap, you can get a 100m roll of paracord for about £3.
Aside from its toughness, paracord ties up much easier than thick rough ropes which comes in handy if your trying to make a quick shelter. Aside from tying structures you can pull out the inner fibres of the cord to make a strong noose for a snare to catch animals.
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I would carry no less than 100m in my pack.
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3. Tarp.
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Of course a tent is preferable for shelter, but a tarp takes up much less room and is much lighter. It is water proof, and can keep the rain off you easily(don't forget the paracord to tie it up).
If you put it up behind and above you, the rain will be kept off and if you are between a fire and the tarp it will act as a reflector.
In an extreme survival situation you can use it to collect condensation for drinking.
To pack it in your gear, either roll it up, maybe put something inside it to save space, or to waterproof your kit, open it up. Place all of your kit inside it. Then bring all the corners together and tie them up, then place it into your bag.
It's crude and not 100% water tight, but its a start.
It's crude and not 100% water tight, but its a start.
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4. Fire Lighter(Matches/Lighter or a Fire Steel).
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Fire is very important for survival. Not just for cooking but for warmth, light, animal deterrent, and if its a bit smoky it will keep bugs away.
Now obviously a fire steel is preferable due to its versatility and the fact that it is easier to use in the damp, unlike a lighter or match, but i've lost mine so I couldn't photograph it. Sorry!
A lighter is a bit better than a match because it will work in the wet. If a match gets wet, it's done. You can get waterproof ones but aim to get a fire steel as your first choice because it won't run out. As long as you have dry tinder you shouldn't struggle to light a fire.
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I would carry a fire steel and then one of the other options. You could carry all of them if your very well prepared.
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5. A Chopper(Axe or Machete).
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Finally on the list is some kind of heavy duty chopper.
An axe is good for splitting wood but in a survival situation I don't think splitting logs is likely to be your prime priority.
A machete is probably the best tool for this category. Its lighter than an axe, cleaner too. If you're cutting down some saplings to build some kind of structure, it is much easier to be doing it with a machete than an axe. Which ever you prefer, it is a must in your pack.
They are fairly similar so it is your choice for which one you favour(both if your greedy).
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- Louis -
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