If you are intending to make your way into the wild, be sure you are prepared. Whether you are taking a white water rafting trip, a 4×4 jeep tour, or are simply going horseback riding, there are certain items that you will be thankful to have if for some reason the circumstances turn against you.
For example, if you went on a mountain bike trip and after traveling 30 or 40 miles into the wilderness, your tire goes flat and cannot be repaired. Or even if you get lost, and cannot find your way back to your car or camp before nightfall, you are not going to be too pleased to realize that in your backpack all you brought was a litre of water, your camera, sunscreen, and a few energy snacks. Normally this would suffice a less adventurous afternoon outing. But when the fun ride turns into a situation of survival, you will be very let down when you realize you do not have the necessary items which would make your position significantly easier.
These core items are the same regardless of the activity you are engaged in. We will discuss these items, why they are important, and how you can have them on your person without adding to much weight to your load. Because these items should always be with you, no matter the outdoor activity. If you are in the wild for any reason, it is better to be prepared now than wishing you were later on. It is recommended that you have a survival bag containing all of these items, and that bag is with you all the time when venturing into the wild. That point cannot be stressed enough.
Potable water is a critical component to any survival situation. So a means to purify and store water is necessary. Water storage is easily assured by always having an indestructible water bottle with you. Though for extra safety measures, having a collapsable larger container can help, as litre of water doesn’t go all that far in the desert. Also, an extra lightweight means to store water in case of an emergency are condoms. The larger magnum condoms can hold a decent amount of water, and the plastic is durable enough that it wont break if stored safely. To purify water, there are many options available. Iodine tablets should always be in your bag, but there are also water purification pumps, and even light sticks which kill bacteria, but leave debris and particles behind. The choice of water purification is up to you, but you should always have some means to purify water.
Fire is another important component to a survival situation. The means to create that fire then is critical. Water and weather proof matches will do the trick, so have a few stored in your bag, preferably in a ziplock baggy to protect it from water. To make them more reliable, melt wax and dip the tip of the matches into the wax. This will help to keep them dry if exposed to water and reduces the wear on the match head over time. A magnesium strip with an attached flint can be purchased at most outdoor stores, and is by far the safest measure you can take to ensure that you have a reliable means to create fire. The reason for this is that the magnesium is guaranteed to create a decent quick flare of fire given enough magnesium shavings. Where as a lighter can become wet, or run out of fluid, and matches can age or not work entirely if they become wet as well. If you want to be extra clever, you can carry a small magnifying glass which can create a fire with the aid of the sun. It doesn’t hurt to have safety measures for your safety measures, so having multiple means to make fire should be considered. It should be noted that fire has multiple purposes beyond warmth, it can help to purify water, it bolster moral, but most important it can be used as a signal to rescuers as to your whereabouts. Making a fire and burning fresh growth from trees will create much more smoke than that of dead and dried branches. It wont burn as long, but as a signal, it is preferable.
A utility tool, such as a Leatherman, can come in handy for any number of circumstances. These tools can come in a wide array of useful configurations. They can contain knives, saws, files, screwdrivers, tweezers, pliers, almost anything your mind can imagine. Browse through a few before purchasing one as they are expensive and you will want to find a utility tool that will suit you best. Though, a knife, saw, and pliers are probably the most important. After that, it all depends on the persons wants and what they think will help them best in their endeavors.
First Aid kits are useful depending on if they are equipped properly. But how they are equipped is entirely up to you. A lot of weight can be saved by skipping out on a few items, but that of course is all dependent on what the person feels safe going into the wild with. Bandages, Wraps, Gauze, Disinfectant, Advil, Anti-Histamines, essentially anything can be added which you feel may be useful in case of an emergency.
The last thing needed in your light survival kit is the means to find your way out, or to bring attention to your location. This can be accomplished with many brands of compasses that have a signaling mirror attached to them. The compass is only good if you know how to use it, so educate yourself on the many uses a compass can have. The site mirror is to signal low flying rescue planes. At times you may be difficult to spot from the air, so signaling a plane with a mirror by reflecting sunlight at the aircraft will help to bring attention to your position.
So to sum it all up, a survival kit must at least contain a means to store and purify water, a means to create fire, a utility tool, a first aid kit, and a compass preferably with a mirror. These are what make up the basis for a survival kit, many other things can be added, however these core items are paramout. Without them, survival becomes significantly more difficult.
If you would care to a take a Colorado Springs rafting or Denver white water rafting trip, contact Wilderness Aware Rafting to see what options are available. They are experienced and trusted adventure guides, whom can take you on a fun filled, safe, and exciting trip.
