Checklist

Barney · 12-09-2009, 09:46 AM

OK, this is probably very discussed topic and may as well go into Gear Talk forum but I think here is more appropriate. I want to build a list of as many items as I can think of. But I will need your help. I will start listing and when you add them, I'll try to update the list in my original post.

Also I hope you can add some subitems, for example, under "Food" item a salt, or bread can go.

The point here is not just to build the most useful list of items but also a very wide list. It would be interesting to see what people consider important for survival in the wilderness.

Water
1. Containers
Food
Clothing
Tools
Lighting
1. Flashlights
2. Lanterns
3. Candles
4. Firestarter with magnesium
Radio
1. Solar powered
2. Dynamo powered
3. Battery powered + batteries
First Aid
Medications
Sanitary Supplies
Personal Items
Contact Information
1. Phone numbers and addresses of friends and family
2. Phone numbers of emergency and government services
Money
Map

calanta · 12-09-2009, 02:53 PM

I think your list is pretty good thing and sometimes people will pack things that are not really of importance at least for the trip that is. More so people pack "comfy things", when to me hiking and camping are not about being comfy, they are about getting back to nature.

Barney · 12-11-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calanta

I think your list is pretty good thing and sometimes people will pack things that are not really of importance at least for the trip that is. More so people pack "comfy things", when to me hiking and camping are not about being comfy, they are about getting back to nature.

You are absolutely right! But beside putting only necessary things on the list, I want to include all useful things, where some of them might be suitable only to certain people. So everyone, don't be shy, let's hear your suggestions.

nomad · 12-22-2009, 08:53 AM

I agree with you guys about people carrying extra luggage that are not supposed to be brought along. From the list, I think I could delete the personal items because that is too broad. And many of the unnecessary things are called personal items.

Gopher · 12-22-2009, 12:53 PM

I know this sounds stupid but I would add a paperback or two to the list. I have adult ADD and I need something to keep me occupied or I'd go nuts. I take a book with me everywhere I go, even to restaurants when I go out with my family. Even though I don't read it, it's there if I get bored.

Barney · 12-28-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gopher

I know this sounds stupid but I would add a paperback or two to the list. I have adult ADD and I need something to keep me occupied or I'd go nuts. I take a book with me everywhere I go, even to restaurants when I go out with my family. Even though I don't read it, it's there if I get bored.

Well, it is definitely not stupid to bring a book (I do it too very often) but I believe I already listed that under personal items.

hustead · 12-10-2010, 10:30 PM

You mentioned bread under, bread is good but I would advise taking torillas instead, they are easier to pack (they wont get smashed) and they will still last even if they get wet. Also if you are going anywhere there is bears, or any critters you are worried about coming into your camp area i recommend a Bear Can to store your food. This way you dont have to climb a tree to hung your food.

Trabitha · 02-08-2011, 05:35 PM

Paracord. It's light weight, can be taken apart to make sewing thread or fishing line. (fishing never works...but heck if you're surviving you should at least try. LOL!)

I always have a tarp too. If my tent springs a leak or I lose my tent, the paracord and tarp MAKE a tent.

Plus if you get it in a bright color it is perfect for signaling above.

knife. The most basic of tools. That may be what you meant under "tools" though.

A tin of some kind so you can boil water and a reliable fire starter if you don't know how to use a bow. I stink at the bow.

I also keep a spare pair of glasses in my pack at ALL times. Last thing I want to happen...is that I'm out and about and my glasses break or I lose a contact. I'm SCREWED if that happens.

dinosaur · 03-24-2011, 08:47 PM

Now let's talk about the real thing. Survival, in most cases, has nothing to do with the provisions you've had the forethought to pack. Rather, it has to do with what you are willing to do to stay alive. What are you willing to eat? What are you willing to kill to eat?

We see commercials every day that tell us of poor unfortunates throughout the globe in situations of poverty that are shockingly abhorrent. They are, of course, followed by pleas for help at costs that would not even begin to touch the bill for your ESPN. "Don't help them all. Help just one for a few dollars a month and receive letters from them telling you how well they are doing." Your kid could be the next Albert Schweitzer or the next Hitler. It doesn't really matter. You're saving someone.

You cannot be certain. And we are talking about survival. This has nothing whatsoever to do with being a humanitarian.

Survival has a great deal to do with being somewhat less than human; at least the way we are taught to be human. We are spoiled. We have on demand everything. Nothing will make you appreciate this more than being deprived of it for even a few days.

I've done it for years at a stretch. No person on this site can tell me what it is like to have to survive because I have done it. I have great respect for some of the people here. Indianahiker, Oldsarge, Grandpa, even Michael (who I've argued with tongue in cheek) are prepared individuals I would gladly take with me into the wilds. I'm also certain I have not mentioned others here that I should. They're survivors. It won't matter to them.

Survival is not a game or maybe it is the ultimate game. If you lose...you die.

I love this game!

oldsarge · 06-02-2011, 04:52 PM

[QUOTE=dinosaur;28289]Now let's talk about the real thing. Survival, in most cases, has nothing to do with the provisions you've had the forethought to pack. Rather, it has to do with what you are willing to do to stay alive. What are you willing to eat? What are you willing to kill to eat? QUOTE]

Good point! This is what I find interesting about the series of Dual Survival on the discovery chanel. You have two guys, one who thinks ahead and carries a pack and is some what prepared, the other carry's the absolute minimum and is prepared to kill and eat almost anything to survive. It kind of deals with both extremes, although the series could be longer with more info and less editing. I would like to attend each of these guys courses.