Personal Survival Kit Checklist
Please see Chapter Two for a detailed description of the elements of this survival kit.
bandana- compass
- flashlight (small, LED)
- garbage bags (2, preferably orange, large)
- lighter (my preference is a butane lighter that works like a little blowtorch)
- matches (strike-anywhere type) in a waterproof metal case (with a striker, just in case)
- magnesium flint striker (hey, I like fires!)
- metal cup (folding, for boiling water)
- multi-tool or Swiss Army–style knife (make sure it has a small saw blade)
- painkillers (a few)
- parachute cord or similar rope (about 25 feet [7.5 m] of 1/4-inch [0.6-cm] cord)
- protein bar
- sharp belt knife
- solar, or “space,” blanket (small)
- whistle
- Ziploc bag (medium or large)
- coffee can or similar receptacle (in which to place all items)
Complete Survival Kit Checklist
Please see pages Chapter Two for a detailed description of the elements of this survival kit.
- bandana
- belt knife (with sharpening stone)
- candle
- cup (metal, collapsible; for boiling water)
- dried food
- duct tape
- fire-starting devices: lighter and/or magnesium flint striker and strike-anywhere matches in a waterproof case (with a striker)
- fire-starting tinder
- first-aid kit: See checklist on First-Aid Kit Checklist
- fishing lures (3), hooks, sinkers, and fishing line
- flares
- flashlight (small, LED)
- GPS (Global Positioning System)
- garbage bags (2, preferably orange)
- hand lens (small)
- map and compass
- marker or “surveyor’s” tape
- money
- multi-tool or Swiss Army–style knife (with a small saw blade)
- needle and thread
- parachute cord or similar rope
- (about 25 feet [15 m] of 1/4-inch [0.6-cm] cord)
- pencil and notebook
- protein bars
- safety pins
- saw (folding)
- signal mirror
- snare wire
- solar, or “space,” blanket
- SPOT satellite messenger/EPIRB/PLB
- water purification tablets
- water-purifying straw
- whistle
- Ziploc bags (large)
Vehicle Survival Kit Checklist
Please see Chapter Two for a detailed description of the elements of this survival kit. In addition to the complete survival kit, you should keep the following in your vehicle:
- cell phone
- clothing (warm) and blankets
- cook set (pots/pans)
- cook stove and fuel
- drinking water
- flares
- flashlight
- food, including MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)
- road maps (local)
- snow shovel (collapsible or folding) and tire chains
- tarp
- toilet paper
- tools
First-Aid Kit Checklist
Please see Chapter Two for a detailed description of the elements of this first-aid kit.
- antidiarrheal tablets
- antihistamines
- antiseptic ointment
- bandages
- butterfly sutures
- painkillers
- prescription medicines (if applicable)
- surgical blades
- triangle bandages
Home Survival Kit Checklist
When assembling this survival kit, keep in mind that the size of your household will affect the quantity needed for several kit items.
Essential Items
- axe or saw
- basic tool box (hammer, nails, screwdriver, pliers, adjustable wrench, screw-in hooks, etc.)
- belt knife (with sharpening stone)
- camp stove (one burner) with all necessary supplies
- cash
- child-care items, if applicable (diapers, formula, bottles, etc.)
- clothing and footwear suitable for outdoor temperatures
- cooking container(s)
- duct tape
- emergency candles
- fire extinguisher
- first-aid kit and extra prescription medicines
- flashlight
- garbage bags (2, preferably orange, large)
- lighter (butane is best)
- matches (strike-anywhere type) in a waterproof metal case
- meal-replacement drinks (7-day supply per person)
- multi-tool or Swiss Army–style knife
- non-perishable food (7-day supply per person)
- pencil/pen and paper
- portable toilet and sanitation supplies
- rope or parachute cord
- rubber gloves
- shovel
- sleeping bags
- solar or hand-crank powered light, radio, and cell phone charger
- thermal blankets
- tissue packs and wet wipes
- tube tent and/or tarp >>
Home Survival Kit Checklist (continued)
- water purification tablets
- water, for drinking, cooking, and washing (7-day supply of 7.5 gallons [28L] per person)
- waterless soap or hand sanitizer
Other Useful Items:
- emergency plans, contact lists, meeting place information, etc.
- eyewear (extra glasses, contact lenses, cleaning solution)
- fishing and/or hunting equipment
- generator with extension cord
- light sticks
- pet-care items, if applicable (litter, carriers, bags, leashes, etc.)
- portable heater
- rain ponchos with hood
- recreational items (board games, cards, books, harmonica)
- siphon hose (rubber)
- smoke/carbon monoxide detector (for stove/heater use)
- spare gasoline for vehicle
- wash basin
- water filter