How to prepare the ultimate survival kit

When the unexpected happens, it’s important to be prepared. Whether that’s for an outdoor adventure, or something more serious, like a pandemic or forest fire. Having a survival kit on hand and ready to go will save you time, stress and provide a little certainty if life gets tough. 

What is a survival kit?

Put simply, a survival kit contains tools and basic supplies prepared ahead of time to help you survive in a particular situation. We’re not talking about the zombie apocalypse here (although you might need a survival kit for that, too), but rather what you might need to survive a weekend away in the wilderness.

A survival kit is different to a first aid or emergency kit because it has items that are more generally designed to protect you from the elements. Items in your survival kit help keep you warm and attract attention, should you get lost. 

Why do I need a survival kit?

Having a survival kit on hand at all times can help give you a sense of security, and protect you and your family in case something unexpected occurs. Natural disasters are a good example. 

If a hurricane or forest fire hits your local area, you may not have time to put together the necessary supplies. In an emergency, the last thing you might think of is what you could need to survive a night outside. But if you spend an afternoon gathering what you need now, you’ll save yourself the stress and panic of not being prepared later on.

What should I put in my kit?

Let’s start with a list of the essentials. First, it’s important to have first aid supplies, like bandaids and alcohol wipes. If you get injured (or cut yourself) you’ll need something to treat minor wounds or abrasions. For anything more severe, you should seek professional medical assistance.

Next, pack in some non-perishable food. Muesli bars, dehydrated meals and some water purifying sachets are a good place to start. These are the basic building blocks for your kit as it’s vital to have enough food for a few days. 

Once you have the absolute essentials prepared, you can start to add other important items. Pack a tent for shelter and you’ll also need something to help you see at night, start a fire to keep warm and fix any equipment that breaks.

To help you get started, here are some ideas.

8 items you need in your survival kit

Whether you’re taking the family for a camping adventure near Mount Robson, or prepping a general survival kit, these 8 items should be on your list.

1. Pocket-sized flashlight

In the outdoors, without the city lights around you, it gets really dark. We recommend keeping the Fenix PD32 2016 edition LED EDC flashlight on hand for your next adventure. It’s lightweight with over-heat protection and is anti-roll and anti-slip, making it the perfect companion for fireside cooking.

2. Rechargeable batteries

There’s nothing worse than getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and switching your flashlight on – only to find it’s the battery is out. The Fenix ARB-L18-3500 18650 3500mAh 3.6V protected lithium ion button-top battery is rechargeable with long battery life (that’s 500 charge cycles) and can handle the power requirements of advanced LED flashlights.

3. Firestarter

If it rains while you’re camping and your matches get wet, chances are you won’t be able to start that fire. Add the Exotac fireROD Steel Ferrocerium Rod Fire Starter to your survival kit so you have up to 10,000 fire-starting strikes. It has a lightweight aluminum body and the ferrocerium rod works even when wet.

4. Penlight

Penlights are ideal for nurses and doctors to use on the job, but they also come in handy when you’re on a long hike or simply out and about in everyday life. The Klarus P20 230 Lumen Tactical Penlight gives 230 lumens from its Nichia High CRI LED, making it easier to see from its soft, even light. 

5. Keychain light

Keeping a few different options for lighting in your survival kit is a must. The Nitecore Tube 55 Lumens USB Rechargeable Black LED Keylight is USB rechargeable with 58 hours of use, making it a small but effective backup light. Attach it to your tent or backpack to make sure you’re always prepared. 

6. Snap hooks

Your survival kit won’t be complete without some basic tools to help make life easier. The Fenix ALB-20 Multi-Purpose Snap Hook TC4 Titanium Alloy is a jack of all trades: a straight screwdriver, hanging hook and bottle opener. Made to last from strong TCV titanium, this snap hook is also widely used in a number of industries, like shipbuilding, aviation and medical.

7. Strong multitool

Having a multi-use tool you can take anywhere is a good idea, but even more so for your survival kit. The small but mighty Gear Infusion EverRatchet Ratcheting Keychain Multitool can loosen even the most stubborn, rusty bolts because you don’t have to reset it every time. Unlike other ratchet tools, this pocket-sized wonder is designed to be both strong and flexible. 

8. High-quality sleeping bag

No matter what the emergency, adding a sleeping bag into your survival kit won’t be a mistake. Our pick is the Emergency Sleeping Bag with Survival Whistle – it’s NASA grade aluminized Polyolefin material is softer, thicker and safer than other sleeping bags. It’s compact, warm and strong enough to use for ground cover or impromptu shade.

Flashlight World will get you prepared

No matter the situation, we’ve got you covered. As a proudly Canadian owned and run business, our mission is to provide you with the highest quality LED flashlights without the expensive taxes or costs associated with ordering from overseas. 

We have hundreds of products for all different levels of adventure and necessity. From headlamps and penlights to rechargeable batteries and bicycle lights, our large range 

Shop now and make the most of free shipping on all orders over $100.