When Disaster Strikes...Are YOU Ready?

First, you need a small shoulder pack or waist fanny pack to personally transport your kit. Most sporting goods stores have these. Pick one that is large enough for your items and is easily transported on your person.

Then you need to acquire the following items and pack them in your kit accordingly:

1. LED flashlight (extra batteries in a sealed container) The maglight LED flashlight and it is great. Uses about 1/3 the energy.
2. Hunting Knife (with a sheath and sharpener)
3. Machete (axe)
4. Multipurpose tool (like a Leatherman)
5. Fire starter (with prepared tinder for fire)
6. Nails and screws (wrapped with electrical tape)
7. Compass/Thermometer
8. Fishing kit (line, weights, bobber, hooks)
9. Zip-ties (various small sizes)
10. Whistle
11. Tiny LED light – I found this idea a long time ago for emergency lighting. outdoor solar lighting Just leave out in the sun and the batteries charge up during the day and you get a fair bit of light in your tent at night. Nice to have around the tent when real dark outside too. Most have on/off switches but most people never thought of using outdoor solar lighting for camping….
12. Clothes pins
13. Nylon cord for a clothes line (50ft)
14. 550 Parachute Cord (100 ft)
15. Leather work gloves
16. Zip-Lock bags (gallon and quart sizes)
17. 9 x 12 painter’s plastic cloth
18. Sling shot (with extra surgical tubing) This is ok, but I prefer a 22 rifle. The Ruger 10/22 is very well make but there is some additional weight. If you do not want to lug around a rifle, then a 22 pistol with at least a 4 inch barrel that you can holster will do everything you will need include take game and protect your family. Some may say they need a more powerful weapon, but ammo is heavy. When they scoff about the 22, I just ask who wants to volunteer to be shot with a 22 and everyone is silent. =)  Also, 500 rounds of 22 is about the size of a small brick and weighs about 3.5 lbs. Try carrying 500 rounds of 308 or 12 gauge shells.
19. Large Steel or Lead Shot (ammo for the sling shot)
20. D-rings (carabiner) / quick rings / Safety Pins
21. Water bottle(s) Get a real good water filter instead!
22. Roll of toilet paper (tube removed)
23. Petroleum jelly
24. Anti-itch cream/insect sting cream
25. Pain reliever (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, etc.)
26. Sewing kit with needles and thread
27. Small folding shovel
28. Rubber bands (various large sizes)
29. Mosquito net (hook to hat/strainer)
30. Small amount of coffee/tea bags
31. Food Seasoning (Salt, Pepper, Mrs. Dash)
32. Mess kit, Utensils, and Camp Cookware Kit
33. Fingernail clippers and files
34. Small scissors
35. Small bars of soap
36. Painter’s Mask (aka Germ mask/Allergy mask)
37. A manual wind-up clock with alarm
38. A pair of Motorola 2-way radios (long range) Make sure you have a way to charge it. Small Solar charger preferred.
39. Emergency radio with all bands. Solar charger/hand crank is preffered!
40. Adya Clarity for water purification
41. Grab N Go Food Buckets

42. Herbal Immune Boost Tincture Kit

Below are some product images .

Let me explain the items and why you need them.

LED flashlight (extra batteries in a sealed container)

and here is the minimag

Flashlights are rated for how bright they are (lumens) and how long they will last with full batteries. You don’t need a super bright light that is full of batteries. You need a small light that is reliable and there when you need it. Don’t get a cheap plastic light; get one that is rugged and made of metal.

I also recommend that you have a very small LED light that can hook on your belt or key ring that will last for years.

Hunting Knife (with a sheath and sharpener)

 

Knives are as numerous as flashlights. Get a good knife made by a knife making company that will not break pick up a small portable ceramic sharper. It weighs less than the stone and actually sharpens your knife instead of making it duller. I prefer a fixed blade that you can hang on your belt in a sheath. A folding knife is more dangerous. You will cut yourself more times with a folding knife putting it away than with a fixed blade.

The uses for a good sharp knife are too numerous for me to list. A knife is simply indispensable for survival in any setting.

 

Machete (axe)

I prefer a Kukri Machete. Its shape and weight makes it comparable to a hand axe and more versatile. It serves to clear vegetation and prepare fuel for your fire. It also an excellent weapon when the need arises.

 

Folding multipurpose tool

The Leatherman is the standard for this device, but there are others with multiple tools and elements which are just as capable. Find one that makes sense for you.

 

Fire starter (with prepared tinder for fire)

Don’t waste your time with matches. Get a fire starter that uses flint/magnesium and a piece of metal or a knife. It will provide plenty of spark. The key is preparing your tinder to get the fire going. I have a small container with cotton balls smeared with petroleum jelly. Shred the tinder and have other natural tinder ready to be burned. A couple sparks into the cotton ball and you will have plenty of flame.

I am reminded of an Oklahoma saying we have that comes from our Native-American brethren. “White man’s fire is large; everyone sits back. Indian fire is small; everyone sits up close.” A white man’s fire also burns a lot of fuel (that you have to go get).

Nails and Screws (wrapped with electrical tape)

Simple nails and screws are more useful than you realize. They can be attached to a sturdy stick to fend off animals and catch fish. They are also invaluable when building a shelter or hanging a clothesline.

Compass and thermometer

I know that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. I also know how to find the North Star (Polaris), but what do I do when it is cloudy during the day or night? I need to have a compass. I also recommend a personal thermometer so you know that when it gets below 50 degrees you must cover up.
Fishing kit (line, weights, bobber, hooks)

The ability to catch fish is very important in a survival scenario. It is a primary source of clean protein and is easy to clean and fix for dinner. You can dig for grubs, bugs, and worms which are your best bait. You can also use butterflies and grasshoppers. I am looking forward to a fish fry with manna muffins.

 

Zip-ties (various small sizes)

Forget tying knots. These babies are a modern miracle for binding items together. You can also connect several together for added length.

 

Whistle

Every member of your family should have a whistle. Instead of screaming your voice into a low groan, just blow to call or sound an alarm. If you get lost, it draws others to you. If danger comes to the camp, everyone should start sounding the alarm. I recommend the Storm safety whistle as opposed to a standard sports whistle. It makes a much louder sound and it sounds in the higher frequencies. In fact, its shrill notes can be heard from much farther away.

Clothes pins

Not only will they hold up your clothes to dry better, they also hook up sun screens and privacy panels much easier as well.

Nylon cord for a clothesline (50ft)

Nylon will last longer than cotton and holds your clothes just fine.

 

550 Parachute Cord (100 ft)

The 550 stands for the strength of 550 lbs. Paracord is the most versatile of all lines to use in an open environment. There is no better rope than this for its size, strength, and versatility.

 

Leather work gloves

Whether it is gathering firewood or handling a hot pot, these gloves eventually conform to your hands and will protect you while accomplishing a lot of work.

Zip-Lock bags (gallon and quart sizes)

These bags can store food, keep things wet or keep things dry. There are a host of uses as well as for food.

9×12 painter’s plastic cloth

This plastic is lightweight but very versatile. It can be cut to different sizes to make a solar still, collect rain water, or protect your equipment and clothes from wet weather. It can also be used for a quick shelter from the wind and rain.

 

Sling shot (with extra surgical tubing)

This is a real “silent” weapon. It can take down birds and small animals. It also can fend off wild dogs and boars. You can use free ammunition such as pebbles and small stones.

Large Steel or Lead Shot (ammo for the sling shot)

This is the preferred ammunition for the sling shot. Flies true and straight and will be effective against intruders and the enemy. In this application, it can have lethal effect.

D-rings (carabiners)/ quick rings/Safety Pins

You need an assortment of these devices. The D-rings work great for hooking and unhooking different loads to a suspension line. Quick rings are perfect for fixed points to use a D-ring. Safety pins are great for quick repairs, especially for clothes and fabrics.

Water bottle(s)

These are not your primary water sources but serve you personally. They should have large openings so that other items can be stored internally or easily filled and emptied. Use them for items that must stay clean and be food ready. I recommend solid plastic or metal water bottles. Polycarbonate bottles can break when dropped.

Toilet paper (center tube removed)

Initially, most folks would not be accustomed to using natural elements and/or their hand to clean themselves. It won’t last long but it will help you or others in the transition.

Petroleum Jelly

This is your personal salve for scrapes and chapped lips and it also helps to light tinder in making fires. Better than band-aids for minor first aid on kids.

Anti-itch cream/insect sting cream

The great outdoors is full of things that sting you and make you itch. These items will help you get acclimated and make intolerable things almost tolerable. If you don’t need it yourself, then get it for others so they don’t drive you crazy.

Pain relievers (aspirin, ibuprofen, Naproxen sodium, etc.)

All of these pain relievers will help with inflammation, fever, and muscle pain. This should be your own personal supply and is not a substitute for a well-planned medical kit.

Sewing kit with needles and thread

The children of Israel did not wear out their clothes in forty years. I am hopeful for the same benefit for our exodus, but the Bible says nothing about the different sizes the people went through. You can plan on losing weight in the Great Tribulation and should plan on altering some items for yourself and others.

 

Small folding shovel

This is your personal shovel when doing your business or hunting for fish bait. It is also invaluable in preparing shelter and a fire pit. I recommend a military-grade entrenching tool (E-tool). It needs to be sturdier than a $10 camp shovel.

Rubber bands (various large sizes)

These are small, light-weight, and used for a variety of reasons. They are like personal bungee cords.

Mosquito net (hook to hat/strainer)

There are kits for hooking onto your hat to protect your face and neck. You can also rig a net above you to sit in or cover your bed. The material also makes for a greater strainer and fish trap (net). If the bugs are out in force, this is your only defense.

Small amount of coffee/tea bags

Cowboy coffee is made in a pan of boiling water and a handful of grounds. Once it is off the fire, let it settle and enjoy a cup of joe. Throw a family tea bag in the same pot and sip your way to a moment of personal pleasure. Or show hospitality and ask a friend to join you around your campfire. You will make friends forever.

Food Seasoning (Salt, Pepper, Mrs. Dash®)

Use this to make your food more palatable. Mrs. Dash adds spice to all foods including fish and game. Back woods experts swear by this stuff and don’t go into the field without it.

Mess kit, Utensils, and Camp Cookware Kit

If you are going to cook your fish or drink your coffee/tea, you need something to do it with. You need the kit to be metal with a metal fork and spoon.

Fingernail clippers and files

A torn fingernail can make your life miserable while trying to work. Use these to keep your fingernails clean and free from injury.

Small scissors

Eventually, you will need a haircut or some help with grooming. A pair of scissors works much better than a knife. Useful for many other tasks.

Small bars of soap

Take one of your Zip-Lock plastic bags and store your bars of soap. Washing your face, hands, and hair makes for a better camp for you and others. It also stops the spread of disease in the camp.

Painter’s Mask

Whether it is smoke or dirt, it is cleaner to breathe with this mask. It also prevents the spread of disease in the camp. The metal bar conforms to your nose and the straps keep it on your head.

Manual Wind-up alarm clock

You won’t have your cell phone or an electric clock out there. This will help you keep track of coordinated events.

These are my recommendations for a personal survival kit. By no means is it a comprehensive “go-bag.” You can add to this list to suit your needs. As you reviewed it I am sure that you saw the benefit of these small items that will help your family in a survival situation. Most importantly, a little encouragement goes a long way in helping others to cooperate with one another. Remember the lessons from the wilderness with our ancestors.