An Every Day Carry kit is just that, something that you'll carry with you at all times. The reason for this is simple: survival happens when you least expect it. Of course a hurricane or an earthquake can happen - and that's when your BoB comes in handy.
But what if you're out on a day hike, and get lost. Or driving somewhere in the desert and your car dies (and you don't have your BoB in your car). Having a few items you can lightly carry can make the difference between life and death.
An every day cary kit is simply a collection of items that will fit into a small bag. It's this bag that you'll quickly toss into your day pack, or into an outer pocket of your backpacking bag. Keep it in your clove compartment or in your trunk. Just remember to take it with you before you set out.
Fire
Fire
Matches: At the very minimum you should carry matches and a fire-steel. I recommend storm matches. They're a bit more expensive than normal matches but have a 15 second burn time and can withstand a flame in very wet conditions.
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| Photo by Wikipedia contributor Hiroaki Nakamura |
Lighter: Although a bic lighter from the gas station will work, I recommend investing in a stormproof lighter. These butane lighters will stay lit in most winds and rain situations. This should really be a backup in case your firesteel steel and matches fail.
Tinder: Many people overlook this item even if they remember to bring the first two. But you can't start a fire if you don't have tinder. Carrying dry tinder can save your life if all of the wood around you is soaked to the bone. One of the best sources of tinder is cotton, pure cotton. Grab some lint from your drier and stuff it into a sandwich sized zip lock bag. Make sure you squeeze all the air out of it.
You'll only be bringing enough supplies to make one fire, because the key to surviving in an emergency is to stay put. Basic survival etiquette is to stay in one location so that search teams can find you. Therefore, you'll be making one fire and then keeping that lit, rather than making multiple ones.
Water
Although you'll want to keep a 3 day supply of water in your BoB, you should always carry water with you. I recommend getting a backpack with a slot for a 3L bladder, such as those made by Camelbak. Most of your gear will be placed in this bag, and as a benefit you'll have the water with you.
A 3L supply is only enough for one person for one day in normal, low activity situations. Part of choosing your shelter location will be finding one that is within a short distance of water.
Paracord
Paracord is amazing stuff, and I usually carry multiple supplies of it. You can stuff a 20 foot long coil into a sandwich bag, to give you a general idea of its size. Paracord can be unwoven to reveal 7 smaller strands, or kept together and hold up to a 550 lb load.
Space Blankets
Paracord is amazing stuff, and I usually carry multiple supplies of it. You can stuff a 20 foot long coil into a sandwich bag, to give you a general idea of its size. Paracord can be unwoven to reveal 7 smaller strands, or kept together and hold up to a 550 lb load.
Space Blankets
Mylar blankets are basically thin pieces of aluminum foil. They work to reduce heat transfer by radiation, as well as blocking perspiration due to it being water proof. However, one thing to keep in mind is that a space blanket has zero insulating capabilities... it's microns thick. So if you're just laying on the cold ground with no insulation that space blanket can't do anything to keep you warm.
A space blanket can be used as a lean-to, a water collection film, or as a signal mirror, to name a few. I carry at least two.
Multi-Tool
I always have multiple knives. I never am anywhere without my Leatherman Wave, so I guess it doesn't count as being part of a survival kit, just something to always carry.
Whistle
Many people don't think about this, but a whistle can make a huge difference between being found in a few hours or being found in a few days.
Think of this scenario. You're out hiking with your friends, and you leave the trail to take a photo of something. You turn around and you realize you've lost the trail. You yell but no one can hear you. After about an hour of yelling you're out of breath and hyperventilating.
You can use a whistle for a lot longer than you can yell. And, as a general rule your voice will only carry a few hundred yards - a whistle can carry anywhere between 1 to 2 miles depending on the terrain. Three rapid whistles is a standard sign of distress and is instantly recognizable to SAR teams.
Compas (and Map)
Perhaps you're not that lost, you just know you need to head south. Well which way is south? Although there are other ways of determining this, you should always carry a compass. I'd also say a local area map, and you should, but many people will either forget this or disregard this.
Poncho
You can purchase very thin and cheap ponchos from any camping store for less than a dollar. They're not very durable but they're water proof and will help keep you dry if it rains. Of course if you're trekking in a rain forrest you'll be dressed in more water-resistant clothing, but flash floods can happen in the desert.
I recommend a bright red or orange on as they are more likely to be recognized from the air. A poncho can also be used to help build a shelter.
Duct Tape
A million in one uses, Duct tape is in all of my survival kits. You won't want to use the whole roll (it takes up space). Simply take a pencil and begin rolling the duct tape around that. When you're done file off the ends of the pencil. I usually take about an inch roll of this type and throw it into my every day cary kit.
Chapstick
You're asking yourself "Why Chapstick? You can live with chapped lips." Well you can, and that's not the only reason why I recommend it. Primarily Chapstick will reduce the pain you feel from chapped lips. It can also be used as a fire starting fuel (it's mostly petroleum), a lubricant, an anti-rust agent for your blade, and even to prevent frostbite (rub in on exposed skin to slow down heat loss by radiation.
What's Left Out
No survival food? Yes it would be great to have some MRE's in our every day carry bag but in the end we're looking for space. The idea is that these are things you'll take on every outing, every out-door trek in addition to your other supplies for the outing designed. It should all fit into a small bag that can be placed into your daypack. Presumably you'll be bringing a little food along the way, but if not you can survive for up to 3 weeks without food... but only 3 days without water. So if you are choosing between an extra water bottle or a cliff bar, choose the water bottle.
No spare cell phone? Well again these would be a list of items you always carry with you on your outings. I also always carry my cell phone but at least half of the places I go to don't have cell reception.
No GPS? A GPS would be great, if you have one to spare that will sit in your car and never be used unless you're lost. That's the point of this little survival kit - to sit and hopefully never be used until you need it.
No Extra Clothing? Where would you put it? This is a kit designed to be small and compact. If you're hiking in an area you should always bring, at the minimum, inclement weather clothes. This includes long pants and some sort of cold weather clothing - at the minimum a fleece or a wind breaker. Again this is a kit that you'd bring in addition to the materials you need for your outdoor activity.
A space blanket can be used as a lean-to, a water collection film, or as a signal mirror, to name a few. I carry at least two.
Multi-Tool
I always have multiple knives. I never am anywhere without my Leatherman Wave, so I guess it doesn't count as being part of a survival kit, just something to always carry.
Whistle
Many people don't think about this, but a whistle can make a huge difference between being found in a few hours or being found in a few days.
You can use a whistle for a lot longer than you can yell. And, as a general rule your voice will only carry a few hundred yards - a whistle can carry anywhere between 1 to 2 miles depending on the terrain. Three rapid whistles is a standard sign of distress and is instantly recognizable to SAR teams.
Compas (and Map)
Perhaps you're not that lost, you just know you need to head south. Well which way is south? Although there are other ways of determining this, you should always carry a compass. I'd also say a local area map, and you should, but many people will either forget this or disregard this.
Poncho
You can purchase very thin and cheap ponchos from any camping store for less than a dollar. They're not very durable but they're water proof and will help keep you dry if it rains. Of course if you're trekking in a rain forrest you'll be dressed in more water-resistant clothing, but flash floods can happen in the desert.
I recommend a bright red or orange on as they are more likely to be recognized from the air. A poncho can also be used to help build a shelter.
Duct Tape
A million in one uses, Duct tape is in all of my survival kits. You won't want to use the whole roll (it takes up space). Simply take a pencil and begin rolling the duct tape around that. When you're done file off the ends of the pencil. I usually take about an inch roll of this type and throw it into my every day cary kit.
Chapstick
You're asking yourself "Why Chapstick? You can live with chapped lips." Well you can, and that's not the only reason why I recommend it. Primarily Chapstick will reduce the pain you feel from chapped lips. It can also be used as a fire starting fuel (it's mostly petroleum), a lubricant, an anti-rust agent for your blade, and even to prevent frostbite (rub in on exposed skin to slow down heat loss by radiation.
What's Left Out
No survival food? Yes it would be great to have some MRE's in our every day carry bag but in the end we're looking for space. The idea is that these are things you'll take on every outing, every out-door trek in addition to your other supplies for the outing designed. It should all fit into a small bag that can be placed into your daypack. Presumably you'll be bringing a little food along the way, but if not you can survive for up to 3 weeks without food... but only 3 days without water. So if you are choosing between an extra water bottle or a cliff bar, choose the water bottle.
No spare cell phone? Well again these would be a list of items you always carry with you on your outings. I also always carry my cell phone but at least half of the places I go to don't have cell reception.
No GPS? A GPS would be great, if you have one to spare that will sit in your car and never be used unless you're lost. That's the point of this little survival kit - to sit and hopefully never be used until you need it.
No Extra Clothing? Where would you put it? This is a kit designed to be small and compact. If you're hiking in an area you should always bring, at the minimum, inclement weather clothes. This includes long pants and some sort of cold weather clothing - at the minimum a fleece or a wind breaker. Again this is a kit that you'd bring in addition to the materials you need for your outdoor activity.
Nice Post!!! thank you for sharing about of survival knife information, this is a very useful information regarding survival..
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