A survival kit is a must-have for preppers or anyone who wants to be ready in case something untoward happens. Some preppers go all-out and purchase the best survival gear their money could buy. That doesn’t mean people who are a bit cash-strapped can’t start building their own survival kit. You can start off with these essential yet cheap items and go on from there.
1. First Aid Kit
There’ll always be the risk of getting hurt. Before leaving the comforts of your home for a hike or a camping trip, make sure to pack first aid essentials in a durable, lightweight, and weatherproof bag.
A proper first aid kit must have plasters, sterile gauze dressings, bandages, safety pins, needle, disposable sterile gloves, surgical tape, cotton swabs, wipes, alcohol pads, painkillers, antihistamine tablets, and medicine for rashes and insect bites. Tweezers and a pair of scissors are necessary though they are usually found in a multi-tool, another must-have. If you have a particular medical condition, bring your medicine.
2. Magnesium Fire Starter
One of the most important survival skills is building a fire. While striking two stones together to create fire is an awesome skill, it’s easier if you have a fire source. Lighters and matches are great but a fire starter will go a long way.
Better yet, have all three fire sources handy. Matches and lighters come cheap and light. Make sure to choose the weatherproof variety or to keep them in a Ziploc. This way, youll always have fire to keep you warm, cook food, boil water, keep wild animals and critters at bay, and to alert search and rescue teams of your position.
3. Paracord
A paracord is a favorite of preppers. It serves a variety of purposes including tying, making a sling, splinting, making a stretcher, applying a tourniquet, and even for suturing a wound. A paracord can also be used for self-defense. It can be made into a tripwire, an alarm, a restraint, and a sling.
A paracord is also utilized for fishing, catching wild game, dragging and hauling objects, building a raft, and a host of other uses. Plus, it comes relatively cheap.
Emergency Mylar Thermal Blanket ($9.89)
4. Thermal Blanket
A thermal blanket comes in many names such as space blanket, Mylar blanket, and heat sheet. It is used mainly as protection from the elements. It keeps you warm, prevents hypothermia, and is used as a shade during hot weather.
5. Pocket Knife
A knife is one of the essentials of a survival kit. It can be used for cutting and as a weapon. Aside from your multi-tool, a bigger knife is better for defending yourself from wild animals or people who are up to no good.
Choosing a knife depends mainly on your preference and budget. For under $10, you cant go for that badass MC-RB1 hunting knife that John Rambo used to slice and dice his way out of trouble. A folding knife is a more logical choice if you’re scrimping.
6. Bear Bell
You need ways to defend yourself against huge animals such as bears. Unfortunately, there aren’t many guns available for under $10 on Amazon. This leaves us with less violent methods such as the use of a bear bell.
If you don’t want to end up like Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant or Timothy Treadwell, the documentary filmmaker and bear enthusiast who was killed and eaten by a bear, it’s best that you have a bear bell. Bears are known to attack when surprised so it’s a good idea to have a bear bell to make them aware of your presence.
7. Insect Repellent
Bears and other wild animals are not the only ones that may attack you while you’re out trying to survive. Mosquitoes and other bugs are not only annoying, they can also make you sick. There are natural ways to keep bugs away but if you have a few dollars to spend, go ahead and get an insect repellent.
8. LED Flashlight
You need a source of light to survive, especially at night. A LED flashlight or headlamp is ideal to light your way if you’re travelling in the dark. It also makes it easier for rescuers to spot you, in case you’re lost. Pack extra batteries.
9. Water Purification Tablets
In general, a person can survive without food for three weeks like what Mahatma Gandhi did before. Without water, however, you’re doomed. You can only last up to a week without liquids. Pack ample water in your gear along with water purification tablets, which kill micro-organisms – making dirty water safe to drink.
10. Survival Book
If you’re not an expert on survivalism and you can’t use Google, jack up your chances by including a survival book in your survival kit. Choose one that gives tips on surviving various scenarios like getting lost in the wilderness, desert, or in the forest.
There you have it. 10 survival kit essentials for under $10 on Amazon. If you found this post useful, give this post a share!
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