Shelter or warmth

• Reflective "aluminized" (Mylar coated) space blanket or survival blanket to retain body heat
(and signal)
Lightweight poncho for protection against wind and rain
"Tube tent" or bivvy bag
Tarp with grommets or tie-tapes (best if nylon or polyester)
Large plastic trash bag as poncho or expedient shelter roof
Ferrocerium rod (AKA "Metal match," "Hot Spark," "Firesteel," "Magnesium bar") and fire striker for
fire-starting
Waterproof matches
Cotton balls or pads smeared with white petroleum for fire starting (can be carried in 35 mm container
or heat-sealed inside large diameter plastic straw)
[edit]Health and first aid
• First aid kit with:
• bandages
sterile combine dressing, and gauze pads
adhesive tape, and gauze tape
medical tweezers
surgical razor or scalpel
disinfectant pads
latex gloves (rubber if allergic to latex, to protect first aider against infection)
a 30 day supply of personal prescription medication
antibiotic cream
Epinephrine and antihistamines for allergic reactions, primarily to insect stings
Rubbing alcohol
suture kit
oxytetracycline tablets (for diarrhea or infection)
aspirin
extra pair of prescription eyeglasses or contacts
• Sunscreen (where appropriate, above 30 SPF)
100% UV protective sunglasses ("UV 400") (protects eyes from harmful UV radiation. Polarized
glasses are not necessarily UV protective, but aid with glare only).
[edit]Food and water
• Water in sealed containers for dry areas, or water purification tablets in areas where water is
available but may be contaminated.
Heavy duty aluminum foil to create a distillation tube to remove salt from salt water during
boiling/condensation. Must have another receptacle to collect condensate.
Canned food, Ready-to-eat meals (MRE), or high-energy foods such as chocolate or emergency food
bars.
Fishing line and gear (fish hooks, lures, and split shot leads)
Snare wire
Gill Net (for emergency fishing)
[edit]Signaling, navigation and reference
• Whistle.
Signal mirror.
High power LED light (able to have batteries replaced, and carry an extra battery), white lens, with
signaling capabilities
Flare - Three fires in a triangle is the international distress signal
Surveyor's tape - orange or chartreuse for marking location for rescuers
Pen/pencil and paper for leaving notes to rescuers about direction of travel
Compass
Trail maps/charts (if location is known in advance)
Survival manual for technique reference
[edit]Multipurpose tools or materials
• Fixed-blade knife, or multitool knife such as Swiss Army knife or multitool
Heavy-duty needle and thread for repairing clothing and equipment
Plastic bag(s) or trash bags
Sturdy cord or "550" parachute cord for setting up a tarpaulin and snaring small animals
Hatchet with sheath
Candles for warmth, light, and signaling
[edit]Lifeboat survival kits
Lifeboat survival kits are stowed in inflatable or rigid lifeboats or life rafts; the contents of these kits
are mandated by coast guard or maritime regulations. These kits provide basic survival tools and
supplies to enable passengers to survive until they are rescued. In addition to relying on lifeboat
survival kits, many mariners will assemble a "ditch bag" or "abandon ship bag" containing additional
survival supplies. Lifeboat survival kit items typically include:
[edit]Safety equipment
• Life jackets
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
[edit]Communications and navigation
• Compass
Distress beacons (EPIRBs)
Red flare, rocket parachute flare, and/or smoke signal flare
Radar reflector (to help rescuers locate the raft)
Lantern and fuel and/or searchlight
Radio transceiver,standard VHF marine and a optional amateur radio if a licensed radio amateur
(see Ham Radio) or an AM/FM/Weather/Shortwave radio receiver
GPS
(lighter)
[edit]Food and water
• Emergency high-calorie rations and/or hard bread
Fishing kit
Rainwater collection equipment
Seawater desalination kit
Water (typically 3 litres/person)
[edit]Other tools and boating items
• Hatchet and knife
Waterproof flashlight
Heaving line
Ladder
Sea anchor (also called a "sea drogue")
Bailer
Bilge pump
Boat hook
Bucket
(any knife)

The minimum water requirement for replacement purposes, for an "average" person, has been
estimated to be approximately 3 liters (3.2 quarts) per day, given average temperate climate
conditions.

They also advised to replace unopened stored bottled water once a year.

For shelf-storage of water, store containers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Because
most plastic beverage containers degrade over time, store them away from heat and light to
prevent leakage. Store water in plastic containers away from gasoline, kerosene, pesticides or
similar substances because vapors from these products can penetrate plastic. Remember, water
weighs over 8 pounds per gallon, so make sure the shelf or storage area is strong enough to
support the weight. For best quality, replace stored water(using this method) every six months.
improve the taste of water stored for a long time, pour it back and forth between two clean
containers several times to aerate it. Water can also be stored in a freezer. If you lose electricity,
the frozen water provides the added benefit of keeping foods frozen until power is restored. Leave
2 to 3 inches of air space in the top of containers before freezing to prevent the container from
bursting as water expands during freezing.