Finding a great survival kit can be difficult. Especially when you are trying to figure out what you need to pack in the event when you’ll need to bug out and escape certain disaster in the area. Read our complete buying guide and review on the best survival kits in 2023.
Imagine, you are travelling to a place and unable to find a room for yourself to stay in night. What are you going to do in this kind of situation? We at Top10GadgetsShop decided to discuss about the importance of Survival Kits.
Regardless of who you are or where you reside, be sure to keep the best survival kit on your deck, so you don’t get caught off guard when the unexpected happens. Emergencies never comes up with a warning!
Best Survival Kits List
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Now, that we have given you an idea with pricing as well on some the important things that you should take probably with you in a survival condition.
Features To Look For in a Survival Kit
Knowing which survival kit you need is important. That’s why this buyer’s guide will help you choose which one is best for you based on your personal needs. First, let’s take a look at some of the features you’ll find in a survival kit based on type.
First Aid Kit
As mentioned, most survival kits will either be a standalone kit or a basic kit with EDC tools. It would be almost suicidal to disregard the need for a first aid kit. When you are miles away from a hospital, knowing basic first aid is important. And injuries can be severe. Have a kit with enough bandages, gauze, tweezers, and other essential tools that you might need in what could be a life and death situation with those bugging out with you. There are other items that you can use for the purpose of self-care.
Flashlight
One of the most important EDC tools you’ll need is a flashlight. In an outdoor situation, a flashlight will be important when it comes to navigating obstacles when there is little to no sunlight outside. Alternatively, you can use a flashlight that will be bright enough to temporarily blind an attacker. It will give you just enough time to escape danger.
Fire Starter/Paracord
Firestarters are probably one of the most underrated and underappreciated tools in a survival kit. And yet, it’s essential for one reason: a good open fire to keep you warm. Whether you are outdoors or lost in the woods, a fire starter will save your bacon. That’s because you’ll need to keep warm on when it gets cool at night. Not to mention, cooking over an open flame is essential. Unless you have a camping stove, the closest thing you’ll get to one is kindling. Most survival kits will either have a magnesium fire starter, paracord or both.
Emergency Blanket
An emergency blanket will conduct heat when you are close enough to a heat source (i.e.–open flame). Even if you are in a survival situation with makeshift open shelter, an emergency blanket will heat up fairly quickly. This is a life-saving item that you absolutely must have in a survival kit, especially if you are stranded in a cold-weather climate.
Utensils
With all the canned food you have in storage, make sure you have a manual can opener. Disposable sporks (combination of spoon and fork) and plates should be in good supply. Include a small pot, charcoal, and a lighter or matches for heating food.
Extra Batteries
Since power supply may be cut off during a disaster without assurance when it can be returned, make sure to store a lot of batteries in the correct size. Two-way radios. Always keep them charged to allow communication, news and updates.
Extra Clothes
Keep an extra change of clothes stored in a water-proof bag. Do not forget underwear and socks. If you live in cold climate, warm pants, jackets and boots should be included.
Towels
Have towels of all kinds and sizes: bath towels, face towels, hand towels and dish towels. If you are hit by storm, hurricane, flood, snow or hail, you will need towels to dry.
Sanitary and Hygiene Items
To ease survival during a disaster, stock up on toilet paper and paper napkins, toothbrushes and toothpaste, feminine napkins and diapers, and soap and shampoo. Include chlorine bleach for use as disinfectant. If anyone needs contact lens solution or denture cream, put these in too.
Tools
Keep some important handy multi-purpose tools. At the minimum, choose one that has scissors, screwdriver, knife, and pliers. There are also multi-purpose hardware tools that include hammer, wrench, axe, and saw. Include a whistle, duct tape, working gloves and a map of your area among these.
Cellphones, Chargers and Family Contact Information
Make sure your cellphones are always charged and call 911 if necessary.
Important Documents
In the case of abandoning your house during an emergency, it would be good to have your important documents with you when you leave. Make sure these are in ziplock bags for protection and stored in a bag ready to be carried any time. Important documents to consider: deed or lease of your house, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, proof of address, medical information and prescriptions.
Extra Cash
Your credit cards might not be of any use in a disaster-stricken area. Have ready cash in case there is a chance to buy supplies.
Extra House and Car Keys
In case you need to abandon your house temporarily during a disaster, lock everything and keep extra keys amongst the family. It will not be practical to rely on one set when it can easily be lost while hiking during evacuation. Do the same for your car keys.
Special Supplies for Baby, Elderly, or Disabled Member
If you have a baby or toddler, make sure you have your baby supplies like bottles, milk formula and baby food. For elderly or disabled members, do not forget to pack their walking cane, hearing aid, dentures, food or medication.
Entertainment Items
If you have young children, bring something for their entertainment that is small enough to squeeze in your bag. These may be anything like: a small box of crayons and colouring or activity book, a small portable version of a board game like Snakes and Ladders, or a small toy like a car or doll.
Types of Survival Kits Available
There are plenty of survival kits on the market. But they come in different types. Here are some of the types that you can find on the market:
First Aid Kits
Obviously, first aid will be important when you are nowhere near a medical facility. This will include but are not limited to bandages, gauze, ointments, aspirin, tweezers, ice packs, and more. First aid kits will vary depending on the size and what you’ll need for medical care. Keep in mind that most EDC survival kits will include a small first aid kit with basic provisional items.
EDC Survival Kits
Every Day Carry or EDC kits will contain tools that you’ll need just in case. While you might not use them every day, you’ll always have them handy. These kits will include items like flashlights, knives, paracord for starting fires, a basic first aid kit, and various survival tools. Again, it will depend on the size and how many tools will be included.
Food Kits
Most survival kits will give you at least 72 hours worth of food for a short-term bug out period. Some will include enough food for one person, while others will include a 72 hour supply of food for 2 to 4 people.
Reasons To Purchase A Survival Kit
Before we dive into the details, it is essential you learn why you should invest a survival kit. Here are some important reasons:
- Stay Organized: Tackling an emergency situation becomes easier when you have everything you need at hand. Investing in a survival kit ensures you don’t have to fumble around your backpack for first-aid items or check all your pockets for a lighter. A survival kit ensures all emergency and essential items packed securely inside a box or container, which will help you keep calm during a distressing situation and will allow you to take action immediately.
- Stay Prepared: Accidents can happen when you least expect them. Packing a survival kit in your car or your home can save your life in an emergency situation. Carrying a fire-starter or water purification tablets may seem silly until you’re stranded on your own in the woods without water.
- Customized for Specific Activities: Depending on your destination, you can purchase survival kits that the brand manufactures for different activities such as hiking, camping and much more. You can also invest in vehicle survival kits or something you can keep in your drawer at work.
- Convenience: Sure, some folks like to pack their survival kit because it’s much cheaper. However, this method might not be suitable for everybody. By investing in a commercial survival kit, you put all your trust in the experts and the manufacturers, which means you don’t have to worry about making a list of essential items and shopping for each item separately. Investing in a survival kit will also eliminate the stress and anxiety of packing a customized kit for yourself, allowing you to focus more on your trip.
- Safety: Some people are genuinely careless when it comes to taking care of themselves, but that doesn’t stop them from going on all sorts of adventures. If you’re one of those people or have a friend who loves to travel, we suggest you invest in a handy survival kit. These kits are designed to contain everything you will need in case of an emergency. Plus, it also makes a great gift for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Expert’s Advice: Investing in an FDA and CE survival and first aid kit ensures each item has undergone inspection to maintain quality. Some kits also include a detailed guide on how to use the kit effectively, ensuring you stay safe throughout your trip.
How to Choose a Survival Kit – Buying Guide
To ensure you reap maximum benefits from your survival kit, here are a couple of factors you should consider before finally purchasing a product:
Size And Weight Of The Kit
The size and the weight of the kit will determine how convenient it is to carry, especially if you’re a backpacker or headed on a camping trip. Opt for a kit that is portable yet functional. Don’t fall for low-quality kits that don’t offer enough features.
Some brands offer compact survival kits that contain all kinds of necessary items such as a para cord, knife blade, fishing hook, sewing kit and much more. While large or bulky kit may include more items, it will be difficult to carry around.
Your Destination
If you’re going on a camping trip, then you should opt for a survival kit that is suitable for camping or the wilderness. Similarly, you will find kits designed according to all kinds of activities including fishing, backpacking, and hiking.
This feature will guarantee you have everything you need for your trip. You can also invest in an emergency car survival kit that you can store in your vehicle or a drawer at work.
Components
What’s the point of purchasing a commercial-grade survival kit if it does not include all the items you will need for your adventure? Here is a list of basic items every survival kit must include:
- Water purification tablets, portable filtration system or water bottle. If you run out of drinking supplies, boil water.
- Matchsticks (store inside a Ziploc bag), fire starter
- Flashlight
- Compass, GPS
- Whistle
- Hand crank chargers for powering up cell phones, flashlight, radios
- Canned items or nutritious food bars
- Warm blank
- Knife blade, utensils, multi-tool with a pry bar, fire starter and other tools
- Basic first aid-kit items including painkillers and alcohol swabs
- Sanitizers, wipes, toilet paper, liquid soap
- Allergy medication or respiratory masks in case you are allergic to dust
Quantity
Will you be traveling alone or will you be accompanied by your kid or a bunch of students? Some survival kits are only designed for a single person whereas other kits contain enough supplies for large groups.
These kits are ideal for folks who would like to carry extra supplies and have plenty of space to accommodate more stuff. However, if you’re a backpacker or hiking alone, we suggest you invest in a compact survival kit that is only suitable for one person, which will ensure your supplies don’t weigh you down.
Duration Of Emergency Situation
Before making a purchase, it is essential you pay attention to how long the supplies in your survival kit will last. It is particularly important if your kit includes food items. Lack of food and water can lead you starving and dehydrated. Ensure the survival kit includes enough food and water for you to get by in case there is a shortage.
Shelf Life
During a flood or extreme weather condition, you wouldn’t want to waste time worrying about food spoilage or if the fire starter is still in good shape. Before investing in a survival kit, don’t forget to check out the manufacturer’s date.
Supplies such as medical equipment and water tablets also come with an expiration or best-before date. While the shelf life for most kits is long, it’s still a good idea for you to check the dates.
Consider Customizing The Kit According To Your Needs
Don’t forget to add items in the kit to make your journey more comfortable, which is especially important if small kids will be accompanying you on the journey. Pack small toys that might soothe your little one if they’re distressed. For adults, pack small items such as chewing gum, sun glasses, travel-sized toothbrush, and toothpaste to make your journey more comfortable.
Needs Vs. Wants
When an emergency strikes, you’ll no longer care about how pretty your survival kit appears. Heck, you’d probably be too worried to look at yourself in the mirror. Survival is all about toughening up which is why you need to avoid packing items simply for the sake or entertainment or out of habit.
Focus on saving space and keeping the weight to a minimum. Consider keeping a list so that you stick to the bare necessities.
Frequently Asked Question
What do you need in a survival kit?
There are plenty of things that you’ll need in a survival kit. But the true must-have items you need include but are not limited to first aid kits, emergency blankets, water, food or rations, a firestarter, a knife, a multi-tool, paracord, rope, an emergency whistle, and a flashlight among others.
How long should a regular survival kit last?
A regular survival kit should contain supplies and food that will last you a 72 hour period.
What should be included in a first aid kit?
Your first aid kit should include gauze or dressing, bandages, tweezers, aspirin, burn ointment, a splint, biodegradable soap, medical sheers, a tourniquet, and a CPR pocket mask. These items may vary depending on the kit you purchase.
Last Updated on January 7, 2023 by Scott Staffin
