This post is from exerts taken from Make Your Own Luck: A Good Survival Kit is Superior to any Rabbit’s Foot.

A special thank you to Dan S. Defense for posting the original article.

Now lets get onto the list:

A small knife
Emergency blanket
A small flashlight
Fire starting kit
Fire starting fuel
Signal mirror
Whistle
Collapsible water jug
Water purification tablets
Compass
First aid kit
Duct tape
Folded Aluminum foil
Sewing kit
Fishing kit

I would also add some stout rope and a couple of contractor grade trash bags.

Something I thought about adding was some 330 pound test trotline string. It does not have the rating like 550 cord does, but 300 feet of 330 pound trotline string is only about 8 dollars.

People really underestimate the value of a signal mirror. I have heard of lost people getting the attention of a plane up to 9 miles away with a mirror.

In my personal hygiene kit, I have something that looks like a womans makeup compact - but its a mirror and brush in one unit.

The longest recorded distance of a signal mirror use resulting in a rescue is 125 miles. Ground to air distance is almost unlimited on a clear day.

kevins a genius... tinfoil can save more than just a life!

i'd include 1 or 2 canned goods in my survival kit..

For about $3 more you can get 3 100 ft. sections of 550 from Camping Survival.
When I make my Ovaltine kits, I include a large tea candle and small Multi-tool.

why the trash bags? And what are Ovaltine Kits?

A small kit that fits in an HDPE Ovaltine container. I make them as gifts.

I'd add the following items of interest to the original list, which are in my own various "Get Home Bags" and our Truck Survival Kit as well:

1. A Container --- to boil/sterilize water, melt snow for drinking, washing up and cooking.

2. Micro Cord --- comes in various sizes but what I picked up at a surplus Army/Navy store is 1.18mm in size. Great for repairs, fishing and assorted projects.

3. Upholstery Needles --- when in the U.S. Navy and as a Boatswain's Mate we called these "Sailing Needles." You can pick up a dozen of these for $3 at your local arts & crafts store. They are much larger than standard sewing needles. Some are straight and some of the needles are curved. Using the guts of your 550 cord (or the Micro Cord mentioned above) you can repair your foot gear, web-gear, ruck-sack, clothing, etc.

Take care, campers...

Respectfully,
Billy

Retired, U.S. Naval Special Warfare

"SALVATION IS OF THE LORD (Jesus Christ)." -Jonah 2:9c [KJV]

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"Salvation is of the LORD (Jesus Christ)." -Jonah 2:9c [KJV]

I just always keep my backpack packed and ready to go by the front door in the closet, and that way if I need to run out I grab it on the way out.

I would need a whole lot more stuff than just the above items, including my air mattress and sleeping bag and a pillow case to stuff my jacket into for a pillow.

Tuna and pineapple are actually my 2 favorite canned foods for backpacking and for emergencies.