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Homemade Survival Kit

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Homemade survival kits

It is pretty easy to assume everything will be fine. In fact, that's how most people think. We don't plan for the worst, and when the worst comes knocking on our door, we are left unprepared, panicked, and understocked with solutions and resources.

Don't let this happen to you, creating your very own homemade survival kit is an easy procedure that will provide you with peace of mind and necessary survival items. Your homemade survival kit can be stored in a duffel bag, in a closet, in a trunk or a chest, homemade survival kits do not need to take up a lot of space.

Table of Contents

Survival Kit 101

Items You MUST Have!

Must-have Items

for your homemade survival kit


  1. Flash Light

  2. Matches & Lighter

  3. Reusable Firestarter (Flint Steel, Magnesium, etc)

  4. First Aid Kit

  5. Pocket Knife (Swiss Army Knife & Multi-Tool preferred)

  6. Para Cord (500+ pound strength tested, and at least 25 feet of it)

  7. Stainless Steel Whistle (the louder, the better)

  8. Compass

  9. Mirror (small - used for signaling)

  10. Water Purification system (Pills or Filter)

  11. Duct Tape

  12. Survival Blanket

  13. Rain Gear

  14. Ziplock Bags

  15. Large black trash bags (multi-purpose use - protect items, waterproofing, etc - not to be used for trash collecting)

  16. Cash (Quarters, Singles, Fives, Tens - upwards of $100 in total)

  17. Books on Survival (for Plant recognition, First Aid "How-Tos", etc)

Survival Tips

Information you need to know!

Tips which can literally save your life!

Aside from having a complete homemade survival kit, you will also want to make sure you have a survival plan, or at least some knowledge to go along with that kit! Below are just some of many things you should know. You can do further reading on survival by visiting blogs that specialize in that (see below for a list of blogs and websites catering to camping, hiking, and survival)


  1. Know your limitations

  2. Don't take unnecessary risks

  3. Know where you can find water, and how to purify it

  4. Know how to build a conservative fire for warmth and cooking (conservative fires use less resources, allowing you to survive longer)

  5. Preserve the life of your knife. Sharpen a stick and sharp-edged rocks when possible

  6. Think of items to bring that are multi-functional, practical, and light weight (when possible)



Also, know your Survival Rules of Three:

  • 3 minutes without air

  • 3 hours without shelter

  • 3 days without water

  • 3 weeks without food

  • 3 months without hope

Things to Remember

The Barter System

The Barter System

"What will you trade for toilet paper?"

Let's think for a moment. What happens when resources start to go dry, a World where cash may not be the dominating market force. Fuel, food, clean drinking water... all these take a leading role in how you will continue moving forward.

I've added a list of items which fit this mold, vote up (or down) the items you feel are most important to sustain your own life. With enough user's input, we will be able to see which items are truly the most important.

1

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Clean drinking water

2 points

2

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Candles

2 points

3

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First Aid items

2 points

4

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Fire starter (strike-anywhere matches, flint steel)

2 points

5

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Cash

1 point

6

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Canned Food

1 point

7

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Can Opener

1 point

8

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Thread, pins, small sewing kit supplies

1 point

9

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Fuel (gas, propane)

1 point

10

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Rechargeable Batteries

0 points

11

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Toilet paper

0 points

12

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Leather Duffel Bag

http://www.leatherduffelbag.org
Leather duffel bag more...0 points

13

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http://paracordsale.com/0 points

14

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Water purification tablets

0 points

Where can you buy some survival items?

Start building your very own homemade survival kit with Amazon!

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The Unofficial Survival Quiz

How prepared are you for a disaster?

Outdoor Blogs

Blogs about Survival, Camping, Hiking, and more

Camping Advice
Blog offering advice on camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and survival
Blue Alpine
"Everything outdoors"
Off Grid Survival
A great blog that'll teach you the necessary things to start living partly or totally off the grid

Was this lens useful?

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Feedback is always appreciated. If you can think of any "must have items" for your homemade survival kits, lets hear about them here! How about any tips or advice on survival skills?

  • StoreAzon Sep 2, 2011 @ 11:32 am | delete
    look good!
  • RMKK Apr 27, 2011 @ 6:03 pm | delete
    Good survival information everyone should know. This lens has been "blessed".
  • thedan1984 Apr 28, 2011 @ 12:03 pm | delete
    Thanks for the kind words!
  • ideadesigns Apr 2, 2011 @ 12:08 pm | delete
    Very helpful lens in survival. Liked the quiz, 3 out of 5. I have a radio and flashlight that don't require batteries. Usually 1 drop of bleach can purify 1 gallon of water. Lots of great tips here!
  • thedan1984 Apr 10, 2011 @ 9:25 am | delete
    Thanks for the input and tips, next lens update I'll be sure to add some of your input and credit you!
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About Me

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by

thedan1984

My name is Dan and I am a Web Developer and SEO living in Upstate, NY.

I enjoy camping, classic gaming, roaming the Internet. I run websites that allow... more »

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