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by Bob Newman

This is a mini guide to surviving for 5 days; it is a “friendly” text that you can give your spouse or child to read without scaring them. It does not cover foraging, snaring, etc. so would be totally inadequate for medium or long-term survival.

Five-Day Survival Kit

First Aid

• 6 2″x2″ gauze pads
• 6 4″x4″ gauze pads
• Roll of standard medical gauze tape
• Assortment of povidone iodine wipes
• Eye patch
• Antibiotic/antiseptic cream
• Package of steri-strips
• Moleskin
• Bandage scissors & tweezers
• 1 3″ elastic bandage
• 1 3″ gauze roller bandage
• Sawyer brand Extractor Kit (snake & insect bites)
• 2 cravats

Signals

• Sturdy plastic whistle
• Pencil flare launcher with 6 flares
• Shatterproof signal mirror
• Sturdy flashlight with extra batteries
• Extra bullets/shells if you have a firearm
• Several strips (3″x12″) international orange cloth

Fire

• 1 35mm film canister with cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly
• Magnesium block with striker
• Commercial tinder sticks
• Magnifying glass
• Butane lighter
• Waterproof container of wooden “strike anywhere” kitchen matches

Food and Water

• 100 yards 15 lb. test fishing line
• Hooks, mostly small
• 1 packaged prepared catfish/scavanger bait
• 1 bottle PotableAqua brand, halazone, or iodine tabs for H20
• 10′ surgical tubing
• 2 plastic collapsible containers
• 1 clear plastic bag, large
• 1 dry compressed sponge (unused)

Shelter

• 1 solar blanket
• 50′ parachute cord
• Several chemical heat packs
• Wire saw
• 1 8′x8′ tarp, reflective on one side
• 3 survival candles

Other

• Fixed or lock-blade knife
• Silva compass
• Topographic map
• Spare eyeglasses/sunglasses
• Spare wool hat
• Aspirin or Tylenol
• Prescription medicine
• * Other items unique to your needs