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