Building Your Army Survival Kit

Assembling an army survival kit requires carefully selecting durable, multipurpose gear to handle unexpected situations.

This guide will provide essential information on building a customized kit with critical survival components like nutrient-rich rations, water filtration, navigation tools, first aid supplies, and morale boosters.

You'll learn key factors in choosing reliable backpacks, shelter options, signaling devices, specialized accessories, and organizational techniques to optimize preparedness for field deployment.

Introduction to Building Your Army Survival Kit

Assembling an effective army survival kit requires carefully considering the essential elements needed for military preparedness. When choosing components, prioritize versatile, durable gear that serves multiple purposes.

The optimal survival pack will contain fundamental supplies for first aid, navigation, shelter, water, fire, food, and defense. Customize selections based on your specific role, environment, and potential scenarios. A universal military survival kit list may include:

First aid kit with bandages, gauze, medicines, etc.
Map, compass, GPS device
Emergency blanket and shelter system
Canteen, water purification tablets
Fire starting tools like matches, lighter, firesteel
High-calorie military survival food rations
Multipurpose knife, signaling mirror/whistle/strobe light
Cordage for building shelters or traps

While specialized forces may require additional tactical items, this checklist covers fundamental army gear for emergency preparedness. Choose a rugged, weather-resistant army backpack to store and transport the kit. Prioritizing organization and consolidation ensures you have lifesaving resources at the ready when every second counts.

Constructing an army survival kit demands research and planning tailored to your situation. But with thoughtful selection of versatile, durable gear, your custom kit will provide critical insurance against uncertainty.

What do you need in a survival kit?

When building an army survival kit, it's important to include gear and supplies that will help you address critical needs in an emergency situation. Here are some key items to consider including:

Water and Food

Having access to clean water and non-perishable food is vital for survival. Good options to pack include:

At least 1 gallon of water per person per day
High-calorie, non-perishable foods like dried fruits, peanut butter packets, and energy bars

First Aid Supplies

A compact first aid kit can help treat injuries and ailments. Be sure to include bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, medication, etc.

A map, compass, GPS device, or other navigation aids can help you find your way if you become lost or disoriented.

Fire Starters

Matches, lighter, fire steel, and tinder kept dry in a waterproof case allow you to start critical fires for warmth, signaling, purifying water, and cooking.

Shelter and Bedding

A lightweight emergency blanket, bivvy sack, tarp, or tent can provide shelter. A sleeping bag or blanket can also be useful for retaining body heat.

Multi-Purpose Tools

Pack versatile items like a pocket knife, parachute cord, duct tape, and a multi-tool to help construct shelters, make repairs, or cut through materials in a pinch.

Light Source

Pack multiple light sources like a flashlight, glow sticks, and headlamp so you can see in low-light conditions and signal rescuers.

Extra Batteries/Power Source

Bring extra batteries or a portable charger to keep electronic gear and light sources powered up.

The exact contents will vary based on factors like climate, terrain, group size, and planned duration. The key is packing versatile items that address fundamental survival needs.

What are survival kits called?

Survival kits are known by many names, including:

Emergency kits
Disaster bags
Bug-out bags (BOBs)
72-hour kits
Get out of Dodge (GOOD) bags
Personal emergency relocation kits (PERKs)
Go-bags
Survival backpacks
Quick run bags (QRBs)

These all refer to portable kits containing gear and supplies to help someone survive for 72 hours or more during an emergency evacuation or disaster scenario.

The idea is to have the essential equipment packed and ready to go at a moment's notice if you need to leave quickly. BOBs and similar kits are focused on practical, durable and multipurpose items that address fundamental needs for water, food, first aid, shelter, navigation, lighting, communication, tools, personal safety and survival skills.

Customizing your own army survival kit allows you to tailor the contents to your specific needs, priorities and expected emergency situations. When assembling your kit, focus on versatile and rugged gear that will hold up during tough conditions. Quality and reliability is key - your survival could depend on it.

Assembling an army survival kit is an essential part of emergency preparedness. Give careful thought to the gear you include - your kit could make the difference in an crisis situation.

What is a survival kit for camping?

A survival kit for camping is designed to provide the essential gear and supplies to keep you safe and healthy if an emergency arises while camping or hiking outdoors. The contents allow you to meet your basic needs for shelter, water, food, first aid, navigation, and signaling until you can get help or self-rescue.

Some key items to include in a camping survival kit are:

Water purification - A portable water filter or purification tablets to make found water safe to drink. Dehydration is one of the quickest ways to become incapacitated in a survival situation.
Shelter - An emergency blanket, tarp, or tube tent to protect from the elements. Exposure can quickly lead to hypothermia.
Fire - Waterproof matches, lighter, fire starter, and tinder to start a fire for warmth, cooking, and signaling. Fires provide warmth and the ability to purify water and cook food.
Signaling - A whistle, signal mirror, flares or flashlight to call attention to your location for rescue.
First aid - Bandages, gauze, antibiotic ointment to treat injuries until advanced medical care can be reached.

Customize your camping survival kit based on factors like climate, terrain, group size, and planned activities. The more prepared you are, the better your chances of survival in an unexpected emergency.

Military Survival Food Kits and Hydration

Choosing Nutrient-Rich Military Rations

When assembling an army survival kit, including high-calorie rations that provide essential nutrients is crucial. Look for compact, lightweight options that offer protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats to maintain energy levels in the field. Some good choices are:

MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat): Self-contained packs with entrees, sides, snacks, and sometimes desserts. Designed to withstand extreme conditions.
Dried fruits, nuts, and jerky: Nutrient-dense and non-perishable. Provide quick energy boosts.
Powdered protein shakes and electrolyte mixes: Replenish nutrients and prevent muscle loss. Add to water.

Hydration Essentials: Incorporating LifeStraw and Purification Tablets

Having clean water access is vital for survival scenarios. Useful hydration tools include:

LifeStraw personal filters: Allow users to drink directly from lakes, rivers, etc. by removing bacteria and parasites. Extremely portable.
Water purification tablets: Kill harmful microorganisms to make non-potable water consumable. Lightweight and compact.

Always have multiple water access options in an army survival kit. Dehydration severely impacts cognitive abilities and response times.

Portable Shelter Options for Field Deployment

When choosing portable shelter for a military survival kit, key factors are weight, durability, and ease of setup. Recommended options:

Bivvy sacks: Waterproof outer layer allows sleeping bag insulation. Highly compact and ultra-lightweight.
Tube tents: Simple structure from water-resistant fabric over a single support. Very packable.
Emergency blankets: Reflect body heat to retain warmth. Can also be used as makeshift ground cover.

Having reliable shelter is necessary for rest and protection from the elements. Evaluate intended deployment duration and conditions when selecting portable options.

Having reliable navigation tools is crucial when operating in unfamiliar terrain. A map provides an overview of the landscape, while a compass helps determine direction. Pairing these with a GPS device enables pinpoint accuracy.

Consider packing multiple navigation aids in an army survival kit, as each has advantages:

Maps outline landmarks, routes, and other geographic details. They are low-tech yet indispensable. Select durable, waterproof topographic maps tailored to the region.
Compasses indicate magnetic north, helping to orient direction when other cues are lacking. The lensatic compass is standard military issue with Tritium illumination for night use.
GPS offers real-time position tracking via satellite. Models like the Garmin Foretrex 701 are rugged and combat-ready. Upload relevant maps and waypoints before deployment.

Learning proper map reading and land navigation techniques is as crucial as the gear itself. Regularly practice navigation skills to build competency.

Military Parachute and Pilot Survival Kits: Signaling for Rescue

Parachute and pilot survival kits contain specialized signaling devices to help downed aircrew reestablish contact and get rescued.

Equipment found in these kits includes:

Signal mirrors enable bright visual flashes to catch attention. Quality mirrors like the Coghlan's Signaling Mirror provide superior reflectivity.
Flare guns fire bright pyrotechnic flares high into the sky, drastically increasing visibility. The Orion Kit Flare Gun is purpose-built for survival scenarios.
Strobe lights emit attention-grabbing bursts of high-intensity light. The ACR ResQLink View strobes even incorporate personalized GPS location signaling.

No matter the signaling device, using pre-set patterns maximizes detectability. Three bursts, three times in succession is a recognized distress call.

Carefully research and test signaling equipment to determine optimal selections for your survival scenario.

Emergency Locator Beacons: A Lifeline for Ground Forces

Emergency locator beacons (ELBs) transmit distress signals to overhead aircraft and satellites, summoning swift aid for troops in jeopardy.

Modern ELB models like the McMurdo Fastfind 220 incorporate:

GPS positioning to pinpoint location coordinates
Strobe lights for ground visibility
Radio beacons on international emergency frequencies

Waterproof designs allow ELBs to be carried securely on the soldier's person. Once activated, some transmit for 24+ hours to guide rescuers.

As a last line of defense for ground forces, an ELB can make the difference between life or death when in peril. They are considered mandatory survival items for troops in isolated areas. Choose an intuitive, reliable model that can withstand extreme conditions.

First Aid and Medical Supplies in Military Survival Kits

Assembling a Tactical First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first aid kit is an essential component of any military survival kit. At minimum, your tactical first aid kit should include materials to treat major trauma such as bleeding control items like tourniquets, pressure dressings, and hemostatic agents. You'll also want to pack wound care supplies like gauze, bandages, antibiotic ointment, and medical tape. Include any personal medications you require as well as common over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. A thermometer, tweezers, scissors, safety pins, and latex gloves round out basic first aid essentials.

Customizing Your Medical Kit Based on Mission Specifics

The medical items you choose to include should directly correlate to the particular threats and environments of your mission. For example, missions in densely wooded areas warrant packing supplies to treat cuts, burns, and insect bites. Desert operations call for electrolyte tablets, sunscreen, and burn cream. Cold weather missions require insulation items like mylar blankets. Be sure to account for the level of medical training among personnel. For example, a combat medic may carry pharmaceuticals, IV fluids, airway devices, and other advanced equipment that an average soldier would not.

The Importance of a Medical Reference: Carrying a First Aid Manual

A compact yet comprehensive first aid guide can serve as an invaluable reference to refresh your memory on proper trauma response protocols, CPR, identifying poisonous plants, and more. Choose a manual that focuses on field medicine and survival scenarios. Laminate the pages for durability. The ability to quickly consult a first aid guide when seconds count could save a life during a critical medical emergency.

Morale and Personal Welfare Items

Maintaining morale is crucial for surviving prolonged operations or emergencies. Having items that provide comfort, inspiration, and stress relief can make a significant difference.

Personal Mementos and Morale Boosters

Carrying personal mementos like family photos can have an immense positive impact on morale. These items remind you of your purpose and give you strength to persevere. Other small items like inspirational quotes, uplifting music, or favorite snacks can also boost spirits.

Prioritize lightweight, multifunctional items that serve a morale purpose while taking up little space in your pack. For example, a deck of cards can be used for games, writing inspirational quotes, or journaling. A small photo album with plastic sleeves protects pictures from the elements while providing comfort through memories.

Stress-Relief Activities: Journals and Recreational Items

Having constructive activities to fill time and alleviate boredom reduces stress levels. A mini journal and pen takes up little room but provides an outlet to process experiences. Simple recreational items like a deck of cards, compact board games, or a hacky sack can also relieve tension.

Choose portable, durable items that don't require batteries or electricity. A journal, pen, deck of cards, travel games, hacky sack and other compact items fit the bill. They entertain and reduce anxiety without being heavy or cumbersome.

The Role of Inspirational Material in Sustaining Morale

Carrying uplifting, inspirational quotes, poems, or religious passages can provide comfort and inner strength during difficult times. These materials give clarity of purpose, courage to endure, and hope for the future.

Choose a small pocket book or mini printouts of meaningful passages rather than large books. This limits weight while providing essential mental/emotional support. Alternatively, writing inspirational quotes and passages on index cards kept in a ziplock bag protects them from the elements while taking up little space.

Prioritizing these "survival of the heart and mind" items makes getting through prolonged emergencies emotionally and psychologically possible.

Specialized Tools and Accessories for Military Operations

An exploration of additional tools and accessories that enhance a soldier's ability to survive and complete their mission, including items from military surplus survival kits.

Supplemental Army Stuff: From Fishing Kits to Multitools

Having the right supplemental gear can make a big difference when trying to survive in the wilderness. Here are some recommended items to include:

Fishing kits - Include hooks, line, lures, and a compact rod. Fishing allows you to procure food from rivers and lakes when rations run low. Essential for wilderness survival.
Multitools - Choose one with pliers, screwdrivers, knife, saw, and other functions. Allows you to make repairs, construct shelters, prepare food, etc. Extremely versatile. The Leatherman MUT is a great tactical option.
Emergency blankets - Lightweight mylar blankets retain 80% of body heat to prevent hypothermia. Every survival kit should have one.
Water purification - The LifeStraw personal water filter removes 99.9% of waterborne bacteria for safe drinking. Alternatives like water purification tablets work too.

Having compact but fully-functional supplemental gear makes you far more self-reliant if your main supplies are lost or damaged.

Communication Devices: Staying Connected in the Field

Reliable communication is vital for coordination and rescue operations. Devices to consider:

Emergency radios - Long range two-way radios like the Motorola Talkabout T800 allow communication across miles. Essential for coordinating with your unit or calling for extraction.
Satellite phones - When outside radio range, sat phones like the Somewear Global Hotspot provide critical communication via satellite network. Enables text messaging too.
Emergency beacons - Personal locator beacons with GPS activate search and rescue. The ACR ResQLink 400 is reliable, compact, and waterproof.
Signal mirrors - As a last resort, mini signal mirrors like the Coghlans Signal Mirror can reflect sunlight and visually signal aircraft.

Having redundant communication options ensures you remain connected even if your primary device fails. This greatly improves survival outcomes in remote areas.

Maintenance of Military Gear: Weapon Cleaning Essentials

Proper maintenance keeps weapons functioning when you need them most. Cleaning kit items:

Cleaning rod - Essential for running cleaning patches through the barrel to remove carbon fouling and debris after firing.
Bore brush - Sturdy bronze or stainless steel brush scrubs the barrel surface clean of residue. Should fit snugly for best results.
Cleaning patches - Cotton flannel patches are soaked in solvent and run through the bore via the rod to wipe away contaminants.
Solvent - Breaks up carbon fouling. Use a military-grade solvent like Mil-Comm TW25B.
Lubricating oil - Prevents corrosion and maintains smooth function. Mil-Comm CLP cleans, lubricates and protects.

A compact cleaning kit stowed in your go-bag lets you keep your rifle or sidearm combat ready. This small addition could save your life.

Customization and Optimization of Your Army Survival Kit

Customizing and optimizing your army survival kit is key to ensuring you have the right gear and supplies to meet your specific needs and environment. Here are some tips:

Strategies for Researching and Testing the Best Military Survival Kits

Read reviews and compare features of various military-grade survival kits to determine which ones are highest quality and most field-tested. Sites like OutdoorGearLab provide useful comparisons.
Talk to current and former military personnel about the survival kits they used and what gear worked best in the field. Their real-world experience is invaluable.
Test gear yourself by taking items into the field during hiking/camping trips to see how they perform. This will help you determine if something is durable, multi-purpose, and a good fit for your kit.

Organizational Techniques Using Modular Pouches and Labels

Invest in modular pouches and organizers that allow you to customize compartments to fit your gear. This keeps items from rattling around and getting lost.
Use clear labels so you can quickly ID what's in each pouch without having to unpack anything. Labels can include text and/or images.
Group related items together: medical supplies in one pouch, fire starting tools in another, etc. This aids efficiency.

Practicing with Your Kit to Ensure Proficiency

Set up mock emergency scenarios at home and time yourself on how fast you can retrieve and use certain gear from your kit. This exposes any organizational issues.
Frequently take your kit into the field and practice starting fires, filtering water, administering first aid techniques and other critical survival skills using the actual gear in your kit. This builds muscle memory.
Replace any gear that fails during practice runs. This way you find flaws in equipment before you face a real emergency situation.

Conclusion: Essentials of an Effective Army Survival Kit

Summary of Critical Survival Kit Components

An effective army survival kit should contain essential items to meet basic needs in an emergency situation, including:

Water purification methods like portable water filters or purification tablets to ensure safe drinking water
Fire starters like stormproof matches, firesteel, and tinder to start fires for warmth and cooking
Shelter supplies like a lightweight tarp, parachute cord, and emergency blanket for protection from the elements
Signaling devices like a signal mirror, whistle, and glow sticks to call for help
First aid supplies like bandages, gauze, trauma kits to treat injuries

The exact contents can be customized based on the climate, terrain, mission length, and other factors. But having multipurpose items that take care of critical needs for warmth, hydration, shelter, and medical care is key.

The Importance of Regular Kit Evaluation and Updates

As missions and environments change, survival kits must be re-evaluated and updated accordingly. Important considerations include:

Review gear after each use to replace damaged/depleted items
Research newer technologies or improved versions of existing gear
Adjust items based on season, climate, terrain of upcoming missions
Confirm all medical supplies are up to date and properly stored

Conducting periodic reviews ensures your kit has the most effective gear to meet current needs.

Final Thoughts on Preparedness and Adaptability

An army survival kit is the last line of defense when plans go awry. Being adaptable and prepared to confront unexpected challenges is critical for personnel safety and mission success. Customize your kit based on your unique needs, continue honing survival skills, and know your gear thoroughly. With the proper mindset and equipment, you can persevere through any situation.