Common sense of Survival

Five, Ten or Fifteen C’s of survival

I have read and or watched all kinds of survival articles and videos during my life here on earth.  I am not knocking or refuting any information there in those articles or videos.  I am however going to say that you may or may not need everything they are selling in the videos or articles.   If you feel you must carry five or ten items every time you go exploring in the woods, you might not explore as often.  If you are comfortable with less items take less. It is all based on what you want to discipline yourself to carry and still get out in the wilderness and explore. Remember when you are day hiking you aren’t backpacking.  Unless you are trying out a new pack and gear, you don’t need a tent, sleeping bag, or enough food for three days.  Each person is different.  Some may be able to survive with what is in their pockets.  Others may require more items to feel comfortable exploring.  I personally like to be prepared for the unexpected and probably take more than needed.  I also like taking camera equipment to document my travels, so I normally carry a day pack or larger ruck sack, a haversack style bag and chest pack.   Just because I can carry a bunch of stuff doesn’t mean I carry a bunch of stuff.  I prefer to distribute the weight out over various parts of my body, and this makes for a more comfortable hike for me. 

These are some of the things I would conders in a minimal kit to take to the woods when you are exploring/hiking. Remember I carry some form or most of these things when I explore. Just because it works for me, doesn’t mean it will work for you.  I also distribute my items into three or sometime four packs/pouches or places on my person. Even your pockets and belt can be used. I know if do over kill but one thing I do agree with is redundancy. I agree with the saying “0ne is none and two is one”.  I probably lean to the three is for me for certain items, like cutting tools and combustion items.

My ten C’s of Survivability

1) Container for holding or being able to make water safe to consume. This may include a water filter, purification tablets or some other way of removing contaminants in your water.

2) Combustion- something you can make a fire with which will help keep critters away from you if you are having to stay overnight unexpectedly.  Also be able to boil water in your container if necessary.

3) Cutting tool- Something to aid in processing wood for fire, shelter and protection if needed.

4) Cover- Something to protect you from the elements and weather. Something to make a shelter quickly with, if needed. A poncho can be a dual-purpose item for this.

5) Compass and map- For being able to walk a straight line and map for navigating. Don’t trust your cell phone for maps or communication.  Make sure you are confident in the use of a map and compass before relying on it to save your life.

6) Communication- Take a radio if you are licensed to use it (remember cell coverage is probably not going to work in the deep woods). A signal mirror (during the day) or whistle to make noise if you hear rescue teams coming.  You will only be able to yell so long before your voice gives out.

7) Candling device- In other words some type of flashlight. Some sort of light(s) flashlight, headlamp, or other way of illuminating the area around you.

8) Calories- You might want to bring some snacks or energy food for the trip. Especially if you are exploring uncharted territory.

9) Capture- The ability to record and document your adventures. This could be by video, voice recorder or just a journal to remember parts and pieces of your adventures for when you come home and want to write about or relive via video the adventure or share with others.

10) Careful- No matter how careful you are accidents will inevitably happen.  Carrying the ability to treat a mishap when in the woods can keep a small mishap from becoming a larger problem later.  A small first aid kit or items is always good to have stashed away in your pack in case the need for treatment of a cut, blister or splinter occurs.  Again, a small kit is most likely to be carried over a large full blown trauma pack.  Also, familiarize yourself with whatever you may bring. Having it is useless unless you are confident in how to use it.

The most important C and perhaps should be in the number one spot is confidence / common sense- mind and skill set for surviving if needed probably should be the top of this list. Having all these things on the list and having no common sense or confidence in your ability to survive uncomfortably for a few hours until help comes or it is safe to traverse back out to safety, will most certainly lead to failure.

Build your confidence by actively practicing and testing your ability to successfully survive situations.  One of the best ways is not to put yourself in a position where you need to use the things you carried with you.  Common sense (or lack thereof) is probably the main reason many people put themselves in a need for rescuing.   As you are walking look behind you from time to time.  Know your limitations and don’t be too proud to know when you need to stop.

Don’t just buy stuff because a so called ‘survivalist’ says my stuff or this stuff is a must for when you go to the woods.  Remember when we were kids, we stayed out in the woods.  We never carried all this stuff with us, because no one told us we needed it.  Now that I am older and perhaps wiser and feeling the need for comfort when exploring I take more stuff with me.  Regardless of whether you have five, ten, fifteen or twenty C’s to carry with you in the woods, get out and explore and have fun showing others how fun it can be.  Never stop getting out or someday you will wish you had got out more. 

Treat others the way you want to be treated and hopefully we will run into each other on an adventure someday.

-Tony

More room more stuff isn't always best.