We may not travel the world like adventurist Bear Grylls, but he does recommend creating a survival kit to take along on those outdoor adventures like camping.
Grylls says a survival kit is paired down to the barest essentials and contains:
- A tin: More specifically, a tiny tin—similar in size to ones that hold mints or tobacco—to serve as the kit’s container, and, in a pinch, to heat a little water over a fire.
- Waterproof matches: Because lighters may not work in extreme conditions.
- Water purification tablets: Containing iodine, chlorine, or chlorine dioxide, they rid water of pathogens that can make you sick.
- A tea light: In addition to being a source of light, if the flame flickers inside your shelter, it’s an indication that you’re running low on oxygen.
- A button compass: It’s the size and weight of a button, costs around $1, and doesn’t need to be charged.
- A 9-volt battery and steel wool: The steel wool will ignite when it touches both terminals of the battery.
- A tampon: Can be used as tinder, or on a bloody wound.
- An unlubricated condom: Can hold up to two liters of water when fully stretched, and be used to keep tinder dry, or as a rubber glove for tending to a wound.
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