Off Grid Survival - Wilderness & Urban Survival Skills » Survival Gear http://offgridsurvival.com Online Survivalist information on survival topics and Off Grid Living. From Wilderness Survival and Hiking information to Backpacking and Off Grid Living we are your source for surviving any situation. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:34:07 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Survival Flash Drives http://offgridsurvival.com/survival-flash-drives/ http://offgridsurvival.com/survival-flash-drives/#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 06:16:12 +0000 Robert http://offgridsurvival.com/?p=1272 Secure Flash DriveWhile a lot of people focus on the worst case scenario, they often overlook smaller disasters that can happen. Hurricanes, Earthquakes, even a house fire can wreak havoc on your life and your property. Having a backup of your most important documents and information can come in handy after an emergency situation.

Let’s say that all of your papers we’re destroyed in a disaster, can you imagine the amount of time you would have to spend getting your life back in order? Having a backup can save you a lot of time and grief.

To protect yourself from the headache:

  • Buy a USB Drive
  • Scan your documents on your scanner (or take them to kinkos and scan them)
  • Then save them to your flash drive.

I suggest zipping your files in a password protected folder and buying a USB drive that is encrypted to protect your documents should the drive fall into the wrong hands.

What should you save on your Emergency Flash Drive

  • Birth Certificate
  • Social Security Card
  • Drivers License
  • Passport
  • Gun Permits
  • Bank Account Documents
  • Insurance Information
  • Marriage Certificates
  • Medical Records
  • Emergency Contacts
  • Any Important Papers that would be hard to get if destroyed.
  • All of the above documents for all children
  • Family Pictures – Drives are pretty big these days, after saving your important documents use any extra room to load your family photos in case the originals get destroyed.

Flash Drive with Security Protection

Good Non Secure Drive (make sure you password protect your files if you buy this type of drive)
I use this kind for work ….. I accidentally washed one of them and it still worked without losing an data.

While a lot of people focus on the worst case scenario, they often overlook smaller disasters that can happen.
]]> http://offgridsurvival.com/survival-flash-drives/feed/ 5 Emergency Car Travel Kit http://offgridsurvival.com/carkit/ http://offgridsurvival.com/carkit/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:47:54 +0000 Robert http://offgridsurvival.com/?p=1140 Having a emergency roadside vehicle kit is an important part of being prepared for anything.  Having the right kit can mean the difference of getting back on the road in one peace or being stuck in a situation that could turn ugly quick.

Here are some of the top items that any good emergency vehicle kit should contain.

  • Cellphone with Backup Cell Charger
  • Quality Car Jack
  • Tire Chains (great for extra traction in  snow, mud & sand)
  • Traction Matt (Great for getting unstuck in snow, mud & sand)
  • Extra set of Warm Clothing (pants, socks, gloves, hat & rain gear)
  • Couple Gallons of water (for drinking & for radiator)
  • Tire Pump, Patches & a can of Fix a Flat
  • Spare Tire (preferably full size)
  • Flares & other Signaling devices
  • Flashlights
  • First Aid Kit
  • Dried or Canned food (remember the can opener)
  • Jumper Cables
  • Zip Ties
  • Spare Hoses & Fan Belts
  • Shovel (to dig your way our if you get stuck)
  • Oil
  • Gas Can (if you can safely hall it on your vehicle)
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Antifreeze
  • Good Set of tools (wrenches, Vice Grips, screwdrivers, wire cutters, multitool, etc…)
  • Duct tape
  • Electrical Tape
  • Extra Fuses
  • Blanket
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Solar Charger
  • Brightly Colored Flag or Reflective Cloth for signaling
  • Personal Survival Kit
  • Emergency Candles
  • Lighter
  • Water Bottles & Bucket
  • Windshield Scrapper & Brush
  • Tow Ropes
  • Rags

What’s in your car/truck kit?

]]> http://offgridsurvival.com/carkit/feed/ 6 Ebook Reader for Survivalists – The Kindle http://offgridsurvival.com/ebooksurvivalists/ http://offgridsurvival.com/ebooksurvivalists/#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 06:46:56 +0000 Robert http://offgridsurvival.com/?p=1132 In a Bugout situation taking all of your survival books and manuals with is probably not very practical.  With ebook readers becoming increasingly popular many survivalists are buying them to back up manuals, books and other survival materials.

The newest Amazon Kindle can hold up to 3500 books, requires very little power and can easily be recharged with a small solar charger or hand crank. While I wouldn’t go betting my life on it, the Kindle is a great back up or supplement to your books and is a great way to store how to manuals and information that you may need in a long term survival situation.

The newest version of the Kindle  allows you to read for up to 2 weeks on a single charge.

For more information check out the Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device on Amazon

]]> http://offgridsurvival.com/ebooksurvivalists/feed/ 10 10 Christmas Stocking Stuffers for Survivalists http://offgridsurvival.com/stocking-stuffers/ http://offgridsurvival.com/stocking-stuffers/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:51:20 +0000 Robert http://offgridsurvival.com/?p=1063 10 Ideas to stock the stockings of your favorite preppers, gear junkies, and survivalists this Christmas……

  1. SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea
  2. Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter
  3. SOG Specialty Knives & Tools E37T-N SEAL Pup Elite, Black TiNi
  4. Ultimate Survival Technologies Deluxe Survival Kit
  5. Windmill Delta Stormproof Lighter
  6. Genuine Issue Magnesium Survival Fire Starter
  7. Ultimate Survival Technologies BASE Kit
  8. 550lb. Type III Paracord
  9. 140 G.I. STYLE PLASTIC CANTEEN AND COVER
  10. 512 G.I. Type Stainless Steel Canteen Cup
]]> http://offgridsurvival.com/stocking-stuffers/feed/ 0 Carrying and Storing Water http://offgridsurvival.com/carrying-water/ http://offgridsurvival.com/carrying-water/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:20 +0000 Robert http://offgridsurvival.com/?p=888 Water is the key to life — having a way to carry and store water is the key to your survival. Check out the following list of common water containers and find the ones that will fit your needs.

Plastic Water Bottles
Plastic Water Bottle Pros

  • Strong & Durable
  • Great for storing gear in while empty
  • Comes in a wide variety of sizes
  • Cheap and easy to find

Cons

  • Can leach dangerous chemicals like bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates
  • Not good for cooking or boiling water.

Tips

  • Look for opaque color bottles which may help to stop algae growth
  • Look for Bottles that are 100% free of bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates
Metal Water Bottles
metal water bottles Pros

  • Generally considered to be stronger than Plastic
  • Great for boiling water – (make sure that your bottle is not coated with a plastic material)

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Will Corrode over time
  • Reflective material easily seen if trying to hide.

Tips

  • We recommend the Klean Kanteen It’s light weight, strong and can be used to boil water in a pinch
Military Canteens
military canteen Pros

  • Strong & Durable (they are made to stand up in a war zone)
  • Great for boiling water and come with a attached metal cup for boiling or cooking

Cons

  • Watch out for cheap imitations

Tips

  • Look for the Standard Issue bottle used by most military troops around the world. Also, get one with a Cover that protects against rusting leaking and can be easily attached to your bag.
Thermos
thermos Pros

  • Very tough & can take a beating
  • Great for keeping liquids cold or warm over extended periods of time

Cons

  • Extremely heavy and not practical for hiking
  • Not good for cooking or boiling water

Tips

  • We recommend the time tested Stanley Thermos I beat the heck out of mine and it has never failed me.
Camelbacks & Water Bags
camelback Pros

  • Easy to carry
  • Easy access to water while walking or on the go. No need to stop to take out your water bottle.

Cons

  • Can take up valuable room in your backpack
  • Hard to see how much water you have left.
  • Hard to clean and can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
  • If the bag gets punctured you will have a backpack full of wet gear
Collapsible Bottles
collapsable bottle Pros

  • Compact and takes up very little room in your bag

Cons

  • Can leach dangerous chemicals
  • Not good for cooking or boiling water
  • Not very durable
Collapsible Military Bowls
collapsiblebowl Pros

  • Easy to pack & takes up very little room in your bag

Cons

  • Not good for cooking or boiling water
  • Not good for carrying over long distances
Plastic & Ziplock Bags
plasticbags Pros

  • Compact and takes up very little room in your bag
  • Multi-use – Great for storing food, tinder, and keeping gear dry.

Cons

  • Can leach dangerous chemicals
  • Not very strong and can easily spring a leak

Tips

  • Larger bags can be used to make a Condensation trap. A clear plastic bag placed around a tree branch with leaves will produce condensation that can then be used for drinking. Make sure the bag is in direct sunlight.
]]> http://offgridsurvival.com/carrying-water/feed/ 0 Survival Item – Pellet Guns http://offgridsurvival.com/survival-bbgun/ http://offgridsurvival.com/survival-bbgun/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:20:42 +0000 Robert http://offgridsurvival.com/?p=518 Most people wouldn’t think of a B.B. / Pellet  Gun as a survival item, but lately a number or people have emailed us about adding one to their supplies.

So why do so many of our readers suggest adding a Pellet Gun to your list of survival items?

  • Price – Pellets and B.B.’s are far cheaper than any other type of Ammo. You can easily buy 5000 rounds for under $10 When compared to other types of guns you get a bigger bang for your buck with a pellet gun.
  • Good for hunting small game. A good Air Riffle can take down birds, rodents, small rabbits and other small game.
  • Legal to carry in most of the country.
  • They do not attract as much attention, making it easier to take out multiple small animals  in the woods.
  • Great for hunting bird!

B.B. Guns and Ammo on Amazon

]]> http://offgridsurvival.com/survival-bbgun/feed/ 14 Survival Matches vs Bic Lighter http://offgridsurvival.com/matches-lighter/ http://offgridsurvival.com/matches-lighter/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:06:41 +0000 Robert http://offgridsurvival.com/?p=557 If you have a choice between a bic lighter or some survival matches, which one would you choose?

In almost every commercial survival kit I have come across, survival matches often take the place of a good old fashion lighter….. But why? Unfortunately a lot of these so called “Survival Kits” are designed to look cool and sell, rather than being designed to actually save lives. If given the option between a kit that has survival matches or a kit that has a lighter, I will choose the kit with the lighter every time.

In a survival situation, a lighter will start a lot more fires than a few matches, and is a lot easier to use when starting a fire. Lighters are very easy to use, can start thousands of fires, and they will work even when wet. In my opinion the realible  Bic Lighter is the way to go.

]]> http://offgridsurvival.com/matches-lighter/feed/ 10 Survival kit Items – PHOTOS http://offgridsurvival.com/photos/ http://offgridsurvival.com/photos/#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:44:24 +0000 Robert http://offgridsurvival.com/?p=491 It may seem like a weird thing to have in your survival kit, but a photo can actually do a lot to help you survive. Motivation is a powerful thing, many people who survived wilderness emergencies have said thinking of their loved ones kept them going.

Having a small photo in your kit of someone you love will give you the motivation you need to survive. Whenever you start to feel hopeless, pull out the picture of your kids, family or loved ones and you will have an added boost of mental energy.

]]> http://offgridsurvival.com/photos/feed/ 0 101 Survival Gear Supplies http://offgridsurvival.com/101survivalgear/ http://offgridsurvival.com/101survivalgear/#comments Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:46:45 +0000 Robert http://offgridsurvival.com/?p=520 Our list of the top 101 Survival Gear Items our readers carry with them. Some of these items are great for Bug Out Bags, and Wilderness survival, while others are better suited for an urban survival situation.

  1. Cell Phone
  2. Water Bottles
  3. Flashlights
  4. MultiTool
  5. Pocket Knife
  6. Knife (we recommend the SOG Knives – The Seal Pup Elite Knife)
  7. Emergency Food or MRE’S
  8. First Aid Kit
  9. Compass
  10. Personal locator beacon (PLB)
  11. Hiking Backpack
  12. Sleeping Bag
  13. Canteens
  14. Sewing Kit
  15. Maps
  16. Duct Tape
  17. Plastic Tubing
  18. Lighter
  19. Space blanket
  20. Plastic Freezer Bags
  21. Crowbar
  22. Fire steel
  23. Waterproof Matches
  24. Emergency Candles
  25. Hiking Tarp
  26. Water Storage
  27. Water Filter
  28. Camp Axe
  29. Shovel
  30. Flares
  31. Signal Mirror
  32. 4 Season Tent
  33. Ham Radio
  34. C.B. Radio
  35. Bivy sack
  36. Whistle
  37. Good Hiking Boots
  38. Gloves
  39. Chlorine Bleach
  40. Water-purification tablets
  41. 550 Paracord
  42. Hiking Hammock
  43. Tinder (for fire starting)
  44. Machete
  45. Plastic painters tarp
  46. Salt
  47. Mylar blanket
  48. L.E.D. HeadLamps
  49. Fishing line
  50. Dental floss
  51. Extra Socks
  52. Gloves
  53. Rain suit or  poncho,
  54. Wide Brim Hat
  55. Ultimate Survival Kit
  56. Bandanas
  57. Bible
  58. Playing Cards
  59. Fire Extinguisher
  60. AM / Weather Radio
  61. Riffle
  62. Ammo
  63. B.B. / Pellet Gun
  64. Slingshot
  65. Snare Wire
  66. Multi-Vitamins
  67. GPS Device
  68. Portable Camping Stove
  69. Propane
  70. Batteries
  71. Solar Charger
  72. Fishing Pole
  73. Magnesium Fire Starter
  74. Survival Laptop
  75. Saw
  76. Plastic Trash Bags
  77. Binoculars
  78. Shortwave Radio
  79. Eating and Cooking Utensils
  80. Scissors
  81. Sunglasses
  82. Sunscreen
  83. Jumper Cables
  84. Cable Ties
  85. Oil (for your vehicle, can also be used to start a fire or create smoke for a signal fire)
  86. Tool Kit
  87. Tire Repair Kit
  88. Hard Candy ( can give you a boost of energy and a boost to your moral)
  89. Emergency Credit Card
  90. Personal Identification Papers
  91. Family Photos (moral Booster)
  92. Dust Mask
  93. Lantern
  94. Money ( Putting a $20 or a $50 in you kit might come in useful some day)
  95. Rubbing Alcohol
  96. Pepper or Bear Spray
  97. Can Opener
  98. Chemical hand warmer packets
  99. Energy Bars
  100. Survival Books (it’s hard to remember everything in your head)
  101. YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Survival Gear List at Amazon

]]> http://offgridsurvival.com/101survivalgear/feed/ 13 Survival Items – The Bandana http://offgridsurvival.com/bandana/ http://offgridsurvival.com/bandana/#comments Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:10:44 +0000 Robert http://offgridsurvival.com/?p=467 Believe it or not a Bandanna is one of the most handy survival items that you can have in your kit or bag. They are cheap (about $1 a piece) and take up very little room in your bag.

So why is the Bandanna such a good survival item? Here a few reasons:

  1. Great to keep your head warm in the cold or cool in the hot sun.
  2. It can be used as a Emergency Bandage or to wrap a Sprained Ankle
  3. Soak in cold water and wrap around the neck to prevent heat exhaustion
  4. Cleaning (use as a napkin, wash cloth or towel)
  5. Pot holder or dish towel
  6. Wrap gear in your backpack to prevent it from making noise
  7. Bum Bag to carry supplies
  8. Cover food
  9. Fire and Light – Use as a wrap for a handmade torch or lamp, or use as emergency tinder.
  10. Dust Mask
  11. Tuck into the back of a ball cap to protect neck from the sun
  12. Water filter
  13. Signal Flag
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