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

• Diana RWS 350 Magnum air rifle
• Winchester 1000SB
• Walther Wells Fargo Lever Action
• Crosman Copperhead Field Hunting .177 Cal, 7.9 Grains, Pointed, 1250ct

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.

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.

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

• Amazon.com Survival Gear

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

Many survivalists, POW’s and military have attributed their survival to faith. Faith can get you through some of the toughest situations that life can throw at you. This is why carrying a bible is an important resource to the survivalist.

A bible is a great addition to your survival kit, bug out bag, or hiking backpack. In a moment of crisis it can be just the thing you need to calm your mind and give you hope. If you do decide to start carrying a bible in your bag, think about getting a waterproof one. Regular Bibles don’t really hold up to the elements.

Check out these Water Proof Bibles:

• The Outdoor Bible New American Standard New Testament: With Military Camouflage Bag
• Immerse: A Water-Resistant New Testament
• Outdoor Bible New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs-NASB-Sportsman’s
• THE SOLDIER’S BIBLE: with Special Prayer and Devotional Section for Army Personnel Not Waterproof buy popular with the military!

The WaterBOB is made with heavy duty food grade plastic, and is meant to keep your water fresh and clean. It  protects your emergency water supplies from dirt, bacteria and debris, and is far better than just filling your tub and hoping for the best.

This is great for people who are vulnerable to hurricanes or other disasters that can disrupt the water supply.

• Check out the Waterbob Emergency Drinking Water Storage

Playing cards can be a great addition to your Bug Out Bag or your hiking backpack. Playing Cards are light weight, and are a great way to keep negative thoughts from creeping into your head. I recommend the mini cards or a good set of waterproof cards.

• Waterproof Playing Cards
• 2 Decks Bicycle Clear Playing Cards 100% Plastic
• Miniature Travel Size Playing Cards
• Waterproof Playing Cards

Q. What are the pros and cons of a water filtration system. I am thinking of purchasing one but it almost seems that I would be just hauling another piece of gear.

A. In my opinion a water filter is one of your most important pieces of gear you can carry. Without water, your pretty much screwed, and if you do find water without the proper filtration you still may be in trouble. There are some nasty diseases that you can get from drinking untreated water, some can actually kill you.

Pros & Cons of carrying a water filter in your BOB, or hiking backpack:

Pros:

• The ability to treat any water you find in the wilderness.
• Safety -  As I mentioned above, there are a lot of microorganisms in untreated water, most water filters will get rid of these germs.
• Faster than boiling water. If your on the go, a water filter is quicker and easier than having to stop, build a fire and boil water.
• Taste – A lot of people say that drinking filtered water tastes better than drinking boiled water.
• Boiling will do nothing to get rid of herbicides and pesticides, a good water filter can filter out hazardous chemicals.

Cons:

• If you plan on being out for an extended period of time, even the best filters will not last forever. A good canteen for boiling water will out last any filter.
• Boiling water is the safest way to get rid of unhealthful contaminants (except for chemicals), and is pretty much idiot proof. Filters, if not hooked up properly can fail to do the job.

Top Water Purifiers & Filters:

• SteriPEN Adventurer Handheld Water Purifier
• Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilter
• Katadyn TRK Drip Ceradyn Water Filter
• Lifesaver Bottle 4000 Ultra Filtration Water Bottle
• Katadyn Combi Water Microfilter