The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

Let's face it, there are a lot of things that would be nice to have in a "bug out pack" (survival backpack), but what things would you consider to be absolutely essential. These things must be compact, lightweight, inexpensive, and maintenance free.

I'll start with a couple things I'm eyeing:

BlastMatch fire starter

http://www.ultimatesurvival.com/uplo...tMatch_big.jpg

Berkey "Sport Berkey"

http://www.berkeywater.com/SportBerk...Blue-1-Low.jpg

Marlin Papoose

http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/marlin_70pss.jpg

Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

You MUST have a good knife

http://www.benchmade.com/about_knives/our_blades.asp

Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

Waterproof matches/Lighter

http://www.omotivo.com.au/shop/image...rm_lighter.jpg

Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

Your missing the point. I'm looking for the best value, not the highest quality. I would be possible to carry a $15 Winchester hunting knife from Wal-Mart with a simple Rapala fillet knife sharpener. Any wilderness survival situation would only last a couple weeks tops anyway.

Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

Too complex. Mechanical things like that fail. I think the survival back pack should be simple and basic tools.

Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

Warter purifier and canteen type deal is a must. Environmental Protection job 2. Food job three. Combination of Plastic, steel, Brass, copper and lead job 4.

All of these usless, unless Gods will is your Survival.

E-A

Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

are you looking for the ULTIMATE in backpacks ?

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Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

A roll of suture, and a needle to use it. Fishing line if needed, sew you up if not.
A pack of Celox or similiar for more severe injuries.

Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

I have a BlastMatch.

It sparks LIKE CRAZY!!! :ok:

Will probably last a lifetime too. Here's a review...


FIRE STARTING TIP:

Drier LINT is a great fire starter. Fires right up!

I put some in a ZipLock bag and stuck it in my BOB.

Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

Knife.
Flashlight.
matches and/or lighter.
pistol, 357, 45 or 9mm
spare ammo
spare socks
spare hat
spare gloves
ear plugs
liter or two of WATER
bag of beef jerkey, 6 cliff bars, 3600 calorie datrex or mainstay ration
toothbrush, aspirin, first aid kit,etc if space permits.

Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

P38 can opener
Mil can carry on key fob

Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

Looks to me like you need a hard surface to get that to strike. Guess ya got to carry a rock with you.

Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

I think it strikes internally - it appears spring loaded. Either way, a rock shouldn't be too hard to find.

Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

I wouldn't carry any in my pack any firearm that wasn't .22lr just because of the weight of the ammo. In a true survival situation .22lr should be enough to deal with just about anything. I'm not talking about trying to hide from a SWAT team, however.

Re: The ESSENTIALS of the survival back pack
 

thats a tough order to fill cause the highly compact and lightest weight gear is typically high end stuff...

but people carry waayy more than they need...

here is primer on the philosophy...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultralight_backpacking

and here is a very low cost approach...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandma_Gatewood

She hiked the trail in 1955 at the age of 67, wearing Keds sneakers and carrying an army blanket, a raincoat, and a plastic shower curtain which she carried in a homemade bag slung over one shoulder

it doesn't say here, but the shower curtain was basically her shelter...but i like this better...and it looks like they named it after her...

http://sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=45

but a person could always bypass the yuppie high dollar gear and go military surplus...

my summer base pack weight is super-ultralight @ 5 pounds but it does not qualify as low cost...about 5 days food and total weight of 15 pounds...i do not carry a stove or water...but i can cover a lot of distance for an old guy...

:)

......