What would the Ultimate Survival Kit have in it? What would it look like? Well, you’re about to find out. We put together a list of nearly every survival tool and gadget that would be useful in a disaster situation. It contains over 180 items in 19 different gear categories. Keep reading to discover the survival gems that could save your life.
The Ultimate Survival Kit List
How many items do you have in your survival kit?
Do you have a few? Or way too many?
In case you’re looking for new items to bring in your bug out bag or emergency survival kit, here are some ideas for you.
NOTE: This isn’t a guide about Survival kits. This is more of a specific list of items that are for survival kits. If you’re looking for more information about survival kits and bags. You can go here for a complete guide to survival bags and packs.
There are 19 categories in the survival kit list. If we missed one or you think there should be one that is added, let us know in the comments.
We’ll take you through each section in order. In each section, the type of recommended products in that section are listed. Enjoy.
Section 1: Food
In the survival food section, we’re covering all the supplies that would make good items to have for food in a disaster or emergency.
1. Used Oil
2. Paraffin Wax
3. Honey
4. Vinegar
5. Baking Soda
6. Sandwich Bags
7. Peppermint oil
8. Rubbing Alcohol
9. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is one of the go-to snacks when camping. Or use it as a staple food for survival. It’s cheap, doesn’t go bad easily. You don’t need to keep it cool. You could practically live off of peanut butter for years if you needed to.
10. Borax
11. Can Opener
Few things are worse than being starving, having a can of beans and no way of opening the darn can. If you have your tactical knife, you’re set. Otherwise, a can opener is just about your only hope.
And you don’t have to carry one of those clunky old fashioned can openers that are the size of a toaster oven. Small and lightweight is the key.
12. Cast Iron Pan
13. Tin Can
14. Aluminum Foil
15. Stainless Steel Pot
16. Portable Wood
17. Burning Stove
18. Butane/Propane Camping Stove
19. Cooking/eating utensils: forks, spoons, knives, chopsticks
20. MREs & Dehydrated Foods
21. Valley Food Storage Mango Habanero Chili
22. Rice
23. Salt
24. Hard Candy
25. Energy Bars
26. Canned Food
Sardines are excellent to have with you at all times. They’re healthy, they last, and are small so it’s easy to carry them in your bug out bag.
27. Tony Thatcher’s Creole Seasoning
We’re listing this product specifically because it’s on its own. This was the only seasoning that was specifically talked about in the community. If you have one that you like and just can’t leave home without. Let us know in the comments and we’ll consider adding it.
Section 2: Water
The essence of life, as you know, is Water. It is the most essential resource we need to survive. It’s the second rule in the survival rule of threes.
This section covers possible products for you to consider for the water section of your survival kit.
Which includes:
- Water Filter
- Water Collection
- Water Purification
28. Dry High Test Hypochlorite (HTH)
HTH has no shelf life. When SHTF and you have this, you’ll at least instantly get 100% confidence that it has not gone bad. It’s 100% reliable.
And you don’t need much, a one-pound bag will purify about 10,000 gallons of water.
29. Water Collection Tank
30. Water Bag
31. Canteen
32. Water Bag
33. Non-lubricated condoms
34. Bleach
35. Water Filter
Having a water filter with you is essential for your survival since we can’t survive without water for very long. And if we found a water source but can’t drink it because it’s contaminated, the water does us no good. We must be able to purify it.
36. Water Purification Tablets
Section 3: Medicine
Section three covers the medical portion of your survival kit. If you or a loved one is hurt or injured. Having quality gear and supplies will be needed to properly treat injuries.
Out of your entire survival kit or bug-out bag, if you want to get the cheapest gear possible for everything. Let this be the type of gear where you spend a little more for better supplies. Buy quality first-aid and medical supplies. It can mean the difference between life or death.
[easy-tweet tweet=”Buy quality first-aid and medical supplies. It can mean the difference between life or death.” user=”thesurvivaljournl” usehashtags=”no” template=”qlite”]37. Penicillin
38. Amoxicillin
39. Cephalosporin (Keflex)
40. Fish-Mox
41. Advil
42. Aspirin
43. Imodium
44. Antihistamines
45. Tylenol Cold & Flu
46. Benzocaine gel (for toothaches)
47. Specialized Medicine
48. Melatonin Tabs
Section 4: First Aid
Similar to the medical section prior. This type of equipment is important to get quality reliable gear that is durable and well built.
49. Sewing Kit
50. Rescue Shears
51. QuikClot
52. Splints
53. Tourniquet
54. Wound Dressing
55. Iodine
56. 50% Alcohol Solution
57. Surgical Kit
58. Sutures
Section 5: Power
This section will be especially important to you if you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes. When your power goes out, being prepared and prepped is important.
59. A generator that can run off of propane and natural gas
60. Rechargeable Batteries
61. Battery Solar Charger
62. USB Solar Charger
63. Energy Bank
64. Carphone Charger
66. Electricity generator
Section 6: Hunting
Hunt or be hunted. Many of us are hunters as we like to be able to produce our own food to eat instead of relying on conventional grocery stores. The food you kill first and then cook and eat is much healthier for you anyway.
67. Binoculars
68. Slingshot
69. B.B./pellet gun + pellets
70. .22 LR rifle + ammo (if legally permissible)
71. Snare Wire
72. Crossbow
73. Manriki chain
74. Duke small body traps
75. Skinning Knife
76. Spear
Section 7: Weapons
77. Old Military K-Bar
78. Bayonet for a knife
79. Axe
80. Handgun (or two)
81. Rifle
82. At least a 308 bolt action for longer range/harder hits.
83. Lead Ventilation System
84. Pocket Knife
85. Fixed Blade Knife
86. Tactical Folding Knife
87. Machete
88. Bear spray
89. Pepper spray (if legally permissible)
Section 8: Clothing
90. Tactical Gloves
91. Hat
92. Rain Jacket
93. Wool Socks
94. Shemagh
95. Bandanas
96. Jacket
97. Tactical Boots
98. Hiking Boots
99. Sunglasses
Section 9: Tools and Gadgets
100. Small folding brush saw
101. Scissors
102. Nails
103. Hammer
104. Pliers
105. Duct Tape / Gorilla Tape
106. 550 Strand Paracord
107. Crowbar/Fubar
108. Knife Sharpener
109. Multi-Tool
110. Plastic Tubing
Section 10: Bags
We like our bags big and we like ’em bold. Having a different survival bag for each set of gear and items keeps us prepared. There are different bags that we need depending on the gear we put into them and the way we’ll be using the gear.
Here are the specific bags that are essential for packing each set of items with.
111. Tactical Military Grade Backpack
112. Ammo Pouch
113. Canteen Pouch
114. Radio Pouch
115. Medical Pouch
Section 11: Illumination
116. Tactical Flashlight
117. Lantern
118. Emergency Candles
Section 12: Fire
119. Kerosene
120. Candle Stub
121. Welders Blanket
122. Lighter
123. Lighter Fluid
124. Waterproof Matches
If you don’t want to buy these, you can easily make waterproof matches. We made a guide on how to do it. They can become costly if you buy them frequently.
125. Magnifying Glass
126. Tinder
127. Twine
Section 13: Car Supplies
Is your bug-out vehicle stocked and ready for when SHTF? This category covers gear and supplies that would benefit you to keep in your vehicles.
128. Truck or Jeep
129. 12vdc fuel pump with long hose and power cable
130. Propane
131. Diesel fuel
132. Fresh Oil
Keeping some fresh oil in your vehicle is always a good idea for oil changes or lubing other items.
133. Jumper Cables
134. Cable Ties
135. Gasoline
136. Spare Tire
137. Tire repair kit
Section 14: Shelter
Shelter is another one of the core pillars of survival. It’s also in the survival rule of threes.
138. Mylar/space emergency thermal blanket
139. Sleeping Bag
140. Butane/Propane Heater
141. Rubber Boots
142. Poncho
143. Tent
144. Tarp
145. Bivy Sack
146. Hammock
147. A Good Ol’ 5ft x 7ft Wool Blanket
148. Sleeping Bag
149. Towels
Section 15: Navigation
150. Personal Location Beacon
151. Compass
152. GPS
153. Maps
Section 16: Communication
154. Cell Phone
155. Walkie Talkie
156. Satellite Phone
157. HAM, CB, or shortwave radio
158. Windup or AA-battery radio
159. Signaling Mirror
160. Flares
161. Whistle
162. Personal locator beacon (PLB)
A beacon is essential if you’re going to be doing any backcountry, camping, or mountaineering type activities. Especially in the winter. It’s one of the few items in the essential Winter Survival Kit.
Section 17: Education & Entertainment
Always be learning. Gear and gadgets make a big difference but it’s all worthless if we lack the skills and knowledge to know what to do with them.
163. A Deck Of Cards
You can even get a Survival deck of cards.
164. Survival Magazines / Books
165. Kindle
166. Tablet
167. Chromebook
Section 18: Personal Docs & Items
168. Money
a. Credit Cards
b. Cash
169. Sanitation and Hygiene Items
a. Toilet Paper
b. Tooth Brush
170. Extra Set of Car & House Keys
171. Cell Phone With Charger
172. Family Emergency Contact Information
173. Copies of Personal & Identification Documents
a. Medication list
b. Pertinent medical information
c. Proof of address
d. Deed/lease to home
e. Passport
f. Birth certificate
g. Insurance policies)
Section 19: MISC & Tradable Goods
174. Lowly Shovel
175. Gold
176. Silver
177. Cigarettes
178. Alcohol
179. Bug Net
180. Bailing Wire
181. Dryer Lint
Conclusion
There you have it. Now, there are a lot of items on this list. And we’ll be continually adding to it to make it better as time goes on. Should you get every single item in every category?
We hope you liked this guide for the ultimate survival kit list.
Absolutely not. But the categories that are the most important to you, you may want to experiment with different pieces of gear for your survival kit or bug-out bag.
Did we miss anything? Let us know and we’ll add it in.