Ask any seasoned trekker and he’ll tell you that preparation is crucial to hiking. Regardless of whether you’re out on a weekend hike or an extended backpacking trip, it’s best that you’re prepared for whatever the trails will bring.
Below are a few tips on how to put together an essential hiking survival kit that will cover most of the necessities if and when something goes wrong during your trip.
Of course you can buy a hiking survival kit at any outdoor enthusiast store, but a lot of the things in these kits are normal everyday things you have lying around the house.
Here is a list of these everyday items that will be essential to putting together your hiking survival kit:
Mirror
Having a mirror or any reflective surface in your survival kit is necessary when you’re trying to signal airplanes or helicopters for rescue.
On a sunny day, a mirror can reflect light up to 60 kms. Mirrors can also start a fire in case the need arises. Mirrors can be used to scout ahead and to peek around hard to reach places.
Whistle
The shrill sound of a whistle will carry further than your voice can. You can use the whistle to signal rescue teams or to announce your location. A whistle can even scare off potentially dangerous animals.
Duct tape
When you need to bind something together out in the bush, nothing comes close to flexibility, tensile strength and bonding prowess of the duct tape.
You can use it to mend clothes, as a bandage, to help keep up your shelter and other such essential uses. It’s compact and easy to pack and you can even have it hanging off your belt if you’ve no room in the backpack.
Fishing line
Essential to trapping meals out in the bush, a fishing line will be a big help because you will always be able to catch food to keep you alive. Whether you’re using it for fishing or for creating traps and snares, it will be a big help to you.
Sunblock
No longer limiting itself to beaches, sunblock is a great way to prevent heat related injuries. Get one that has at least SPF 35 so you’re protected from sunburn. It’s also helps against dehydration or moisture lost.
Lighter
When you’re out in the wilderness, fire is the best protection you have against nature. It keeps you warm at night, prepares your food, keeps you comfortable and can be used to signal rescue planes and helicopters high above you.
Survival knife
You will want one with a full tang, which means that the blade goes all the way through the handle. This will come in handy for protection and for firewood and kindling gathering.
Heavy-duty aluminum foil
This will come in handy when you’re boiling water or when you’re redirecting the light source.
Keep these items in your backpack and you should be fine when you’re out there. Always remember: preparedness saves lives!