Night Survival Gear Must-Haves

Originally posted 2019-07-29 01:30:51.

Guest post by Danny from Just Machete

Do you know an average person can survive without any food for 3 weeks but without water just 3 days? If you are an outdoors lover who wants to explore the beauty from time to time, you need to have a basic understanding of the danger the wilderness possesses. The good news is that you can equip yourself with the most advanced survival gears of modern times. It will ensure you to have a wonderful time while you are out there at night.

One thing to remember before you start packing is that you can’t carry every item that you come up with. Of course the more items you can take with you, the easier the trip will be. But, the flip side of it is that you will end up with a lot of weight. You can’t carry too much weight during your outing. So, be very choosy when it comes to selecting your night survival gear.

Now, what are the most common and essential items that you should take with you?

Fire Starter

The first thing that comes into my mind regarding must-have survival gears is the fire starter. When you are in the wilderness, fire becomes one of the most if not the most important gears that you may need. It helps you cook a meal, provide warmth, fight wild predators and so on. So, a quality fire starter is a must-have for you. Do not take any chance with that. Equip yourself with several types of fire starter i.e. matches, lighter or striker. Make sure you keep them in a warm, dry place where it can’t come in contact with water.

Survival Knife/Machete

When you are on a hiking or camping trip, you need a survival knife or machete for a lot of reasons. It will help you cut the branches to make a fire or shelter, collecting and splitting woods, protecting yourselves from wild animals, hunting any wild game and preparing the meals. A good quality machete will be a wise choice for survival purpose. Make sure you sharpen the machete before the journey with care. It will be a good thing if you can take a small pocket knife too for a backup option.

Compass and Map

Compasses and maps are really handy in a survival situation. GPS system can be tricky sometimes as you may not have the network always. But, maps and compass can help you navigate your way back home safely. You must have the ability to read the map and navigate from it. You can take any training lesson based on it. These items are really lightweight and helpful. So, there is no reason for you not to carry these.

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is also a must-have for you when you take a journey. These things can help you protect from any minor cuts, injuries and brushes. As in the wild, you are alone to take care of you, this kit is a  potential lifesaver. Keep a manual with you if you are not familiar with it. Try to have a dedicated first aid kit with you in all situations. General kinds of first kits are good to have. Make sure you are already familiar with all components in the kit and what they are used for.

Clothing

Proper clothing is a serious matter which needs to be taken care of. One of the most dangerous scenarios is having hypothermia during the outing. Cold weather can’t be dealt with fire alone. You must need insulated wool type clothing for you. Try to avoid cotton materials as they possess a moisture-holding ability that makes it difficult to dry it out. If you are not serious about clothing, you may suffer from pneumonia or hypothermia as a result.

Water & Filtration

Water is an enormously important survival item which needs no explanation to highlight its importance. You simply can’t survive without water for a long time. Water is important for our daily routine – drinking, bathing and cleaning. It becomes seriously important in your trip as you sweat a lot and go through a lot of heavy labor. Carrying that much water isn’t the best solution. You may find a water source in the jungle or wild but that may contain a lot of germs. A good solution to that is having a survival water filter that will solve all the problems.

Night Vision Devices

In the wild, there is no light source when night comes. Night vision device can be a good option for you to have a look around you during night time. It will help you observe any approaching predator or hunting any wild game. A set of night vision goggles can be helpful for observing the areas around you. If you’re into hunting, a quality long range scope will help you in that regard too. Wild little games are really fun to hunt which can provide you with an essential food source. A torch or flashlight is also very cool to have.

Cordage

It is a common survival item for any prepper or survivalists. It can help you climb any place or trees, drag the wild games that you may hunt, make a tent, tie the wood bundles etc. It may serve as a fishing line too. It is very lightweight and useful for us while trekking. Good quality cordage is highly recommended for you in your kit lists.

Shelter

As you are planning to have a night stay in the wild, you must take a flexible and proper shelter or tent with you. Nowadays there are several types of lightweight and simple folding tents on the market. You can choose one that you like. It will help you have a good night sleep and protect you from cold. Besides, there are many types of insects, bugs and mosquitoes that may harm you at night. Proper bedding or tent will protect you from all of these.

Other Items

There are so many items that you may take with you. Survival whistle, signal mirror, bow saws, cell phone, gloves & many more. It is not possible to take everything you like. You must focus on the importance of those things and prepare accordingly. Basic knowledge about the wilderness and how to make the most of these items is a must. Also, you need to have a fit body physically and mentally. An outing isn’t for those who are not fit enough. Besides, mental strength is vital as you may face many difficult and dangerous situation during the trip.

Final Words

What we have mentioned here are the most basic and essential kits. You may need some other items that will help you in your situation. The kind of trips and areas you are selecting are important too for selecting the survival kits. Nighttime also requires some special attention. Hope this will help you make good preparation. Tell us, what do you think about the list and what you may like to add. What is your favorite night survival gear item? Have fun!