This emergency kit was assembled with household items and a trip to a military surplus outlet and Gander Mountain for about $20. The stuff fits into a one-gallon Ziploc bag, which is perfect for keeping the kit dry and can be used as a water container.
Making a Survival Kit
One of the simplest things you can do to survive emergencies is to put together a simple kit that will allow you to build a shelter and fire and signal for help. Such a kit, or a simplified version, can be tossed into your ATV's storage compartment. Should things go wrong on a ride, you'll be prepared.
• Portable bivy/shelter
• Waterproof match safe
• Flashlight
• Fire starters
• Signal mirror
• Police whistle
• Parachute cord (50 feet)
• Aluminum foil (2 pieces, 36 by 12 inches)
• Insect repellent
• Water purification tablets
• The Pocket Survival Guide
• Compass
This list was compiled with reference to The Pocket Survival Guide by J. Wayne Fears and Keller's Outdoor Survival Guide by William Keller.
This handy little guide fits nicely into a survival kit and features great advice about what to do when things go wrong.
A Book That Can Save Your Life
The Pocket Survival Guide: The Ultimate Guide for Short-Term Survival by J. Wayne Fears
In this trim-size guide, author J. Wayne Fears draws on his military survival training and years of experience with search and rescue to lay out the basics of outdoor survival. The book is simple and to the point. Fears covers how current search and rescue works, how to plan for a trip and how to make a basic survival kit, and walks you step-by-step through what to do in an emergency situation. Constructing shelters, building fires, simple first aid, and even the basics of finding food and water are covered in short chapters. The book could be a lifesaver in an emergency situation and has found a place in my survival kit. If you want to add it to yours, look for it at your local bookstore or www.amazon.com.