What Goes In A Survival Backpack: A Guide To Prepping Essentials
When it comes to prepararing for the end of days, those curious may ask what goes in a survival backpack. Whether it is a normal overnighter, a three-day outing, a five-day outing, or the ultimate survival adventure when the apocalypse comes, it is essential to have the right things with you at all times.
In this article, you will find out what is inside a survival backpack so that you will be equipped for any eventual and unthinkable disasters. In the end, it pays to have the best prepping gear because it is always best to be prepared when the need arises.
What To Carry In A Survival Backpack
When shopping on weekends or going through a list of survival gear online, it may often be overwhelming to choose and purchase a whole lot of them instead of just a few objects. These items may look appealing and can seem very important, but they may not be as essential as one might think.
When selecting your gear, you have to understand what you need to carry first. It is best to remember the top four categories: fire, water, first aid, and shelter.
For example, preppers may need to shop for great water containers. How about deciding between a two-liter lightweight plastic water container and a 500 ml titanium canister? These are exceptional class items for your gear because it addresses an essential category - water. These items answer what will be carried; however, one is better than the other.
Why Carry This Equipment Versus Other Survival Gears
Having established what goes in a survival backpack, everyone then needs to focus on why. Why are you choosing this item instead of the other, and why are you bringing this gear? People often think that the plastic container is lightweight and has a larger liquid capacity, but it takes up too much space, whether it is stored inside or outside the survival backpack. Another thing to consider, one may not feel comfortable carrying around an extra 1 liter of water.
The titanium canister, on the other hand, is also considerably lightweight. Plus, anyone can also use the container to heat or boil the water when taken from a natural water source – an advantage compared to its plastic counterpart. It only fills 500ml, but it can satisfy your thirst and helps alleviate baggage weight. Once you have established what you need to carry, you will then begin to understand why this item is vital for your very own survival and will also appreciate how indispensable that item is.
How To Keep Your Backpack Lightweight
Before anyone stuffs anything into their camping bags, one has to remember that they may be trekking for days. Lugging a significant weight on your back is not comfortable for long periods. Consider that for every step you take on land or for every hike, the load on your back will feel like it is doubling because gravity is pulling you down. Don't forget that fatigue also sets in. Your body is working harder as you continue to progress, but gravity is pulling the weight down. It is an excellent idea to fill it with essentials or lighter items only.
The recommendation is to take note of the weight while choosing the best prepping gear. A rule of thumb is that the total weight of your backpack should not weigh more than 20 percent of your body weight. These items do not weigh a lot individually, and these primarily address your basic needs.
Purchasing the right survival bag and backpack arrangement also plays a part in weight distribution. The idea is to pack the heavier gear close to your back as much as possible. Also, pack it at the height of your shoulder blades. When packed correctly, the weight should be placed on the hips.
Invest In Practical And Multiple Use Survival Equipment
Another tip that can help solve and alleviate backpack weight issues is to invest in survival items that have multiple uses. A good example is a poncho tarp. Instead of purchasing a poncho and a tarp individually, a poncho tarp is decidedly better. It is a minimalistic piece of backpacking equipment that doubles as an emergency shelter and, in case of rain, it’s handy rain gear. It is also considerably lightweight.
Having gear that has multiple purposes can help address a lot of specific survival concerns. Plus, anything that also helps alleviate backpack weight is an advantage.
What Are The Recommended Survival Gear
What goes in a survival backpack? Cutting it down to a few essentials, here are a few recommended survival gear items not specific to any terrain or weather.
When it comes to fire, you can bring a pencil sharpener to make fuel or bring your own bark wood, flint, char cloth, magnifying glass, lighter, and wind, water, and stormproof matches – if going for the traditional methods. Modern survivalists use fire piston, fatwood, pine resin, or tinder fungus. These materials are often used because these burn for a reasonable length of time.
Water is critical. The human body can go without food for weeks but won’t last more than three days without water. A titanium canteen with a cup is a great vessel to boil and store water in. Aqua filters or chlorine dioxide water treatment tablets (purification tablets) are necessary if anyone can’t be bothered to boil water. A pro tip: to avoid getting burnt from a hot titanium cup, bring a small, light, wooden cup so you can enjoy your hot coffee right away.
It always pays to be safe. Have a first aid kit handy all the time. Consider investing in a whistle, signal mirrors, toilet paper, band-aids, sterile pads or strips, bandages, antiseptic wipes, antiseptic liquid in small bottles or vials, tweezers, a mirror (in case you need to check your back), and a needle and thread.
A good survivalist needs shelter. We mentioned a poncho tarp earlier, and you can also invest in a proper tent, a hammock, and ground cloth or mat to keep you dry when the ground is wet.
What goes in a survival backpack aside from these items? Other items you can store in your survival backpack may include a good knife, a saw or ax is handy, a pocket sharpening stone, a rope or cord, kitchen utensils, and a compass.
Conclusion
Whether you’re preparing for a camping trip in the woods, a short hike in the forest, or the apocalypse, these five essential tips will help you on your way to achieving a higher survivability rate.
Remember to understand what goes in a survival backpack, why you need to carry this equipment in your survival backpack and invest in lightweight and multiple-use items. Once you’ve grasped the basics of what goes in a survival backpack, you are better prepared than anyone else. Know more about survival kits.