“The items contained in a military survival kit are as unique as the operator who carries it, regularly changing as the situation dictates.”
Key Points
- Circumstances dictate requirements
- Consider the six classes of items
- Always keep your survival kit on your person
- Be proficient will all included items
What’s in a Military Survival Kit?
Circumstances Dictate Requirements
One of the most common questions is, “What’s in a Military Survival Kit?” The answer, however, is not as simple as most people think. The short answer is that a military survival kit is not any different than a civilian survival kit. The longer answer is why I wrote this article, but it is still just the tip of the iceberg.
The items in a military survival kit are as unique as the operator who carries it, regularly changing as the situation dictates. This is not just true for military personnel but for everyone. So whether you are a military operator in a hostile zone, a deep sea fisherman out on the water, or a software developer walking a few blocks to a coffee shop, it’s a good idea to have a survival kit with you. However, all three people mentioned above have distinctly different circumstances, which prompt other requirements.
Who is the kit intended to support?
Remember that a survival kit can be scaled to any size needed based on your situation. Is the kit just for you, or will it need to support others? For example, is this a personal survival kit, vehicle survival kit, home disaster preparedness kit, etc.?
Where will the kit be used?
Will this kit be used in an urban or rural area? Are you going to be high in the mountains or low in the desert? Is the area typically damp or dry? What are natural resources available in the area? What type of animals lives in the area? What is the climate in the area you will be operating?
When will the kit be used?
Factoring in seasonal changes in the area you will be operating is essential as it can ensure you are prepared for likely conditions and, in some cases, save you space. For example, is it winter, summer, spring, or fall when you use the kit?
How much space can the kit occupy?
Each survival kit’s purpose may dictate how much space it can take up and how much it can weigh. Individual kits may be limited to what you can carry in your pockets, vehicle kits to trunk space, home kits to closet space, etc. Consider what is reasonable and practical for each kit’s intended purpose.
The 6 Classes of Items in a Military Survival Kit
While teaching my students how to assemble their survival kits, I directed them to focus on the classes/types of items they should include rather than specific items. As long as you ensure you have accounted for each of the 6 item classes, you can scale your kit to accommodate any size group in any situation. Those item types are (along with some examples of items to include in a personal survival kit):
01
Water Procurement Items
water purification tabs, collapsable bladder, straw, etc.
02
Food Gathering Items
snare wire, fishing line, hooks, knife, etc.
03
Shelter Building Items
550 cord, emergency blanket, poncho, etc.
04
Signaling Items
signal mirror, whistle, pen flare, etc.
05
Fire Starting Items
lighter, wind and waterproof matches, tinder, etc.
06
First Aid Items
tourniquet, pressure dressing, antiseptic, etc.
The best survival kit is the one you have on you.
It Doesn’t Matter what’s in a Military Survival Kit if You Don’t Have it With You.
Your kit has to be accessible to you when you need it, of course. You could have all of the best gear in the world, but if it isn’t with you when you need it, it will do you no good. So remember when designing any survival kit, no matter the intended use.
Your items should be kept on your person at all times for individual survival kits. This may mean distributing the items in your pockets or carrying them in a pouch such as a waist pack or belt pouch. Individual kits should never be kept in something you may have to drop, like a backpack, or in a location, you will leave, such as your vehicle.
A great way to save space when putting together a kit is to select items that serve multiple purposes. For example, a mylar emergency blanket can serve as a shelter, a signaling item, and a first aid item. Larger kits can be stowed in the location you intend to use them.
Know Your Equipment
There is lots of cool survival gear on the market today, but whatever equipment you decide to include in your kit needs gear you know how to use. Besides often having unnecessary items, off-the-shelf “survival kits” are typically expensive and don’t allow you to practice using the items inside. For these reasons, I do not recommend these kits. Yes, re-packaged survival kits are convenient, but not knowing how to use the items included can quickly spell disaster if you need them.
You ask what it means to be proficient with your survival items. I mean that whatever gear you pack, you should be able to use blindfolded, exhausted, cold, dehydrated, and on the brink of death. Reading instructions and trying out an item one time is not enough. You need to practice using your gear not just until you get it right but until you can’t get it wrong.
Using many survival items is also a perishable skill, so routine sustainment training for your equipment is also a good idea if you don’t want to lose your skillset.
Conclusion
What’s included in a military survival kit or civilian survival kit is not confined to a list of items in a manual; your unique situation dictates it. Consider where and when you may use your kit and how much space you have for it. Also, remember to audit your kit as needed and add/remove/replace things in it.
Thanks for taking the time to check out this article! I know it was short, but don’t worry; we are constantly adding more content to share crucial skills with anyone who wants to improve their skills. Click here to subscribe to our mailing list and sharpen your skillset every time we post! Until next time, keep your head down, your powder dry, and stay dangerous.
-Owen
You need to practice using your gear not just until you get it right but until you can’t get it wrong.
Great post