How to Assemble a Hiking Survival Kit

By eHow

Preparation is crucial in hiking. Whether you're out for a weekend hike or a week-long trip, you never know what you might encounter. Assemble a hiking survival kit to place in your pack for emergency situations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step 1

Gather necessary items for your outdoor survival kit. A one pound coffee tin should hold all the items if packed correctly. The tin will also double as a vessel for gathering water, boiling water, cooking food, holding your candle while it burns and scooping snow. Drill a small hole on either side of your tin. Thread wire through when you need to cook over a fire with it.

Step 2

Consider personal needs. For example if you have bee allergies, tailor your kit to include an epi pen, or if you are going to be in rattlesnake territory, carry the appropriate medication to treat a bite. This list includes the basics, but should be expanded as you see fit.

Step 3

Think creatively, many of these items are obvious as to why you would need them but others require a bit of imagination and have untraditional uses. The candle can be used inside a snow shelter to create warmth. Wrap the candle in foil and place inside the tin. One candle will give off quite a bit of heat inside the snow shelter. Don't burn it down too far; just allow yourself time to warm up so you can begin creating a larger fire.

Step 4

Use the waterproof matches to get a fire started with the lint or small pieces of paper as your tinder. Depending on weather conditions, this may be your only opportunity to get the fire going. The mirror is also handy for getting a fire started on a warm day if you have no matches. Keep the mirror in mind also as a signal in a search and rescue situation.

Step 5

Make use of dental floss in a variety of ways. Use it for fishing, securing a shelter, repairing clothing or creating a clothesline.

Step 6

Signal for help using the garbage bags and the emergency blanket. Garbage bags can also be used as a dry seat. Flagging can be used to mark a trail to water or lead a rescue team to your location.

Tips & Warnings

Plan your trip route before embarking on your hike. Consider water sources, access to roads and highways, terrain and weather.

Tell someone where you are going, provide them with a map if possible and let them know when you plan on returning.

How to Assemble a Hiking Survival Kit courtesy of eHow.com.

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eHow

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