As most of you know the term "survival" is applied in many forms. It can be daily life or Arctic wilderness. It doesn't matter. Survival is the essence of life. We have forgotten how to live independantly wich  is what technology has been doing for us. Technology makes up most of our daily lifestyle and it will continue to play that role. Nonetheless, it is not only vital to learn how to strive on only yourself but it can be exciting. People may think there is no need for such a thing but their naiveness gets in the way of all the possibilities that can change the course of their lives in just a split secound. As a saying goes ... "Those who fail to prepare, prepare to fail". Those of you who are serious campers and hikers and those of you who just want to stay safe should always have the equipment and most importantly the knowledge to survive in your envirement. Always have a plan and be sure to act quickly. Learn how to build temporary shelters and how cope with yourself and others to not panic. It is a confident feeling to know that you can count on yourself if you are ever in a life threatening situation. That you have the gear and skills to SURVIVE!

                                                          SURVIVAL KIT

* various size bandages

* 1 large pressure bandage or smooth cloth

 *a few alchohol prep pads

*a tube of antibiotical ointment

*some hand wipes

*cotten swabs & Q tips

*a pair of tough rubber gloves or regular work gloves

*1 razor blade

*2-4 dry soup mix packets

*3 tea bags

*3 granola bars

*1 pack of chewing gum

*2 hot chocolate mix packets

*(optional) 1 or 2 freeze dried meals if available

*5-6 fishing hooks

*1 small spool of fishing thread

*(optional) 1 fishing bobber

*2 sewing needles with thread

*a small hand mirror

*about 25 ft. of para cord wrapped up

*1 small plastic poncho

*1 roll of duct tape

*about 15 ft. of wire wrapped up

*2 chemical hand warmers

*a lighter & book of matches (strike on anything matches are preferred)

*5 safety pins

*1 emergency survival blanket AKA a space blanket

*(optional) fire starting sticks

*1 small pack of tissues

*1 small but loud whistle

*1 lightweight folding knive

*1 plastic knive fork and spoon

*water purifying tablets

*1 small compass

*A compact guide on medical treatment such as CPR and wound care

*a list of all the items in your kit

*a pack big enough to fit everything

*Special medications (ie. inhaler or pills)

                                                           QUICK SHELTER

1) Dig a deep enough hole to fit yourself into using a flat rock away from water.

2) Gather materials such as leaves, sticks, and branches to cover the hole. Nothing too heavy. Leave an opening big enough to crawl into.

B) Lean-to

1) Clear the area onto wich the shelter is to be built.

2) Prop up large branches and sticks against a flat vertical object such as a large rock.

3) Place smaller sticks horizontally across the crude lean-to.

4) Place large amounts of grass, leaves, and moss on the surface of the fixture.                                                                                          

                                                           SIGNALING FOR HELP

1) Take a reflective, shiny object such as a piece of glass, a mirror. or a pair of glasses and reflect it off the sun into an oncoming boat, plane,helicopter,etc.

2) Build a large fire during the day and when it is at it's peak, dump small clumps of leaves into it to create a smoke signal.

3) If a flashlight is available, turn it off and on in patterns of threes (...---...) at night to distress an SOS signal to an oncoming boat, plane, helicopter,etc.

                                                            FIRE BUILDING

1) If a magnifying glass or pair of glasses is available shine the suns ray through it onto a flammable object. When red burn marks appear, blow on them to create a flame.

2) If you can get your hands on some, flint and steel work very well for fire building. Create a small nest of tinder or shaved birch bark and spark the two rocks together close enough for a spark to catch.

                            I greatly appreciate all feedback, Thanks for looking!

                                                        (feel free to print)