A day spent in the wild outdoors can be fun and therapeutic. That’s primarily if much of the time is dedicated to exploring hidden treasures and trying out unfamiliar activities.
But the outdoors can also be remarkably dangerous. And no, we’re not talking about unforeseen hailstorms pounding on your camping tent or a raging avalanche sweeping across the landscape and flattening everything in its path. The perils of the wild can come from things as seemingly insignificant as rubbing against a poisonous plant or running out of drinking water when in the middle of nowhere.
Therefore, preparing a detailed checklist is essential before embarking on any outdoor adventure. The checklist should entail all the equipment required to make your experience in the wild fun, comfortable, and safe.
Below is a definitive collection of the top things you need to survive in the wild.
- Outdoor Subscription Box
An outdoor subscription box is a subscription service that avails the main equipment and gear you need to have a wonderful outdoor experience. Most outdoor subscription boxes follow a monthly plan. But you can also choose a quarterly or biannual package.
When looking for the best outdoor subscription box, you’ll stumble upon numerous publications recommending BattlBox and Crate Club. BattlBox deserves a special mention as this survival box subscription offers outdoor equipment dedicated explicitly to adventure-seeking campers and survivalists.
There are several plans to choose from, and prices depend on the types of equipment you desire in the package as well as the frequency of delivery.
- Camping Tent
A camping tent is essential if your outdoor adventures run into the night. The tent will be your primary shelter – a roof over your head, if you may.
Camping tents come in many shapes and sizes. Your choice should depend on the number of travelers and ease of set-up. Factors like durability and inflammability are plus points, especially if you’re a regular camper.
- Survival Knife
There’s a reason it’s called a survival knife, not a regular knife. This versatile tool can be used for all tasks, including chopping food, cutting trees, hunting, and personal defense.
Premium-quality carbon steel is the most recommended material for a perfect survival knife. The knife should also have a sheath and a string around your neck.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
- Proper Clothing
When choosing suitable clothes for the wild outdoors, the conventional wisdom is to dress for the worst possible conditions you may encounter. Another basic rule when dressing for the outdoors is to wear loose, layered clothing.
It’s also prudent to choose underwear clothes made from materials that provide maximum wicking and insulation, such as wool, fleece, and synthetic. Avoid cotton except to keep warm during cold weather.
- Signaling Device
A signaling device is another crucial piece of equipment to survive in the wild. These gadgets are essential if you’re on a group expedition.
A signaling device offers a reliable way to communicate with the rest of your pack, particularly during emergencies. Common items to consider include a whistle and mirror.
Most importantly, ensure you’ve been trained beforehand on how to use the device effectively. Sending out false alarms could put you in even greater danger than sending no alarm at all.
- Means of Lighting a Fire
The excitement of going on a wild safari can easily have you forget that crucial matchbox or lighter.
You may only realize the gravity of that oversight when you’ve successfully hunted down the game but have no means of cooking it. Or, when its nighttime, temperatures begin to plummet quickly, but you have no means of lighting up a bonfire.
While there’s always the primitive way of starting a fire by rubbing sticks together, making fire the natural way can seem daunting and even dangerous if you’ve never tried it before.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
- Insect Repellent
There are thousands of insect species that only thrive in the wilderness. And since this is their natural habitat, these insects have a way of breeding prolifically.
You can only imagine what could happen if you were to pitch your tent within proximity to a swarm of bees, flies, or termites.
Besides limiting your comfort, some insects could also spread serious infections. That’s all the more reason to arm yourself with an insect repellent.
- Cordage or Rope
This is probably the most overlooked survival equipment on this list. However, a rope or cordage is a multipurpose item that can come in handy on numerous occasions in the wilderness.
Cordage is especially useful for setting up emergency shelters. You can also use the ropes to hang your food out of reach of wild animals.
When shopping for a survival rope, insist on features like sturdiness, resilience, and portability. The rope should also be extended and incredibly elastic, especially when wet.
- First Aid Kit
Unless you’re sure you’ll not suffer an injury or come down with an ailment while in the wild (which is almost impossible to predict), you’ll do yourself justice to have a personal first aid kit.
Of course, the most important thing here is the items the kit should have. Top considerations include differently-sized plasters, sterile gauze dressings, bandages, disposable sterile gloves, tweezers, and disinfectants.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
Summary
There goes our definitive collection of the top equipment to have for an unforgettable experience in the wilderness. As a bonus point, remember to make provisions for enough food and water.
