In any survival situation there are some items that are really versatile and should be a must for your survival bag. These items have so many different uses that it would be a mistake not to have them. You’ve probably heard about some of them, but you might not know about their many uses.

  We all know that we can’t carry everything we want with us and making your survival bag as lightweight as possible will help you cover long distances without breaking your back. The first rule, when it comes to making and equipping a bug out bag is to know how much you can carry. You could have the best survival bag in the world, but if you cannot carry it for more than a mile, it won’t do you any good. The next thing you have to do is to make a list with all the items that you will need. Read it twice and check if there is something you can eliminate from it. Once you have your list it’s time to look out for the items that have multiple functions, this way you could have three items in one and make the best use of it without carrying extra weight.

Below are the 10 items that I have in my bug out bag, items that you should probably also consider getting:

A fire making tool

  When it comes to making fire, you should know how to make it using only what nature has to offer. However, since most of us don’t have the right skills or the time to develop them, having a fire starter is the next best thing. Writing again about the importance of fire is like depicting the history of mankind. Fire will keep you warm, it will boil your water and cook your food and it can even keep wild animals at bay. Most people have a fire starter in their bug out bag, but I chose to do it differently. Besides having a simple fire starter in my bug out bag, I also have small storm proof lighter on my necklace (it looks like a bullet so it’s quite cool). The reason for having two fire starters it’s quite simple, if I lose my bug out bag, if it’s stolen or if anything else happens that would prevent me from reaching it, I will still have my storm proof lighter. I can’t lose it, unless I lose my head and I hope that won’t happen. People tend to forget that preparedness is also about having a plan B and it’s better to have another option for starting a fire in case something happens with your survival bag.

Related reading: How to make a fire in the wild

A tarp

  This is a must have item for every bug-out bag and you should get one today. There are so many uses for a tarp that it would be impossible to write all of them in just a few lines. Obviously, you can use the tarp to improvise a shelter and using it on the top part or the ground section of the shelter section will keep rain out. There are so many other uses and these are just a few of them:

• You can collect rain water using a tarp, you can either create a rain trap by tying the tarp on trees or make a rain pit (you dig a hole and you line the pit with the tarp)
• You can camouflage your vehicles or supplies
• A tarp can be used to haul items over long distances
• A tarp can also be used as a blanket or sleeping bag (insulated with dry leaves)
• You can make a hammock out of a tarp
• You can use it as a rain poncho
• You can use it to shade anything from supplies to your shelter
• You can use it to build a raft
• You can use it to hide your supplies (wrap them up in it and bury the supplies when you leave camp for hunting or whatever other reason)
• You can use a tarp to make animal traps (dig a hole in the round, improvise some wooden spikes, cover the hole with the tarp and leaves and put some bait on the tarp)

There are many more uses for a tarp and you can look them up on the internet. One thing is certain, it’s a versatile survival item that should be in your bag.

Aluminum foil

  This is a suggestion that I’ve got from an old friend of mine and he was the one who convinced me to have it in my bug out bag (Thanks Michael!). There are many multipurpose uses for aluminum foil and here is what you can do with it:

• You can use it to start a fire by using sunlight or a simple battery.
• You can use it as a heat reflector with fire to stay warm
• You can use it to catch rain or make a funnel out of it
• Aluminum foil can be used to boil water or to cook food
• You can make it into a pot or plate and use it to eat food
• You can signal for help using aluminum foil
• You can use it to wrap berries or other food you forage
• You can repair an antenna with it

Aluminum it’s such a versatile item that people use it for various purposes not only in a survival situation, but in everyday life and the internet is full of sites showing you what can be done with aluminum foil, from party decorations to improvising an antenna.

You might also like this article: Survival improvise cooking you should know

Paracord

  A paracord is a lightweight nylon rope that can have many uses. If you ever have the curiosity to cut open a paracord, you will see all the individual strong strings inside that make this rope incredibly strong. Even if some of the cords inside the rope will break, the paracord will remain steady. Here is what you can do with:

• String a tarp or hammock
• Hang tools or other items from your bug out bag
• Make snares
• Bundle items together
• You can cut it open and use the small threads as fishing line, dental floss or as thread to sew clothes. You can even use them as shoelaces
• A paracord is ideal to make a pulley system
• You can use it to build a raft

And the list goes on. There are books on the internet teaching you how a paracord can be used in various scenarios. When it comes to this item I chose to go with a Paracrod belt and besides the belt I also have a paracord watch. The belt it’s a good idea because you can’t lose it and it’s always with you, while the survival watch is something I wear every day, it’s a good substitute for the belt and it also looks pretty good.

Pine resin

  If you are in the wilderness and there are pine trees in your area, then lady luck is smiling upon you. Pine resin is the sticky substance that comes out of the bark of the tree when the trunk has been cut. It’s a defense mechanism of the tree that helps it seal the wounds and prevents it from being exposed to insects. You will notice that the resin hardens and crystallizes when exposed to air, but that it’s no problem because it can be melted down. Here is how you can use pine resin:

• Pine resin can be used to start a fire in wet conditions
• It can be used as glue (a really good one). This is how you make it: heat the resin and sprinkle some charcoal on it. You can then use it for whatever purpose you like. The possibilities are endless.
• It can also be used to make an item water proof
• Pine resin can be used to treat wounds. If you mix it with water it will create an antiseptic that can treat wounds.
• You can also use the resin glue as stitches and glue the skin around the wound together to stop the bleeding

You can collect pine resin and carry it with you for later use, just make sure you don’t store it near a heat source.

Multi-purpose shovel

  A multi-purpose shovel it’s recommended for your survival bag because it can make a huge difference when you are stranded in the wild for a long period of time. A tool that can make your life easier and helps you complete survival task faster is an item you want in your bag. The models that are on the market today are really incredible. There are some models like the one from the link that have everything incorporated, from a flashlight to a knife and even a pair of sturdy pliers. It’s definitely an item on my wish list. A multi-purpose shovel can be used for various tasks:

• You can dig holes much faster than you would do it with a knife
• You can use it to cut down trees
• You can use the saw to cut lumber
• You can use it for self-defense or offensive actions
• You can use it for building up a shelter and any other projects you might think off.

And the best part is that a tool like this has many other tools incorporated, so you don’t have to buy additional items. It’s truly an incredible tool and you should check it out.

White Birch

  White birch can be easily peeled off the tree and it can be used for pretty much everything. All you need to do is find it and make good use of it as follows:

• You can eat it as is or ground up into flour if you don’t have any alternative
• You can make cords by twisting the fibers
• It can be used as tinder for fire
• You can use it to make shingles for your shelter
• You can wave pieces of birch together to make various items (shoes, bowls, etc.)
• You can use birch resin to make arrow spears or fish hooks

When it comes to birch, I’m not saying you should carry it with you at all times, but rather make the items you need and add them in your survival bag.

Multi-purpose tool

  When it comes to picking out survival gear that is small, portable and ideal for creating options most of the people stop at the Swiss Army Knife. Sure it can be a good multi-purpose tool, but it’s not the only option. The brand is irrelevant as long as it does to job well and fits your hand easily. When choosing a multi-tool make sure it contains all the functions you need and fits your style and knowledge on how to use it. There are multi-purpose tools with limitless functions and you need to do a research before buying the one that is right for you. Here are just some of the options it should have:

• Cutting blades
• A saw
• A pair of pliers
• A corkscrew
• Scissors
• A can opener
• A bottle opener
• Screwdrivers (flat and Philips head)

Make sure you read the customer’s review before you make a choice. You could get a tool with more or less functions, depending on the other items you have in your bag.

A good and reliable survival knife

  When it comes to survival knives the options are endless and you have to choose a knife that fits your needs. A knife can be used for anything, for slicing, cutting, piercing, etc. It can also be a good self-defense item if you know how to use it. You should at least know how the shape of the blade influences the use of the knife. You also have to inquire about the material the blade and the handle are made off and so on. I have a knife that has a fire starter and a whistle incorporated into the sheath. It also has a pull through sharpener that keeps it in good shape. There are some people that can survive in the wild with just a knife.

You should also read: Why blade matters when picking the perfect knife

A crossbow

  A cross bow is an item that many survivalists love and for good reason! It can be used for many things and it’s especially good for hunting because it’s silent and you don’t waste any ammo (you can retrieve the bolts). It’s an item that can be used for defense or offensive actions without giving away your position. A crossbow can be used even for fishing and there are many videos on YouTube of people catching fish with it. There are powerful crossbows on the market that are no toys and you should learn how to use it, if you purchase one. Practice shooting with your crossbow and whatever you do, just don’t use it as this guy:

  The items listed above are an important and useful addition for every survival bag and even though there are many ways you can use some of them to obtain water I still have to add one more.

A water purifier

  You can’t live too much in the wild without water and you have to do whatever you can to obtain it. Since water adds a lot of weight to your bag, and sometimes it’s difficult to transport, it’s recommended to have various purification or filtration methods. On the market there are many you can chose from and it seems that the most popular ones are the water life straw and the water life bottle. Once again, you can pick your water purifier depending on your budget and based on the research you do. Regardless of what you purchased, you need to make sure you have enough water once you are in the wild. You should also learn and have a good knowledge about how you can find and filter water in the wild and the following articles will provide you with useful information.

Recommended reading: Water Procurement in the Wild  –   Useful methods for filtering water in the wild.

The items listed in this article are not exclusive and you should add in your bug out bag all the items that you consider necessary and that you can carry. Since in life there are no two people alike, the same can be said about survival bags and you won’t find two identical ones. Each bag should be designed based on the person who uses it and I hope my suggestions will help you select the right items for your survival bag.

Stay Safe and God Bless!

Recommended prepper’s resources:

Bullet Proof Home (Learn how to Safeguard your Home)

Family Self Defense (Best Crash Course To Keep Your Family Safe For When SHTF)

Blackout USA (EMP survival and preparedness guide)

Drought USA (Secure unlimited fresh, clean water)

Backyard Liberty (DIY Cheap Aquaponic system to assure food for your family)

Survival MD (Knowledge to survive any medical crisis situation)

Survive The End Days (Exposes Obama’s cover up that affects us all)

Conquering the coming Collapse (The #1 Financial Guide for Preppers)

Sold Out After Crisis (Best 37 Items To Hoard For A Long Term Crisis)

OTHER ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

The best foods to hoard when the power is out!

Amazing Benefits and uses of Hydrogen Peroxide

6 deadly mistakes most preppers make

How To Survive Martial Law

BUG OUT Vehicle you should have

5 Guns Every Prepper Should Own

For other survival and preparedness articles visit us at Prepper’s Will.com