The Forget-Me-Not Survival Gadgets for the Outdoor Enthusiast

If your idea of a fun day or exciting vacation involves roughing it in the wilderness, you know how important it is to have the proper tools and equipment with you. There are basic things you need to maintain safety and well-being while out in the wild, and there are also some extras that make wilderness survival less challenging and more fun. The next time you’re planning an outdoor adventure, include some of these gadgets and tools for emergency preparedness and survival.

Basic Survival Skills

The best tool for survival is of course first and foremost yourself. Make sure you know basic survival skills. The first skill in basic survival is to ensure that a bad situation doesn’t escalate and become worse. To deal with an emergency situation one must be able to make decisions, improvise and remain calm.

Great for the amateur and hard-core enthusiast, who better to learn survival tactics from than the U.S. Army. The Army Survival Guide app not only teaches you how to build a fire but also how to build a fire with wet wood! Includes information on all the basics for food, water, shelter – plus first aid, identifying edible and medicinal plants, animals, navigation, psychology of survival, and so on.

Compass or GPS

A compass or GPS system is vital, even if you know the area. It’s easy to get turned around when you’re deep in the wilderness and everything starts to look the same. If you’re using a cellphone-based GPS system such as Compass Professional make sure you’ll have access to a signal.

Having the iSOSalert app on your cellphone will monitor your every move and track you while you move and in the event of an accident and no movement is felt, iSOSalert will immediately enter ‘Alert Mode’ and begin the rescue process by alerting your position to one or several contacts.

Sun & Heat Protection

You may not think that lack of sun protection can lead to an emergency, but overexposure to heat and sun can place your health at-risk when you’re out in the wild. In addition to having sunscreen and a hat, carry a water purification system so you can keep hydrated with water that’s safe for drinking.

The Weather Channel app provides all type of weather reports including interactive maps with animated radar, weather alerts for your locations, videos of breaking news and weather coverage and lots more. Knowing if a storm or cold front is coming in will help you prepare in advance for potential weather related issues.

Flashlight or Headlamp

Even if you’ve made camp by nightfall, you’ll still want to have a flashlight or headlamp handy to navigate around your campsite. A headlamp allows you to remain hands-free while hiking or finding a spot to relieve yourself.

The Coleman Lantern app lets you choose from 10 different lanterns that fill your campsite with bright, white light. It also lets you choose how bright you want it to shine. You can use it in the car, walking at night and reading in bed. It’s free to add to your iPhone.

First Aid Kit

A proper first aid kit is another wilderness survival must-have; a well-stocked first aid kit will help you to be better prepared for emergencies and natural disasters. The contents should change to match where the kit will be stored and how it will be used.

In addition to carrying a fully stocked, compact first aid kit, there are also first aid apps, such as GotoAID, which provide a person immediate access to first aid information. With 420 total topics the information on GotoAid ranges from treating a bee sting to delivering a baby.

Waterproof Matches and Fire Starters

No matter how good you are at starting fires, there are always times when the wood’s too wet or too green. Carry waterproof matches as backups to your lighter and have fire starters to get the kindling going enough to build a good fire.

Enjoy the warm glow and ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace on your smartphone with a Fireplace HD app. Ok it’s a fake fire and it’s pointless but the animated fire place and cracking fire sound effect provide a touch of comfort inside a cold tent.

Mess Kit

Carry a mess kit that serves multiple uses, such as cooking, eating and washing your utensils. One that contains a bowl/pot, plate, cup and eating utensils should do the trick.

Food hints and recipes for mess kit cooking can be found on-line, however when you fancy a touch of extravagance, although costly, backpacking meals by Mountain House almost reach gourmet standards.

Tarp and Blanket

A tarp is another multipurpose item that can help you maintain your well-being while out in the wild. Use it as a tent in inclement weather, to cover your food or as a ground cover. Bring along a thin, wool blanket to ensure a good night’s sleep and sufficient warmth.

Knots and lashings are useful both around camp and in a survival situation to construct an improvised shelter. A right knot can save your life, that’s why Knot guide app, using photographs, shows you how to tie a neat and clean knot and takes you through tying eleven most common general knots for different situations.

Know Your Wilderness Edibles

Even if you’ve brought sufficient food or are catching your food out in the water or woods, you may be tempted to enjoy those luscious berries or tasty-looking mushrooms.

Before you add any wild fruits or vegetables to your wilderness meals, check them on a wilderness edibles app, such as Wild Edibles Database, to ensure they’re safe to eat.

Even those who consider themselves to be wilderness experts can experience mishaps in the outdoors that can cause an otherwise exciting adventure to turn sour. Ensure that you have the basics you need, as well as any extra gadgets, equipment or tools. The items you bring with you will vary depending on the season, your location and the length of your adventure. Take time to anticipate all your needs in the wild so you can prepare accordingly.

By Charlie Curtis-Jones from Twowayradios.co.uk – who can offer expert guidance on the best radio communications device for the great outdoors.

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