Survival Kit
mdc4.mdc.mo.gov Go to our website for more Handy Hints info. It’s great to go outdoors and get away from it all. I do it every chance I get, both in Missouri and on vacation outside the state. No one ever expects trouble on an outdoor outing…and hopefully it won=t ever happen. But even on a day trip, a sudden storm or unexpected injury in your group can leave you a long way from help. A survival kit can mean the difference between trouble you can manage, and disaster. Here’s what you’ll need: A first aid kit…a pocketknife or quality hunting knife with a sharpening stone…a compass and map of the area you’re traveling… varnish-coated strike-anywhere stick matches in a screw top plastic waterproof container…a candle that’s at least 6″ tall and 3/4 of an inch wide…fire start tablets…a collapsible soft plastic water bottle…20-feet of nylon cord…a small bottle of water purification tablets…an air-force-type signal mirror…a plastic police-type whistle…one millimeter thick clear plastic sheeting…a space blanket…a penlight flashlight with spare batteries…and finally, something for energy: like jerky, hard candy or granola bars. The entire pack only adds about two pounds to your pack or canoe, without lightening your wallet much. A survival kit is like car insurance. Hopefully you’ll never need to use it, but in an emergency, you’ll be glad it’s there.