Having a good, sturdy knife is essential for survival in the wilderness. Knives are useful for preparing food, building shelter and hunting. Get a knife that doesn't fold to ensure that it is sturdy and suitable for survival. A switch blade or folding pocket knife is better than nothing, but ideally you need a large, strong blade.
Having clean drinking water is even more important than having adequate food or shelter. There are many water purification products available, and they can be an indispensable tool in your survival kit. Drinking tainted water is dangerous and can make an already rough situation a lot worse. It is possible to filter water with more primitive tools, but it is time-consuming and difficult. If you have time to prepare, get good water purification or filtration equipment.
Always have matches and a lighter in your survival kit. Having modern tools to help you create a fire and stay warm saves you a lot of time and work. Don't just take a disposable lighter; spend a bit more to get something that is reliable and more resistant to wind. Always bring matches as a backup. Fire is very important for survival because it is needed to cook food and for warmth, so it is worth the extra precautions.
A first aid kit is another essential in your survival kit. There are many risks inherent to being out in the wilderness, and small injuries must be treated properly to reduce the risk of an infection setting in. Without proper treatment, larger injuries can lead to serious problems or even death. Buy bandages, antiseptic cream, tweezers and some clotting powder. Clotting powder can be applied to any serious injuries to stop bleeding.
A flashlight is another important survival supply. Ideally, get a flashlight that is powered by a winding mechanism to eliminate issues with batteries. A flashlight can be used to signal to others if you need help and can be invaluable if you need to go away from your camp at night.
A metal can, bowl or cup is an ideal tool to have in your survival kit. You can use it to cook and to boil water if there is a problem with your filtration equipment.
A compass is a small and cheap tool but it can be invaluable to your survival. You may be confident in your ability to navigate in the wild, but a compass is a reliable method of navigation and can point you in the right direction if you ever get lost.
