A survival kit can make a difference

With the small game hunting season opening today many Pictou County residents will be heading out into the woods. In addition to their firearms and hunting licence many hunters will also be carrying a survival kit.

All hunters in Nova Scotia are required to carry three survival items: matches, a knife or axe and a working compass. These are only the basics however and not only hunters need to think about carrying a survival kit. Anglers, hikers, or anyone heading off the beaten path should be prepared to spend a night in the woods.

With the uncertain weather we have been experiencing in recent years it is also a good idea for all of us to have some emergency equipment in our homes and cars. Most experts suggest a survival kit should provide what you need to survive for 72 hours.

If you get lost, become injured and can’t travel, or are in a situation where you don’t have heat and light a survival kit must meet several critical requirements. These include shelter, heat and some way to signal for help.

One of the most critical elements for any survival kit is the ability to make a fire. Your kit should include at least two methods such as strike-anywhere matches, either waterproof or in a waterproof case, and a disposable lighter. Some people include a small candle, as well as tinder – dryer lint works well – to help start a fire on wet days.

When possible, try to include as many items THAT will serve a dual purpose. An example is heavy duty garbage bags. In a pinch you can make a rain poncho or split two bags, join them with duct tape and you have a tent. They can also carry and store water.

Duct tape also serves many purposes, including fire starting as it burns very well. If you are lost or injured you want to be found as soon as possible so your kit should include some signalling devices such as a mirror and whistle. Your fire will also serve as a source of smoke to signal rescuers. You should also tell someone your plans, or leave a note, so rescuers will know where to begin looking for you.

Other items to include in your kit range from aluminum foil or fishing line and hooks, to snare wire and a small flashlight. Every survival kit should also contain some basic first aid items. These could range from a few aspirins and band aids to surgical tape, dressings and antiseptic. When I was fishing in New Brunswick a few weeks ago one of the guys in our group cut his hand. I had a first aid kit in the truck and was able to supply him with enough adhesive bandages so he could keep fishing.

While you may want to include every possible item in your kit don’t forget you have to carry this with you if you are heading in the woods.

While you can make up a more complete kit for your car, camp or your home, the one you take with you in the woods should be light and compact. I hope you never have to use your kit but carrying one is cheap insurance and will provide you with some piece of mind.