How to Pack a Survival Bag

It fits in a one-gallon Ziploc. It weighs just a couple of pounds. It costs a fraction of what one of those GPS-equipped cell phones costs. But this survival kit could save your life. While more complete kits could include everything from fishing gear to first-aid supplies, the 12 items of this one can be used to address most of your basic non-medical needs.

Shelter: Large plastic garbage bags make excellent ponchos. (The bright orange ones used by Hart County for trash disposal are even better.  With an 8-by-12-foot [2.4-by-3.7-meter] plastic drop sheet and 25 feet [7.6 meters] of parachute chord, you'll be able to build an emergency shelter. (Hardware stores stock all three items.) A pocketknife can be used to cut the cord—and for myriad other chores.

Fire: Double wrap waterproof matches in Ziploc bags, and carry a lighter or flint-and-steel set as well. Cotton balls dipped in Vaseline (store them in a film container) are handy fire-starting aids.

Signaling: The reflection of a signal mirror can be seen up to a hundred miles [160 kilometers] away on clear days

Water: One pack of Katadyn Emergency Drinking water tablets can treat up to 30 liters of water. Navigation: Carry a compass. Enough said. A mini-flashlight or Headlamp is useful in many ways—and having light also boosts morale.

Whatever is in your survival kit, the fundamental rule is: "You've got to keep it with you." Put it in the bottom of your daypack; put it in the detachable fanny pack from your frame pack. Just put it somewhere