Traveler set

Are you heading to your first wilderness vacation and don’t know what to pack? Going for an adventure in the woods sounds exciting but you have to be prepared for emergency situations.

Unless you know the area like the back of your hand, you’ll need all the survival help you can get. You may also encounter wild animals or get injured on the way, so you need to plan ahead.

Packing a first-aid kit is just one of the essentials. You also need a sharp knife, extra food and water, and a powerful flashlight to keep predators away.

Keep reading to discover the most important survival items you should bring to stay safe on the adventure of a lifetime.

1. A Knife

A knife is one of the most essential survival items to bring with you. You can use it to cut branches, food, or use it for defense. If possible, bring a fixed blade knife and a Swiss army knife, especially if you travel solo.

Make sure to sharpen your knives before your trip. Carry a cloth with you to clean the knife and don’t leave it wet to avoid the blade rusting.

2. Extra Food and Water

Food and water are survival essentials in everyday life, but you need to have extra supplies in the wilderness. A water system will help you stay hydrated if there isn’t any available in nature and if you don’t hunt for food, bring canned food for the trip.

You can also cook your own food on a portable stove or an open fire. Make sure you’re in a safe area to avoid animals approaching.

3. Flashlight

A flashlight is among the most essential wilderness survival tools not only as a source of light but also as an SOS signal. During the day, you can use a mirror to flash SOS to helicopters, but at night, when the sun has set, a flashlight can literally save your life.

You can also use it to scare off wild animals in the woods. We recommend a pocket flashlight and another bigger, more powerful one to keep on at night.

4. First-Aid Kit

A first-aid kit is an essential survival gear no matter where you go and who you’re with. It’s best to assemble one yourself before you go, but still keep it small enough to carry it in your backpack.

These are some of the most essential items to include:

• Gauze pads
• Bandages
• Medication and painkillers
• Surgical gloves
• Alcohol cleaning wipes
• Pen and paper
• Insect repellent
• Disinfectant
• Tweezers
• Safety pins
• Distilled water
• Aloe vera gel
• Shears
• Cotton swabs
• A small mirror

If you’re out camping with your family, you should also include an oral thermometer, cough medicine, Hydrogen Peroxide, and anti-diarrhea medicine.

5. A Portable Stove

Your survival necessities should include a portable stove so you don’t have to light a fire every time you need heat. Make sure to bring a solar generator portable with you as well.

This is a must while vacationing in the wilderness. You can use it for survival necessities like heating water and cooking food and with the portable generator, you can charge your phone or light a fire in an emergency.

Take The Most Important Survival Items With You On Your Next Adventure!

Whether you want to explore your home state or venture out into the unknown, you should be prepared for anything by carrying the most important survival items with you.

Caught the travel bug? Here’s a handy list of countries on every continent in the world you should add to your bucket list.