Whether you are preparing for a short overnight hiking trip, or an extended hiking excursion, having included the right items in your backpack may be absolutely crucial for your survival. The following are suggestions for a personal survival kit, and not meant to be substantial enough to provide for a large group of hikers.
The first thing to consider when you are assembling a survival kit is the terrain and anticipated weather. If you’re going to be hiking in an area that has bees, wasps, or rattlesnakes, the appropriate sting and bite kits are good additions. A basic survival kit for a hiking trip should include a map of the area, a compass, waterproof matches, a candle, a whistle, a small coffee tin or other metal container, aluminum foil (at least 12”), a pocket mirror, dental floss, a multi-purpose or Swiss Army knife, iodine tablets, an emergency blanket, 2-3 large plastic garbage bags, a rain poncho, and a cell phone or GPS device.
