by Tony Newton
Rope
Always carry a length of rope; this is an important part of your survival kit which has many uses from transporting bodies with rope to securing yourself when climbing out of a window. The more rope you can comfortably carry the better. It will also come in handy for helping to build a shelter.
Water-purifying tablets
Try to get your hands on some water-purifying tablets, these will be like gold dust in the event of an apocalypse and will prove invaluable and a great asset to a survivor.
Chin ups
Try to do chin ups, these are a great upper body strengthener, this will help with your overall fitness too.
Shelter
Always carry tarpaulin and rope. You will need this as a makeshift shelter, or if you get stranded somewhere overnight. It is also handy for use in the trees.
Fishing vest and gear
Convert fishing vests into survival vests; make sure it contains water, first aid, shelter, food and weapons. Look out for other useful fishing paraphernalia to adapt.
Magnesium
Magnesium is great, try to acquire some. This is good for your stomach, also keeping migraines away and preventing headaches and good for asthma.
Cloves
These are great to ward off bad smells; they can also be sucked to take away bad toothache
Make a trash-bag shelter
Should you find yourself out in the elements (not just fighting the zombies), you can make a shelter from a trash bag. Remove the drawstring, cut the bag at the left and right sides and open it out. Find a wooden stick/branch and run it through the drawstring entrance, then attach one end to a tree and the other to a stake in the ground. This make-do construction will provide a basic shelter from the elements.
Lavender
This is great for de-stressing. Putting a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow or blankets will de-stress you and give you a good night’s sleep. Lavender is also great for burns, stings, bites and cuts.
Hot toddy
A hot toddy can reduce symptoms of colds and flu and help with a restful night’s sleep. You will need two teaspoons of sugar, a slice of lemon, boiling water and at least 30-50ml of whisky or brandy. Raw ginger, powdered ginger or powdered cinnamon can be sprinkled on top.
Make a scented sachet
Hang a scented sachet in your living space to ward off evil stenches. Cut a chunk of cloth up and put anything you have inside it. Try essential oils, dried herbs, flowers, and add some string and hang to keep the flies away. You can use any cloth.
Collect batteries
Batteries will become a tradable commodity in the event of an apocalypse. They are versatile and with no power will be used to power torches, radios, etc. Don’t buy rechargeable batteries and protect your batteries properly.
After sun
Put four used tea bags in some water. Add some mint/mint oil/lavender/lavender oil, either bathe in or dab on.
Get rid of unwanted smells with some homemade perfume
Here is a great and easy way to make perfume
4fl oz 115ml rubbing alcohol
4 tablespoons whole cloves
Then add any essential oils, 2 drops of lavender is ideal.
Natural skin cleanser
Here is a great natural skin cleanser which you can make up
1 teaspoon milk
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon ground almonds
Peanut butter
You can make your own peanut butter by following this easy guide
200g -300g salted dry roasted peanuts
1– 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Season to taste with salt or sugar if needed
Blend/crush or just mix. Place into a clean jar and seal. This will provide a great source of energy for fighting off those zombies.
Keep matches and lighters waterproof
It is important to keep matches and lighters waterproof. Keep them in a plastic baggy or two to protect them from the elements. A lighter and matches are important survival tools.
Worms
You can eat common garden worms. Okay, not by choice but you may have to and it’s also easy to make worm farms as a steady source of protein.
Shoe deodoriser
Roll up old newspaper and leave in your shoes or boots overnight to keep them fresh.
Onion cough mixture
This mixture will sooth a bad cough
2 onions
225ml honey
Lemon juice
Sprinkle of cinnamon powder
115ml warm water
Vodka orange spirit (optional)
Mix the ingredients together. Leave covered overnight.
Stir in the liquid and put in a jar or bottle.
Take 2 teaspoons as needed, no more than four times a day.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers and sand are great to have at hand in your base. Learn how to put fire out quickly and safely. Fire extinguishers are ideal if you have a base or are bugging in but not ideal to put in your bug-out bag. Sand is also very handy for putting out small fires.
Credit Card
A credit card is ideal to jimmy locks. It will be useless for any of its former uses.
Hand warmers
Hand warmers give you an instant burst of heat at anytime, though they do wear out quite quickly. They are still a great asset to any survival situation. Normally lasting between three to twenty hours. They can be used to stop your firearms from rusting by putting a used one inside your gun case. They can also be used on aching joints to give relief from pain temporarily.
Laser pointer
A laser pointer can be used to signal for help or even to distract other survivors away from you.
Knuckledusters
Knuckle dusters can be great used to defend yourself against looters and unwanted survivors but are not ideal used at close range against a zombie.
Tips for making a fire
When making a fire, resin from the bark of a pine tree is very flammable and ideal to get a very good fire started.
Survival blanket
Survival blankets are not only good for keeping you warm by reflecting your own body heat directly back to you but they also block out the sun and are made of reflective material. I would suggest packing at least three of these in your bug-out bag, they are lightweight and easy to carry.
Watch with a light on it
Acquire a digital watch with a light on it. Not only will you be able to tell when it’s going to get dark or how much time you have but you will also be equipped with a light at all times.
Bug-out bag
The bag in general is solely designed to get you out of an emergency situation. When you buy your bug-out bag make sure it is of high quality and durable. Unless it is of a high quality it may rip and you may end up loosing some life saving gear. Try to buy a nylon bag that is water resistant with foam shoulder straps and ensure that your bag has side pockets so that the weight is evenly distributed throughout. Always make sure the bag has a large capacity.
Water and food are the first things to put in your bug-out bag, you will need to have enough food to last you three – five days at a minimum (if you can carry more easily, do so). MRE meals are ideal being easy to prepare and light to carry. You can buy MRE meals online which are specifically for army use. A gun or any weapon that can be used in long range is ideal for your bug-out kit. You will have to defend yourself against wild animals, looters and most definitely zombies. Don’t forget to pack enough ammo for traveling and always carry backup weapons when traveling (knives at the very least).
Red glow sticks would make a great asset to your bug-out bag as they are a great light source.
A sleeping bag is ideal, giving warmth wherever you end up spending the night.
How much ammo do you need? Well who knows how long this will last for. You may be lucky and only have to kill a few zombies. You may be lucky and find a great base with a supply of food and water. On
the other hand you may encounter lots of zombies and looters. Ammo is great to barter with. Ensure you have enough ammo in your bug-out bag for a few days, the more you can carry the better. If you are traveling in a group spread the ammo out between you.
Bug-out bag kit (BoB) Basic Guide
The bug-out bag itself
Single-person tent or tarpaulin at the very least.
Items for bartering, gold, silver, batteries and currency just in case!
Sleeping bag
High-protein energy bars for physical activity
Mini portable electric stove
Weapons and ammo
Flares
Night-vision goggles
Needle and thread
Bug Repellant
Lip Balm
Safety Pins
Duct tape
Wet stone to sharpen weapons
Signalling mirror
Iodine tablets
Matches (waterproof if possible)
Magnifying glass
Disposable lighters
Energy drinks
Compass
Caffeine pills
Maps
Swiss army knife
Pen knife
Standard knife
Mallet and tent pegs
Sleeping Bag
Tarpaulin x 3
Binoculars
Water canteen x 2 pre-filled
Parachute cord
First-aid kit (mini with essentials)
Aluminum foil
Bandana
Sunscreen
Crowbar
Axe
Baseball cap
Torch and spare batteries
Mini wind-up torch or solar-powered
Emergency blanket
Whistle
Body warmer
Fishing line and fish hooks
Pepper spray
Diary and pens
Radio and batteries/wind-up radio/solar-powered
Religious items books or charms
Gloves
Tri-fold shovel
Petroleum jelly
Rucksack
Survival knife
Candles
Soap
Towel
Toilet tissue
Tin opener
High-energy foods
Multivitamin
Gas Mask
Flint and steel
Cooking tin
Keep passports and driving licences where you can easily access them
Medication
This is going to be a problem for a lot of people who are on daily medications. Sometimes you can get more than one prescription at a time and safely store. Never stop or decrease meds without advice from your doctor.
Food
When you consider that you need 2,500 calories per day for a man and 2,000 for a woman you will need to plan accordingly, especially as you will be highly active. You will be burning off a lot of calories.
Basic food to store
Always rotate your food; eating the food that is past its sell-by date the soonest
M.R.E.s (Meals Ready to Eat)
Freeze dried meals
All canned or dried goods are great for storing like Baked Beans or Chilli Con Carnie
Water (you will need a gallon per person per day)
Dried meats like beef jerky with good sell-by dates
Peanuts and all nuts in general
Ramen noodles tinned potatoes and sardines
Cooking
A small to medium pot and a large cup to boil water in for both drinking and freeze dried meals.
Salt
Pepper
Garlic power
Chili powder
Cooking oil
Shortening
Baking powder
Soda, yeast
Powdered eggs
Eating utensils
Dried milk
Rice, Wheat
Formula Baby Foods
First Aid Kit
EMERGENCY ITEMS
Basic guide
Spend time learning first aid and how to apply your skills
Painkillers
Hand wipes
Alcohol sanitising gel
Plasters
Adhesive dressings
Tweezers
Digital thermometer
Disposable splinter probes
Scissors
1 standard razor
Sterile cotton gauze swabs
Elastic gauze bandages
Antiseptic wipes
Sterile wound dressings
Tissue
Eye pads
Plastic gloves
Triangular bandages
Crepe bandages,
Saline solution
Survival blanket x 3
Strapping tape
Face shield
Clothing
It’s better to be prepared for any climate and adjust when the weather changes so pack your bug-out bag accordingly.
If you are going to be in a cold environment don’t forget to wear a woollen hat or balaclava. You lose around 70 % of your body heat through your head. If you find yourself with out a hat, improvise with clothing.
Basic Guide
Poncho
Wide Brim Hat
Camouflage army trousers with side trouser pockets
Cotton shirt, long-sleeved
Combat boots
Running shoes
Short-sleeve shirt
Wool Socks
Rain coat. Waterproof with hood
Sunglasses
Protective eyewear, goggles
Woollen hat
Gas mask
Vests and spare underwear
Leather jacket
Jeans
Body warmer
Vest with pockets and storage space
Balaclava
Never give up, always be ready and keep fighting!
NOTES
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