Introduction
Essential Tips for Building a Budget-Friendly Survival Kit
At a minimum, an emergency kit should include items that provide sustenance, warmth, safety, first aid, and navigation. Assembling a budget-friendly survival kit requires careful planning, being mindful of the needs of all household members, and knowing what to buy and where to buy it.
One of the most essential elements of a survival kit is a reliable and durable bag or container to keep everything organized. A backpack, five-gallon bucket, or folding shopping cart are all great options.
The most basic supplies to include in any survival kit are items like flashlights, compasses, signal mirrors, flares, glow-sticks, whistles, waterproof matches, first-aid kits, food rations, water, emergency tents, sleeping bags, emergency ponchos, emergency blankets, personal hygiene kits, face masks, multi-tools, tactical pens, sewing kits, duct tape, and paracord bracelets.
When shopping for budget-friendly items, look for sales, coupons, and generic brands. Some mid-range and expensive brands have surprisingly affordable products. For instance, the Bahco Laplander 9-Inch Blade Folding Hand Saw is a great bang-for-buck product. Mora, UST, S.O.L., and UCO Gear are other popular brands with good value products.
If you’re looking for cheaper items, consider the Light My Fire Swedish Firesteel Mini, Opinel No8 Carbon Pocket Knife, CRKT Eat’N Tool, and other similar products, which can be found under $5. Great items at under $15 include the Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife, Gerber Splice Pocket Tool, Bahco 2444 Carpenter Mora Multipurpose Knife, etc. Under $20 you can find items such as the Texsport Reinforced Rip-Stop Polyethylene Tarp, LifeStraw Personal Water Filter, Anker Astro E1 5200mAh Ultra Compact Portable Charger, etc.
It’s also important to collect free items like cell phone chargers, maps and emergency cash, and store enough non-perishable food for your household for several days. Additionally, assemble a first-aid kit with bandages, gauze, tweezers, antiseptic cream and painkillers, and make digital copies of important documents like birth certificates, Social Security cards, and driver’s license. Finally, plan ahead to avoid price gouging during an emergency.
Essential Items to Include in Your Survival Kit
Having a properly stocked survival kit can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. Essential items to include are those that will provide sustenance, warmth, safety, first aid, and navigation. The most basic supplies to include in any kit are flashlights, compasses, signal mirrors, flares, glow-sticks, whistles, waterproof matches, first-aid kits, food rations, water, emergency tents, sleeping bags, emergency ponchos, emergency blankets, personal hygiene kits, face masks, multi-tools, tactical pens, sewing kits, duct tape, and paracord bracelets.
When shopping for budget-friendly items, look for sales, coupons, and generic brands. Some mid-range and expensive brands have surprisingly affordable products. For example, the Bahco Laplander 9-Inch Blade Folding Hand Saw is a great value product. Mora, UST, S.O.L., and UCO Gear are other popular brands with good value items.
If you’re looking for even cheaper items, consider the Light My Fire Swedish Firesteel Mini, Opinel No8 Carbon Pocket Knife, CRKT Eat’N Tool, and other similar products, which can be found for under $5. Great items at under $15 include the Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife, Gerber Splice Pocket Tool, Bahco 2444 Carpenter Mora Multipurpose Knife, etc. Under $20 you can find items such as the Texsport Reinforced Rip-Stop Polyethylene Tarp, LifeStraw Personal Water Filter, Anker Astro E1 5200mAh Ultra Compact Portable Charger, etc.
In addition to purchasing items, it’s also important to collect free items like cell phone chargers, maps and emergency cash, and store enough non-perishable food for your household for several days. Additionally, assemble a first-aid kit with bandages, gauze, tweezers, antiseptic cream and painkillers, and make digital copies of important documents like birth certificates, Social Security cards, and driver’s license. Finally, plan ahead to avoid price gouging during an emergency.
The Best Budget-Friendly Items to Include in a Survival Kit
Having a survival kit is essential for natural disasters, unpredictable emergencies at home or on the road, and outdoor adventures. But stocking up on supplies can be expensive. Here are the best budget-friendly items to include in your survival kit:
Backpack: Choose a quality rucksack, five-gallon bucket or folding shopping cart to hold all your gear. Flashlight: Look for a flashlight that is durable and has an on/off button so you can work hands free. Multi-tool: Get a Leatherman multi-tool for cutting, prying and tightening. First-aid kit: Assemble a customised first-aid kit with dressings, tourniquets and possibly zip-tie restraints. Hand-crank radio: Get a Kaito shortwave radio for global broadcasts. Matches: Get waterproof matches for lighting fires. Power bank: Invest in a power bank that can be charged by the sun or multiple sources.
Store a minimum of a 72-hour emergency kit in or near your home, plus condensed versions in cars. Determine an open area, such as a park or school, as a local meeting place for household members in case of separation. Know how to shut off water, gas, and electricity in the event of an emergency. Stash spare keys to vehicles, securely hidden outside your home. Store at least two weeks’ worth of food for the household. Store water, water treatment chemicals, and water-purifying filters to last at least a week. Keep survival manual with first-aid kits, spare clothing, and water filter in each car.
Additional items to consider for cold weather are hand warmers, thermos, extra clothing, gloves, hats, and scarves, as well as other items for low temperatures. For wilderness survival, add additional supplies like trapping kits, fishing lines, and fire starters.
Finally, always remember the importance of personal hygiene. Keep hand sanitizer, facial wipes, and other hygiene products in your kit. With these items and a bit of preparation, you’ll be ready for whatever life throws at you.
Conclusion
A survival kit is essential for emergencies, natural disasters and outdoor adventuring. To build a budget-friendly kit, invest in durable items that offer multiple uses such as a multi-tool, a hand-crank radio and a power bank. Don’t forget essentials like first-aid supplies, water storage, food storage, hand warmers and additional supplies for cold weather or wilderness survival. Remember to include hygiene products for cleanliness and store spare keys securely outside the home. With these items and a bit of preparation, you’ll be ready for whatever life throws at you.