| Essential Items |
| | High carbon fixed-blade knife (full tang) |
| | Multi-tool / lock-blade knife |
| | Personal survival kit *** |
| | First aid kit / medications |
| | Canteen with water / water bottles with water |
| | Collapsible water container (1 or 2 gallon) |
| | Clear plastic drinking tube (3') |
| | 2 candy or nutrition bars |
| | Disposable butane lighter (brightly colored, non-opaque, adjustable flame, non childproof) |
| | Magnesium block fire starter with hacksaw blade striker |
| | Heavy duty space blanket (brightly colored) |
| | Regular Space Blanket (bronze and silver sided type) |
| | 100' 550lb. test parachute cord (white for summer, olive for winter) |
| | Colored surveyors tape (3'-4') |
| | Flashlight and lanyard with 2AA batteries (brightly colored) |
| | 2AA batteries with date of purchase |
| | Cell phone |
| | 7.5 minute topographical map |
| | Compass |
| | wool or synthetic stocking cap (brightly colored) |
| | cotton bandana (brightly colored) |
| | 4 Heavy-duty freezer bags (2 gallon, 2 quart) |
| | 2 55-gallon barrel liners or 3 large capacity leaf bags (store rolled up in gallon freezer bag) |
| Non-Essential Items |
| | Backpack / Waistpack |
| | Wrist watch / pocket watch |
| | GPS / extra batteries |
| | Folding saw / camp saw |
| | Binoculars |
| | Rain gear |
| | Extra clothing |
| | Extra socks |
| | Sweatshirt / jacket |
| | Hat |
| | Sunscreen / lip balm |
| | Sunglasses |
| | Hiking stick / poles |
| | Toilet paper |
| | Insect repellent |
| | Money / ID |
| | Camera / film |
| | Notepad / pen |
| *** See instructions below for building a Personal Survival Kit |
| Signaling |
| 1 | Whistle (pea-less, brightly colored, plastic) |
| 1 | Signal mirror (sightable, 3x5 glass with brightly colored duct tape reinforced pouch) |
| Emergency Devices |
| 1 | Lock-blade knife |
| 1 | Button compass |
| 1 | Lens magnifier (credit card sized in brightly colored sheath) |
| 1 | Matchsafe containing paraffin-coated, strike-anywhere matches |
| 1 | Wire saw |
| 1 | LED micro light |
| Medical |
| 1 | Razor blade (single edge) |
| 5 | X-ACTO scalpel blades (#10) |
| 1 | Tweezers |
| 2 | Adhesive bandage strips |
| 6 | Cotton balls saturated with petroleum jelly |
| 1 | Dental floss roll |
| Water & Food |
| 3 | Fish hooks - baitholder (size 6) |
| 3 | Fish hooks - salmon egg (size 8) |
| 3 | Split-shot weights (size BB) |
| 2 | Snap swivels (size 14) |
| 2 | Barrel swivels (size 8) |
| 50' | Fishing line |
| 1 | Can opener (GI P-38) |
| 1 | Water purification tablets in waterproof bottle |
| 1 | Condom (non-lubricated) |
| Miscellaneous & Multi-Purpose |
| 6' | Duct tape |
| 6' | Utility wire (stainless steel) |
| 50' | Nylon thread |
| 2 | Velcro straps |
| 4 | Plastic cable ties / zip ties |
| 2 | Split-rings (size 7) |
| 2 | Sewing needles |
| 4 | Safety pins (2 medium, 2 small) |
| 3' | Heavy duty aluminum foil |
| 1 | Pencil |
| 3 | Waterproof paper (sheets) |
| 1 | Knife sharpener |
| 1 | Instructions/survival guide |
| 1 | Contents list |
| 1 | Plastic vial (small) |
| 1 | Waterproof pouch (pocket size) |
Backpacking & Hiking Equipment Checklist