australia:survival
Table of Contents
survival kits for camping and disasters
see also:
- I don't sell any of these nor do I receive any remuneration if you buy them, and I have not personally reviewed all of them, they are listed here to give you perspective
- If lost, you DON'T NEED FOOD as a priority (you can last weeks without food, although after 10 days you may risk re-feeding syndrome) - you need potable water and warmth
- Most Australian plants are toxic if eaten - only eat what you KNOW is NON-TOXIC, and if you don't know then don't eat!
- in particular, AVOID wild mushrooms and toadstools as they are likely to be toxic and have very few calories - the risk is just not worth it!
- also AVOID leaves, large seeds, wild beans and peas
- potential food sources in the Australian bush (see also https://www.survival.ark.net.au/bush_tucker_survival_guide.php):
- roasted rhizomes of some plants can provide starch eg. bracken ferns
- all rushes and sedges have tubers that can be eaten raw
- taproots of wild parsnip (Trachymene incisa) are tasty and can be eaten raw or baked in campfire coals
- roasted wattle seeds (Acacia)
- nectar from blossoms of banksias or grass trees (Xanthorrhoea resinosa)
- some introduced “weeds” can be eaten eg. dandelion
Survival kits for disasters
- as a minimum each home should have a kit consisting of:
- potable water 10L per person to provide for 3 days (if possible have 2 weeks worth)
- water filtration system
- paper and pencils
- deck of playing cards to keep you sane
- whistle
- a reasonable amount of cash in small denominations as credit cards and ATMs are not likely to be functional for sometime if there is a widespread power/internet outage
- torches/headlamps + extra batteries + omnidirectional solar-charged lantern
- battery powered or hand-crank radio + extra batteries for weather updates etc
- first aid kit mainly to keep cuts and wounds clean
- medication supply for at least 7 days plus analgesics/asthma meds/etc
- sanitation items - extra toothbrush/toilet paper/etc
- multipurpose tool
- wool blanket for bushfire survival and warmth
- space blankets
- non-perishable food to last at least 3 days (preferably 2 weeks worth)
- eg. freeze-dried with long shelf-life; canned foods;
- copies of important documents and family/friends contact information and map (consider storing in waterproof fire proof box)
- smartphone chargers
- gas cartridge stove system with pots
- advanced options
- off-grid 12V power such as:
- 12V LiFePO4 battery preferably at least 100Ah
- cables and plugs to allow cigarette lighter accessories such as USB-C ports to run your laptop briefly and normal USB ports to charge your smartphone and LED headlamps, etc
- solar panels (probably wont be useful in severe weather but may be useful for prolonged power outages of more than a few days)
- car fridge to keep your milk and meat cold until power is back on
- portable gas heater and gas cylinder
Survival kit to take hiking
basic hiking gear
- warm clothes include a beanie or balaclava, thick socks and gloves if there is any risk at all of having to sleep out overnight below 12degC
- rain protection - especially a light rain jacket
- sun protection if indicated
- smartphone
- water bottle(s)
basic everyday carry survival to carry in your pockets (preferably)
- Swiss army knife or similar
- knife and scissors can be very important
- fire lighter
- cigarette lighter with 1“ duct tape wrapped around it (many uses including as tinder) - advantages over a ferro rod is that it will float if falls into water
- plus a Ferro-rod which can be used with the rear of the Swiss army knife saw
- 2m paracord
- emergency boot lace, tie survival blanket around you, repair back pack, hang gear in a tree, etc.
additional survival gear you should take
- compass and map - see navigation management for hikers
- headlamp
- small metal pot or billy can to boil water on a wood fire with a nesting drink container, preferably also metal
- you need something to sleep on, to sleep inside and to sleep under:
- tarp made from reflective material such as a strong space blanket
- this will be used to not only protect from rain but to deflect radiant heat from your fire back down onto you
- eg. Pathfinder Survival Blanket 1.5×2.1m 340g 6 guy outs;
- plus 6 x 10” plastic stakes plus rapid deployment ridge line plus 4 guy out lines
- can burn one of the stakes
- survival bivy with internal reflective Mylar
- will suffice down to ~4degC with you wearing dry clothing and sleeping on a insulated sleeping pad
- insulated sleeping pad
- this could be a large strong rubbish bag which you fill with leaves and also acts as a waterproof ground sheet
- full tang 4-5“ blade knife that can be used to baton kindling
- for processing firewood and creating wooden tools if needed
- additional cordage
possible extras
- water filter kit
- small power bank for your smartphone (and charging cable)
- basic first aid kit for wound care, etc
- EPIRB radio beacon or satellite messenger particularly if going solo
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- allows better visibility in cloud or fog for improved navigation
- allows detection of animals if you need to hunt them for food
- allows detection of potentially malevolent bad actors so you can avoid them
- allows easier detection of search and rescue teams so you can signal them (with a mirror, whistle or fire)
- makes it easier to find lost hikers
- make sure you bring spare batteries and some way of charging them
australia/survival.txt · Last modified: 2025/04/02 05:24 by gary1