Most survival videos online are gear fantasies — this one isn’t.
This list of 10 must-have survival items is based on real-world experience in Search & Rescue. Over the years, I’ve seen the same mistakes over and over again. In many cases, if the person we were sent to rescue had carried just a few of these items, it never would have been an emergency in the first place.
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This isn’t about bushcraft, Instagram kits, or living off the land.
It’s about preventing exposure, bad decisions, and small problems from snowballing.
I intentionally did not include things like phones, wallets, keys, or pocket knives — those should already be on you. This list focuses on the gear that actually keeps people alive when things go wrong.
If you spend time outdoors — hiking, hunting, overlanding, or just exploring — this is worth watching.
Stay safe. Be prepared.
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