by Greg Winkler

Created on: December 28, 2008

Many people consider outdoor survival skills unnecessary in today's congested world of mobile communications and superhighways. After all, isn't aid just a cell phone call away, or easily summoned by raising one's hood as a signal to patrolling motorist aid vans? Not always. You don't have to be a hiker or avid outdoorsman to find yourself in a situation where basic outdoor survival skills could be required to save someone's life-or your own. Winter car breakdowns on remote roads or a sudden rainstorm on a day hike in a state park can quickly transform a routine outing into a life-threatening situation.

Survival trainer Cody Lundin recommends carrying a small fanny pack of basic survival gear on any outing-even a short day trip or car drive. Lundin runs the Aboriginal Living Skills School in Prescott, Arizona, where he trains hundreds of ordinary people each year in simple survival skills. He offers two standard pieces of advice to anyone making an outdoor outing: 1). "Don't carry what you don't know how to use;" and 2). "The more you know, the less you need." Lundin recommends a small survival pack for use everywhere. Other survival writers advise carrying a larger, more extensive kit in the trunk or under the seat of a car for road emergencies where help may not be immediately available. All the experts recommend carrying a basic first aid kid in every vehicle, and a hiker's first aid pack on every trip of any duration.

Lundin's basic fanny pack kit consists of the following:

1). 4"-5" piece of hacksaw blade for cutting;

2). Magnesium block with striking bar for fire-starting;

3). Condom for carrying water;

4). 100' of dental floss (cordage);

5). Business card size plastic magnifier for fire-starting;

6). Bright orange survey tape (for tying strips to branches to mark a path for rescuers);

7). Plastic reflective Space Blanket (also known as survival blanket) for shelter, warmth, and signaling;

8). P-38 can opener;

9). Small sheath knife with high-carbon steel blade;

10). Cotton balls slathered in petroleum jelly stuffed in a film canister (for fire-starting);

11). Non-child proof butane lighter with see-through fuel cell;

12). One quart and one gallon zip seal freezer bags for carrying water or food;

13). Plastic, waterproof match case, filled with strike-anywhere matches, packed so they don't rattle and break off the heads.

14). Small 2-AA cell aluminum flashlight with two spare batteries. Wrap duct tape around the light so you can hold it in your mouth. Rotate batteries

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