Backpacks: Your Survival Kit Carrier
In a survival scenario, such as following a natural disaster or in a nuclear fallout situation, a robust and reliable backpack is more than just a storage option it is your mobile survival kit. The contents within it can mean the difference between life and death. This article will delve into the significance of backpacks in survival situations, characteristics of an ideal survival backpack, and how to pack it efficiently.
Section 1: The Unassuming Lifesaver
While it’s easy to fixate on the more glamorous aspects of survival—tools, weapons, fire starters, etc.—equally important are the means by which you carry these items. Here, a good backpack not only offers the storage you need, it can also provide some less expected boons like comfort, organization, and rapid mobility.
Section 2: Qualities of a Great Survival Backpack
A well-designed survival backpack should boast a few key features. It should be durable, first and foremost, to withstand harsh conditions and rough use. Additionally, it should offer ample storage space but remain compact enough to not hamper mobility. Weather resistance, comfortable straps, and a design that allows for efficient packing and swift access to the contents are also critical.
Section 3: Types of Survival Backpacks
There are various styles of backpacks each with their own features that lend themselves to survival scenarios. A “Bug Out Bag” is specifically designed to hold all essential items you’d need for 72-hours in an emergency. A “Hiking Backpack”, often featuring a metal frame and numerous compartments, offers durability and organization. “Tactical Military Backpacks”, usually featuring modular designs, provide ruggedness and versatility.
Here are some top-rated survival backpacks to consider:
- 5.11 Tactical RUSH72 Military Backpack: This backpack offers a large primary compartment along with various additional pockets for easy organization. It’s built for rugged use and has a hydration pocket too.
- The North Face Terra Backpack: Known for their quality outdoor gear, North Face offers this sturdy backpack that’s ideal for survival due to its mix of accessibility, durability, and comfort.
- Maxpedition Falcon-II Backpack: This is a reliable, compact survival backpack. It features a modular design for the custom arrangement of your survival gear.
- Condor 3 Day Assault Pack: Offering large storage capacity and several compartments for easy organization, this pack is suitable for longer survival scenarios.
- Everlit Earthquake Emergency Survival Bag: Specifically designed for earthquakes, this survival backpack comes pre-loaded with many crucial survival tools.
- Osprey Atmos AG 65 Men’s Backpacking Backpack: Known for its innovative suspension system that promotes comfort and balance, this backpack also offers ample space and organizational pockets.
- Wise Food 5-Day Survival Backpack: This backpack comes pre-packed with enough food, water, and essentials to sustain one person for five days.
- Sustain Supply Co. Premium Emergency Survival Bag/Kit: This is a well-prepared bug out bag for two people, providing survival essentials to sustain them for up to 72 hours.
Remember, the backpack you choose should fit your personal physical attributes, needs and the survival scenarios you are most likely to encounter.
Section 4: Packing Your Backpack for Accessibility and Comfort
How you pack your survival backpack is just as important as what you pack. Heavier items should be positioned closer to your back and towards the center of the pack to evenly distribute weight and minimize strain. Frequently used items should be kept in easy-to-reach places.
Section 5: The Contents – Basics and Beyond
An effective survival backpack should contain all the necessary resources for survival, including water (or means to purify it), food, fire-starting supplies, a first-aid kit, a multi-tool, and much more. Also, consider including other handy items like a detailed map, a compass, a sturdy rope, or even survival books.
Section 6: Regular Backpack Maintenance
Regularly maintaining your backpack ensures its longevity and reliability. This could involve cleaning it as per the manufacturer’s guidance, checking it for weaknesses or points of wear and tear, and making sure zippers and clips are in sound working order.
Section 7: Personalizing Your Backpack
Your backpack should be tailored to you—not just in the physical sense but also in its contents. The supplies it holds should reflect your personal needs, including medical necessities, dietary preferences, and potentially, kid-friendly items if you’re with family.
Section 8: Backpack vs. Survival Vest
While this article focuses on backpacks, one might also consider a survival vest, especially for short-duration crises. These can provide easy access to essential items and could be used in conjunction with a backpack for enhanced preparedness.
Section 9: Size Matters
While it may seem ideal to have a large backpack to carry more items, this can lead to overpacking and a heavier load that can inhibit your mobility and increase fatigue. Conversely, a backpack that’s too small may not carry all the necessary items needed for survival. A medium-sized backpack that balances capacity and comfort is often the best choice.
Section 10: Specialty Backpacks for Unique Situations
There are backpacks designed for specific survival scenarios, like the earthquake survival backpacks equipped with all the necessary tools to navigate and survive after seismic activity, or the nuclear survival backpacks that contain radiation detection and protection equipment.
Section 11: The Importance of Adapting
Survival situations are dynamic, and as the situation evolves, your backpack’s contents should too. Item use, changes in weather, new tasks to be accomplished—all these should be reflected in how you adjust your backpack’s packing.
Section 12: Backpacks as Temporary Shelters
In dire situations, a durable backpack can offer temporary protection from elements. It can be used as a makeshift pillow or an aid in building a rudimentary cover.
Section 13: Backpacks in Group Survival
In a group survival scenario, it can be feasible to distribute different types of supplies across multiple backpacks, allowing for greater overall group carrying capacity. Standardizing the main essentials in each backpack ensures everyone has a minimum survival kit.
Section 14: The Psychology of Preparedness
A fully equipped backpack not only provides tools for survival but also fosters a powerful feeling of preparedness, which can boost morale and determination in challenging survival scenarios.
Conclusion
In the face of adversity, a survival backpack is more than just a container for essentials – it’s an enabler of self-reliance, a symbol of preparedness, and an assurance of survival. As author Graham Greene once remarked, “There is no end to the carrying that might be necessary.” Making sure we have the right ‘carry’ – our trusty survival backpack – is a small but crucial step to weather any storm or survive any disaster that might come our way.
In survival scenarios, having a well-equipped and robust backpack isn’t just a convenience—it’s a lifeline. The challenge is to select the backpack that best fits your needs, pack it effectively with essentials, and maintain it regularly. As survival expert Tim Ralston puts it, “Your backpack carries more than your survival gear: it carries your chances of survival. Treat it with care and respect, and it will return the favor when you most need it.”