Survival gadgets

Here is an overview of useful gadgets that will make your outdoor adventure a complete success. They make cooking, spending the night outdoors or simply being in natural surrounds safer and more pleasant.

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Food and drink

Nutrition is probably the most important requirement you need to meet. If your idea of survival includes cooking outdoors, you need wood and a few other things to make a fire. For example, a flint works in any weather and at any temperature. Finely chopped wood or dry grass are suitable as tinder.

There’s no food without a pot: every survivalist knows that. My favourite pot is the indestructible Scout Kettle, which also works on an open fire. The top functions as a lid, plate and frying pan at the same time.

Fluid intake is probably even more important than food. Katadyn’s simple filter is easy to use and thus difficult to misuse. Once the water has been filtered, it needs to be transportable. The chrome steel bottle from Klean Kanteen is compatible with almost all water filters and, if necessary, you can even use it to boil water over a fire.

Sleeping outdoors

Hammocks are a very comfortable option. Be sure to pack a sleeping bag that is right for the temperature. A headlamp is also helpful in the evenings and at night.

Tools

Robinson Crusoe was good with his hands, and you have to be too. Having the right tools helps and a good knife is essential. With its strong, continuous steel blade and shaft, the Garberg from Mora Knives is also suitable for batoning (splitting wood). If the knife becomes dull, you can trim it back to razor sharpness on the go using the small, lightweight whetstone. It’s best to first make a notch of the right size into a piece of wood so that the whetstone has a good grip.

The wristband is always on hand as a bracelet. Once untied, you can use this robust cord for just about anything, such as an emergency rope or clothesline.

Little helpers

The emergency blanket is a classic case of ‘I’ll bring it in the hope that I never need it.’ Nevertheless, it can save lives. The same applies to the first aid kit. Knowing the direction is often essential, but determining it is extremely complex. A compass can help here.