SHTF Militia Forums

In this posts I will list a few items and add to it as I think of it. All of us I am sure have bobs. i am going to list easy to find and hell to tear up items that have been proven for years and well just works.
for the bag itself- alice pack
flashlight- the mag light although people have their preferences just works and is tuff as hell.
gun- single shot 12 gauge any kind
knife- frost mora or ka bar marine fighting knife
lighter- bic
duct tape

this is just a few feel free to add to this list, it will help anyone looking for easy to find items that are timeless and just well works. I will add items from time to time also.

magnesium fire starter
I skipped the fighting knife in exchange for a Kershaw Blade Trader with the gut hook
multi-tool
Parachute Cord, work for everything from a tourniquet to stringing up a Deer and lashing down a broken pack strap

emergency mirror
compact 1st aid/med kit
compass

uh, water anyone?

I personally don't carry any quantity of it, I have my filter and am surrounded by mtn creeks and ponds.

1. 2 mil lawn bags/garbage bags make sure 2 mil or more but anything will do in a pinch.
2. regular old bandana or shemagh
3. 1 qt. canteen / military with cup
4. VASELINE/ or generic even better don't forget cotton balls

A couple of things I usually carry:

1. police whistle for audible signals (beats yelling)
2. insect repellant (the ones that come like handy wipes in the overnight survival bag)
3. two pieces of aluminum foil about 3 feet long, folded tightly (can form to hold water, do basic cooking in, use for signalling, and just generally useful, cheap, and small)

Depending on the situation I usually carry some kind of first aid kit--even a small one with a few bandages and some antibiotic cream is handy. Also a fan of the cheap "tube tents". With some paracord I can string up shelter pretty quick. They are pretty cheap and you can get them in orange or yellow if you want to be found or olive drab if you don't.

Oh, and a good knife. That's so much habbit that I think most of us would take it for granted. Generally a decent sized folder for short durations. If I'm out for a while or going to be out overnight I'll wear a fixed blade on my belt.

Max

Another thing is a piece of cardboard that has a few pins, safety pins, needles, fishing hooks, and then is wrapped with some fishing line and some thread. That definately is one of those little things I have and never think of. Have used the needle & thread for patching stuff up and the needle for getting splinters out. So far I've never had to fish for my dinner. And I've been carrying a hook and line for almost 40 years now. :-)

Max

Hello all, RON L here SERE SURPLUS

What a Great post, I wish I'd thought of it? For Items that always work I add to the List:

1 Qt canteen Cup that fits under the 1 qt canteen and even make a stove to heat water under that?
P-38 and P-51 Can openers.
Mini mag light, yea I like the GI Angle heads as well But Prefer the Minimags - I also use the cheap LED Lights that use AAA batteries as well for a small compact light.
Esbit Folding camp stove use these with Triox or heximine fuel for instant cooking and heat needs in winter smaller than a pack of cigarettes.
Water Filter I use a Kyadyn but many other makes and models that work as well, and I have a Mini stray in my BOB so I can have clean safe water no matter where I go.
Mini-Fish kit, I'm crap with a rod and reel but a drop line works for me, and light and easy to carry.

Other had already mentioned Fire steels for fire creation, I add a few Vasoline balls yes, but a small fim container of magnesium clips already ground for wet weather fires!
I like Clear Plastic Sheeting 4Mil and up, I can make a Lean-to, or a Solar Still or use it as a ground-sheet if the ground is wet! Cheap, light, easy to fold and always have with me. Trash-bags work, but sheet is larger and more useful in shelters and other bigger jobs!

Toilet paper.
Wool socks, wool hat, and wool sweater, and wool blanket.
ANSI87+ sunglasses.
Chapstick.
A good, self-winding watch.
Two good knives (minimum. Three are better.)
Foot/body powder.
Toothbrush.
GI poncho.
Duct tape.
550 cord.
Sewing Kit.
LED flashlight.

With regard to flashlights, you can get LEDs that will directly replace the bulb. I got mine at the local Ace Hardware. They're brighter than the old-style bulbs, and don't drain the batteries as much. Be sure to get the right unit for the number of cells in the flashlight.

I have LED's in all my flashlights, the only down side I've found is the batteries never go dead. They last forever and eventually corrode so they need to be checked occasionally. I've got a 6 "D" maglight in my truck that has had the same batteries for about 5 years now, I just keep wiping them down and reinstalling them and I use it daily for 9 months of the year to chain up the truck on my way home.

Trick birthday candles, the kind that you can't hardly blow out, great in windy situations, and they don't take up much room. I also keep a spool of spider wire fishing line, can be used for lots of things including fishing and a spool of artificial senew, it's really strong and waterproof, I have never been able to break it. A jar of chicken bullion will keep you going, especially in cold weather.