SHTF essentials: Top 10 tools every survivalist should have in their kit

10/11/2024 / By HRS Editors

If you’re a prepper who loves camping or hiking, you should have a survival kit with useful gear such as cordage and a sharp knife. With the right tools, you can survive even if you get separated from your group or if you get lost in the wilderness.

Prep your survival kit or bug-out bag before SHTF so you are always prepared for the unexpected. (h/t to Brunton.com)

Cordage

Cordage is a survival must-have because it has many uses. You can use cordage to climb something steep, tie down a shelter or make a fishing line. Cordage is also great for hanging clothes to dry or making trap triggers.

Firestarter

With a firestarter, you can start a fire that will help you survive cold temperatures. You will also need a fire if you want to cook or boil water outdoors.

When preparing your survival kit, make sure you also include different types of firestarters in a waterproof bag. Pack waterproof matches, a lighter, a ferro rod and a dry tinder stored in a tin can. This ensures that if one method fails, you can use another firestarter.

First aid kit

When SHTF, you may need to treat minor injuries. This is why you need a first aid kit with basic supplies like small bandages and alcohol cleansing wipes.

If you’re going on a long backpacking trip, prepare a triangle bandage and gauze for compression. You may need these items for serious injuries, and they can also be used with a makeshift splint.

Fishing line and hooks

If you lose access to your food supply, use the fishing line and hooks in your survival kit to find food in the wilderness. Simply tie fishing line and hooks to a branch fish nearby streams.

Flashlight or headlamp

If you are camping, you will need a flashlight or headlamp so you can safely navigate at night. Don’t forget to bring extra batteries.

Knife

When SHTF, you can use a sharp knife to sharpen sticks, cut cordage or skin small game.

Map and compass

While technology is beneficial for preppers, you should still learn how to navigate using tools like a map and compass. If you know how to navigate without GPS, you won’t get lost when SHTF. (Related: Essential gear for SHTF situations: Choosing the right equipment for survival.)

Signal mirror

If you get lost and are separated from your group, the last thing you want is to be in a situation where you are too exhausted or far away to signal that you need help.

Include a signal mirror in your survival kit and learn how to use it. The signals can be seen up to 15 miles away. If it’s a clear and sunny day, a signaling mirror is also an effective way to gain the attention of first responders.

Solar blanket

Hypothermia can happen even when it’s only 50 F outside and staying warm can be difficult if your clothing is wet or you don’t have a change of clothes.

With a solar blanket, you can keep your body warm when temperatures drop, especially at night. They are extremely packable, so include them in your survival kit.

Water purification system

You can survive without food for at least weeks. However, if you don’t have clean drinking water you can only survive for one week or about three to four days.

To prevent dehydration when SHTF, make sure you also bring a portable water purification system so you don’t run out of water. You can also bring water purification tablets as a backup.

Prepare a survival kit and include these useful tools if you plan to spend time outdoors.

Where to get survival cord for your kit

The Health Ranger Store is committed to helping you prepare for any emergency and providing you with high-quality tools for your survival kit or bug-out bag.

That’s why we’re proud to introduce Ranger Gear UHMWPE Braided Survival Cord.

Sturdy and reliable cordage is a must-have preparedness item for any bug-out bag, emergency kit or survival cache.

With a multitude of survival uses, Ranger Gear UHMWPE Braided Survival Cord 1.5mm is the perfect cordage for nearly all your basic survival needs. It’s versatile enough to be used in daily life.

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) cordage has a multitude of survival uses. In terms of raw strength per mm of thickness, UHMWPE is stronger than 550 paracord, nylon and even Kevlar cordage.

UHMWPE is also buoyant, meaning it floats on water and is excellent at resisting abrasion.

Offered in 100 ft. lengths, this UHMWPE cordage is top-of-the-line survival cordage. It is made by tightly braiding individual fibers into a super strong finished cord.

Because Ranger Gear UHMWPE Braided Survival Cord 1.5mm is capable of carrying up to 200 lbs., you can use it to secure rolled items or bind small things, such as firewood when making a temporary shelter.

Use Ranger Gear UHMWPE Braided Survival Cord 1.5mm to tie tools to your belt for easy access.

Create a makeshift strap to carry tools around your neck or sling them over your shoulder, leaving your hands free to do necessary preparedness work.

You can use this thin cordage to make clotheslines, bundle plants and herbs for drying, create DIY fishing lines, tie down tarps, or make simple traps, snares and trip wires for hunting small game.

Ranger Gear UHMWPE Braided Survival Cord 1.5mm can also be used for first aid purposes, such as fashioning a DIY sling or splint for injured limbs.

Visit Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store to find more prepping products. You can also go to Survival.news for more tips on how to survive when SHTF.

Click on this link to browse a list of other useful tools for your survival kit.

Watch this clip about why you need UHMWPE braided cord for your survival kit.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.