Common Sense

Common Sense Survival for Outdoor Enthusiasts
by Bob Newman

This is a mini guide to surviving for 5 days; it is a "friendly" text that you can give your spouse or child to read without scaring them. It does not cover foraging, snaring, etc so would be totally inadequate for medium or long-term survival.

First Aid

• 6 2"x2" gauze pads
• 6 4"x4" gauze pads
• roll of standard medical gauze tape
• assortment of povidone iodine wipes
• eye patch
• antibiotic/antiseptic cream
• package of steri-strips
• moleskin
• bandage scissors & tweezers
• 1 3" elastic bandage
• 1 3" gauze roller bandage
• Sawyer brand Extractor Kit (snake & insect bites)
• 2 cravats

Signals

• sturdy plastic whistle
• pencil flare launcher with 6 flares
• shatterproof signal mirror
• sturdy flashlight with extra batteries
• extra bullets/shells if you have a firearm
• several strips (3"x12") international orange cloth

Fire

• 1 35mm film canister with cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly
• magnesium block with striker
• commercial tinder sticks
• magnifying glass
• butane lighter
• waterproof container of wooden "strike anywhere" kitchen matches

Food and Water

• 100 yards 15 lb. test fishing line
• hooks, mostly small
• 1 packaged prepared catfish/scavanger bait
• 1 botttle PotableAqua brand, halazone, or iodine tabs for H20
• 10' surgical tubing
• 2 plastic collapsible containers
• 1 clear pastic bag, large
• 1 dry compressed sponge (unused)

Shelter

• 1 solar blanket
• 50' parachute cord
• several chemical heat packs
• wiresaw
• 1 8'x8' tarp, reflective on one side
• 3 survival candles

Other

• fixed or lock-blade knife
• Silva compass
• topographic map
• spare eyeglasses/sunglasses
• spare wool hat
• aspirin or tylenol
• prescription medicine
• other items unique to your needs