It is very important to have an outdoor survival plan. But it is also important to have more than one tool available in case of failure or loss of your equipment.
How many times have you had a tour in the field where you had a critical piece of equipment? Or maybe you lost or lost an instrument? At best, you could improvise. In the worst case, you had to go home early. But what happens if you really are in a situation of survival? Having a backup for ordinary items, you can continue your tour and possibly save your life.
I prefer to have a backup plan for four key areas: Shelter, Water, Fire and Cutting
1. Shelter. Obviously, if you are actually camping, you will probably have a tent or tarp that you use for your main refuge. But if you're only on a day trip, fishing trip or a short trip, you probably won't have any formal gear for shelter. I like to keep things simple and light. Poncho is great for this role. Nylon ponchos are my preference because of their strength and durability, but PVC ponchos will do that.
For backups, you can consider a liner for heavy waste, preferably 55 gallons. A poncho or debris liner can be quickly deployed to protect you from sudden downpours or falsify as a shelter to protect from the sun or wind. If you have available resources, the shelter can be created from local materials, but having your own material will free you from other tasks.
2. Water. We all know that you cannot walk drinking unprocessed water in the backcountry. We now have more options than ever for water purification. I prefer to wear a water purifier as my primary option, but it is important to have a backup.
A great lightweight option is personal water purification straw. It can be sent to any tour and does not take up too much space. An additional option may be tablets for water purification. If you have a fire resistant container, you can also boil water, preferably for at least 15 minutes.
3. Fire. There are many options for sources of fire. Waterproof matches are preferable if you use matches as your primary source. You can buy them or make your own with paraffin, but don't forget to use the punch anywhere if you do. Flare lighters are also an excellent source of primary fire, although disposable lighters and zippers also work.
To back up, you should consider items that will not be affected by water. Water extinguishers will not be damaged by water. Shave a small pile of magnesium shavings off the block, and then use a strike to put sparks on the chips. This is enough to set a shadow. Some people prefer to wear their own tinder, but be prepared to store it in a waterproof case. There are other options, such as BlastMatch, Spark-Light and Swedish Fire Steel. I highly recommend practicing fire making skills using both primary and backup methods before you begin. It is quite difficult to build a fire with a new method in ideal conditions. The learning curve for a new method can be overwhelming if you wait until you are in a stressful situation.
4. Cutting. I hope you always carry some kind of instrument when you go outside. My personal preference is a quality multi-tool, preferably light but functional. One of them with the function of pliers was extremely useful at times in my experience.
Some people prefer a fixed knife blade. This is a personal preference. I handled both folding rear knives and fixed blades. The powerful fixed blade can also be used for grinding, but this can add weight and weight.
For my backup, I prefer a simple, lightweight folding knife. If I break or lose my main blade, I still have a way to cut it off. A small folding knife does not take up much space in your set or pocket and will keep you moving.
This is not a complete list. I created this list as a simple reminder of the basic elements that anyone can wear with a minimum mass. These items can fit in a small pouch in a backpack or on a belt.
