Take these survival items on your next outdoor excursion
Attention all campers, hikers, bikers, climbers, and wilderness adventurers. Be prepared for an emergency situation in any weather condition with this list of survival items for outdoor enthusiasts.
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LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
Amazon.ca
One of the first things you need to secure in an outdoor emergency situation is a clean water source. The LifeStraw can filter up to 4,000 litres of contaminated water without chemicals, making it an efficient alternative to iodine tablets and bulky purifiers.
Why you need this:
Provides water purification for hiking, camping, boating, or travel emergencies
Uses advanced membrane technology with pores smaller than bacteria, parasites, and microplastics
Rated 4.7 out of 5 based on more than 70,700 Amazon.ca reviews
Waterproof Fire Starter (2 Pack)
Amazon.ca
If you find yourself lost and setting up camp until help arrives, you’ll be grateful to have brought this reliable fire starter in your backpack. Its features include a 16,000 strike magnesium rod and striker bar, emergency whistle, navigational compass, and fire paracord ropes that act as tinder to provide an instant fire, even in heavy rain.
Why you need this:
Starting a fire can provide you with heat for warmth and cooking
All-weather starter that works in rain, snow, and high altitudes
Rated 4.2 out of 5 based on more than 4,500 Amazon.ca reviews
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Backpacking Survival Compass with Carry Bag
Amazon.ca
Whether you’re hiking in the backcountry or on trails in the woods, it can be frightening to lose track of where you are. Take this trusty compass with you to navigate an emergency. It has a fluorescent dial that glows after long exposure to light as well as a fluorescent arrow that will enable you to accurately read bearings at night.
Why you need it:
A professional-grade compass will lead you in the right direction when you’re lost or in case of emergency
Portable with a belt loop attachment and carrying case
Rated 4.3 out of 5 based on more than 6,200 Amazon.ca reviews
Featherweight Mirror
Amazon.ca
A mirror can come in handy for things like applying sunscreen, washing your face, or shaving when you’re camping for a week and it can also be used as a vital survival tool in an emergency. Reflected light flashes can signal to others that you need help. This mirror comes with a convenient lanyard hole so you can easily keep it with you at all times.
Why you need this:
A mirror is a camping essential but also acts as an important survival tool
Compact, unbreakable, and lightweight
Rated 4.4 out of 5 based on more than 2,750 Amazon.ca reviews
Starfrit Little Beaver Can Opener, White
Amazon.ca
One of the golden rules of packing for a camping trip in the wilderness is to bring at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food items. This most likely means you’ll be relying on canned food for a while and you’re going to need to remember to bring a good opener to crack into it. This small Starfrit can opener packs easily and works as well as you’ll want it to.
Why you need this:
If you have to rely on canned food, a simple manual can opener is all you need
Suitable for left-handed or right-handed use
Rated 4.7 out of 5 based on more than 4,850 Amazon.ca reviews
11-Function Stainless Steel Survival Pocket Tool
Amazon.ca
It’s incredible that something so small can provide 11 different functions. Use this tool to problem solve various situations you encounter in the wilderness with its built-in survival knife, bottle opener, can opener, flat screwdriver, ruler, wrenches, saw blade, and directional auxiliary indication plus a convenient lanyard keyhole ring.
Why you need this:
A multi-use tool can be used anytime, anywhere to help you with an array of things in emergency situations
Tool is the size of a credit card and fits into your pocket or wallet
Rated 4.5 out of 5 based on more than 4,000 Amazon.ca reviews
S.O.L. Survive Outdoors Heat Reflective Emergency Blanket
Amazon.ca
This extremely lightweight emergency blanket is easily packable for outdoor adventures and can reflect 90 per cent of your body heat to help you stay warm while preventing a potentially fatal loss of heat. It’s made from a metalized polyethylene material that’s more durable than mylar. The material is also quiet, which helps to ease the tension in an already stressful situation.
Why you need this:
Can be used as a ground cloth, gear cover, first aid blanket, or shelter from the elements
Heatsheets material is windproof and waterproof
Rated 4.5 out of 5 based on more than 1,250 Amazon.ca reviews
First Aid Kit
Amazon.ca
When an emergency situation arises from active weather, keep this first aid kit on hand. It’s not only applicable for outdoor activities but it’s wise to keep in your house if a storm knocks out your power. The kit comes in a convenient carrying case at an affordable price point. We’ve recommended this one before with excellent customer feedback.
Why you need this:
Composed of 156 hospital-grade items to assist with medical emergencies
Lightweight and portable, weighing only 1.3 pounds in total
Rated 4.6 out of 5 based on more than 500 Amazon.ca reviews
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Our trusted Product Specialists recommend high-quality items that we think will enhance your experience with Canadian weather conditions. Prices and availability of items are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Thumbnail image courtesy Ali Kazal/Unsplash
