Survival camping requires more than just tents and sleeping bags; you will also require essential survival gear to protect yourself against becoming lost or injured while out in nature for extended periods.

Rapid oxidation warmers, for instance, are small enough to easily fit in your pack without drawing any unwanted attention.

Fire Starter

Survival fire starters are essential tools for camping trips and emergencies alike, providing an alternative method of lighting tinder without using matches or lighters – ideal for creating campfires!

With any fire starting method – be it flint and steel, ferrocerium or modern lighter – tinder must be available to catch sparks and transfer them onto larger kindling. Ideal tinder bundles could include dry grass blades, twigs or cotton balls coated in Vaseline – while survival fire starters should come equipped with convenient carrying cases for transportability.

Headlamp

Headlamps provide hands-free illumination when setting up camp, lighting a trail or searching through closets. Some also come equipped with “beacon” modes that blink to inform others where you are located.

Select the ideal headlamp for your needs by considering factors such as flood vs spot beam, rechargeable batteries vs single use batteries and battery life. Many even feature lockout mode to prevent accidental button presses turning it on while in storage.

Tarp

Tarps offer essential protection from rain, wind, snow and sun exposure. Furthermore, they can serve as makeshift shelters that offer dry places to store gear.

Experts advise selecting a survival tarp with either a durable polyurethane (PU) or silnylon coating to ensure durability and longevity. A foldable model with an included stuff sack would make for convenient storage within a bug out bag.

A colorful tarp can serve as a powerful signaling device, drawing rescuers or hiding survival caches from prying eyes.

Rescue Mirror

Even though battery-powered lights and chemical lanterns are more effective at drawing attention to yourself in emergency situations, a small signal mirror should still be carried for emergency survival situations as it provides an inexpensive, lightweight, yet effective visual rescue signal.

Plastic mirrors with aimers for easier focusing are available for purchase and range in weight from 5-20 dollars, providing lighter solutions than glass mirrors that float and cost between $5-20 more than their glass counterparts. Plus, their brighter reflection makes them less prone to breakage [source: U.S. Air Force].

Paracord

Paracord can save lives in an emergency situation when camping with children or groups with mixed abilities; you can purchase 1,000-ft spools on Amazon for an excellent price.

Paracord (commonly referred to as parachute cord) was initially developed for suspension lines on parachutes, and has an impressive strength-to-weight ratio. Paracord is typically sold by the spool; for survivalists and campers who value its high breaking strength 550 pounds is usually the preferred type.

Knife

Knives are among the most essential camping survival tools. From cutting rope to digging latrine pits, knives can serve multiple functions that ensure an enjoyable camping trip experience.

An effective survival knife features a thick pommel with an impact point designed for precision impact (for instance when breaking car windows). Furthermore, its handle may feature finger grooves and deep depressions to accommodate different hand sizes.

Shiny knives can act as an emergency signal mirror to alert rescuers of your location. Just be mindful to stay within your blood bubble when using any sharp objects like knives so as to prevent accidental stabs.

First Aid Kit

First aid kits are an essential piece of survival gear when camping, including burn cream, blister treatments and medical-grade gloves. Keep trip risks such as poison ivy and ticks in mind when selecting one.

Prepackaged kits can be found to suit groups of various sizes and circumstances, or you can create your own from an extensive list of recommended items. When traveling into remote regions where emergency medical services may take hours to arrive, having the appropriate kit could save lives.

Compass

A compass is an indispensable survival tool that allows wilderness travelers to find their campsite, navigate specific routes or orient themselves within the landscape with pinpoint accuracy. Compasses don’t rely on batteries or screens – instead they utilize Earth’s magnetic fields for navigational accuracy.

Learn to read maps and use compass devices together for navigation in unfamiliar terrains. These skills are indispensable when venturing out into the wild; these skills could save your life from an impending ravine or keep you from becoming lost in the woods.