10 Items You NEED For Survival! [ That you forgot! ] 

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Another thing used in the military for anti-chafing and also for keeping your feet in good condition especially when you're wearing boots, is Gold Bond foot powder. Chafing causes a breakdown of the skin which can lead to infection, smell, and problems with flies, etc because of it.

Keep in mind if the umbrella can be used to shed water, it can also be used in the collection of water. Great video brother thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise and GOD-BLESS

As someone who wears glasses and backpacks, eyeglass care is something I've noticed being neglected a lot of times. Thanks for the reminders on how to keep our vision going. An eyeglass repair kit stays in my backpack's first aid kit. It's something I can't afford to be without. Like you said, it can literally be a life saver.

Thanks for including us glasses-wearers! I'd also recommend a strap to wrap behind the head and prevent the glasses from falling off and sliding down your nose. Prevention is the best cure and dropping your glasses will cost you time and supplies to fix, so just prevent it altogether if you can.

Another benefit to having some kind of hydration powder is that disinfected water usually doesn't taste very good. A little bit of added flavor wouldn't hurt.

Thanks for the reminders your tips are always appreciated. It helps to think outside the box. I've used an umbrella as protection against a dog too. Popped it open and it took off. 😊

Im always amazed how many people dont include umbrellas. Mix with a poncho and you have a semi-framed shelter. You can even get one with a camera attachment bottom. Add that with a camera stick with a poncho and you have a mini teepee.

Forget hot hands, get uniheat reptile/animal safe shipping heat pack. Comes in various hours, I keep the 40 and 72 hour ones around for my three reptiles. They max at 100 f so no scalding temps, they even have 96 hour ones.

Imodium would be a great idea too

All OUTSTANDING suggestions and each one has been an addition to my kits depending on the depth of application from a pocket PSK up to a 70L INCH bag. A few compliments to each: •Electrolytes: tablets made my Medi-Lyte may be more suitable to very small PSK’s •Hand warmers: one positioned on one’s head under a touk or watch cap raises thermoregulation significantly. Also remember the hot water bottle in a sock trick to raise a sleeping bag’s R value •Anti chaffing: I strongly recommend everyone invest in several pair of “bicyclist race” type athletic underpants/shorts. Also carry Vaseline & duct tape •Readers: nothing to add except a selection of readers makes a fine barter option & purchase of Croakies style security tethers for one’s glasses is a must •Caffeine tabs: HUGE yes. Also the 200mg made of green tea extract seem to have far less diuretic effect than synthetic No Doz •Locktite: Vaseline (see above) works in a pinch but requires Q-tipping said threads at a later date •Umbrella: huge yes. I own the exact model James demonstrated & whereas it works and is light/compact, a full length umbrella carried on side-of-pack MOLLE loops is a negligible addition, weight wise, but can offer 30+% more dry coverage. A down n dirty green stick tripod with an umbrella zip tied to the top can literally be the difference between a 6 foot, roaring long-fire in a storm or freezing in pitch black rain. •Lens cleaner: cut old sweatpants/sweatshirts into 2 inch squares. Nestle 10-15 into a repurposed round container (I use an old beard balm container w/ screw lid) Douse said patches with isopropyl alcohol at 50% or higher strength. Reapply during the same “fixin to” period when you check batteries and lighter fluid levels before an outing or a trek •Eyeglasses repair kit: nothing to add except more is more (add to a store bought kit and remember a bent paper clip can be a life saver) •Super Glue: check them in the “preflight” before an outing or trek. They harden after a few years, even if unopened, and are worthless once cured inside the tube 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼one of the best Waypoint reminder videos in recent memory. God bless and strengthen James Bender. Prep up folks. We are one day closer than yesterday.

Tweezers both fine tipped for ticks and regular for slivers are small and very useful when needed.

As a former mail carrier on my walking route I carried a small quick pop open umbrella for weather changes, but I also used it to scare away approaching snarly barking dogs, it worked.

Dollar Tree has a small nail clipper set and usually contains tweezers , file, etc

Incredibly practical & trouble-preventing, James! Most of those items I keep in my shaving kit when traveling; & most of them are readily available in our home or vehicle to use as necessary. In essence, all the items you mentioned are handy for Every Day Carry; not just survival kits. Beyond survival or emergency situations, they provide comfort at home, while traveling; and/or in the woods. Nessmuk's addage of going into to the woods to smooth it instead of roughing it is practical advice for everyday living, as well as, emergencies & outdoor activities. May God bless you!

If you wear eye glasses, always keep your old pair when you get a new pair. keep the prescription with them so you can see how far off they are from your new ones, as well as mark the date you replaced them in case you have several pairs you'll know which is closest to your current prescription. Build up your supply of extra eye glasses.

Basic kit: air, water, shelter, food and personal protection. Fire while important, sometimes isn’t safe. (Totally agree on the hand warmers = I pack body warmers). The only other element overlooked was power production = being able to recharge batteries and run equipment using a handheld magneto/dynamo with capacitor’s is very nifty. FWIW that umbrella when lined with foil makes an awesome directional antenna. (Always have foil = many uses)

Another great video. Will be adding some items to my emergency vehicle bag. Keep up the great hacks and ideas. Some are common sense that most people overlook. Love them. Looking forward to seeing more.

Great video, another item that I never see anyone talking about is fingernail or toenail clippers for the toilet kit

An emergency dental kit is very important to carry. I have a friend that fixes his crowns with J.B. QUICK (JB WELD)

I already carry a repair kit for my glasses, reading glasses, Hot-hands, oral re-hydration powders and some gold bond anti-chafe stick. I keep going back and forth about the umbrella. I have a silver sun/rain umbrella in my wife's BOB, but not mine. The glue is useful... but should not be used for skin suturing. the stuff the docs use is a different formulation. if you want that, use Nu-Skin... which is an OTC version. Also, you can pick up an emergency dental repair kit at CVS for a few bucks, and it's a good thing to keep close at hand.

James, I subscribed to your channel a long time ago. I get so excited to see a new video from you because you bring history back to reality. In this video specifically, however, your perspective on things, modern or historical, is so full of wisdom and shows that your research and experience drives the value of your videos. The concept of the reality of survival or just dealing with hard times, you bring wisdom back. Thank you.

As someone who works in hot/humid Florida... Gold Bond powder is amazing for anti-chaff. There is a condition I've heard colorfully referred to as "Swamp Butt" amongst many other variations. A decent application of Gold Bond medicated powder prevents that and other potentially painfully debilitating conditions.

Always a great video James, thank you!! Although, keep in mind that the no-doz is a diuretic. In an emergency situation, you may need to retain every drop of moisture you can, and this would work against you in that manner. The caffeine will be working against the hydration mix. Maybe that’s necessary and must be done - so be it. But caution should be taken with that much caffeine in an emergency. It also will likely spike your cortisol levels which is your stress hormone that can cause other issues. Thanks again James!!

bril! 😊 hothands also make body warmer and foot warmers as well as the hand warmers. i have at least 1 of each in my b o b (bugout bag) and g h b (get home bag.) the foot ones can be used while walking, the body patch sticks to your clothes and works like that 😊 but first option is defo the hand warmers!

Good ideas. Umbrella also makes you "bigger" in the eyes of predators, mountain lions, etc

thank you James a lot of those items I did not have in my kit, they will be added, I can see a need for those things

I've worn spectacles since the age of two years old- when they had to be held on with a piece of elastic! Anyhow i can tell you that THE single best thing to have on hand for when one of those tiny screws comes out is a little piece of wire rather than a screw. I used to always keep those wire ties that come with freezer bags- the ones covered in paper/plastic just pull that off or fine gauge fuse wire works too. You just stick the wire through the screw holes & twist it around making sure the ends won't be scratching your face etc. Nowdays i just have a spare pair on hand so it's not likely an emergency will come up usually but i would still do the same thing should need arise. Edit: Also umbrellas are the best thing when heat &/or the sun are your biggest problem. I think so much survival oriented stuff is based around keeping out the cold but forgetting about the heat. i guess that's how i see it bcz i live in Australia whereas most of the stuff on RU-vid is from the US where it really does get cold in a lot of places.

NO-Doz is a great addition! PreparedMind101 did a video on a neugenix mix for improved cognitive function and "mental preparedness" and No-Doz or other some caffeine supplements were part of that mix.

Outstanding idea. Going to save this and review this again.

Great list of easily overlooked items. While it's not a large expense, a diy oral rehydration mix is what works best for me and I can size the pouches for my preferred canteen at less than 5¢/quart inclusive of the vacuum bag material. I have a significant reserve of calcium so that's a low priority but Sodium, Potassium and Magnesium salts with some sucrose or dextrose make a huge difference when having to work in 100°F (~38°C) and 99%RH conditions. I usually use Chlorides for the Na and K and Sulfate for the Mg but Epsom salt can have a laxative effect on some people. YMMV and speak with your doctor first. The caffeine tastes terribly bitter but works fast sublingually. Just have to make the plan for someone else to take a security shift when you're trading 6 hours on for needing 10 hours to crash.

Cheers for the updates mate.!

Great reminders! I would also add any medicines you normally take, as well as pain relief. Some wet wipes are also gold. I especially like the Electrolyte and Hand warmer tips. Those will make a huge difference when you have to exert yourself or you need to survive a cold night which both should be expected in a survival situation.

I always bring a small umbrella ever since I was in scouts as a kid soooo useful

Here's one to get out of. 2 friends and I were making a last of the year rafting run down the Snake river. Waters low, awesome fly fishing but it was time to pay attention to ending the trip as the sun was going down and temperature already at - 20 and soon it would be falling fast. One last little rapid and it's all deep water to where we left the car. Well, we hit something very sharp that sliced the side of the raft from stem to stern just as we were getting dumped into the deep water. By time the 3 us us made it to shore, we were soaking wet without shoes or our heavy jackets. Somewhere down river everything we could have used to survive comfortably for the next week was probably heading for the diversion dam and it was getting dark enough to where you couldn't see the ground beneath your feet. One of the younger of us grew up in the back woods, normally he works for us but now he jumps into action and starts barking out orders. "Dig around under that pine tree, find tiny little dry branches and dry pine needles" "Hold still'. as he pulls out an ankle knife and lops off a chunk of my hair and then has me looking for dry wood. By time we got back, he had fashioned a bow and a round stick. A minute latter there is a fire which he's placing sticks on. It turned so cold, that by time the fire was going good, it was time to dry our clothes. My jeans were actually frozen to my legs and when I got them off they could stand up by themselves. The fire was warm and by time our clothes were dry we ended up spending the night talking about our favorite fishing gear we just lost. We were not lost, just on the wrong side of the river. Besides fish and game is always there on the spot if you catch a fish an inch out of it's slot size. By morning it warmed up enough to snow and with the morning light we hiked back upstream and crossed where the river was fast and wide but not to deep. I got home around noon the girls still sound asleep meaning nobody even missed me.

Thanks, James. Insignificant items become the most important items when you don't have them. I was looking at a glasses repair kit the other day and decided nah I don't need it. Hahaha here you are calling me out 😎

Well done. Thanks for all the great tips. I especially liked that it was all the other things that aren’t on the main list.

I carry triple antibiotic everywhere. Tackle box, toolbox, survival kit etc. I use it for fire starting, first aid, lubrication, water proofing, the list is endless

Thank you for always sharing your knowledge! ❤

There were several items that you showed that have multi-uses, such as the mirror in the eyeglass case can be used to signal for help, the eyeglasses can be used to harness the sun's rays to start a fire, the umbrella can be turned upside down when it's raining to catch water, especially when your water supply is getting low. Great ideas that you showed.

GREAT, GREAT advice! There are of course a TON of more things to add to this but these items are top on the list!

Chafing in the inner thigh area is absolutely miserable that just continues to get worse the more you walk. Great idea.

Another great video with simple, critical and expensive additions to your pack. Funny, you mention the eyeglass repair I’m always reminded of the twilight zone episode with Burgess Meredith, where he works in a bank and is in the bank vault when the bomb drops and he’s the last Man on Earth. Here he is an avid reader, with all the books in the world to read… And now his only pair glasses are broken.

Got about half that stuff, been building BoBs for a decade & still there’s things I don’t think about packing. I need to get me in umbrella & the small glasses & small kit. 🤜🤛

I like your list!! I will add these things to my kit.

Hello from Detroit Michigan brother thank you for what you do and GOD-BLESS

Thank you for the new techniques and equipment for Survival.

Good day my friend. Well I have it all except for the notos and the Loctite and I never had thought about either one of them until you mentioned. Thank you. I'm looking forward to the silverwolves Gathering. May god bless you and your family.

Hi, I just found your site & your video was great. I listen to this type of video a lot but you named some items I’d never heard before. I already keep a survival bag ( for when the shtf ) with me but after listening to this video I decided to pack a small bag to take when traveling to visit family, or short distances, especially to have the electrolyte powder, super glue, eyeglass repair kit etc.. so I won’t have to open my large survival kit. I watch the program, Could You Survive This? On the weather channel. There are stories where people were suddenly in dangerous situations because of getting lost, a wreck or a sudden change in weather & all of them made the wrong decisions. Creek explains a better or easier choice & explains how you can use items you already have in your car such as using floor mats to make “snow shoes” if you’re stranded in your car that is wrecked or doesn’t run. If I have a small bag for just short distances, it would help me in an emergency.

Don't forget "Clear finger nail polish" it's great as a lightweight "thread locker" AND its also flammable and can be used to help get a fire going...and also can be used with some lightweight thread ( from 550 cord) to attach bird feathers or Furr to a fishhook to make a lure or makeshift "fly" to catch food.

Great list brother!! Thank you!! God bless and stay safe!!

I keep dollar store reading glasses in my backpacking kit.

Dryer lint can be compacted and packed into a baggie and saved to use as a quick fire starter also.. an emergency sewing kit can help save your clothes and socks, etc as well

Solid gold suggestions, thanks!

😊Thanks James. Take care 😊

Thank you. Had not thought of some of these

I have only the hydration covered. Thanks for the heads up on those other items.

I like those folding reading glasses.

Prayers 🙏

Allot of great ideas James. I really like the Antichafe balm. Cheers 🇨🇦

James ty for all of those great tips..

Cool I never thought of several of those items , although I keep most of em routinely in my truck I’d never considered them in a back pack

A very good list and will be adding. Thanks.

Don't forget the flintlock!! Nice video as usual

Can also flip the umbrella over to collect drinkable rain water. Superglue is also flammable(emergency firestarter) He is 100% right about having an eyeglass repair kit in a survival situation. You can build a shelter, collect water, catch food and craft weapons. None of which is possible if you can't see. Even if you don't wear glasses, you could repair someone else's.

Cool suggestions James. Thank you for sharing with us

I would also suggest the tooth repair kit and some dental wax sheets. Invaluable when out and tooth breaks or a filling comes out! The wax can be used to keep the cheek away from the filling or broken tooth for comfort.

No doze, carried it all the time when i was in the army. Rehydration salts, thats for when you drank too much while fishing.

All useful stuff to have in your kit, thanks for the heads up...🇬🇧

Good video 👍 I always carry spare spectacles in my edc bag and in my bug out bag.

Op drops while sounds cool and effective, not so much. It actually puts on a layer that eventually comes off and makes the lens of sunglasses, for example, look scratched and can be difficult to see clearly through. Over time, that coating flakes off. If you re-apply without completely removing the first layer you applied, the second coat just builds up and is still not clear. I recommend the small box of lens cleaners that you can pick up at any Walmart vision center or any drugstore. It's way easier to use. I base this knowledge on first-hand experience using the stuff in the field at Ft Stewart GA.

The solvent in the superglue also burns. Hit it with sparks, and it will light almost anything. But DO NOT breath the fumes in- you're going to see litlte black ropey strands riding up on the heat. That's soot and superglue, you don't want to breath it in.

Great extras to add

eyeglass/lens cleaning wipes is a good and also small and light item to pack in and as they are just slightly damp with alcohol they can help with fire starting.

I like using NUUN. Comes in a tube of tablets. A bit pricey. But works like Alka-Seltzer. You can get both the electrolyte and vitamins. No stirring, no shaking. dissolves quickly. Not to promote them, I just like it. And the empty tubes are great to save for putting things inside like cotton balls kneaded with vasoline for fire starters. Matches... another for a small fishing kit. Millions of things. Bought for one purpose, but with the imagination, there's many other uses for the containers.

More great ideas! Thanks James!

Hello from the UK, James,great video, good choices .many thanks!

Like to see you do a desert episode. Take the family out to AZ to the desert mountains or even to see the majestic Grand Canyon. The small umbrella is a good idea as the sun can get brutal after only a few minutes of exposure. A shemagh of course, UV/polarized suglasses and the ever important pair of work gloves since everything in the desert has pincers, points, or sharp edges. Thanks for the video!

Thank you again!

Man this was a very good video James!! Thank you for sharing this with us. I always keep electrolytes in my bag of some sort, and man they've saved my butt several times! I know about the NO Doz, but have you ever heard of Jet Alert? It's the same as NO Doz, but they come in a very small plastic white bottle and there's 90 caplets, still with 200mg of caffeine per pill. That's another item I ALWAYS have in my bag, cuz sometimes there's just no time to brew a cup of Java sadly, or I'm just not in an area to do so...or there's no coffee!😢 These are all extremely handy items to have! I'm definitely gonna pick up a chafe safe stick of some sort. That would've came in handy multiple times!! Great content as always my friend, you're very realistic about the items you should have on hand, they're not overwhelmingly expensive and they're practical as well. As always James, God bless you and your family and I can't wait to see what's next!!!!

Thx for the vid James

Good video. A couple things I had not thought of. Thanks for posting it.

Thank you for the great info!!!

Often when I'm at the checkout at Dollar general or family Dollar I constantly pick up those mini eyeglass kits because almost everybody in my family wears glasses and that's one of those things that I have noticed that a lot of people neglect to talk about in their survival kits their bug out bags you know however they want to call it great video

Awesome!

I liked this video. There were 4 items I didn't have in my bag. Thanks for sharing.

I've seen the Hot Hands warmers in a foot version also but it's basically the same so either works... I used to put several in some of my outdoor cat shelters in the winter to keep my outdoor cats warm...

+++1 for keeping a tube of Super Glue on hand for closing small wounds/stopping bleeding.

Sir I just come across your channel this morning. I would like to thank you for the information that you provided. And infact there where three items missing for my kit.

All great Ideas!

Eyeglass repair kit strictly for eyeglasses… I’m 56 & near-sighted, and UGH, even calm in a bright room, it’s SO HARD to get that TINY tiny screw in, hold in place, & fit the screwdriver on the head. A solid-colored towel to catch slippery screws, a magnet to not lose screws (easy to drop & lose!), a headlamp for hands-free, & a magnifying glass helps soooo much. OR just make sure your eyeglass/sunglasses have tight screws in before you venture out. 😄

I really appreciate and like the fact that you list the items mentioned and have links to the items. Very convenient and thorough. Please continue to do so. Also... how do you reccomend burning off galvanized steel brackets that I would use over a tin can for a pot holder... from one of ur other vids.

Great video. +1 especially for eyeglass repair kit. I also include spare eyeglasses (an old pair).

This may be your most important video. Very good!

Good video James , thanks for sharing , God bless brother !

Thanks WPS great information never know if you are going to be in a survival situation .

I’m gonna go on the show Alone with just these 10 items

As always, great tips and tricks

Bit of advice thru experience. I had a two pack of single use super glue still in the pack, in my EDC backpack. It was in there for 4-5 years. I recently needed some, pulled it out and both tubes hard as a rock. Those tubes have an experation date. May want to check from time to time. Also baking soda and super glue will work together as a binary epoxy that can weld plastics together that wouldn't normally glue. In a bad pinch it works in a stripped out bolt hole. Many video on YT

All of these are great items for barter also.