The “Bear” Essentials

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If you’re the type of person who jumps out of planes into unknown wilderness simply to see if you can make it back to civilization, you’re either Bear Grylls, or you need to have your head examined. Okay, so you may never been stranded in Siberia’s -50°F terrain, but the Man Vs. Wild host delivers a small collections of resources to keep you alive!  This is not an exhaustive list or survival essentials, just experience from years of training, raw instincts and sheer will to survive.

1. Ziplock bags are a must!

Waterproof items such as cell phones and identification documents in Ziplock bags.

2. Remember Family

This kind of goes without saying, but stay in contact with family.

3. Laminate Memories

“Survival is all about hope, keeping your spirits up, and smiling when it’s raining. So keep something that does that for you. Take a laminated picture of your loved ones, for instance, and stick it in the sole of your shoe. I have one of all three of my kids that I keep in my boot.”

4. Extra Socks

There is nothing like putting on a clean pair of socks at the end of a wet or tired day.  It can do wonders for uplifting your spirit, as well as protect your feet physically. Use your Ziploc bags and waterproof your extra socks!

5. Bag it

Trash bags are useful to have on hand for so many things: waterproofing, shelter, collect water and storage.  Plus, they hardly take up any space, so keep some on hand!

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6. The Ultimate Knife

Includes a fire striker, a sharpener, a serrated blade, a normal blade and even a whistle.

7. The Bible

To Bear Grylls, the most important verse is:

“Be sure of this, that I am with you always, even unto the ends of the earth.”  Matthew 28:20

When you’re in any kind of survival situation, this verse is a good one to know!

8. Crank radio and flashlight

Stay in communication with others and don’t rely on batteries to navigate at night or in the dark.

9. Bag of Tricks

Pull the knowledge and techniques you’ve gain life to find food and water, build fire and shelter, and protect yourself in hostile environments. You never know what specific situation you’ll be up against, so take advantage of any opportunity that comes along. Do whatever it takes, eat whatever you need to, do the most disgusting uncouth things, if it means the difference between survival and failure.

10. Will to Survive

Remember, at the end of the day, Man Vs. Wild is a tv show.  Video reels can be edited, cropped for entertainment and fit between commercials. If you want to learn real survival skills, then train, prepare and practice!

Urban, natural or happen chance disaster may take you by surprise.  Keep your cool and plan ahead. Priorities are food, shelter, water and communication. With a little preparation, you can put the odds in your favor against whatever disaster nature brings.

Should you find yourself up a creek without a paddle, you’re going to need these 10 lifesavers courtesy of the “Man Vs. Wild” host.

If the odds were against you, what would you trust to keep you alive?