When we shared our top 12 survival kit essentials, one thing became clear – some of the simplest items pack the biggest punch. Especially if youโre new to the bush and think a can of Coke will get you through. Spoiler: it wonโt! So what extras can make a survival kit more useful for outdoor adventures? Here are five emergency add-on kit essentials we always carry, that might surprise you, but will seriously help in those unexpected moments.
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1. Survival Fire Add-On: Stainless Steel Straw (Fire Bellow Hack)
Sounds weird? Your lungs will thank you! This tiny straw fits easily into your emergency add-on kit and acts as a perfect fire bellow – helping you get flames going faster when your fireโs stubborn. Bonus: itโs reusable, which means eco-friendly. Make sure you use a long stainless steel straw – you don’t want to singe those pretty eyebrows! I know plenty of men who have!!
2. Outdoor Survival Add-On: Vaseline-Laced Cotton Balls (petroleum jelly fire)
Bush vaseline is a classic for a reason and a lifesaver. A DIY fire starter is cotton balls soaked in Vaseline, which light easily and burning cotton burns hot for minutes โ perfect for emergency fire-starting when everything else is damp. Bonus: it takes very little room in the pack and petroleum jelly cotton balls are ultra lightweight. It’s an essential add-on for a bug out bag or any backpack for that matter. We usually carry about half a dozen Vaseline-laden cottonballs in a small zip-lock baggie.
3. Food Add-Ons: Mentally Calming Snack (like a favourite candy or bar)
It sounds silly… until it’s not! We’ve seen people go into full panic mode when lost or the atv / snowmobile breaks down as the sun begins to set. Familiar food helps you refocus, which is why emergency food is a must-have for wilderness survival and is usually the thing missing from standard emergency kits. Balanced blood sugar = survival!
Your favourite snack may not be as wholesome as freeze dried meals, but it will surely help you power through your emergency!
4. Duct Tape Wrapped Around a Bic Lighter (for fire tinder)
Duct tape is not just an emergency preparedness add-on, but also part of a first aid add-on kit. It equals a quick fix for gear repair, wilderness first aid –ย splint fingers using the buddy-tape system, even as emergency tinder. Duct tape is super versatile, a lifesaver and a must-have in every outdoor survival kit upgrade. It should also be part of your car survival add-on kit.
Looking for more duct tape hacks? Check out our 10 Ridiculous Outdoor Gear Fixes to discover why duct tape is so important to carry in your wilderness preparedness kit.
5. Backpack Emergency Add-On: Foldable Stove for Survival
A survival kit add-on that’s lightweight and compact – a foldable stove is a smart backup when open fires arenโt an option. Great for city newbies who might not know how to build a fire but still want to cook or boil water safely and quickly. Portable stoves are easier to light in damp conditions, and take less wood than a conventional campfire.
This portable wood-burning stove is from Bespoke Post – it’s a copy of the very popular Bushbox XL. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative, something like the Solognac Wood-Burning Stove from Decathlon is another great option.
Remember!
Before using any cooking equipment during a fire ban, always check local regulations. Some areas may have specific restrictions or exceptions. Contact the local park office or municipal authorities for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Bonus Emergency Add-On!
Whether you need to make a fire in the snow, dealing with wet wood or frozen hands, an emergency flare is a surefire way to get your emergency fire started. A lit flare gets very hot quickly and stays lit for approximately 15 minutes – giving you enough time to pile on your wet tinder and branches to get that fire going. The flare is one of those items that most people don’t think to add, but it should be an essential add-on to any bug out bag.
These five emergency add-on kit items arenโt about prepping for disaster – theyโre about emergency preparedness – being ready for the real, unexpected moments when hiking, backpacking, camping, hunting, even off-roading in the bush. Majority of people heading into the woods go in unprepared. But hereโs the thing – your ATV will breakdown, you may get lost while hiking, or you may even get hurt and not have it in you to make it out on your own. These are just a few situations that can come up when adventuring in the backcountry. And trust us, they do come up when you least expect it or aren’t fully prepared.
So, why wait? Why not go into the wilderness prepared and ready to tackle whatever comes your way? Thereโs no need to carry a ton of gear in your emergency kit, just the most important survival gear essentials!
FAQs
What extras can make a survival kit more useful?
1. A stainless steel straw – acts as a bellow
2. Carrying a snack – calms the mind when you need it most
3. Vaseline-laced cotton balls – helps start fires easier
4. Duct-tape wrapped around a Bic lighter – use the duct tape as tinder, for repairs, as a splint
5. Foldable Stove – easier to light in damp conditions, boil water for drinking, backup to when open fires are banned
6. Emergency Flare – helps light wet tinder, extends your fire-making time, signalling
What are the best DIY fire starters?
The best DIY fire starters for your survival kit are Vaseline-soaked cotton balls, duct-tape, dryer lint, and melted candle wax.
How do you use a straw for fire starting?
Once your tinder is lit, blow through the stainless steel straw to grow your flames faster. Make sure the straw is placed close to the base of the embers. And use a steady breath to feed oxygen directly to the heart of the fire.
What to add in a survival kit?
A stainless steel straw to use as a bellow. Keep your mind calm by adding a favourite snack. Roll duct tape around your lighter to use as fire starter or first aid. Add a lightweight, wood burning stove. A few vaseline-laced cotton balls that mae excellent fire starters. And lastly, an emergency flare for signalling, deterring wild animals and starting wet fires.
If you havenโt seen our survival gear list, check out our Top 12 Must-Haves for Your Outdoor Survival Kit.
๐ Have you ever experienced a situation outdoors where you could have used an emergency tool? Share your story in the comments below – weโd love to hear from you!
More Survival Gear Posts from BushLife:
- Budget Bug Out Bag: to put into this affordable pack
- Bespoke Post Subscription: unique EDC gifts made for every man
- Corloq EDC120: keep your small items safe from dust and water
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Great list, we hike often and these would come in handy to have. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! I’m so glad that you found this list helpful. It only takes a few key pieces to provide safety and a peace of mind. Happy hiking!
Iโve never thought to carry a foldable stove but thatโs a great idea! Love your post.
So happy to hear that you loved the post and found the foldable stove idea helpful. It is such a useful piece of gear for any adventure or even power outages. Thank again for your kind words!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
You’re most welcome! I’m glad you found the emergency kit add-on post helpful.