When we shared our top 12 survival kit essentials, one thing became clear – some of the simplest items pack the biggest punch. Especially if you’re new to the bush and think a can of Coke will get you through. Spoiler: it won’t! 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. 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 fire’s stubborn. Bonus: it’s reusable, which means eco-friendly. Make sure you use a long stainless steel straw – you don’t want to singe those pretty eyebrows!
2. Vaseline-Laced Cotton Balls
A classic for a reason and a life saver. Cotton balls soaked in Vaseline light easily and burn hot for minutes – perfect for emergency fire-starting when everything else is damp. Bonus: it’s takes very little room in the pack and is ultra lightweight.
3. 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. Balanced blood sugar = survival!
4. Duct Tape Wrapped Around a Bic Lighter
Equals quick fix for gear repair, splint fingers using the buddy-tape system, even starting a fire. Duct tape is super versitile, a lifesaver and a must-have in every outdoors person’s kit.
Looking for more duct tape hacks? Check out our 10 Rediculous Outdoor Gear Fixes to discover why duct tape is so important to carry in your wilderness preparedness kit.
5. Foldable Stove
Lightweight and compact, a foldable stove is a smart backup when open fires aren’t 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.
This one here is from Bespoke Post – it’s a copy of the popular Bushbox XL. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative, the Solognac Wood-Burning Stove from Decathlon is a great option.
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.
These five emergency add-on kit items aren’t about prepping for disaster – they’re about being ready for the real, unexpected moments out in the bush. Majority of people heading into the woods go in unprepared. But here’s 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? There’s no need to carry a ton of gear, just the most important ones!
If you haven’t seen our full list of outdoor essentials, check out our Top 12 Must-Haves for Your Outdoor Survival Kit.
👉 Have you ever experienced a situation outdoors where you could have used an emergency tool? Share your story in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you!
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