The 3 basic layers (a.k.a. lines) of gear are:
First Layer Gear: Considered as the gear that you absolutely MUST have to survive. This is the gear that you keep immediately on your person (such as in your pockets, on your belt, ect).
Second Layer Gear: Essential equipment that would be kept in your LBV (load bearing vest), survival vest, butt pack, ... you get the idea. This gear is very important, but it's loss wouldn't immediately threaten your life.
Third Layer Gear: This is the gear contained in your ruck sack. It's where everything that won't be immediately required (or needed to be quickly accessed) can be placed.
Your gear list will depend on where you live, your physical limitations, and what you are preparing for. For example, what would the point be to prepare an extreme cold weather survival pack if you live in Arizona? Also, lets say that you are 65 years old and have heart trouble, you obviously don't want to be lugging around a 100lb sack (please note that I'm not saying someone 65 years old isn't capable of surviving..just that their survival plan would need to be different from someone who's 30 and in top physical shape).
1st Line Gear should include:
-Wrist Compass
-Small LED (RED) Flashlight
-Surefire (or other compact & bright light)
-Swiss Army Knife
-Leg Holster
-Side Arm
--2 spare magazines
-Small flask to contain water
-Large knife on leg holster (opposite side)
-Compact first aid kit
--Bandaids
--Tape
--Neosporin
--Gauze
-Compact survival kit
--Fishing hooks, line & sinkers
--Fire starter & waterproof matches (inside waterproof container!!)
--Water purf. tabs
--Parachute cord
--Signal mirror
--Whistle
Examples of 2nd layer gear: (on the LBV & buttpack)
-Assault Rifle
--4 spare magazines (in your LBV mag pouches)
-Flares
-Carabiners x 2
-Spare flashlight batteries (enough for 24 hours)
-Water bladder
-Binoculars
-Body warmer (air activated pad)
-Poncho w/liner
-Several pouches of freeze dried food (mountain house, or the like)
-Quickclot (powder that quickly clots blood)
-Large gauze compress
-Ducktape
-Snakebite kit
-Large canteen
-Maps (of the area you'd expect to be in)
-Map compass
-Firestarter (cotton smeared in vaseline inside of a pill bottle)
-Lighter
3rd line gear: (in the rucksack)
-50' parachute cord
-LARGE water repository
-Water purifier
-Sleeping bag (select type to fit the WORST possible environment you could encounter)
-Extra socks
-10 full freeze dried meals
-Rainsuit
-Batteries (24 pack - per device)
-Hand crank flashlight
-Extra ammo (usually 300 rounds per weapon)
-Extra pair of gloves
Where's the toilet paper? Good post, I only own about 5% of that stuff though. I will start carrying the vasoline/cotton ball mix when hunting now. A fire would work wonders on a long cold lonley night.
Red LED`s are said to preserve your natural night vision, in that your eyes need little time to readjust to the darkness when you turn them off in the dark. I`ve tried it with my red and white led headlamp, and its pretty much correct. One possible reason.
Yeah, I really like the idea this guy has. I hadn't really thought of it that way, but it seems to make things more manageable. I really need to get started.
Good post, I only own about 5% of that stuff though. I will start carrying the vasoline/cotton ball mix when hunting now. A fire would work wonders on a long cold lonley night.
