[Closed] What torch and anything else needed for a 'survival pack'

Hip flask? (-:

Paracord bracelet, ideally a DIY one so you / he can learn how to reassemble it. Waterproof notepad and pen to write his memoirs. Nice water bottle / hydration bladder or for longer jaunts some form of water purification system, those little expensive tablets that aren't chlorine are very good. Insect repellent. Basic first aid kit including a tick twister.

I have a compass ... and fire starting kit

Do you (both) know how to use either of those things or are you just blindly amassing kit?

Oh, and age-dependant but, a pocket knife.

https://www.opinel.com/en/kids maybe, or a small SAK?

@Cougar - thanks, some great ideas. I am OK with a compass for the sort of jaunts we will be doing initially but it is something I need to get better with. I have book to read on navigation (which rather amusingly I lost for quite a long time 😀 ).

Re: the fire starting kit. We are going to do some trial runs in the garden and the local woods before going full commando. That said it's a Light My Fire set and it is pretty easy to get the hang of. When we start going out properly I will take some waterproof matches as well and a lighter initially just in case.

Knife. Good call, I have a Leatherman which I was meant to add to my list of things I already had but he'd love his own knife I am sure. Opinel are always a good shout.

well established and reasonably wide paths but still a half decent torch is a prerequisite.

I'd argue with this, if I'm honest. As a Scout Leader, when we're on night hikes I nearly always tell my scouts to turn off their torches. Within a couple of minutes you become aware of how much you can actually see once you allow your eyes to properly adjust. The problem with torches is that you can see what's in the beam and absolutely nothing else. Without one, you become much more aware of your surroundings.

I'm not saying you shouldn't carry a torch, of course you should, but getting used to walking without one is a really, really valuable skill. And the one you carry doesn't need to be very bright at all (indeed it's better if it's not, see above), it only needs to light up the ground six feet ahead, and you're only travelling at walking pace.

I’d argue with this, if I’m honest. As a Scout Leader, when we’re on night hikes I nearly always tell my scouts to turn off their torches. Within a couple of minutes you become aware of how much you can actually see once you allow your eyes to properly adjust.

Good point and yes, I used to go without a torch when I was young and let my eyes adjust. And yes, I guess learning the skill on relatively safe paths is a sensible way to go.

I have a newly-developed torch problem and it depends on a lot of personal requirements really. One thing though, never pay full price for an Olight and just wait for one of their sales. Fenix FD35 is well praised, as is the Olight Seeker 2 which is what I carry out walking (not the pro, which isn't worth it in my opinion).

Amazon recently replaced my cheapo gateway-drug torch due to developing a wobbly charging socket. I haven't taken the replacement out of its packaging and it's actually a good little torch - happy to post it out if you wanted to use it as a starter? (I love zoomy-torches personally)

Amazon cheapy torch

@bearnecessities - ooo yes please, that looks perfect to get us going. And yes, that Olight looks the business if we get serious 🙂

Could you PM me your PayPal details and the required number of beer tokens and I will sort that out for you.

Thanks agaim

Will do but no beer tokens needed thanks - it's Christmas! 🙂

Got a Couple of cheap decathlon hammocks for me and minimon to hike to a destination, set up camp, warm up precooked sausages and enjoy the woods, works well for us.

He’s not old enough yet (5) but will be getting the ‘child friendly’ victorinox when the times right.

I bought my older two (9+8) all sorts of stocking fillers in previous years

Small (USB rechargeable) torches, fox 40 whistles, sit mats, buffs, reflective ankle/arm bands etc. They put them in a rucksack and love carrying this kit around. My son often takes his 'survival kit' - compass, food for free book, credit card survival tool etc.

Also have a triple set of motorola walkie talkies, these are ace! The quality is decent and they're not toys, surprising range too

We do a fair bit of night hiking when we can, in non-covid times when we could travel a bit. I carry back ups of stuff in my bag. They also use my old (but good) headtorches

Alpkit qark I'd a brilliant wee headlight fir 30 quid.

+1 for Alpkit or Lomo headtorches rather than hand held.
Having a sit mat in the bag is a very smart move in several ways.

Just go here and be prepared to see so many things you want.
Come for the torches, stay for the descent into poverty...

https://everydaycarry.com/articles/flashlights

Knife. Good call, I have a Leatherman which I was meant to add to my list of things I already had but he’d love his own knife I am sure. Opinel are always a good shout.

Ahem. Just a suggestion. Especially as a yout. Locking blades (of which Opinels and leathermen mainly are) are illegal unless you have a valid reason. Being outdoors is a fairly valid reason but you need to be sure he is leaving it at home the rest of the time. Because he will be breaking the law and is potentially unlikely to get a let my the popo being a kid.

And swissarmy knifes have loads of cool tools. Hunter or huntsman (which ever one isnt the big stabby looking thing) has a saw and a reamer aswell as a vouple of blades that makes a nice handy thing if you want to cut a walking stick or carve a stabby death stick. And is fully legal, not necessarily wise to carry it all the time (thats what a rambler is for).

@joshvegas - yes, been following the UK legal knife thread with interest. He's 8 at the moment so won't be allowed the knife even at home unless I am around, never mind out and about, but certainly something worth considering 🙂

At least with the kids Opinel, locking or not, you'd be hard pressed to stab someone with it 🙂

Survival blanket?
10p for a phone call?
Miniature first aid kit, Tobacco tin would have been good for that but I suppose a tiny Tupperware container would be handy.
SAS survival handbook was a useful read for this type of thing, I expect Grylls has a more recent version available.
Wire saw
Magnifying glass (Looking Beasties and fire lighting in summer)

[i]What torch and anything else needed for a ‘survival pack’[/i]

Personally I would just go for a blow torch. Lights your way. Lights your fire. Lights your kids eyes up. Saves you from rabbit/shrew/badger attacks - might not work on Grizzly bears so tickle them first so they are happy bears.

Head torch not hand torch - two hands better than one.

Please don't go lighting fires in the Peak unless it's a stove. OK you're not going to start a moorland blaze at this time of year but good habits are worth cultivating.

Warm clothing, waterproofs, spare gloves. Possibly an emergency shelter. To be honest unless I was planning on staying out I would probably just take a flask and sandwiches rather than full on cooking kit.

Head torch not hand torch – two hands better than one.

This

We only tend to use torches as backup now, head torches are great, they go where you look, and you have 2 hands free to do stuff, also better if you slip/fall.

Whistle.

At least with the kids Opinel, locking or not, you’d be hard pressed to stab someone with it 🙂

I gave my other half one as a camping eating knife. Not very stabby but its sharp enough to cut your finger off!

Get the little gem was servival guide and make a tin like the one listed in that. Your boy will love it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SAS-Survival-Guide-Collins-Gem/dp/0004701674

I have that somewhere from my childhood. Some of the traps are 😳

Excellent - thanks for all you help so far. My Amazon and Shaven Raspberry shopping carts are beginning to bulge:

Kids Opinel
A Morakniv for me - I have been shaving some of our log burner kindling down for starting smaller fires and find the Leatherman not the most comfortable to grip for longer whittling sessions
Decent first aid kit
Mugs
Some camping pans
Tick Twisters
Fox 40 Whistle
The Shaven Raspebrry navigation card pack
A good length or two of paracord
Wood Gas Stove

Hammocks, sitting pads etc are all on the future list if I have the next Ray Mears on my hands but for now I think that, together with the bits I already have, will do to get going with 🙂

Please don’t go lighting fires in the Peak unless it’s a stove.

My first reaction as well.

Foil survival blanket is a definite.

I have that somewhere from my childhood. Some of the traps are 😳

It's proper survival stuff in there for sure! I expect that part of the book had be used by very few!

Headtorch
Knife
Waterproof matches
2 thick garbage bags - can be used as shelter or improvised waterproof - cut holes if necessary.
A few sheets toilet paper - soaks up blood nicely, or start a fire, or even wipe your bum
A few inches of duct tape
Big bar chocolate - fuel. Even the best clothing won't keep you warm once your body stops producing heat.

You can improvise with that gear.

It takes up almost no room and is no substitute for proper gear, but for local jaunts or one day rides, it's better than the kit you left at home because it's too bulky.

Another shout for head torch here - particularly useful if you want to be able to stop and use any other the other stuff you've listed.

Oh, and if the mugs are for drinking hot drinks, then get plastic ones. The enamel/metal ones that seem to be popular are a great way to have a cup that is too hot to hold followed by a drink that is too cold.

I would recommend getting one of these:
https://www.buytorches.co.uk/olight-0131-universal-magnetic-charger/
It means you can buy any decent flashlight with a Li-ion battery, and charge the battery from a battery pack, or carry a couple of spare cells, and charge the flat one as soon as it’s swapped out. Dead easy to use, the magnets just attach to each end of the cell, and you plug into a USB port.
There’s a similar charger, but the cell stays in the flashlight, and a small magnetic connector attaches to a charging port on the outside of the flashlight. It means there’s no open port to damage or get filled with crap. I’ve got one of those as well, both are really simple and not prone to damage unlike micro-USB or USB-C plugs and sockets.
If you can grab one quick, this is a good little torch, compact, very bright on high power, magnetic charging, and the ‘S’-shaped clip allows it to be clipped onto the Bill of a baseball cap, for hands-free working, the limited edition Orange makes it easier to find if dropped.
Not cheap, but excellent quality, and will last.
https://www.gpknives.com/olight-s1r-baton-ii-or-orange-ltd-rechargeable-1000-lumen-flashlight.html

I expect that part of the book had be used by very few!

By very few you mean every 8year old ever?

Aye CountZero every kid needs a 70dollar torch for their first forays into the outdoors.

I'm going to go left field... Not really the time of year but later. Bat detector.

In honesty havent read all the replies buy get some fatwood sticks for firemaking.

Not the best vid, but you'll get the idea

Oh, and if the mugs are for drinking hot drinks, then get plastic ones. The enamel/metal ones that seem to be popular are a great way to have a cup that is too hot to hold followed by a drink that is too cold.

Yes, but #danglemug

Maybe a water filter bottle?

I have this head torch for work and it's a decent bit of kit

Also have an Olight Seeker 2 Pro, which is handheld, but very nice

LED Lenser

Aye CountZero every kid needs a 70dollar torch for their first forays into the outdoors.

Well, not much difference to spending the same amount on a G-Shock or similar watch as a special pressy, some kids get a PlayStation or X-Box, or a bike...
OLight do a neat little torch which takes standard AAA’s, and has the same clip, to allow it to be clipped to a baseball cap bill, for hand-free use. Always a good idea to have more than one light handy, in case a battery dies, and charged or fresh ones aren’t readily available. Which reminds me, I’ve got several batteries I need to charge before I go back to work!

Amazon are doing the Olight Baton 1 for £54.95, with magnetic charging, the pocket clip has a hole in the top that a split ring can be attached to, then it can be hung from a lanyard, which is how I carry some of my flashlights - always to hand, and much less likely to get lost.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BKYFKXX/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_qqO5FbYV79JVD

I’m a big walker and outdoors enthusiast. Did the Scouts and Woodcraft Folk stints when young but followed my own path (🥁) since.

Torch:

Agree what is said about walking sans torch on clear paths and letting eyes acclimatise to the ambient/background/moonlight. It’s a real treat for the senses. 90% of the time.

Of course you don’t want sharp branches in your eyes or a broken ankle, so a simple head-torch for when the going gets rough. If using maps then a head-torch with a red light/some low light feature is best.

I still use my old Maplin £20 one, it has a red light option and also a brightness adjust on the main beam. Only downside is I need to carry rechargeable AAA batteries if on a long hike, but tbh I only use it when absolutely necessary and ‘go dark’ for the majority of a night hike, as said, that is the pleasure of a night hike . Am sure there is a rechargeable option nowadays. Add an SOS light to the function. IMO no need to spend a fortune, ie £20 for a couple of these

I have a book light by the same brand and it’s a seriously smart bit of kit.

Fire/brew:

I like dry sticks and a small Ghillie Kettle. It’s the halfway focus of a walk to sit, light a fire in the kettle and get a brew on. I use a tealight/matches to get it going but have thought about a ferrous rod, knife and kindling just for fun.

Knife:

I tend only to carry a SAK (Victorinox Camper) these days. Not into survival/bushcraft stuff so much, it’s just a hike and a drink after all. But when a teenager it was a small bowie knife, so was both over and under equipped as my knife was too big for a knife, and too small for an axe. 🤣

For a decent simple legal pocket knife may want to look at a Rough Rider Canoe knife over at Heinnie? Just recently bought one for a sculptor friend’s birthday and they loved it. I too was impressed. A nice bit of kit for a cheap price. Bought the one with the G10 scales. I still prefer an SAK though tbh, because handy tools you never know when may be useful. Tweezers, saw, etc.

A couple of complementary harmonicas in the key of C Major and you’re set!

I've got a nitecore e4k, easily wielded by my 7 year old, only downside compared to the olights mentioned above us that the battery has to come out to charge.

Also any decent but reasonably priced rucksacks to put everything in? Doesn’t need to be huge but would be useful if I could keep a change of clothes handy and carry some food supplies etc

I’ve been through a few rucksacks over the years. Highlander are good, sturdy and well-priced. Again, I’ve typically been over-prepped and these days I use a lightweight 16l Lidl special, cost me £14 IIRC. Has a whistle designed into the chest-strap buckle, a few handy compartments, airflow at back, raincover. Not perfect as doesn't have double-zips on all pockets (it does on the main one) but...I’m really impressed otherwise. It’s as near as perfect for a daypack when travelling light. Would instead choose up to 25 litres if I wanted to carry both clothing and cooking stuff, but I just tend to take a cagoule and a flask/ghillie kettle, maybe a beanie hat and some gloves. Map/phone goes in front pocket. Keys go in internal zip pocket. Isomalt Everton mints & rhubarb and custard sweets go in the top pocket along with the harmonica!

this one

The one thing I watch out for with rucksacks is the bigger they are - the more you tend to find to carry. Also - the greater the load, the more you appreciate wider shoulder-straps. I have comedy-width wide shoulders and so will happily take a 70-80mm strap on a 25l. ymwv but err on wide, try for size if possible.

Note on the idea of recharging batteries... Trying to recharge a lithium battery below 5 degrees will kill it, and also not charge it either.

I’m going to go left field… Not really the time of year but later. Bat detector.

2nd the bat detector, great entertainment trying to track, and then identify what's out and about.

As I like my Leatherman stuff, I'm thinking of buying a Free K4

Not legal, but another option that is legal, woulld be the Free T4 and under £70 @ Heinnies

I went through the budget head torch contortions recently and settled on a Decathlon 400. Brilliant wee thing, we got that and a 200 for mini squirrel and been really happy with them. Both run on red light only so you can do the whole walking in the "dark" but still check maps without destroying night vision. The 400 has a beam well beyond what's needed but it's handy to have (doesn't weigh any more or burn more if you don't use it).

Kids Opinel is definitely a good shout, I'm think of getting mini one for her 8th birthday, she uses my No.3 to open stuff competently enough so I reckon she's ready to learn to use one properly (YMMV on this)

A Nitecore Tip. Brilliant tiny torch thay really bright, weighs nothing. Usb chargeable. Get the cool white 360lm version. More than adequate for outdoors use. Whistle, compass, cd, flint and striker, tiny bit of a fire lighter wrapped in tin foil. Beanie with thinsulate liner, gloves, spare socks, bread bags, cable ties.

I like a head torch, I would say that I get a bit geeky about them. For outdoor use only consider a head torch, not a hand held.

The best I have used is LED Lenser H7R.2 We issue them for mountain rescue and I got one for myself. It charges from micro USB but the rechargeable battery can be replaced by AAA if you run out of juice on the hill, this is a nice feature. Low beam is just right for mapwork and battery last forever but dial it up to full brightness and very useful light. Very durable, my dog walking one gets used daily from Nov - Apr and has done so for 5 years now.

Expensive but good investment. Cheaper headtorches seem to fail too quickly. If buying though be careful, there are tonnes of fake LED Lensers around on eBay and Amazon. If it looks too cheap, it is probably fake.

That was the other option albeit a bit spendy just for dog walking.

I've just received this little beauty - Olight S1RII Baton - 1000lm, magnetic base charging. It's very nifty

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The Alpkit Muon headtorch is a cracking little lamp and only £11.99 at the mo as well. Where I'm seated right now (office), I can put my hand on three lamps of various kinds and at a stretch can reach two more. I think I have a problem.

I wouldn’t bother with bivvy bags but would take a small 2 person group shelter. Essential if it goes wonky but also great for a wee break, cuppa, etc. Foil blanket handy just in case but you really need a few of them to help insulate a casualty if it comes to it.

Don't get a survival blanket, waste of time in anything more than a light breeze, get a survival bag. https://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/practical/VE104.html or google blizzard bag or thermal survival bag. Considering you're never going to use it, I have a small shrink wrapped one which is only slightly larger than a shrink wrapped survival blanket.

In torches I'd strongly recommend the Alpkit Muon which is cheap (11.99 at the mo) and gives a massive 450 lumen flood which IMO is prob best in emergency use. It's friggin brilliant at 11.99. (NB you'd have to consider whether/how an 11.99 headtorch might stand up to heavy rain)

Point of view here. If this is for your son would he enjoy making some of this kit? It's very easy just to buy everything. Something like a cheap Wilko touch but make a defuser. Try a bit of modding things rathan all this niche stuff

More excellent suggestions - thank you. Pack is coming along nicely; my Mora knife came today, FBG’s Opinel comes tomorrow. Maps of the light and dark Peak are here and first aid kit comes tomorrow.

Just putting an order together for Sharx Fox 40 whistles, proper Blizzard Bags, wood gas stove, paracord, navigation cards etc and then eyeing up an Osprey Talon 33 rucksack. I’ve tried cheap ones from Decathlon et al they just don’t fit me right and I can’t get them comfy. In the sales at the moment for £70-80 which for a rucksack which will last forever doesn’t seem too bad.

Point of view here. If this is for your son would he enjoy making some of this kit? It’s very easy just to buy everything

We’ll certainly make stuff in the field but given, if shit gets real, I may have to actually rely on this gear I’d rather buy proper kit that will actually work to begin with.

Once I’m happy that the real survival stuff is all in place then I’ll be happy to tinker.

This is probably what I'd buy, cheap and looks to be light and small (bear in mind you're probably never going to use it) https://alpkit.com/products/survival-bag

We got a Rab emergency shelter for 4 people ( we are 2 adults and 2 kids). Obviously great in an emergency but also really good to have lunch in when it is cold, wet or windy while out on a walk. Plus they love it!

Seeing as how the Baton was deemed to be too expensive, this has been voted as one of Heinnie’s items of the year. 1200 lumens, magnetic charger, and £29.95, which is quite reasonable.
https://heinnie.com/imalent-ld10?utm_source=blog

Oh, and if the mugs are for drinking hot drinks, then get plastic ones. The enamel/metal ones that seem to be popular are a great way to have a cup that is too hot to hold followed by a drink that is too cold.

String whipping on the handle if getting too hot is an issue but I never find it so and anything out of a plastic cup tastes tainted to me - so always an enamel mug for me

Miniature first aid kit, Tobacco tin would have been good for that but I suppose a tiny Tupperware container would be handy.

Spotted this as I was scanning through this thread; mint tins. You can buy classic tobacco tins, ‘cos plenty of people still use tobacco, and need to carry their smoking paraphernalia around with them, so you buy the tins with all sorts of designs, or just a bare tin. Mint sweet tins make a very good, basic little first aid kit, just buy some bits and pieces from Wilco’s or Boots, like a roll of Micropore tape, some bandage, steri-strips, generic hay fever/antihistamine tablets, ibuprofen, and put into several of the tins, then they can be spread around places like the car, rucksack, etc.
Another thought has occurred to me on the same subject - scissors. I don’t mean pointy things , I mean the pressed-steel paramedic shears, you can pick up sets of them for a few quid, and they’re excellent things to have around, you can hack through clothing in an emergency, cut paper and cardboard, etc, they’re ergonomic, and no pointy, stabby bits on the end.
£1.50/pair. https://medtree.co.uk/trauma-shears

Of course, you can go the whole tactical kit with EMT shears, and get the Leatherman Raptor - just mind yer fingers!

I have miniature folding scissors in the first aid kit, like this. The ones I have are Camp branded, bought many, many years ago in a climbing shop in Argentiere.