Humans are Tool Users

Biologists tell us that our main difference from our monkey “cousins” is that we are more proficient with tools. While I disagree, I do agree that without tools our life style wouldn't be that different from that of monkeys.

There are people out there who dream of swinging through the trees in a loin cloth yodeling at the top of their lungs like Tarzan and living on a steady diet of bananas and nuts. Unfortunately for them, most of the U.S. is a little cool for year round loin cloths, people don't appreciate yodeling anymore and bananas mostly grow in South America.

The rest of us will want to have some tools available when the excrement collides with the rotary air impeller. Here is are some good things to have handy:

The Bag – It's nice to be able to carry all your gear around.

A Knife or Few – I recommend a Leatherman Supertool. These are things are like a regular swiss army knife on steroids. They normally have: a can opener, a blade or two, a file, a saw, an awl, pliers, wire cutter, a crimper, flathead and Phillips screwdrivers and a Metric/English ruler. The blade is a little small so you may want to carry a stand alone knife as well. A sharpening stone will be necessary in a drawn out emergency.

Fire Starter – A lighter works good. Matches work. If you want something that'll start thousands of fires before being expended get a magnesium metal match. Keeping some dry tinder and/or a couple candles handy is wise. Road Flares are great if you have the space.

Eergency Space Blanket – Mylar space blankets will run you a couple bucks and will keep you warm in a pinch. They're also water proof so pack a few to use as a

Trowel – It's good manners and and good sanitation not to leave your sewage laying out on the ground. Military Trenching shovels work good too.

Compass and Maps – It's good to know where you're going and how to get there.

Twine – There's lots of uses, I won't list them all here.

Duck Tape – Wrap a few feet of duck tape around an expended gift card or the like and you can have the Universal Adapter available in a compact package.

Water Treatment Tablets – These are much more compact than storing actual water and can serve to extend the viability of your kit for many days.

Filter Straw? - They have straws that will filter contaminated water. I have no idea how well they work. All I can say is don't swap ends of the straw between uses.

Printed Contact Info and Photos for Family and Friends – In the off chance you ever want to see your loved ones again.

Small Sewing Kit – If you can fix things when they break you don't have to do without.

Small Tarp – Keeping dry is nice if you aren't a duck.

Wire Saw – These don't take up much space and are great for cutting tree limbs for fire wood.

Pen and Paper – You may want to write something.

Toilet Paper – Wiping with pine cones is not cool. It hurts. Bad.

Heavy Duty Contractor Plastic Bags – To keep you and your stuff dry.

First Aid Kit – You might get hurt.

Spare Mags and Ammo for your Gun – I'll cover this more thoroughly later.

Battery Radio - In case you want to know what is going on.

That should be a good start. If you carry much more you'll need your BOB will be a Bug Out Bus instead of a bag.