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We would all like to think that if the world suddenly came apart at the seams whether that be WW3, a nuclear holocaust, or whether we were simply framed for murder and had to go on the run we would be ready, that we would be prepared or at least as prepared as anyone could be. As good as you may be though, there is someone better, someone who gets paid by the military to be prepared. That person is the SERE specialist.
SERE or Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape Specialists are trained as the name says to survive for days or weeks on end in the great outdoors and in any environment.
SERE specialists spend their entire careers honing their skills and training other personnel designated as High Risk of Isolation. Straight from the U.S. Airforce a SERE Specialists job is to:
Provide state of the art preparation, planning, execution, and adaptation of Personnel Recovery to combatant commanders across the full spectrum of operations by applying Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape tactics, techniques, and procedures to enable isolated personnel to “Return With Honor.”
Airforce
So, when we think about packing or planning for survival, there is no one better to learn from. SERE Specialists are the SME’s (Subject Matter Experts) in this arena.
One last thing before we get into the gear these experts say we should carry; I want to quickly hit on a hugely important point and that is the pack itself.
THE PACK
INTERNAL VS EXTERNAL FRAME PACK
When choosing the pack you want to use for your survivalist go bag, the first thing you’ll have to decide on is whether you want to go with an external or internal frame.
External frames have been around for a long time and are the initial long-range pack design. A good external frame is hard to beat as they are comfortable, great at load bearing, and through technology have become lighter than ever with aluminum frames.
External frame packs are quite often the choice of big game hunters.
However, with an external frame back you’ll have to spend extra money on the bag to go with the frame. External frames also have a much higher tendency to get snagged on obstacles as you go through dense foliage.
The internal frame is a much newer design and the way most pack creators are going. They too are very comfortable, great at load bearing, and are fairly light. They also won’t get snagged on obstacles around nearly as easily as you traverse rough ground and dense foliage.
However, they’re not meant to carry as much weight as an external frame.
Now, considering the topic of this article and the next point, we’re not going to want to carry a lot of weight anyway.
#1 PACK CONSIDERATION
WEIGHT. The number one point of consideration as you pack your go bag is the weight of it.
ounces = pounds, pounds = pain
I have done rucks with 150lbs clothes, radios, bullets, and gear on me before, it isn’t fun and I didn’t move very fast. So considering the potential of a pursuing enemy, or simply the need to get to our final destination with some speed, you want to keep the weight of the pack as minimal as possible.
So, what does a SERE Specialist pack in their pack for survival?
Also for more gear options or pack options check out my other articles “The Most Essential Tactical Gear: Get Prepared Now” and “The Best 3-Day Tactical Backpack“
ESSENTIAL GEAR
IFAK
You never know when an accident may happen, hence the absolute need for a good IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit). Containing items such as a Sam splint, tourniquet, trauma sheers, quick clot, and Israeli bandages to name a few, these personal trauma kits are meant to handle the most serious of injuries on the fly to prevent imminent death.
COLLAPSIBLE WATER CONTAINERS
A human can survive weeks without food, but can not survive more than 3 days without water. Hard bottles like Nalgene bottles are good around the home and the gym, but when you carry them long distances and they become empty they take up valuable space and are unnecessary weight.
Collapsible water containers such as Platypus bags allow you to carry multiple of them without taking up space or adding to the overall weight of your pack.
Having multiple containers on you allows you such options as having one with purified water in it and one with water that is actively being purified.
WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM
Water is a must to survive, but if the water you find in the forest or mountains or someone’s backyard is contaminated with bacteria and parasites then you may as well have no water at all. Unclean water can make you very sick and can end you just as easily as a bullet.
Water filtration systems such as the SAWYER mini filtration system are lightweight, and compact and remove 99.99999% of bacteria and other contaminates.
WATER DECON KITS
Water decon kits are premade water purifying kits that are easy to pack into a bag. CANA Provisions has put together the perfect little kits that contain items such as water purification tablets for up to 20 litres of water and anti-diarrheal tablets among other valuable items.
WATER PURIFIER
A water purifier is more of a long-term setup, but the reality is if you’re on the run most likely you don’t know exactly when you’ll have to stop running and you’ll need water the entire time. Water purifiers like the H2GO from Aqua Research use salt and water to make the exact amount of chlorine on the spot, needed to purify 2L of water.
Solar powered and small these units are perfect for long amounts of time away from civilization.
TARP / 550 CORD
Shelter from inclement weather is an absolute must if you’re going to survive for any real amount of time on the run. With a tarp and 550 cord (Para Cord) previously attached to it, you can create a quick makeshift shelter pretty much anywhere. A couple of trees and you can tie down the tarp spread it out and be completely sheltered from the rain, snow, and wind.
AXE
An axe is one of the most valuable tools you can keep in your pack. It needs to be small enough to fit into your pack but big enough to be able to take a decent swing. With an axe, you can do everything from making kindling for a fire to making a full weather-proof shelter.
While SERE specialists can vary a little on what they pack, one thing they all agree on is an axe.
GROUNDSHEET
A good ground sheet can provide a layer between you and the ground helping to keep you dry and warm throughout the night. A groundsheet gives you a place to lay your stuff out so it doesn’t get dirty, change on so you stay clean and dry, and can again like the tarp be used for a makeshift shelter.
MULTITOOL
The range of functions provided by a good multi-tool is invaluable. They provide possible tools for situations you haven’t even thought of yet. A few of the most important tools are the knife, saw, and pliers as these three items alone can be used for a wide range of purposes including medical purposes.
I was recently watching an interview with an ex-Delta Force Operator and he said one of the main tools in his EDC was a multitool.
THICK FERRO ROD
The ability to start a fire in any weather is extremely important. Most ferro rods however are too thin and too short to be extremely effective. You want a Ferro rod that is 1/2 inch thick and 4-6 inches long. Not only will this size last you for years of use, but the amount of spark put off by it will be innumerable.
EASY / QUICK ACCESS GEAR
ELECTROLYTES
Emergency electrolyte packets can come in handy when you are moving a lot and running low on energy.
Items like Gatorade packages, salt water packages, or specifically designed packets like Liquid IV will give you some of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to keep on going.
These minerals will also prevent injuries such as muscle cramps in your legs if you’ve been moving to a predetermined location all day.
HEADLAMP
If you have concerns of an imminent threat you should not be using light in the dark, period.
However, if you have the capability of using light, if you have created enough separation between you and your pursuer then you should stick to red light as the red light spectrum is harder for the human eye to see than white light.
A good headlamp will leave your hands free to continue to work while providing more than a decent amount of light.
SEWING KIT
Sewing is a lost art, an important skill, and is very important in a survival context. You have limited resources while on the run and therefore need to keep what gear you have in good working order.
If your tarp, pack, or clothes happen to tear or get cut, with nothing more than a small sewing kit and the inner cord of 550 cord you can repair most items.
An extra thick large sewing needle is also important to fix your thicker materials. These needles can also be heated up and used for lancing blisters.
COMPASS
Using a compass is like using a sewing kit; it is a lost art and an important skill. With a compass, you can find your final destination, take a bearing, and find true north. Knowing where you are and where you’re going is a huge advantage when you’re on the run.
BABY WIPES
Hygiene is hugely important. Dysentery and other bacterial infections were a massive killer in both world wars. Even while on the run you must take care to clean yourself and have good hygiene whenever possible. The last thing you want is to go down due to not taking care of yourself.
LOCAL MAPS
Having a topographic map of the area you’re in provides invaluable information. Whether it’s a paper map or a map downloaded on your phone, again knowing where you are gives you the ability to move or hide much more effectively.
Information is key when you’re in a hostile environment.
Many maps can be downloaded onto your phone and used passively, meaning they don’t use any cellular connection, keeping you completely invisible while in airplane mode.
IODINE TABLETS
Iodine tablets are another easy way to purify large amounts of water. keeping these tablets in easy-to-access pockets lets you purify water on the go. A baggy of tablets kept in a side pouch is a solid backup in case you have an issue with your first line of water purification.
GOOD TO HAVE GEAR
SCRIM FOR PACK / RAINPROOF COVER
Scrim is extremely useful for helping you and your pack to blend in with the environment around you. Whether you’re wearing your pack or you have placed it down temporarily a good scrim job will make your pack and therefore vital gear go unnoticed.
A rain cover is extremely useful for keeping your clothes and other item in your pack safe and dry from the outside elements. Ideally, you should have packed all important gear in garbage bags, ziplock bags, or dry bags, but if you haven’t then a rainproof cover for the bag will make sure your gear stays dry.
SOLAR CHARGER
It is important to be able to power any electronic tools you have without compromising yourself. If your phone or radio dies you don’t want to sneak into a possible hostile build-up area just to charge your gear.
A decent-sized solar charger can keep any vital electronics continuing to run while keeping you safe and away from danger.
BATTERY PACK
A battery pack that can hold enough charge to charge your phone, GPS, radios, headlamps, lights, etc is extremely useful. Your gear can be plugged in and stuck in your pack to charge as you are on the move.
It is important to make sure the battery pack you carry has ports that fit all of today’s modern electronics. If you can tactically acquire helpful electronics as you’re on the move, you can give yourself a great advantage.
THERMAL INSULATED WATER BOTTLE
Water is a must and thermal insulated water bottles will help to ensure you always have water available. In colder environments water in any regular water bottle will freeze and most likely bust the water bottle.
A thermally insulated bottle will keep your water warm in cold environments as well can serve as a source of heat when placed next to the skin.
In warmer environments, a thermally insulated water bottle will also help to keep your cold water cold.
550 CORD
Pre-fabricated line kits will provide aid in the construction of just about anything you can think of when in the field and on the run such as shelters, stretchers, splints, and lanyards, to name a few
Whether you have ten 10′ and ten 5′ line kits or twenty 15′ and twenty 5′ line kits, some amount of both longer and shorter ropes should be carried.
MICROFIBER TOWEL
Any small towel is good as you’ll be able to dry your body off or most likely your feet if they get wet.
Microfibre towels are good at pushing the water off your body allowing your body to dry quicker. Being wet in the wild unless you’re in an extremely hot environment is not good as wetness can easily lead to hypothermia, especially if your gear is also wet.
WRITE IN THE RAIN NOTEBOOK AND PENCIL
The ability to keep track of info, write messages to yourself or others, plan your route, or do some kind of detailed map drawing comes in very handy while on the run and in enemy territory.
Our minds, especially when in high-stress situations can easily misremember important facts and details, so writing them down is important.
Normal paper gets destroyed with any water on it and pen or marker runs. A write in the rain notepad doesn’t get recked when wet and a pencil can write whether dry or wet.
LONG-TERM MEDICAL PACK
An IFAK is important for immediate trauma, but it’s important to have a long-term medical kit in your pack as you never know how long you’ll be on the run for.
Getting an infection or getting sick can severely hamper your ability to stay ahead of the enemy. So, it’s good to have items such as Tylenol or Advil for sickness and inflammation, antiseptic for infection, tweezers, etc.
In your long-term medical pack, you can also keep items such as extra AA or AAA batteries, snare wire, a sharpening stone, and other small yet important items.
JETBOIL
A portable single burner stove like a Jetboil with fuel can pack up smaller than a football, smaller than many water bottles and can provide you with vitally important things in the field
With a little stove, you can boil and purify water to drink preventing sickness, heat MREs for a meal or boil game you caught in the field.
The heated water can also be drunk or held next to the body as a heat source in case of hypothermia.
MONKEY TAIL
On a nice summer day, it might not matter that much, but on a wet fall or spring day or in the winter with snow on the ground, our packs can get soaked through with water if just left on the ground.
A monkey tail is simply a short rope or bungee cord with a carabiner at each end. These are good for keeping your pack off the ground and tied up in a tree.
EMERGENCY HYPOTHERMIA BAG
Hypothermia is a killer and can be quite severe when out in nature or even in an urban setting with no proper way to take care of yourself. What many people don’t know is that hypothermia can set in in any season warm or cold.
Items such as a mylar blanket, sterno can(for instant fire), socks for your feet, toque for your head, thermal pants for your lower, and a collapsible down jacket for your upper are small items that can save your life or someone else’s.
Keep all these items in a small dry bag so they always stay dry for that one time you need it.
COMFORT GEAR
SHEMAGH
A shemagh is a scarf originally designed for desert use but has multiple benefits regardless of the environment it’s used in.
If you’re sensitive to the sun it keeps the sun off you, if you don’t have a towel it can be used as one, if you don’t have a pillow it can be used as a pillow, and if you simply need to hide your face you can hide your face.
A shemagh is not necessary but has many useful applications.
AIR MATTRESS / FOAM ROLL
An air mattress although not a necessity will help you get sleep, which is a necessity. We can fight sleep for a while, but eventually, it comes for us all. As well, the longer we go without sleep generally the poorer our decisions and many other things become.
Air mattresses and foam rolls will keep you off the ground, insulating your body and providing you comfort so that you get better rest if you get that chance. Better rest means more effective days.
SLEEPING BAG
A sleeping bag isn’t a necessity, but again aids in our sleep which is a necessity. They provide warmth and comfort allowing us to rest better and be more effective during the time we are awake.
A good sleeping bag will aid in keeping you warm as you sleep, helping prevent hypothermia and offer a small bit of mental security.
CLOTHES / FOOD
Dry bags are very important because they protect whatever is in them from all the harsh elements outside. Keeping one or two changes of next-to-skin clothes and a couple of external items is all you need for clothes.
A couple of pairs of smaller items such as gloves and hats are also good to keep on you.
Two to four MREs is all one should take, the weight of food adds up quickly and we can survive without it for a decent amount of time.
Learning to snare and hunt, and what local foliage is good to eat provides calories and is the easiest way to supplement your diet without carrying extra weight.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Most people would love to live their lives without controversy, without fighting and strife, but sometimes those things find us. When the world goes down the toilet and left becomes right, right becomes left, good becomes evil and evil becomes good, the few mighty will take a stand.
When they do, these things will come their way and when it gets bad enough, you might just have to go on the run. Fleeing persecution is nothing new in this world.
So, it’s best to know how to go on the run well and not just survive but thrive. Hopefully, after this article, you too can develop a good survival bag and if that time comes, thrive not just survive.
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