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-Reader Submitted Article
Jungle Survival Kit
After personally living in remote jungle regions of Central America
for over ten years, I have gained an insight as to what it takes
to survive in a very remote jungle environment.
Most of the local population found in these sparsely populated
areas live and travel with only a few tools at hand. I have tried
to list some of the more important items for a person or small group
based on the assumption they are not familiar with remote jungle
regions but find they are trying to survive long enough to escape
or be rescued.
The single most important item in the following list is a machete.
Not a John Wayne Bowie knife or huge survival knife, but a simple
and cheap machete. With this one tool, most can survive in the jungle
with very little or nothing else. It is used to cut down trees,
trim limbs, gather fire wood, make shelters, gather food, dig as
needed, and more important to me, a defensive weapon for the myriad
of snakes, jaguars and other critters encountered in these locations.
For that reason I prefer a rather long machete. In my area, the
most sought after machetes are made in El Salvador and cost $8 -
$15. A small pocket size file should be tossed in to keep the machete
sharp.
A side note: If you see locals living or traveling in
the jungles they are never without their machetes. They normally
carry the machete in their strong hand leaning against their shoulder
with the point up when walking under trees. They do this not only
because it's an easy way to carry, but honestly, incase a snake
drops down they can saw it off quickly.
Ok, now on to some personal items for a happy-go-lucky visitor.
If you know you are going into or perhaps suspect in a worse scenario
(airplane crash for example), here are a few items to carry on your
person (or have on hand). Keep in mind that in the tropics, there
is either a rainy season with lots of showers during the day which
equates into lots of mud and everything wet or a "dry season"
with a few showers. Heat and high humidity is the norm.
- Also remember that almost anything that moves, crawls, slithers,
or grows is likely to bite, scratch, tear or poke holes into your
tender flesh.
- I recommend removing surplus packaging materials from your personal
items. Put what you can into zip lock bags. These do keep things
organized, but more importantly if you find yourself stuck or
traveling during the rainy season they will come in handy.
- Hint: insert a simple plastic drinking straw into the
bag. Zipper the bag close until only the straw is sticking out.
Inhale on the straw and suck out all the air. Simply close the
zipper and you have a nicely compressed package.
Footwear: In the tropics, your feet must be protected if you
want to ever walk properly later in life. There are many demagogical
disorders that can have life-long consequences on a person's feet
and lower legs. Many foot diseases in the tropics can be prevented
by proper footwear and use of foot powders (toss some in your personal
kit). I have worn hiking boots, tennis shoes and even sandals, but
I learned that if you know you are going into the areas, (or toss
a pair in the airplane), follow the advice of locals who have to live
there; they wear cheap, almost knee high, rubber boots like those
used on farms and ranches. They not only provide the better traction
in mud than any hiking shoe I've ever tried, but they also wear them
because of those cursed snakes I mentioned. (Once, un-expectantly,
I had to wear a pair of new tennis shoes during the rainy season.
They lasted less than a week before I had to resort to using safety
pins and duck tape to hold the soles together).
Personal carried items: I suggest putting into a zip lock
bag items to later be carried on your person in your kit:
- 5-in-1, it has whistle/compass/waterproof match container (put
Strike Anywhere matches inside), a small compass and an emergency
fire flint. It is cheap, light weight and to be carried around
your neck if you loose everything else.
- Bandana. Needed for the sweat, washing, holding hot cup/pot,
scarf, bandage.
- Compass (learn how to navigate before getting here or carry
good instructions)
- Map(s) preferably topographic
- Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb. I like the Mini-Mag
Lite as I can carry it 24/7 in my pocket with spare bulb in its
base.
- Hat, floppy (for rain, sun and hang mosquito head net)
- Mosquito net for head
- Insect repellant (carry as much as practical and with a high
DEET rating)
- Light long sleeve shirt
- Pocket knife. I prefer one of the medium size Swiss Army styles,
but like the flashlight, each to his own.
- Sweater if space allows. Believe it or not, mountains in the
jungles do get down right cool at times.
Water: In the jungle areas, I can guarantee you any pond,
stream, swamp or standing water will be full of amebas and worms
and other nasty things you do not want in your tummy. So pretend
you are taking a trip and remember the rule "Don't drink the
water!", unless you can clean it first or catch rain water.
- Water container. Simple gallon size zip lock bag, canteen or
even a soft drink bottle will work. Some suggest condoms, but
personally I shrink from the thought.
- Water purification straw. These are cheap, small and light to
carry in a pocket and will completely remove the nasty critters
(and even the taste) for many gallons of water. If traveling,
it is easy to get a cup of water and sip instead of stopping to
build a fire for boiling water.
- Water purification tablets. I personally don't use them, but
they are standard in survival kits and take up little space so
you may want to toss a bottle in the kit.
Food: If I had to recommend one item for people to survive
here, it would be a plant identification guide for the jungle. The
regions are full of food if you know which ones to look for. You
do not need an in-depth book; rather a few simple photo cards will
suffice. The Military and Survival Manuals do not provide sufficient
information to identify edible plants in the jungles. So pickup
a small copy or make your own from the Internet.
- Energy bars. A couple to get you started.
- Instant foods. A couple of instant oatmeal &/or envelopes
of instant soups are tasty if space allows in your kit.
- Candy. I find most candy does not weather too well in this climate.
Individually wrapped hard candy is about the best I have found.
- Condiments. A tiny bag with a few individual packets (from fast
food places) such as salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard or whatever
sure helps to make iguana more palatable.
- Instant drinks. These are a welcome delight after a day fighting
off snakes! I carry instant coffee, but a couple of tea bags,
Gatorade or whatever you like.
- Remember to put food items into a zip lock bag and suck the
air out. Makes tidy and tiny size package.
- Spoon. One of the heavy duty Lexan spoons is best.
- Sierra cup. Some suggest a plastic cup in their kit, but I find
I use my sierra cup all day long. From cooking some instant soup,
eating, boiling water if needed or using to sip with purification
straw, it hangs on my belt constantly. In addition, when packing
your kit you can put many items inside and wrap wire or line around
the outside for a nifty package.
Shelter: In most places, simple, yet effective shelters
are easily made from handy vegetation. Where I live there is one
plant (I call it an "Elephant Plant" for I do not know
the botanical name and the leaves look like an elephant's ear).
It has leaves 4' to 6' long and about 3' to 4' wide. If a rain shower
starts, the locals use their handy machete and hack off one. It
makes a fine umbrella or a couple tossed over a limb makes a dandy
tent.
- "Plastic tarp. Used as a poncho, shelter and catching rain
water. About 8' x 10' clear lightweight painter's style is all
that is needed. Is better than those cheap tube tents and rain
ponchos as they don't tear as easily in the high winds and heavy
rains.
- If space permits in your kit, I suggest a full-length mosquito
net for sleeping. The places you will find yourself in are literally
crawling at night with nasty bugs and those darned snakes.
- A simple hammock. Gets you off the ground (snakes) especially
if it is rainy, wet and probably muddy during your stay in "my
neck of the woods". I have lived in a hammock under a plastic
tarp for so long I have permanent creases on my backside (but
I do not have any snake bite scars).
Fire:
- Waterproof matches! Obvious in rainy season.
- I like the Spark-Lite with tender as it seems the easiest to
use.
- More matches in waterproof container.
Miscellaneous:
- Aluminum foil. A couple of feet folded into small flat size.
Used for cooking, a fire reflector to keep warm with and a signaling
device.
- Duct tape. A small roll of duct tape will be found to have many
uses from repairing the tarp, mending large tears in clothing,
first aid, shelter building, cooking and even fishing.
- File for machete, only reminding you. A small flat bastard file
is suggested.
- Multi purpose tool or small pliers. While I don't often find
use for the heavy multi tool, I don't like to twist and cut wire
without a simple and light weight pair of pliers.
- Para cord. It probably will be used for tons of things. About
50' should suffice.
- Sewing kit. A small kit or at the minimum a few needs and strong
line from the fishing kit can be used. Clothing does not last
long in jungle and if you are there for more than a couple of
days you will need it.
- Safety pins. A few medium and large.
- Wire. 20' or so of light weight wire. I suggest not worrying
about snares here. No rabbits and squirrels in my neighborhood.
(Monkeys are easily caught with a small cage with a small opening,
only large enough to insert their hand. Putting a shinny object
inside, the monkey will grab it and can't pull their fist out.
They won't drop the thing and you can walk right up and begin
the food processing).
- Fishing kit. A small basic kit is all that is required. I suggest
25' of 10 and 50 pound test line plus a few different size hooks,
couple of split shot and toss in a spoon or jig or two if you
like. The heavy line comes in handy not only for fishing, but
if you find yourself near a pond or slow moving stream, there
is a good chance there are iguanas present. A simple bow &
barbed arrow with the heavy line attached to the arrow will give
you a good meal or two. (They taste much better with ketchup I
think).
- Notebook and pen. These are a must in unknown areas. "Local
folks" you encounter will not likely speak English, Spanish
or other common languages; rather, many will speak a much localized
dialect that you can not communicate by talking. Sign language
and drawing on the paper in a small pocket size notebook is your
best bet. (Good chance ground is muddy so forget the scribbling
in the sand routine).
- Survival manual. A simple guide to wilderness survival suggestions
will go along way to get you started in basic field crafts. Plus,
it gives you something to read while sipping that hot beverage
before the sun goes down and the snakes get to moving around.
First aid kit: I do not intend to itemize a list for you.
Some want only a tiny basic kit with a few dressings and others
want a full field-hospital carried. Emergency first aid kits are
very over-rated anyway. More important than a medical kit, is training
and instruction. The more you know about how to treat yourself or
another in the time of emergency, the fewer items you will need
to have with you.
There are a few medicines and items you should consider carrying
in the kit:
- Antibiotic. A wide spectrum antibiotic for diarrhea & prophylaxis.
- Diarrhea medicine such as Loperamide (Imodium AD).
- Ibuprofen &/or Acetaminophen
- Anti-malarial
- Metronizadole (for when you get amebas from drinking the local
waters)
- Mebendazole tabs. Used for squiggly worms inside your gut. (Always
remember this rule. If you are going to treat for amebas,
ALWAYS treat for worms first! If not, the worms can detect
the Metronizadole coming down the highway and many can burrow
outside the digestive tract to places you do not want them. Most
doctors in the States are unaware of this but docs in the tropics
are).
- Salt tablets. You need to take them often everyday, especially
if traveling because you will be sweating in the hot humid environment.
- Moleskin. Your feet will blister rapidly if you do not have
proper footwear.
Dental kit. You can buy one of the commercial kits, but
I suggest the following:
Ask you local dentist to give you a very small amount of eugenol
and zinc oxide powder. These are not prescription items (and most
drug stores either carry or can order them for you but the amounts
you get are so large it's crazy). I bet if you take in a tiny dark
bottle that has a very tight fitting lid for the eugenol (it is
a liquid) and a small container (film container?) for the zinc oxide
power to the dentist they will gladly give it to you because its
is very cheap stuff. Remember you will only need small amounts of
both. Eugenol can be substituted with oil of cloves for they are
the same stuff and oil of cloves is found in many grocery stores
in the spice department. However, it is not as potent as pure eugenol.
Eugenol has been used for more than a hundred years by dentists
to stop the pain from a tooth ache or even broken teeth and is often
used today. All it requires is placing a small drop of the eugenol
on a tiny cotton ball (even a piece of shirt/bandana will work)
and inserting it into the cavity, lost filling or broken tooth.
It will stop the pain instantly but watch you don't get it spread
around a bit for it can and will numb the gums, tongue and lips!
(Tastes like crap for a few seconds) Reapply as needed.
If there is a cavity or lost filling, mixing the zinc oxide with
the eugenol into a paste makes a great "temporary filling material"
that is still used by dentists today. Mix a small amount and stick
it into the cavity. Hold the mouth open for a minute to dry. If
the cavity is large or the material seems not to hold, try again
and mix a few strands of cotton with the paste for a stronger bond.
These "temporary fillings" can last for weeks, months
or even longer depending on the location of the filling. The eugenol
covers the exposed root, will deaden the nerve(s) in the tooth and
it is also an antiseptic so it helps fight bacteria. Good stuffs.
Cavit© is the temporary filling material found in the commercial
kits. It too is a good material for fillings, but it is a paste
and does not have the anesthetic properties of liquid eugenol.
Optional items.
- GPS. Unfortunately, even experienced navigators have troubles
finding their locations at times in the jungle. A pocket sized
GPS sure helps to get you started.
- Belt knife. I carried one myself for a year or so, but discovered
I very seldom used it. My pocket knife I used constantly, but
I gave up the weight of an extra object on my body. But almost
every survival book recommends a belt knife for some reason and
you could toss one in the kit. Would make for a good place to
wrap the para cord, wire, etc.
- Chemical lights. Would be good for such things as signaling
or just giving the camp a bit of light when you need to slip out
of the hammock in the middle of the night and don't want to acquaint
yourself with one of the hundreds of snakes around you on the
ground. They are light weight and take up very little room in
a kit, so you may opt to add a couple.
- Rocket flares. If you are needing a rescue (downed airplane
or whatever) the jungle is an awfully hard place to locate even
a shinny plane, so 2 small skyblazer self-contained red meteors
(as used by boaters) may be a good thing to have at night.
- Smoke. 2 red handheld signals for day use.
Firearms: In most countries I have been in firearm laws
are not an issue, especially in remote areas. In fact gun ownership
and concealed gun permits are encouraged by the governments; however
carrying guns are a toss of the coin. A few locals will carry them,
but most can't afford one. They would if they could. I have carried
pistols, rifles and shotguns and never had a word spoken about them.
Here in Central America, there have been so many civil wars, that
it is frequent to see locals with AK-47's, Uzi's and once I spotted
an RPG (I guess in case he ran into the same jaguar I did one night).
So if it was me and I was outfitting a survival kit for an airplane,
I would not hesitate putting a gun in the kit.
I hope the foregoing tips on items to prepare a kit for coming
into my backyard un-expectantly helps you survive long enough to
be found or make your way to "civilization".
-Jerry B Blaine
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