Modular Survival Gear System

Among most modern survivalists, the modular survival gear system is

generally regarded as the easiest, and most effective, equipment storage
method. In the event that one should find oneself in an engagement
requiring the implementation of survival tactics; the use of any one of the
three tiers utilized in this system or any combination thereof will greatly
improve the situations outcome for the user, regardless of their skill level.
Tier One: Every Day Carry (E.D.C)
Tier one consists of the everyday items that are typically carried and used
throughout the day. These seemingly average items can help to sustain an
individual in extreme situations. When using this system the items in it
should be organized and stored so that they are carried easily and kept in
the same place every time. This helps the user familiarize themselves with
the items designated spot on their persons.
When the kit is not in use assign a specific location in which to keep each
item. By repeating this process religiously, an individual will train both their
mental and physical memories; thus reducing the likelihood of forgetting
something critical by mistake. This memory conditioning and situational
awareness training will also quickens ones detection time of any
irregularities with any of the items in their kit.
When constructing an E.D.C kit there are no set rules for what is required.
Every item in the kit should be tailored to fit the users personal needs and
preferences. Below are the descriptions, as well as personal examples, of
items typically found in a well constructed E.D.C kit.
Body:
Hat:Although scientists have debunked the age old adage
about loosing 40 45 percent of body heat through the
head, it is still a wise idea to wear a hat to protect your head
and face from exposure to the elements. Most people
agree that a boonie hat typically would be the best choice of
coverage for summer weather due to its continuous brim
which protects the ears from burning. Although this is true,
the boonie hat does not blend in well among an urban

environment, and therefore would call unnecessary

attention in the event of an urban survival situation. With
the elimination of the boonie hat as a feasible urban survival
option, the baseball cap then becomes the recommended
best choice. Although the ears are left unprotected, the ball
cap still offers some protection to the face and head while
blending nicely within almost every area. If colder weather
is a factor, a wool watch cap or beanie should provide
adequate heat retention and element protection while still
adhering to the needs for blendability.
Personal carry: Baseball Cap [complete with
redneck fishing hook]
Sunglasses: Sunglasses in a survival situation may seem
like an unneeded frivolous extra; however sunglasses may
be used to maintain a tactical advantage in a survival
situation. Sure they protect eyes from the sun, flying debris,
dirt, wind, and can even enhance vision and reduce glare
(polarized lenses are highly recommended); but they can
also shield your eyes from revealing too much about what
you are thinking, and that might just save your life in a
survival situation. Not Convinced? OK, ever noticed that
Law Enforcement Officers almost always wear sunglasses?
Its because sunglasses provide the wearer with a position
of power over someone who does not have them. Having
the able to look into the eyes of another person can provide
a lot of insight into what they are feeling and thinking. Are
they scared? Are they thinking? Are they looking at what
they are thinking about? Are they looking where they are
going next? Just consider how much can be read from a
persons eyes. Imagine for a moment an urban survival
scenario. In a case like this it is very likely that a survivalist
will encounter a lot of other people they will be unsure of,
which may make them somewhat nervous. By having on
sunglasses they are able to hide an important part of their
body language that might accidentally display fear and
make them a target. On the other hand, anyone approached
by the survivalist would be at a tactical disadvantage as
they cannot read what the survivalist is thinking which would

create uncertainty, giving the survivalist an advantage in the

situation.
Personal carry: Oakley Half X [titanium frame &
polarized black iridium lenses]

Analog Watch: Accurately keeps track of time in addition to doubling as a

point of reference style compass. Note: a digital watch will not work for this
practice as it lacks the necessary facial components provided by its analog
counterpart. For those living in the northern temperate zone only, the
watchs hour hand is pointed towards the sun. A south line can be found
midway between the hour hand and12 oclock position. If on daylight saving
time, the north-south line is found midway between the hour hand and the 1
oclock position. For those living in the southern temperate zone only, the
watchs 12 oclock position is pointed towards the sun. A north line can be
found midway between the 12 oclock position and the hour hand. Combine
this technique with the Shadow-Tip Method devised by using a stick and
two rocks (or any comparable items) to calculate the direction of the suns
movements from east to west, and the result is a generally accurate idea of
direction. A good article to reference for more detailed information
concerning these techniques would be our Survival 101: Finding Directions
Without A Map Or A Compass article.

Personal carry: Citizen Eco Drive Professional Diver

Cordage: Cordage is an important part of survival as it can be used
for raising and lowering objects, securing gear and supplies,
lashings, shelter and raft building, snares, bowstrings, fishing line,
and so much more. In this case the cordage is worn on the wrist
like a bracelet. If available get one with an adjustable metal
shackle, instead of the traditional plastic buckle. Although the
adjustable metal shackle bracelet is a tad pricier and a bit trickier to
get used to due to the dawning and removal process; the plastic
buckle is not as effective if use of the bracelet becomes necessary.
In addition to multiple buckle choices, there are also many styles of

cordage readily available on the market today. One in particular

stands above the rest: MILSPEC Type III Parachute Cord (also
called paracord or 550 cord). One of the benefits of paracord is that
not only is it incredibly strong for its size (minimum breaking strength
of 550 lbs), it is made up of an outer sheath with seven inner
strands. The cord can be used as a whole or the inner cords can be
removed and bound together to increase the distance. Six feet of
whole paracord becomes roughly 48 feet when
disassembled. Safety Note: by removing the inner cords, the
minimum breaking strength is lowered to around 100 lbs per cord.
Personal carry: Survival Straps USMC Wide Survival
Bracelet

Pockets and Belt:

Firearm:If local legislation has authorized the legalized
carry of a concealed handgun, it is highly recommended
that this privilege be utilized. For most survivalists, a
concealed handgun is considered to be an essential piece
of gear as it may ultimately prove to be ones primary line of
defense. However, before concealment of any handgun
should even be considered, it is recommended that a formal
firearms safety and training course be taken. The only thing
more dangerous than not having access to a firearm in a
time of need; is having a firearm and not knowing how to
use it properly. Additionally it is also recommended to carry
one or two spare magazines, as it is impossible to predict
just how readily available additional ammunition will be in a
survival situation.
Personal carry: Springfield Armory XD(m) .45 ACP
with Night Sights & heavily modified for match
grade combat carried in a Crossbreed SuperTuck
Deluxe IWB Holster
Pocket Knife:They come in many different styles, but a full
size locking blade will aid with camping, first aid, peeling
fruits, skinning animals and can also be used in self defense
if it should become necessary.
Personal carry: SOG Trident [tiger stripe finish]

 Cellular Phone: This is more of a convenience then a

survival item. However, having a smart phone allows one to
preload survival applications and literature for easy access
and review when needed.
Personal carry: Smart Phone
Fire Starter (primary): A good tool to have handy for making
fires in an emergency. It is highly recommended that
survivalists choose at least one piece of fire starting gear
that has the ability to be operated with only one hand
allowing the user to still achieve a fire even with a hand or
arm injury. For more information about fire starting methods
and equipment, please check out our Fire Starting page.
Personal carry: Ultimate Survival Technologies
Sparkie [single hand ignition striker] carried on a
5 King Cobra Weave Paracord Fob.
Flashlight: A good item to have, but is often deleted from the
kit in order to save weight or space. The flashlight should
be compact, tactical, and relatively lightweight.
Personal carry: None (I keep a pinch light on my
key chain, but my tactical flashlight is kept in my
G.H.B)
Multi-Tool: A good item to have, but is often deleted from the
kit in order to save weight or space. However, SOG, Gerber
& Leatherman (as well as a few other companies) all offer
quality equipment for utility purposes, and are made using
excellent craftsmanship.
Personal carry: None (kept in my G.H.B)
Key Chain:
Carabiner:There are many different types on the market;
from actual mountaineering carabineers too much smaller
key chain sized ones. The benefit to using a carabiner on
your key chain is that is allows for quick and easy securing
and unsecuring of keys from ones belt loop. Additionally it
allows survivalists to separate key chain gear onto several
separate key rings while still maintaining gear integrity in
one relative location. The only real down side to using a
carabiner is that all hanging gear from it will make noise as
it moves around. However the quick fix for this is to toss the

entire assembly into a small external pocket of your Get

Home Bag in the event silence is required.
Personal carry: Omega Pacific Jake Quik-Lok
Carabiner (autolocking)
Mini Figure-Eight Key Ring:A small distended key ring
that can be easily hung from a carabiner. It should be kept
separate from your normal daily key ring, to eliminate
chaos. However, all key chain survival gear should be
attached to it using miniature snap swivel hooks. The snap
swivel hooks allow gear to be quickly unlocked from the
figure-eight for independent use, and then quickly locked
back into place one through.
Personal carry: Kong Mini Figure-Eight Key Ring
(brass)
Fire Starter (secondary):The importance of having a fire in
a survival situation cannot be down played, since its used
for so much and in so many different methods for survival.
A small flint steel that fits onto a key ring in case the others
become lost, wet or simply do not work any longer adds to
the additional chance of being able to use this age old
survival tactic.
Personal carry: Exotac nanoSTRIKER XL (snap
swiveled)
Pinch Light:Is just as it names suggest. A smaller version
of a flash light that one usually pinches to turn it on and
releases to shut it off. They light up a small area and tend
to be very bright with a long battery life. Pinch lights are
good for traveling small distances at night or locating
objects in the dark. They also make solar powered
rechargeable pinch lights; however, the solar screen risks
being crack easily if not treated well.
Personal carry: Rapala Fishermans Pinch Light
(snap swiveled)
Cordage:As noted above parachute cordage is extremely
significant. Having an additional 6 feet of the MILSPEC
Type III in the form of a key fob is highly recommended.
Personal carry: None (relocated onto my primary
fire starter)

 Button Compass:A miniature version of the real deal.

However, most of these are not very accurate except to find
magnetic North and will react to other metal interference
easily. In a bind it could be used to find a way back to
modern society or gain a general idea of direction.
Personal carry: Ozark Trail 4-Function Whistle
(snap swiveled)
Pocket Knife:A miniature pocket knife will work for most
small scale tasks like opening mail and packages. However,
most small pocket knifes like the miniature Swiss Army
Knife will have an assortment of tools that can help with
varied generic tasks instead of just having a blade.
Personal carry: None
Whistle:When needing to attract attention the piercing
shriek of a survival whistle will successfully attract attention
to ones location. It requires no training to use, and will still
usually work regardless of its condition.
Personal carry: Ozark Trail 4-Function Whistle
(snap swiveled)
Wallet
Emergency Cash: A small amount of local currency stashed
in a water tight bag. The tender should be kept to small bills
to reduce loss if change can not be made.
Personal carry: $100.00 (4 x $20s and 2 x $10s)
First Aid: A few band-aids, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes will
work for most basic injuries. Johnson and Johnson makes a
small travel sized first aid kit sold in the medical supply
section at most grocery stores/pharmacies for around $3.
In it there are various sizes of band-aids, cleansing pads,
and gauze pads that can be taken out and easily stored in a
pocket of a wallet as they are quite compact.
Personal carry: Self Assembled Micro Med Kit.
Fire Starter (tertiary): Redundancy is the backbone of
survival preparation, a small fire steel or a book of
waterproof matches in a small water tight bag may be
utilized as a handy backup.
Personal carry: None
Signaling: A small signal mirror is a great choice as it can be
the best signaling devices one will use. However practice

is key when using a mirror. When flashed at the horizon it

may be seen for miles even in undesirable weather
conditions such as fog. This tactic is most effective on a
sunny day, or at the highest point available in your current
area. If a mirror is not available, using a polished belt
buckle may be substituted.
Personal carry: None
Phone Card: Eliminates having to have change when
cellular service is unavailable and a phone call is needed.
This card can also be used to place long distance calls
without heinous charges on a cell phone bill. They come in
a variety of different types of plans so the survivalist should
choose one that will work for their individual needs. If this
option is chosen, make sure proper operation of the card is
clearly understood before a survival situation.
Personal carry: None

Tier Two: Get Home Bag (G.H.B)

Tier two consists of everything needed to get back home in the event
of an emergency situation all contained into a small assault pack or
backpack. This allows tools and gear to be kept close at hand that would
otherwise be to large or awkward to include in your E.D.C. kit. A good article
to reference concerning the need of a G.H.B. would be our Urban
Survival page.
A tragic example of this is the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. No one
can say with any certainty if one of the casualties of this tragedy had a
G.H.B. locked away in a car. However, it can be said with a fair amount of
certainty that none of them had a G.H.B. close at hand. How many lives
could have been saved if only one person would have had a properly
equipped G.H.B. (which would have included a rope) within arms reach of
them at the time of the attack? Looking back, they may have been able to
utilize their survival knowledge and equipment to lower them down the
elevator shaft with the rope one floor at a time, instead of being forced to
jump to their deaths to avoid being burned alive.
Top piece of content
The second critical mistake is confusing the contents of a G.H.B. with those
of a Bug Out Bag. This mistake is morecommonly made by beginners in an

attempt to be over prepared. This kit should be kept small and light.
The guidelines for a G.H.B are the same as the E.D.C. Every item in the kit
should be tailored to fit the users personal needs and preferences as with
tier one. Below is a list of the key features, necessary in the construction of
an effective Get Home Bag, along with examples of personal items I use in
mine. However, due to the complexity of these kits, this is just a quick
glance into what would be placed into an average version of this system a
much more detailed breakdown can be found on our Get Home Bag page
The Bag: There are some things to consider before choosing the
proper bag. It is best to select generic dark colors. Avoid anything
that calls direct attention to it (i.e. camouflage), or is very
memorable for strategic purposes. The questions below will aid in
finding something suitable for use.
Is it sturdy and well-constructed?
Does it contain pockets to store gear in an organized and
time saving fashion?
Is it comfortable to wear for extended periods of time?
How well does it blend?
Personal carry: MAXPEDITION Falcon-II
Fixed Blade Survival Knife: The knife itself should be
constructed with a full tang blade for strength as well as
reducing the chance of blade breakage. The handle should
feel comfortable in hand allowing a firm grip without causing
fatigue from usage. The blade should be constructed of
either stainless or high carbon steel, with a blade thickness
of between 4/16 1/4 of an inch (the thicker the blade, the
higher the durability). Blade design (serrated or straight) is
strictly personal preference. The overall length of a good
survival knife averages between 6 to 12 inches. When
selecting a survival knife try to avoid any knives with hollow
handles or compasses on the ends of them. For more
information about choosing the best survival knife for you,
please check out ourSurvival Knifepage.
Personal carry: SOG SEAL Team Elite (partially
serrated)
Water Container: Choose a bladder type hydration system
as it will hold the most amount of water while taking up
limited space. If an internal reservoir system isnt what

youre looking for, consider a 1 liter poly carbonate bottle

such as CamelBak or Nalgene.
Personal carry: CamelBak 2012 StoAway 100 oz
Reservoir System with Insolated Supply Tube and
an In-Line Filtration System
Water Filtration: Water filtration is different then water
purification, although they should be combined to guarantee
the safest possible drinking water. A survival filtration
system should have a filter no greater than 0.2 microns. All
filtration devices remove large particulates from the water;
however the smaller the micron rating, the better suited the
filter will be for microorganisms such as bacteria and
protozoa. Choosing a filtration device that contains an
activated charcoal core is also highly recommended, as
these types of filters are the only filters that will remove
chemical contamination that may be present it the water.
For more information about water filtration methods and
equipment, please check out our Water Purificationpage.
Personal carry: Katadyn Combi Water Filter

Water Purification: Water purification is different then water filtration,

although they should be combined to guarantee the safest possible
drinking water. Although most microorganisms, such as bacteria
and protozoa, are removed during the filtration process; some
microorganisms, such as viruses, may be left behind in the water.
For this reason it is highly recommended to purify all drinking water
after filtering it. The best method for purifying water is boiling it,
however several easier alternatives are readily available on the
market. For more information about water purification methods and
equipment, please check out our Water Purification page.
Personal carry: SteriPEN Adventurer Opti & Katadyn
Micropur Chlorine Dioxide Water Purification Tablets (20
tablets)
Fire Starter: Build upon the items in tier one, include items
such as a storm proof lighter and matches, as well as some
water/wind proof tinder. For more information about fire
starting methods and equipment, please check out our Fire
Starting page.

Personal carry: Windmill Trekker Stormproof

Lighter, UCO Stormproof Match Kit (25 matches in
a waterproof container with striker) & UST WetFire
Tinder (8 cubes)
Flashlight: It is best to choose an LED style light, as
traditional style bulb filaments may become damaged in
harsh conditions. It is personal preference as to whether
rechargeable or disposable batteries will be suitable for
ones needs. It is always good to know the stored charge
life of the chosen type of battery and to perform periodic
function tests.
Personal carry: Petzl Tikka XP2
Compass: It is best to choose a full size compass for
accuracy and easy of plotting an azimuth.
Personal carry: Suunto M-3 Global CM
Cordage: Although paracord is the primary choice amongst
survivalist, it is essential to understand the limitations of
paracord. An inexperienced individual may see that MILSPEC MIL-C-5040 Type III Paracord can support a
minimum of 550 lbs and think it would be good for climbing
or rappelling however paracord is NOTclimbing rope! It can
easily be stressed beyond its design, causing it to snap.
What many people fail to understand is physics behind the
function. While you may only weigh 185 lbs, the force
exerted on a rope during a fall is actually much greater, as
body weight is actually amplified due to force multiplication.
That being said, paracord is not a suitable substitute for a
true climbing rope. A good rule of thumb would be a quality
climbing rope, and about fifty feet of paracord, precut into
ten foot lengths.
Personal carry: (10) 25 Lengths of Paracord
(woven into quick deployment lanyard and kept all
together by a carabiner.)
Multi-Tool: It is best to choose a multi-tool that is best suited
for the environment you will most often be in. As mentioned
for tier one SOG, Gerber & Leatherman all have excellent
craftsmanship, quality and offer several extremely nice
models for utility use. A Swiss Army Knife would suffice but

would lack some of the key advantages at to having an

actual multi-tool.
Personal carry: SOG PowerLock EOD with VCutter & the Leatherman Piranha
First-Aid Kit: This will be bigger than the tier 1 kit. Various
sizes of band-aids, butterfly closures, alcohol prep pads,
triple antibiotic ointment, moleskin, Ibuprofen, Aspirin,
waterproof adhesive tape, tweezers, sterile gauze,
Benadryl, and Duct Tape. Using a large store-bought first
aid kit will provide the majority of what is listed above. Self
assembled medical kits are always the best, as the user is
comfortable with the locations and use of every item in the
kit. However it is recommended that if a store bought kit is
used, the user should familiarize themselves with the
locations of all the items prior to their needed usage.
Personal carry: Granite Tactical Gear Individual
First Aid Kit & Adventure Medical Kits Trauma Pak
with QuickClot
Survival Whistle: Choose a whistle with a high decibel rating
to increase the chances of it being heard.
Personal carry: Ultimate Survival Technologies Jet
Scream
Signal Mirror: Unlike tier one a bigger signal mirror is
recommended and should have a hole in the center. This
allows the user to look through the hole to help aim the
reflection when signaling. As mentioned in the tier one
information, when flashed at the horizon it may be seen for
miles even in undesirable weather conditions such as fog. It
works best on a sunny day. Avoid flashing this directly at the
cockpit of a plane or helicopter if air rescue is involved to
avoid blinding the pilot or to make them think they are
receiving hostile fire.
Personal carry: Ultimate Survival Technologies
Starflash (2 x 3)
Rain Gear: It is best to choose a military issue poncho as it
will keep you dry from the rain as well as doubling as an
emergency shelter if needed.
Personal carry: G.I. Enhanced Camo Rip-Stop
Poncho

 Survival Blanket: It is best to choose a thermal mylar

blanket as it will reflect back and retain 90% of your body
heat. They can be found included in most large first aid kits.
Personal carry: ER Emergency Ready Thermal
Mylar Blanket
Literature: The SAS Survival Handbook or SAS Survival
Guide, which is considered by most to be the definitive
resource for survivalists in any climate, in any situation. For
more information about survival handbooks and guides,
please check out ourLiteraturepage.
Personal carry: SAS Survival Guide, 2nd Edition
Miscellaneous:Carry a waterproof notebook and pen to
recall any important information that present itself.
Personal carry: Rite in the Rain Hip Pocket
Notepad & (2) Military Extreme Environments Pens
(fine point, 1 blue and 1 black) all stored in a
durable zipper closured Cordura cover.
Tier Three Bug Out Bag (B.O.B)
Sometimes referred to as a Im Never Coming Home (I.N.C.H.) Bag, bail-out
bag, Get Out Of Dodge (GOOD) bag or Personal Emergency Relocation Kit
(PERK). The final tier of this system consists of what is needed to sustain
an individual for a prolonged period of time. This kit should fit into a large
backpack like rucksack or mountaineering pack. Amateur survivalists tend
to use the terms B.O.B and 72-hour Bag interchangeably. This is misleading
as their purpose and design are completely different, in that a B.O.B. should
be able to sustain the user for more then just 72-hours. A good article to
reference concerning the need of a B.O.B. would be ourWilderness
Survival page.
The B.O.B. should have enough pockets and storage space to allow for easy
organization of items like the ones in tier two. Keep the most vital items on
top of everything else, or in easily accessed outer pockets, so they are easy.
This eliminates having to dig around for whats needed while in less than
desirable conditions. As with tier one and two every item should be tailored
to fit personal preference and need.
Below is a list of the key features necessary in the construction of an
effective Bug Out Bag. However, due to the complexity of these kits, this is
just a quick glance into what would be placed into an average version of this

system a much more detailed breakdown can be found on our Bug Out
Bag page.
Bag:
Choosing a B.O.B is different than choosing a G.H.B. There
are different things to consider such as gear attachment
systems, framework, and reliability. Also, this is the time for
picking something that will blend easily into the more
jungleistic environment you will be entering in; this is were
camouflage, which was undesirable for tier two, is not only
perfect, but preferred . The following questions can aid you
in picking what works best.
Is it sturdy and well constructed?
Des it have an integrated frame system, either
internal or external?
Does it contain pockets to store gear in an
organized and time saving fashion?
Is it MOLLEor ALICE system compatible
Is it comfortable to wear for extended periods of
time?
How well does it blend?
Basic Gear:
Fixed Blade Survival Knife
Tools

Machete or Hatchet
Entrenching Tool

Wire Saw

Multi-Tool
Fire Starting Equipment
Cordage
Flashlight & Chem-Lights
Compass & Maps
Binoculars
Survival Literature
Signal Mirror
Survival Whistle
Currency

Water:

 Outside of extreme conditions, 1 Liter or water per day (per

person) is the bare minimum. In a survival situation water
becomes a very precious commodity. To expand survival
capability for longer than only a few days a water filtration
and purification systems are recommended or wilderness
filters and boiling water will be required.
Water Collection & Storage Containers
Water Filtration & Purification Systems
Food
MREs and back packing meals are always a good way to
go. They would provide the necessary nutrition to sustain
one for a few days. In the event of a wide spread disaster
some other type of food source would need to be enacted to
ensure food availability over a prolonged period of time.
Wire Snares & Fishing Kit
MREs or Back Packing Meals
High Calorie Ration Bars
Shelter
To survive for any length of time in the wilderness, one will
need protection from the environment they are in. This is
one of the first things that should be taken care of before
everything else. Building a shelter out of items provided by
your environment is recommended when possibility.
However, it is best to plan for times when this is not feasible
and will be forced to relying solely on what was prepared
prior.
Tactical Style Tent
Sleep & Bivvy Bags
Sleeping Pad
First Aid
Although a prepackaged first aid kit works well for a Get
Home Bag; as it is less likely you will need extensive
medical care, it is highly recommended that each survivalist
personally construct this First Aid Kit. The reason most
great survivalists choose to customize their own B.O.B.
medical kit; is that by doing so it gives them an intimate
knowledge of its contents and there exact storage
locations. Also by preparing your own kit, you eliminate the
risk of ending up in a situation where you find yourself will to

much of what you dont need, while not enough of what you
do.
Sawyer Venom Extractor Kit
QuickClot
Clothing
Should be the equivalent of what would be packed for a
wilderness excursion that is applicable to the environment
and weather conditions one expects to be in.
Combat/Hiking Boots
Socks
Pants
Shirts
Jacket
Rain Gear
Bandana
Hat
Weapons
Be prepared to defend yourself should force become a
necessary evil. A rifle or shotgun will increase ones range of
defense, but adds combination weight between weapon and
ammunition. Whatever the decision is to use a knife,
firearm, or even something found in the environmental
surroundings for your own protection, make sure you have
the appropriate training to utilize the weapon correctly and
effectively.
All in all using the modular system in the event of an emergency could not
only be extremely helpful, but if properly prepared and utilized correctly,
could save your life; one of the most precious things any of us has.