Survival Must-haves

Survival expert Greg Davenport's list of the 10 essential items needed for cold weather survival.

1. The Right Clothing
Clothes are your first line of personal protection. They help keep you warm (and cool) during harsh conditions. Pack layers, so you''l have the ability to regulate your body temperature by adding or removing a layer of clothing. Carry a base layer (polyester or silk thermal long underwear), an insulating layer like wool or fleece and rain gear. In addition, pack a hat, work gloves, wool-blend socks and a sturdy, warm pair of boots.

2. Shelter
A shelter is the second line of personal protection. Ideally, a shelter should protect you from both wind and moisture. Good options include (listed in order of preference and performance): a tent, a Bivy bag or a tarp (8 foot by 10 foot). Regardless of which option you choose, make sure to pack aluminum stakes and parachute line.

3. Heat
An adequate heat source makes a big difference in cold weather survival Options include heavy-duty windproof and waterproof matches, a lighter or a sparker. In addition, pack tinder (material that lights from a spark or small flame). There are myriad commercial tinder products available and any will work. You can also make your own tinder by putting 100 percent cotton balls and some Vaseline into a zip-topped bag and massaging the bag until the Vaseline saturates the cotton balls. A heat source and one bag of cotton-ball tinder is all you'll need to start a fire. Make sure you build your fire on a properly prepared site (minimum 3-foot bare ground fire circle located away from debris that might catch from a spark).

4. Signaling
Without a signal how will anyone know you need to be rescued? At a minimum, always carry a cell phone (with extra batteries), a signal mirror and a whistle. Other items to consider include smoke and aerial flares, strobe lights and glow sticks.

5. Water
You can't survive more than two to five days without water. Be sure to bring water along whenever you might face a survival situation, but don't stop there: You should also have a means of purifying more. Iodine and chlorine tablets are both good options.

6. Food
Food is less important than water (you can survive three weeks to several months without food), and your body needs water to digest food, so don't eat if you don't have enough to drink. Lightweight items like dehydrated foods and energy bars are great options. Remember to bring a pan to boil water in if you bring along dehydrated foods.

7. Navigation
In the majority of survival situations, stay put! Rescue will come. There are, however, rare instances in which you may need to find your own way out. Without a map and compass (and the knowledge of how to use them), this may not be possible. Other items to consider are a GPS or a Personal Locater Beacon, which will send a signal, via satellite, to a ground receiving station that in turn alerts an appropriate rescue agency of your location.

8. Medical Kit
Purchase a pre-packed kit, or make your own. Include bandages, antibiotic ointment, mole skin, splints, iodine, alcohol swabs and chemical hand warmers. Another item to consider is a Sam splint, which will be very useful in the case of an arm or ankle injury.

9. Basic Tools
Tools that will help facilitate daily tasks--from preparing a shelter to repairing torn clothing--include a multi-tool unit like a Leatherman, a pruning saw, large and medium fixed blade knives, a folding knife and a sewing needle and thread.

10. Light Source
A headlamp will allow you to see at night without tying up one hand to hold a traditional flashlight.