AFCDBA / Adventure
Medical Kits
SOLHybrid 3
It includes 34 individual
items: mirrors and fire-
making sets, a stocked
first-aid kit for fractures,
burns, bruises, and common
ailments, and repair tools
to put any gear that breaks
back together. ($60)B / MSR Guardian
Water Purifier
A microscopic sieve filters
out nearly any virus, bacte-
ria, and general gunk from
wherever you drop the
hose, turning questionably
sourced streams or even
dirty puddles into water
fountains. The Guardian
pumps 2.5 liters a minute,
self-cleans, and will filter
more than 10,000 liters
in its lifetime. ($350)C / UST
WetFireTinder
Fire starter that works in
any condition—even in the
water. Shave a small bit
off the cube and onto your
kindling and, no matter
how windy or rainy it is,
the WetFire will catch.
($10 for 12)D / Spot X GPS
This satellite communi-
cation device puts you in
constant texting contact
with Search and Rescue
teams in case of an
emergency. In less dire
times, you can email or
text family and friends,
and post to social media
(if that’s the type of
adventurer you choose
to be), whether you have
cell service or not. It will
also track your movementand allow those you
authorize to check in
on your location. ($250,
plus monthly service plan)E / CRKT Persevere
Survival Axe
An axe that packs down
to the size of a multitool
to be built when you need
it. Find an 18-inch stick,
and, depending on how
you tie the blade to it, you
can make a knife, chisel,
splitting wedge, axe, or
adze. Just make sure you
know your knots.($35)F / VLES Designs
Fully Stocked Go Bag
Although it’d be hard
to bring on a camping
trip, this tough roller bag
is loaded with the medical
gear, emergency, and
personal supplies you’ll
need to survive most
evacuations. It includes
instructions for making
an emergency plan,
guides for what to fill
the bag’s empty spaces
with (medication,
paperwork, and maybe
a stuffed animal), as
well as suggestions for
what steps you should
take next. ($350)Pack Me
If You Want
to Live
Whether you’re camping or waiting
out the apocalypse, here’s the
best gear to help you survive,
in increasing order of desperation.
/ BY JAMES LYNCH /52 April 2019 _ PopularMechanics.com
PHOTOGRAPHS^ BY^KEVIN^SWEENEY