I usually hike/camp/kayak and mountain bike solo. However, I usually leave a map and GPS coordination of the route, stop/rest place and when I will be back with the local authorities and my family.

But today's post is not all about that. Its about my small survival kit.

Apart from my bike tools, my hydration pack, my first aid, and my spare tubes and tires, I also carry a small survival pack.

The pack simply consists of :-
1. A fire making kit (ferro rod and cotton balls soaked in vaseline fire starters) Placed in my first air kit.
2. Water purifying tablets. I also have a small bottle of pure iodine in my first aid kit. Iodine can be used to purify water. In my first aid kit.
3. A folding knife. In my pack pocket.
4. 2 pieces of disposable ponchos from 7-Eleven which I can use to make temporary shelters. In my hydration pack.
5. Space blanket In my hydration pack.
6. Folding saw. In my hydration pack's side pockets.
7. 30 feet of 550lb paracord. In my hydration pack.

I do not carry cooking pots cos I can use bamboo to cook water.

This is only to be use in case I got stranded like a land slide, flood or my mtb is damaged and could not be ridden out. I might need to stay overnight or two while walking out home. I have my Garmin 60CSX to guide me.

Just wondering if all the MTBers here who ride trails do carry one with them.

Interesting! You seem to be a bit of what we call in America (what they call themselves) "preppers". Preppers prepare for the worse... or unexpected.

I've often thought of my bicycles saddle bag as a survival kit of sorts. Mostly.... I only carry basic cycling tools. Mostly standard fare stuff but also a mini pliers, and a tube of Lip Baum (Vaseline). I do throw one of those little one-size-fits-all disposable ponchos in my jersey if there is even a remote chance of rain (I take a jacket if the odds are in favor of rain). And I carry a little cash in a money-clip (that is also a knife). I could get by on an extended ride... even overnight (although not comfortably).

I do have a backpack that is stocked with the normal EDC (Every Day Carry) items like you mentioned. But I am so hooked on cycling... I rarely spare anytime for hiking.

Different country, different definitions. I am a survivalist and I teach them in Malaysia. Preppers to us means, those who prepare their homes and family for the worst in cases of floods, disasters, wars. They usually have a bomb shelter, or fortify their homes and hope to ride the war or a nuke fallout. They stock, firearms, food, water and medicine in their shelter. No offense to people who preps. I am just giving the definition that I know. They usually have Bug Out Bags prepared by their doors.

As I stated, I usually hike/kayak/camp and MTB alone. Its only when I ride the trails and in the jungle that I bring a Survival Kit with me. When I go cycling on paved roads for my inter city cycling, commute or road bike, I only carry a first aid kit and a lighter (a zippo) and my maze. That's about all the survival kit I carry when I on paved road. Of course some money and my android phone.

A Survival kit is just an assortment of items, to help keep you comfortable, boost your confidence and help to get you home or out of a tight spot in the jungle.

We only prepare to have :
1. Fire
2. Shelter
3. Water

and then try to navigate out of the situation.

Just sharing...no other intention.

By the way, carrying a knife (regardless of its size)is illegal in Malaysia. We might be able to get away with a swiss army knife like Wenger, Victorinox or Leather man, but it should be with a multi tool set.

If you carry a parang or a knife, you will have got some explaining to do.

However if you are with your camping equipment, you will be okay, they will allow you to carry one.

Cool, you can carry a sword provided you've got a metho stove and frying pan

Back on subject. I don't carry a survival kit but don't go too far from civilisation. It does occur to me though that I was banging around on one of the dirt roads just outside the city, a basic first aid kit isn't completely insane. I guess it all depends on how far into the wilderness you're traveling and how likely you are to have someone come along to bail you out of trouble.

For 'normal' riding, where all you're really preparing for is a loose saddle bolt or a puncture and everything's stuffed into one of them little saddle bags, maybe adding a basic first aid kit isn't so silly - antiseptic wipes, bandaids, defibrillator.

For those who do not venture off far from civilization and stick to the back roads, I guess that will be okay. This might apply for those who ride into the forest. In Malaysia, MTBers usually go on trails and its about 2 or 3 hours away. Or for those who go bike packing .

Makes a lot of sense if you MTB in remote areas.

Heck, when hiking in such places I tend to take something of a survival kit... Water is the biggest limitation... good idea on the iodine pills. I remember taking a long hike in the So Cal desert one time and thinking I had enough water... only to run out long before I returned to my vehicle. I would have been in BIG trouble had the vehicle been ransacked or stolen. And the irony was that I was hiking along a palm canyon that had a small stream in it.

Gee, oddly the Boy Scouts teach teach these basics and no one calls them "preppers." They also use the motto "Be Prepared."

when I'm with the family I make sure I have wide bandages & ointment, in case anyone gets a scrape. wound up being useful when I cut my own foot on a clam shell, at one of the beaches we biked to

OK you are from Penang, Malaysia, so your list may not be the same list that North Americans might choose.

One thing I noticed missing from your list that has "saved the day" for me is "duct tape."

There may be some equivalent super useful all around good tape to use. What I am suggesting is a tape strong enough to patch a tire, strong enough to be used to hold things together, if need be, and can be used as a giant bandaid if needed.

The space blanket (if it is the grommetted kind) can be rigged up between trees as an A-frame, but you really need to throw some mosquito netting over it, so that's a 15'x15' piece. Much better off with an ultralight, single person tent. Then, the space blanket is meaningful.

First aid kits is a must I believe, for any occasion.
Genec,
Duct tape and cable ties are part of my bike toolkit

Yep, you bet there! Its one thing I always make sure I have, and pray that I need not use it. Riding on trails in the Equatorial forest is not like riding in MOAB. We somethings ride on ridges. And landslide is something that is common here.

A mozzy net is good. But if you can save some weight, and know how to prevent mozzies from coming near you, you wouldn't need one. I usually make a small fire, which I then separate into two areas. One is for cooking water , light and warmth. The other is where i put on some green boughs or leaves. This will give out smoke. Place at the right direction and distance, the smoke will cover your temporary campsite, but not overwhelm you. Mozzies hate smoke. They also hate lemon grass smell. If you are not able to make fire or create smoke, take some earth/soil and rub against your exposed skin. The mozzies might bug you, but they will not be able to bite you.

Hey Europa, carrying a sword is a good idea..if you can tell me when I can have it tied to my bike....Actually, i do have a sword, a katana I bought in Japan in 1985...but for the Equatorial Jungle, an Ontario Blackbird SK 5 or a Mora Companion would be good enough..

Yeah I do, on my travel/touring bike. Some of it is also my normal pocket EDC. I'm also in UL backpacking, adventure motorcycling, RVing, kayaking, mountain biking. Seen a few scary things in my life that lead to a survivalist mentality.

Few things I didn't see: flashlight, lipstick (18650) charger/cable for smartphone, whistle, Gorilla tape.

I'm also into multi-tasking so, for example, instead of Vasoline cotton balls, I have thumb sized Vasoline tube (Lip Therapy) for Chapstick, skin moisturizer (diluted), anti-biotic ointment; and a bullet sized tampon (OB brand) to make bandaids (with Gorilla tape). The space blanket comes in handy as an emergency down vest and rain poncho. If I'm out for full day, I often take my UL kitchen for a freeze-dried lunch, and afternoon tea... it's only ~8oz tiny.

Great Reppans. I try to carry as minimal as possible. If I am bike camping, I have the equipment for camping. But if its for a normal day ride, the simple kit I mentioned is good enough for me. Survival kits are personal and vary in needs.

In the rainforest, bamboos are abundant and we use them for cooking utensils.

I also carry a first aid kit.

The simple survival kit I mentioned are only for day rides.

Great sharing.

I teach survival in North Malaysia. I teach youths (22 years old and below and any bodies that invites me). I do it for free always if they are youths. Its my turn to give to the community.
I usually start with a Awareness on Jungle Safety - How to survive it class for 1 day. To keep them going.
Its usually what happened, why it happened and what can you do. Most cases are during hiking, when someone gets lost or is separated from a main group.
My basic classes are usually for 4 days and 3 nights.

Here I teach them simple basic things such as STOP (Stop and Sit, Think, Observe and Plan), what to have, utilize what you have in your day pack and, first aid kit, from your minimal survival kit and utilize what the jungle has to offer. Some basic navigation. Its usually, theory, demo and practical.

My advance classes are for those who are interested to pursue and they follow me on my hikes. Max is only 4 per advance class and event.

Its fun...being an ex Field Force Officer (similar to army but under the Police wings) and with some self taught processes, experience and some courses, I find it fun giving the younger generation something.

I always tell them to practice and practice and practice.

Yeah... I thought I sensed a bit more than just being prepared.

I'm an old man. Rarely would my normal ride route take me more than 20 miles from home. Which doesn't sound like that much distance. But a derailed and burning train with chemical cargo..... could isolate me from home for 2-3 days. It has happened in this very area once before.

Riots downtown, terrorist attacks at the near-by militarily base, airborne infectious outbreak at the nearby hospital, natural gas leak, uncontrolled fire(s)..... The disasters that could turn a routine and enjoyable ride into a nightmare you can't get home from are many.

The difference between being prepared and prepping is the level of preparation.

I am prepared. When I ride, I know what parks (and such) are where. And where I can acquire water, warmth, shade, shelter, food, friends, family etc.

If I was a prepper... I'd carry a get-home bag of sorts. Maybe even have prepared sites where I store/hide supplies.

Good enough Dave, as it about fits my Survival Principles, which are:-
1. Common Sense - using your brain and common sense to make the best out of the situation, avoiding from danger and how to survive, with the next action plans to take.

2. Knowledge - Knowing how to survive, knowing how to use the tools that you have.

3. Good Mental Strength - overcoming fear (usually of being alone or facing the situation alone), not panicking, calm state of mind, and able to execute your plans in a wise and appropriate manner.

I am old too Dave, welcome to the club!

I bring a second CO[sub]2[/sub] cartridge.

Wow....very very minimal....

Now...that makes you a minimalist...

It's a hard club to stay a part of. All memberships are only temporary.

I like your topic! I've never been a survivalist or a prepper..... but my history puts me naturally close to both ideology's. My money clip-knife is my only EDC item (along with my phone) that I am never without. And I do keep a well stocked saddle bag.

Great, but first and foremost, English or American English is my second language and I would like to apologize if any of my statements/sentences might be misunderstood or misconstrued, even though I was English educated. I am trying my best..

Yep..you're right Dave, its hard to stay a part of the old guys club, one of us could just "go" anytime.

I am not trying to enforce anything upon any members here. Just wanna try and bring some awareness. Everyone knows something more or less than someone else, and I believe its not wrong to share. I believe, we all know our turf and can make full use of that!

Let's enjoy our life (or whatever we have remaining) to the fullest, and keep 'em cranks revolving!

It seems to become "prepping" when you add in bomb shelters, arsenals and a certain world-view.

Different places have different needs. We went for a day hike in Malaysia's Cameron Highlands many years ago and I'm astonished at how totally ignorant and ill-prepared we were. Thank god we didn't take a wrong turn.

In northern climates warmth is the big thing. If your car (or bike) breaks down at 30 below you get very cold very fast and, if you have no way to keep warm, you will lose extremities to frostbite or simply die of exposure. In the spring and summer, insects (blackflies & mosquitoes) are a bigger issue.

Like the OP, I like to be appropriately prepared but am not a 'prepper'.

I have "camped" in below zero weather. It requires a real knowledge, excellent equipment, and a high level of endurance. These days, I just don't cycle in anything colder than about 46F degrees (even though I have gear for colder). And I carry my cold weather gear with me when cycling in winter months.

And then in summer months.... I try to ride in the mornings on days where excessive heat warnings are issued. But an extra water bottle and cash for a iced drink and time in an AC environment... is nice to have along too. Just in case I get delayed.

I think. Just IMHO... sometimes the best prep is avoidance. My granddaughter had a wonder time cycling on her little trikes push bike the other day.... and we never left the sidewalk or got out of sight of the house. We didn't need to go far to have fun. But then again.... I RE-learned about cycling hazards just a few weeks ago. Even a casual urban ride with people and buildings everywhere can go sideways in an unexpected hale storm.

It's fine... when everything goes as planned. It's unexpected or unprepared for events. Or mistakes made that have to be compensated for on-the-fly.... that test us.

Did you to Irau Camp? That's one of my favorites whn I hike there. And that's the only palce where I will bring extra layers of clothing. It easy to get lost there.
Jim Thompson ( a long time ago) got lost in Camerons and was never found. That's why they named the trail Jim Thompson trail.
Hiking in such areas definitely needs a full survival kit.