The subject of what to include in a survival kit or bug-out bag comes up frequently in books, articles, Internet discussion forums, and campfire conversations about wilderness survival. People have a tendency to become fixated on the gear that they imagine they will need much more than the skills that will enable them to succeed with or without help from their equipment. Skills require a lot of work and large investments of time to learn; gear can be bought off the shelf or ordered through the mail. Gear is impressive to show off and talk about with your friends, while skills are intangible and may not be apparent until they are needed. There is no end to the development and marketing of new survival gadgets and gear. This is a lucrative market for outdoor equipment manufacturers and they know how to take advantage of it. Some of these new developments may actually prove to be useful tools for the serious survivalist. Others are more useful for separating you from money that could be better spent on tried-and-true essentials. In this eBook, I will stick with the basics when describing items that I feel you should have ready at all times to take with you if you have to bug out.