What should not be missing from survival equipment?
If an emergency occurs during outdoor activities, you should be rescued within a day, even in adverse conditions, for example in forests or mountains. It is important that you always have a way to call for help, that you are not traveling alone and that you let people know where you are and when you will report back if you are planning extreme activities such as climbing or trail running.
You should also have a decent survival kit that not only helps with crisis preparedness, but also in an emergency:
- Rain protection: Suitable clothing is always the basis for survival - sun protection in summer, thick clothing in winter, layers for changeable weather. You should always allow for sudden rain showers. Wet clothing cannot retain heat, which is why there is a risk of hypothermia, especially in changeable weather such as spring, fall and on cold winter days. With simple rain protection such as a thin rain poncho or a small umbrella, you can avoid the worst.
- Rescue blanket: Rescue blankets, also known as space blankets, are thin sheets that have very good insulating properties. After an accident while skiing, hiking or climbing, the rescue blanket prevents you from cooling down if, for example, a sprained ankle or broken bone impairs your mobility. However, please note that accident victims who can no longer move or are unresponsive should not be moved until the emergency services arrive.
- First aid kit: A small first aid kit with plasters, bandages and disinfectant wipes helps with minor wounds - from pinching shoes to the initial treatment of open wounds after a fall. With a small whistle in your first aid kit, you can also draw attention to yourself in an emergency.
- Lighter: In Germany and many other countries, it is forbidden to simply light a campfire in the forest. A fire can only be lit on private land with permission. However, the lighter in your luggage or bag can be used in an absolute emergency to light a signal fire or to provide some warmth in the event of severe hypothermia. Even then, make sure that the fire does not spread and, even in an emergency, expect to be held responsible for the fire.
- Pocket knife: A small multifunctional pocket knife is helpful in many ways, whether it's for cutting the bandage from the first aid kit to the right size or for spontaneously picking a few mushrooms outside of survival situations.
- Rope and carabiner: Ropes are highly functional even without a carabiner because they can be used in a variety of ways. Not only can you attach a hammock between trees, but you can also pull people out of deep rocks in an emergency, for example. If you add a carabiner, it also allows you to use the rope in even more diverse ways. For example, you can attach the carabiner to your rucksack and always have it to hand.
- Survival LED flashlight or head torch: A survival torch in your pocket fulfills various tasks. When darkness falls, the survival flashlight helps you to take precautions in a crisis, avoid tripping over branches, avoid twisting on rocks or see exactly where the ground is slippery and unsafe. Even a small survival outdoor flashlight with at least 1,400 lumens in your pack provides safety and, thanks to the flashing light function, can be used much more safely for light signals than an open signal fire, for example.
A powerful special flashlight with up to 5,000 lumens supports the search for people in the forest or on rocks and is therefore often used by search & rescue teams.
Tip: With flashlights with batteries, it can happen that you forget to take another set of batteries with you. In such a case, a rechargeable headlamp such as our HF6R Signature can save you from forgetting batteries. Its magnetic charging option makes recharging the battery very easy, even with a power bank. Thanks to the aluminum alloy, the lamp is also particularly lightweight and water and dust resistant, making it perfect for your outdoor activities.
Why is a flashlight important for survival?
Even if there is an emergency outdoors during the day, you may have to hold out in the wilderness for a few hours. When darkness falls, this can become a problem for finding your way in the dark. That's why light, for example in the form of a survival flashlight, is essential for all outdoor preppers. For example, if you are not mobile because you are injured or trapped somewhere, a survival torch can send out an emergency call via a light signal so that you can be rescued more quickly. You can configure the functions of our P18R Signature flashlight from the P series to suit your needs, for example.
In the following situations, for example, a survival headlamp or flashlight could be important and even help to save lives:
- To draw attention to yourself in the event of an accident in the mountains, especially in poor weather conditions
- For rescue workers who want to locate people in deep nature
- For multi-day tours on outdoor vacations, far away from civilization
- In the event of a complicated rescue after a climbing accident
What criteria should a survival flashlight meet?
Every piece of outdoor equipment needs the right light. Depending on the requirements, several factors must be right. These include robustness, endurance and power supply, brightness and light range, the size and weight of the survival lamp as well as different functions and modes. Whether you are in the military, a firefighter or simply a survival fan, there is a suitable survival flashlight for every individual requirement.
- Robustness: Whether for hiking, climbing or other outdoor activities - a flashlight should be resistant and robust. This is because the torch can easily slip out of your hands and fall onto stony ground, into water or into dust. A survival flashlight does not mind bumps and falls.
- Endurance and power supply: A trip into the great outdoors can take a little longer. The flashlight should therefore be able to shine for at least as long. Models with powerful rechargeable batteries offer a longer burn time and are more environmentally friendly than conventional batteries. In addition, you don't have to carry spare batteries. Some models offer a magnetic charging option, which makes recharging even easier.
- Brightness and light range: If you are a real outdoor fan, then you know that it is not only the brightness of a flashlight that plays an important role, but also the light range. An LED flashlight or headlamp can produce a high luminosity that can illuminate even distant targets. The more lumens your flashlight has, the higher the luminosity.
- Size and weight: The size and weight of the flashlight depend on your outdoor activities. For example, if you are going on longer hiking tours with challenging routes, your flashlight should be light and handy. If you are going fishing, for example, a head torch can be an advantage as you have both hands free.
- Functions and modes: Large flashlights not only have impressive lighting power. They also have many practical functions. Depending on the model, there are different light modes that you can switch to suit your needs. This can be a wide cone of light that illuminates a large area so that you can hike in the dark, for example. A focused beam can also be set so that you can look into the distance. As a survival prepper, you should look out for the flashing light function on your flashlight so that you can set off an SOS light in an emergency.
Good to know: Depending on your flashlight model, you can pack an additional power bank for emergencies. For example, if you get stuck in the dark, a power bank can not only charge your flashlight with a magnetic connection, but also your GPS system or cell phone.
Optimally equipped for every outdoor emergency with Ledlenser
It is exciting to see how people live in nature for several days and get the most out of minimal survival equipment. With five to six items of equipment, which hardly take up any space in the rucksack and only add a small amount of weight, many dangers can already be defused. A flashlight is just as important for survival as having enough food and water with you. That's why we recommend flashlights and headlamps from the P series and HF series for your outdoor activities. These are particularly robust and specially designed for demanding outdoor activities. The aluminum alloy makes them not only resistant, but also lightweight and therefore perfect to take with you.
