Good mornin' Dave. For my money, you are the world's best survival kit.

Survival... you're not supposed to enjoy yourself, you just supposed to not die. David Pearson 2020😁👍

Dave. I feel you are well and truly on your way with carrying on the legacy of the great Mors Kochanski. In many ways I feel your knowledge and engineering even surpasses the late great Mors. Thank you for all you do in providing us information with humility and a sense of humor. All the best to you and your family.

Discovery or National Geographic needs to give this guy a bunch of money!

Why am I a lifetime subscriber? For one reason only.... "HEY EVERYBODY! " but seriously, his knowledge is incredible because of the people he grew up around. I was fortunate enough to have a grandpa in Kentucky and owned half a mountain side with a cave and awesome cliffs. Me and my cousins would just be running around the woods with machetes and guns and just had the best childhoods ever. But it wasn't until I was probably 25 I got serious into bushcraft/survival. Channels like this is what to pay very close attention to. I believe things will eventually take a horrible turn and you will need to know the skills and knowledge presented. In closing... start a garden, buy self defense devices, buy survival gear, and most importantly.. keep gaining knowledge.

I have to stop and thank Nick. I am happy to see a young man these days who is willing to help his Dad. You've always done it with style meaning you are setting a great example for other men to follow. Well done Nick!!

59 yo single woman in the suburbs of Indianapolis and I never miss an upload. I’m a devoted fan. Trying to figure out the fascination but I guess living alone I’d like to be prepared and I am building my resources with Dave’s information and others. And I appreciate genius when it is revealed.

You have the coolest gear room i have ever seen! I could spend hours digging around in there🌲

Somebody give this man a TV show, such great content thanks!

Hi Dave and Nick! I've been hiking and camping since age 10 while growing up in central Ohio. I loved to roam the woods and explore. As I grew older and backpacked around the world while serving in the military I learned the importance of being prepared to survive situations that were unexpected, such as getting lost or separated from your group, being slammed by a snowstorm. I have become a proponent for possessing survival kits and knowing how to use what's in your kit...not just having an item because experts say you should have one; but learn how to use it and what its capabilities and limits are. My Jeep SUV is one big survival kit with extra layers of clothing, 100% wool blankets, extra protective shoes, breakdown gear for the vehicle. When my wife and I travel we each have a bug out bag with necessities that will sustain us for at least 72 hours. Our home is well equipped to survive power outages, lockdowns and of course protection from the "bad guys". I love putting survival kits together and one of them is an Emerson chest pack. Should I ever get separated from my backpack the Emerson will help me to survive without it.

Dave, you should write a survival/camping book. You are on par with Mors, only with updated equipment that wasn't available during his time. You're every bit as knowledgeable as he and not all that applied back then necessarily applies today. In Texas, if you can manage to walk a straight line, you will come to a public road and find your way home. Great video! Thanks for all you do!

That's why we all love you. You're logical and make sense instead of distributing what could be dangerous and silly infomation. I think some people thought it was like a game to make tiny survival kits. Thank you! 'So glad to see you're well. 'God bless.

I know as a KZfaq content provider you don't want to make long videos. But consider all the people that are shut in place with the "pandemic ". We got time on our hands now to watch videos. This was very informative and consisive. All presented by your easy to watch, understand, retain And enjoy format. Thank you for your time and efforts in making these videos available to us your viewers.

Dave changed my life. It was almost spiritual. A recommendation for a 5160 Ontario, SP- 53 Bolo knife combined with nomex flight gloves changed the entire dynamics of " fun in the woods". Thanks, Dave...😋😎

Dave , you are absolutely amazing. The more I watch the more I learn.

Dave could save lives with this vid. In Thailand many men carry purse. Many end up with a backpack, but the smaller bags are more efficient. Hikers pay attention , & look up missing 411.

Dave you certainly just gained another subscriber today. I’ve had your videos on shuffle shuffle the entire day and I can truly say the amount of knowledge I’ve taken is invaluable. I wanna say thank you for all the time effort and honesty put into your videos 💪🔥 thanks man, keep ‘em coming 🙏

Good stuff, Dave! I am one of those rabid anti-candy-tin guys myself. In the mountains of Idaho & Montana where I do my bushbumming conditions are a bit too severe to rely on a couple of ounces of "survival gear". The water bottle bag kit is probably the smallest kit I still use, and to be honest even it is a bit small to carry the shelter components I prefer but it does in a pinch. As Doug Ritter likes to say, if it's not on you it can't save you. A smaller kit that you will always have with you beats a bigger kit you leave at home. My only issue is that I don't understand why one couldn't just carry a pack! A day pack is called a day pack for a reason. By the time you stuff a hunting vest or roll up a bunch of stuff in a blanket you might as well just use a pack.

Absolutely loved the running lighter fluid gag. Actually laughed out loud. Thanks for that. Nick you are a rockstar.

Fun fact: a Hard Drive disk pulled out of a disassembled computer works great as a “shatter proof” metal mirror with sighting hole. Random, but I always keep one in my kits.

Thank you Dave again for sharing not only your years of field experience, but your ability to think out of the box (or bag) :-) Respect and appreciation from England

I'm buying the first ticket to the Reallybigmonkey museum. This is one of your best videos since the El Cheapo shelter one you did years ago. Thanks again!

Dave, my friend. Thank you for all of the effort that both you and Nick put forth to put this out. Anybody that does KZfaq videos knows this is a lot of work. You did a “guess what’s in my backpack” times 10. A lot of great information that will more than likely save at least one person’s life. Love you brother. God bless you. John

The Pearson family is at it again...coffee is ready. Thanks Dave & Nick

Haven’t watched a video in a while- thanks for everything you do for us guys. I’ve probably seen this five times now but it never gets old!

Excellent video Dave! Not a ‘do it this way’ video but a comprehensive discussion as to ‘why’ one might choose one option over another. Also, great camera work Nick!

I recognize your motivation, creativity, ingenuity, knowledge and expertise. I I appreciate that and I thank you for sharing it.

Great video, gives me alot to think about when putting together kits. Something I use while camping is what I call my "camp belt". I started with using my old duty belt and put a first aid pouch, survival /tinder pouch, canteen, dump pouch and a large knife. I hike with it and wear it around camp. It is worn over your trouser belt so it an encompassing ready to go kit.

Good morning Dave and Nick. I have my coffee and I'm ready to watch. God bless you guys and your family and have a great weekend.

Lots of well organized information, that is helpful in motivating people like me to rethink and rebuild their old kits. I see so many things can be added to my med kits without overwhelming it's weight or bulk. Nicks camera shots are welcome. and a big THANKS to you for that MASSIVE clean up!! Whew!! ! Looking forward to the next one.

I'm only 3 minutes and very good advice- Actually take your kit in the woods and see if you can survive with it. It doesn't have to be to a remote area, so you can do it safely. It could be the woods behind your house. But take only that kit and see what you can do with it. Is that Altoids kit too small? You will find out. What you need varies with the person- your skills, where you live, and the season of the year.

Definitely has the experience and, therefore, the knowledge, but the additional aspect that makes his channel so entertaining is his sense of humor.

You have the coolest basement in America Dave. Neat, organized, and full of cool man stuff.

Whenever I watch one of your videos, I get really practical and knowledgeable advice.

Thanks, Dave, All outdoors people have been guilty of ditching everything for a quick trip. I am an Alabama caver who did so many vertical rappel caving trips. Extra light sources, multi knife & space blanket was buried deep in my cave pack. Years ago some friends & I planned a Thanksgiving trip to Ellison's Cave in Georga. The goal was to rappel 586 foot deep Fantastic Pit. The cave trip is a wet one that requires a 125-foot rappel then some horizontal caving. We realized we were behind two other groups who were doing the same rappel. We decided to camp in the cave mid-way through to let the other groups have their time. Eight hours later my friends woke me up & told me to get on rope. Before I climbed out a friend gave me his big garbage bag & told me to put it on like a vest. I believe the trash bag saved me from hypothermia. A year later two inexperienced cavers died in the same cave. From that trip on I carried a big trash bag on every trip.

As always, chock full innovations no one else has! Thanks for this, sir. A treasure trove of great ideas!

I love the sense of reality and practicality you put into your videos.

Two of my go to items are plastic bags from a pet store for fish and a heavy vinyl shower curtain. The bags for aquarium fish at my local pet store are tall and narrow, hold about a quart when rolled down and at least 6 mil thick. You roll it down over your paracord bracelet and snap the bracelet and you have an instant dry bag. A dry bag is a water container as well. No none seems to notice that if it keeps out water, it keeps it in too. The vinyl shower curtain gives you the clear plastic, but is much tougher and more puncture resistant and it comes with grommets on one side. It's a little bulkier, but it's far more useful.

Hi Dave & Nick, I have a kit in my SUV that is appropriate to the British climate for winter and summer, this includes a smaller carry bag with essentials, poncho. food, water, Ist aid, bankline, emergency bivvi, fire kit. Water is no problem in a British summer as it frequently falls from the sky lol.

Thanks again Dave !. Another great episode that stimulates thoughts about options and alternatives. I really enjoy seeing new kit. Unfortunately in Australia, the market is so much smaller and manufacturers are mostly foreign which sometimes doubles or triples the cost. The tyranny of distance also makes the delivery cost prohibitory, especially for heavy or bulky items. For me, your channel is always the best watch on KZfaq.

Dave is doing such a service teaching us knowledge that we can survive in the woods. Thanku dave

Thank you so much for wonderful ideas! Your "out of the box" thinking and experience have been an absolute joy for me to watch and absorb over the years.

I use my vacuum sealer to compress all items able to be for my survival kits. Then I wrap it with some type of cord, then wrap duct tape around it. Depending on how you intend to carry it depends on how much and where you leave some cord exposed for convenient carry. Just a little different way. I liked the Christmas tree bag. I think that would work better than a cheap plastic drop cloth. Thank you both for taking all the time involved with this video to help. God bless and stay safe .

Most comprehensive survival introduction/educational video I've ever watched!

This guy makes the most realistic videos for survival situations. Not only shows you what to use but the different ways and senerios to use them in

At 6am this is better than any morning show on the radio

I’m really happy with that hidden woodsmen pack. Great to see you Dave and nick

Good vid. I liked seeing you emphasize the weight of the stuff you’re going to lug around. Some channels seem to think that your basic coach potato can grab his 75lb pack and hike 20 miles. Good luck with that plan. I know I couldn’t.

your way of communicating perspective of thought is pure genius. thanks for sharing

Big thumb up. Over an hour of goodies. ;-) Finally I got to see a one handed first aid kit. Thank you. Love that idea! Lots of awesome tips on kits right there. You nailed it to be a question of how big to make it to be useful and still something you willingly take with you without hasitataton. Great job on this one. Thank you for sharing your opinions on this.

Man Dave this was really good. I hope more people watched the entire thing like I did. You and Nick should make a project of turning all your kits and shelters into a book! Good job fellas hope you're having a great week and have a better weekend.

You should be on the tv Dave so much knowledge. We still can’t get over how much stuff you got. 😁😁😁😁😁😁

Nice video Dave, lots of kits there. I have a lot of kits also, sometimes I drive myself crazy remembering what’s in my kits. Thanks for showing us. Take care.

Thank you for such an in depth video on these kits! Mors did say in one video, I believe with Four Dog Stoves, he would make a bag with belt loops for his pot and kit. You could use the bag for kindling gathering, wild edibles, and put what was in the pot into the bag. Thanks again!

As you buy a lot of hams out there they come in a Mylar bag. If you are careful with them you could save them and put them in every kit you own. Think about some of the chip or cereal bags that are foil lined or maybe it’s Mylar and could do the same thing and it’s a portable, stow able bag or container as well. We don’t talk about UV sterilization of water often enough as a survival tool. This is a huge point out of today’s main point Dave! Great add in! I also want to see salt tabs or electrolyte packs in those kits Dave, it goes back to your previous video also. You made the point and I am fixing mine as I can find them. That also is important! For prefiltering, think about canvas wine bags that can be used internally in the kits and serve a second purpose as needed. Amazon has them all day long and they all will hold a liter of water to prefilter.

Dave , I so in joy your videos!!! You think outside the box and make me think that way . Really enjoy your videos and ideas . Thank you . Chip

👍 Thank you Dave and Nick for sharing over the years we have learned so much from your videos, GOD Bless

Lots of good info and options in this vid. I got a small canvas haversack for free awhile back. To me you need at least the 5 C's to consider anything a survival kit. I like the idea of the small haversack because you can get just enough gear in it to make a difference. Great stuff Dave.

Hi Dave! So interesting to hear you talk about all this stuff. Since I was a little kid and almost froze to death miles from home in the middle of a farm field with no shelter and only a useless packet of paper matches, I've been interested in survival "kits". As an old guy now, I've cut way back on things that I carry. If I ain't used it in 71 years, I ain't gonna carry it now. Recently I got a few of those SOL reflective ponchos, and I'm very impressed with their configuration, coverage, and durability. I've used one now and it might even be better than a Christmas tree bag. It sure as heck looks festive, and you can turn the shiny side out if you want to match any fillings you might have in your teeth. I sure have plenty. ;-) Many thanks.

I made a kit using a Maxpedition 12X5 water pouch several years ago and love it. Thank you for another great video Dave.

I was semi-napping when this came up in the KZfaq que, so when Dave was talking about putting a baggie of water out in the sunlight I initially imagined that it was supposed to grow like a water tree in 6 hours. That’s when I woke up. 😄

I like all those bags. I can use it for my everyday life. Going to work, going to the store, etc.

Hello Dave and Nick. Always a pleasure hearing from you. This is an absolutely excellent video. Dave, I appreciate your critical look at creating a practical survival kit. All your suggestions, in my opinion, are spot-on. Thanks so much. Both of you take care. Stay safe.

"it's not a purse, it's a satchel, Indiana Jones carries a satchel!" Awesome and informative video Dave!

That's such a genius idea for water. Never would've thought of that. A ziplock bag a piece of mylar and the sun. Thanks for all the ideas u give. Boy my son an I are gonna have a busy spring.. can't wait. Hope all is well with u n Nick.

You never cease to amaze Dave, a lot of great ideas and kits. Always enjoy these types of videos. Safe journeys to you you and Nick.

Another great video from the gear room! Dave, you've got a great approach to these emergency kits, but the greatest component of all of them is your experience. I believe this is the foundation to how you think about putting these things together. I, myself, had a nasty experience with an injury in my late teens during a winter camping trip and found myself without the proper means to stitch up a leg wound and had to improvise with what I had available to put four stitches in my right leg. This is why the first thing that comes to my mind when putting a kit together medical and then it goes on from there. Your content is always exceptional!

My all time favourite channel !

I have started using the little 1-AA LED flashlights instead of the Harbor Freight ones. They are a little more expensive, but the beam can be focused, it has a high, low, and flash mode, and it uses one AA battery instead of the three AAA batteries needed by the Harbor Freight ones. I buy them in packs of three or four, and I have them everywhere. In my first aid kit, in the glove box, in my night stand, in my toolbox at work, in the end table by my recliner, in the kitchen, all over the place. When I change the batteries on the smoke detectors, I check these batteries too. I'm a fan of flashlights, but they have come in very handy more than once. I've also gotten some rechargeable head lamps, to supplement the regular flashlights in the cars. Thanks for all the great content! Linda and I send our best to you and your family.

WOW, WHAT A GREAT VIDEO & A VAST KNOWLEDGE OF INFO. Which I will probably forget, bc my brain is the size of a pea... lol. So many options, so many combos, so many, none are wrong either way you do it, & a lot of ways to do any kind of bag you want. That probably made no sense to anyone, bc my brain is in over drive, but just wow David. I would love to come to your house & listen to you all day long just explaining & watching you talk about this subject. You are a walking book of knowledge my sir. Just still trying to process everything you just went over in only over an hour video. I will probably dream about all this tonight. You did a great job on the video. Saying glad you liked it as you always tell me is an understatement for this video David. Glad Nick was there to help out on this video. I feel like I got more out of it bc you didn't have to mess w/the camera. Great job Nick👍👍👍👍, thank you for helping your Dad out on all the videos y'all do for us. After watching this, I want to start putting kits together now.... lol.... but can't do it for awhile, bc I just had injections, deep, into my back. But sure will ASAP... Have a great day & be safe in those woods, Chris from Missouri

Thanks Dave for the great Survival ideas. You’re a wealth of information. I watch all of your videos

"You're not supposed to be enjoying yourself - you're only supposed to survive" excellent. I swear my place is going to be liking that behind you soon ...lol. I can collect rain water with my large plastic bags or put over a tree branch and get water from that. Two large garbage bags and newspaper between them makes a good sleeping bag. My bicycle and Rucksack are packed ready to go - 2 new first aid kits in the post as I type. Fun with hot-dog bags.

I've been hammock camping for years and never dawned on me to put my tarp and my hammock rolled together learn something new thanks Dave

As usual, an extremely well put together, informative, and amusing video from a reallybigmonkey and son! 👍. I like these types of videos of yours as they so often show things I would not have even thought of! Great tips and advice from beginning to end! Although I have carried one of those tins for years, it's always in conjunction with other equipment and never as a stand alone survival package... That's only for the likes of Rambo! 😀. Many thanks again for all your time and effort you put into your videos for us bushcrafters and campers. I'm sure I speak for all when I say we all appreciate you passing on such valuable skills and knowledge. Regards to you both. 👍👍👍. Spencer.

Thumbs up, then watch. 😁👍🏻

Lots of great options here! I use a old IFAC pouch for my explorer kit. Much love Dave thanks for sharing!

Each of these solutions are so practical and gives and excellent idea of how to tailor each emergency bag to the situation. So helpful!

My my my my I’m telling you now if I come there, I’m gonna be the proverbial kid in the candy store. Your information is like biting into a Klondike Bar on a hot Georgia day,,,you know it’s gonna be sensational.

You should add affiliate links to some or all of these things so you can make some passive income, especially the lighter fluid.

So full of information. Great humor and have great southern accent love to hear you talk.

Really great comprehensive video. I am sure Mors K. Carried that coffee pot in a big day pack with some extra clothes and a big sheet of clear plastic to build his "super shelter". He would likely have more since his mindset was for Alberta Canada.

word here is that chuck norris gets his tips from you.... aladdins cave of knowledge thankyou

6:20 I love that machete! That's the style I go for in a machete. Straight blade, good length, etc. And it doesn't have things like saw teeth on it. Nice! 👍🏽

I’ve never seen so much gear in my life. You have more stuff than any army surplus store I’ve ever been to. I absolutely love seeing all this gear. Now I have to go check my truck and reorganized everything. I got some great ideas from this video. I would really like you to make a video of staying put in the vehicle for people unable to leave their vehicle. You could really add a lot of gear if you were not leaving your truck. It would be great for crusty old geezers like me. Thank you for all the info and entertainment.

Cool. I picked up a couple of new ideas. I like light things that are multi-purpose. Really like the sling bags that can hold 2-liter bottles, but replace space with emergency items. For a winter car kit, I would put a 3-in-1 mylar poncho/tent & bivy, small packs of water (which last 5 years), MRE for food (because they last for years and have the chemical heater), waterproof matches and 3 wick candle for warming hands and psychological boost. Throw on the knife, saw, med kit, and a couple of energy bars in the extra side pack! That can get you through a night or two stuck in a cold car in a blizzard.

I have been saying for years that if you can survive with the contents of an altoids tin, you could survive just as well without it. I ONLY use altoid tins to hold and organize components for my kits. To go along with that head net, have you ever used the mosquito mittens? I have a set with my head net. as to your grab and go water bottle kit, I am glad to see you don't put gear in the bottle ( so many people do, drives me up the wall) I did a similar kit in a maxpedition 5x12 bag a friend gave me ( did a video on it) and I included a cordage doughnut, as well as a molly on first aid kit

Tried to have an altoids survival kit once, tossed it after not being able to make shelter or a fire in my backyard Now it carries small stuff for EDC Edit: that swiss jacket also has an internal pocket for a sleepjng pad, and has a rucksack attachment

You have given me so many great ideas on making kits. Also how to compress some items even smaller. Thanks Dave and Hello Nick. Take care.

There a huge wealth of knowledge and philosophy on the outdoors in your video. Practicality is a key theme in here. I thank you and commend you. You are a treasure to those who frequent the outdoors. Thank you.

21:40 Not only mosquitoes here. Also "black flies" around here. Sometimes they are in mass numbers and go in your eyes and ears when you working. Not good when you using a knife, axe, hatchet, etc.

When I started hunting back in the '60s my dad gave me a WW2 knapsack and told me to make a survival kit. Then he told me to "plan on getting lost" so when it happens it won't come as a big surprise. Years later I never leave home without one

I finally figured out what makes your videos stand out and it made me appreciate your content even more. You're a one take guy with no editing. You are to the point with no fluff. Some guys will do a 30 minute video of an overnight trip and not teach that much n then spend the time editting and blah blah blah. With you, I got an hour and 12 minutes of useful information and ideas. Just shows your efficiency. Thanks and looking forward to the next one!

I always enjoy learning and hearing other opinions and experiences! Thanks so much for sharing!

CAUTION: Your skills may soon be put to the test as Forced VACCINATIONS 💉 are coming soon. Love your dad and mom, NICK. They love you and you need each other in these uncertain times.

Later this year, it would be VERY cool if you and Nick could wait til one of our inimitable Southern sleet and ice storms is forecast, ride the leading edge to a spot away from home, each of you carrying the essentials plus a “luxury” item or two, and spend the next two or three nights out, getting by on what you take! Do take precautions, of course, in case the exercise goes sideways. Dave, I’m old enough and lamed up enough that it’s vicarious thrill seeking, mostly, for me, but I still drive and I’m still prepared enough that sliding off the road in my Jeep wouldn’t prove fatal unless I suffered catastrophic injury! Any ideas that the two of you might come up with would be appreciated by many, not just “Your’s Truly!” Thanks & God Bless ya BOTH for helping & inspiring large numbers! And thank Goodness that we live far enough South that it’s a job of work - MOSTLY - to die of exposure!!!! 😂 ‼️👍❗️😁

I just found your channel today...good stuff. I have a recommendation for a signaling mirror: old CD. Even if one side is painted, the other side is shiny. It is extremely light weight, and you can sight through the hole to assure that you are correctly pointed at your survival target (such as an airplane). CDs are available in second-hand stores, and if the round CD is too big for your kit, you can easily cut it down to fit whatever else you are willing to carry.

Thank you Nick and Dave. Loved the lighter fluid. You guys are AWESOME

I only recently found your channel which has quickly become my favorite. Thank you so much for sharing such important information. It's obvious most channels are now basically product selling channels which is okay but I believe I am actually learning valuable information that can save my life or others if we ever end up in a survival situation. Again, thank you!

Your teaching is great, you make people think witch is a good thing. One's kit may not be the right kit for someone else. Love your video's.........

I really enjoy your channel. It feels so authentic, like nothing is manufactured for YT. Almost like recording and uploading these videos is an accident lol