Survival: A Manual that Could Save Your Life
by Chris & Gretchin Janowsky (Paladin Press)

This book is geared toward long-term survival in typical North American environments. A wonderful little book.

Chris runs the World Survival Institute in Tok, Alaska, and is a regular contributor to the American Survival Guide. The WSI can be reached at (907) 883-4243 or by writing to Box 394C, Tok, Alaska 99780. He also produces videotapes, including a set of 4 wilderness survival tapes, 5 combat martial arts tapes, and 5 emergency response tapes. Beware of imitators selling his Tracking & Ambush tape!

You can buy this book online from Amazon.com.

This is his 1980s-era list: His updated 1996 list is below.

Survival Belt:

• Belt pack 4"x5"x2" waterproof nylon
• Small folding knife 3" blade
• Knife sharpener (E-Z Lap Diamond Sharpener)
• 1 2" flint
• 1 large safety pin
• Waterproof tape
• Ziplock plastic bag
• Nylon twine
• Wire ring saw
• 1 container fire starter
• Flashlight micro-lithium
• Spool wire
• Gaff hook
• 1 nail
• 3 small animal snares
• 1 fishing kit
• Metal signal mirror

Fishing Kit:

• 4-1/2" x 3" x 1-1/4" box
• 4 assorted dry flies #12 hooks
• 4 assorted dry flies #14 hooks
• 3 large lead jigs in assorted colors #4 hooks
• 4 small ice fishing jigs, assorted colors #12 hooks
• 6 lead-lined jigs, assorted colors #6 hooks
• 6 short shank #4 hooks
• 4 short shank #14 hooks
• 4 short shank #2 hooks
• 6 long shank #4/0 hooks
• 1 gaff hook #8/0 hook
• 3 Swedish pimples, assorted sizes (ice fishing jigs)
• 2 large safety pins
• 1 band-tied 3-hook worm harness
• 1 Rapella lure
• 1 red & white Dare-devil
• 1 small gold spoon
• 1 small silver-spoon
• 1 container floating fly dope
• 6 4" plastic worms
• 3 2" plastic worms
• 6 3-way swivels
• 6 ball-bearing snap swivels
• Assortment of lead weights
• 1 tapered fly line
• 50 yards 18# test braided nylon squidding line
• 1 steel leader 8"
• 3 nylon leaders 20" each
• Container fish poison

Medical Kit:

• 1 sterile 2" Kling bandage
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• 5 Band-Aids
• 1 package Tums
• 4 sterile 3"x3" dressings
• 4 sterile 4"x4" dressings
• 1 sterile adaptic 4"x4" dressing
• 1 3x5 moleskin
• 4 individual application tubes antibiotic ointment
• 1 eyewash applicator with saline solution
• 1 pkg aspirin
• Triangular bandage
• 4 alcohol prep pads
• 4 butterfly bandages

Large Survival Kit for Indefinite Survival:

• Sewing awl
• Needle nose pliers with wire cutter
• Needle
• Dental floss (for sewing)
• Folding knife
• Sierra saw (folding)
• Ring saw
• Survival saw
• Snow shovel
• Visqueen (heavy plastic tarp)
• Water generator
• 3'x3' signal cloth
• Fishing kit: safety pins, 150' 18 lb line, hooks, floats, bait, etc.
• Multi vitamins
• Protein tablets
• Hard candy
• Dried eggs
• Dried milk
• Tent cloth
• File
• Silverware
• 3 space blankets
• Compass
• Signal mirror
• 2 sky blazers
• 4 candles
• Micro-lithium flashlight, battery, bulb
• Fire starter
• Matches
• Butane lighter
• Flint
• Bug dope (GI)
• 12 snares
• Spool snare wire
• Plastic drinking tube
• 2 heavy zip-lock bags
• P38 can opener
• Water purification tablets
• Sling shot rubber and ammo
• Diamond knife sharpener
• Whistle
• Towel & face cloth
• Soap
• 2 orange smoke signals
• 75 yards 42 lb nylon twine
• 75' nylon cord
• 1 pair work gloves
• Metal cup
• Mess kit
• Small grill
• Mousetrap
• 1 roll surveyors tape
• Folding water jug

This is Chris' 1996 list. Note how it has evolved.

Survival Kit

• Complete fishing kit
• Gill net
• Awl with extra thread
• 25 ft 550 cord
• Carton cutter (razor knife)
• Solar battery charger for AA batteries, with rechargeable batteries
• Signal mirror
• Magnifying glass
• 2 pre-made wire snares
• Bug dope (insect repellent)
• Camo paint kit
• Katadyne H2O purifier
• Extra H2O purification tablets
• Spool of nylon twine, with capped center holding safety pins and sewing needles
• 2 compasses (1 regular, 1 lensatic)
• Duct tape
• Waterproof notepad with pens and pencils
• Space blanket
• Thermometer
• Altibaro (combination altimeter and barometer)
• Spool of tripwire

Speed Pouch Inside Survival Kit:

• Lock-back knife
• EZ-Lap diamond knife sharpener
• WSI Hot Spark flint
• Fire starter
• Small flashlight
• Slingshot rubber
• Surveyor's tape
• Electrolytes

Medical Kit

• 6 3X3 gauze pads
• 4X4 gauze pads (6 doubles, 4 singles)
• 3 4X5 Kling bandages
• 3 3X5 Kling bandages
• 1 field dressing
• 10 Adaptic nonadhering dressings
• Triangular bandage
• Ace bandage
• Assorted bandaids
• Assorted rolls of tape, 1 waterproof
• Safety pins, various sizes
• Moleskin
• Swab sticks
• Field surgical instruments
• Assorted sizes of suture thread and needles
• Iodine
• Antibiotic cream/ointment
• Lanacane cream
• Eye drops
• Tylenol
• Bactine
• Potassium iodine tablets
• Ground yarrow flowers and leaves
• Tums
• Vitamins
• Toothbrush
• Dental powder
• Dental floss
• Snake bite kit (optional)

Fanny Pack

• Fishing line, 2 kinds
• Small crookneck flashlight
• Mousetrap
• Book: Survival, A Manual That Could Save Your Life
• Waterproof collection bag
• Net bag
• 2 ponchos
• 100 ft 550 cord
• Sierra saw with extra blade
• 3 heavy-duty water bags
• 6 regular water bags

Misc Items for Belt

• Canteen with drinking/cooking cup and outside pocket for water tablets, large knife with sheath

If you need more information or details, you can buy Survival: A Manual that Could Save Your Life online from Amazon.com.

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