Survival Essentials for boys

[Surveyor1653]

They're 5-7 years old, so "Survival" is getting found ASAP.

Loud whistle, pocket survival blanket w/blaze orange on one side and reflective foil on the other. Water resistant LED flash light, maybe an "all night" chem light with a safety pin to attach to torso, all in a zip lock baggie.

Probably best to not give fire starting tool to kids that young. They're not capable of dealing with a fire that gets out of control.

All of this, and this:

An emergency strobe that they can turn on, set down, and leave until daylight (these can be found for little money. Let me know if you have trouble finding them)
One or two of the SOS survival bars
Two or three bottles of water (what do you hear about when they find some kid hugging a tree after two days in the woods? "Scared, scratched, & dehydrated, but otherwise okay.")
I'd recommend two of the emergency blankets (Two is one, yadda yadda)
Weather-dependent shell/jacket (A Frog Togg jacket weighs next to nothing and if they're sitting still, which they should be, it will last plenty long. It's also applicable in any season. They will trap heat in winter and shed water in all seasons, preventing hypothermia.)

As with anything: more important than gear is knowledge. Drill into them that sitting down, staying put and waiting for help is the only answer when they're lost. Also reinforce that they sit down just as soon as they realize or even think that they're lost. Then, show them how to use their stuff while they're waiting for you to find them.

 

[Okie4570]

They're 5-7 years old, so "Survival" is getting found ASAP.

Loud whistle, pocket survival blanket w/blaze orange on one side and reflective foil on the other. Water resistant LED flash light, maybe an "all night" chem light with a safety pin to attach to torso, all in a zip lock baggie.

Probably best to not give fire starting tool to kids that young. They're not capable of dealing with a fire that gets out of control.

I'm thinking the out of control fire sure would draw a lot of attention and resources to the area. Blow on a whistle for weeks in the mountains.............light a fire, you'll have some kind of aircraft checking it out within an hour of the report.

Edit: Out of control fire was mentioned, I'm talking about any fire.

 

[cusm]

The Cub Scout (grades1-5) essentials are a good starting point, this is for any hike they go on.
Pocket knife
First Aid Kit
Rain gear
Flashlight
Water
Sunscreen
Whistle
Trail food

As they get older they suggest to add.
Matches/fire starter
Map & compass
Extra clothing

 

[TedKennedy]

p38? how did you fit an entire airplane there?

(sorry, just had to!)

Not the plane - the pistol! Duh.

 

[aviator41]

Really, one of the coolest survival gadgets to come along in a long while is a PLB. Once tripped, they can have a person rescued in as little as a few hours. They cost less than $100 in some cases and have batteries that last 10 plus years.

Rescue is always better than survival.

 

[candrpotts]

flashlight w/ strobe
small blue poly tarp (tons of uses)
firestarter of some sort
water
AND INSTRUCTIONS TO STAY PUT UNTIL FOUND

 

[pritch]

Design training and equipment that is age appropriate. Take a look at the "Hug a Tree" program. http://www.nasar.org/page/67/Hug-A-Tree Emphasize that grown ups will come to help them and that they will be okay. that they are not in trouble and not to hide. Fire in the hands of 5-7 year old children is a bad idea. What exactly are they going to do with paracord? They're 5! They can barely tie a bow on their shoes, if that. Proper clothing for the environment and a lightweight shell, along with water, a flashlight and a whistle will go a long way and not make things worse.

 

[Thomas]

What exactly are they going to do with paracord? They're 5!

Granted my list was a touch older than 5... There is a radical difference between 5 and 7. At 7 some can be trusted with knives.

 

[subprep]

lifestraw
hand warmers if its cold
nutrient dense food bars
bottled water
pocket knife, your knife is your life I don't care if your 5 or 7 its never to early to teach a child how to act responsibly with a tool
I would give a child a lighter or matches and properly instruct them on fire craft.
you guys don't give them enough credit children are not dumbed down idiots if you teach them correctly.

a small fishing kit
If they are going to be near water they must know how to swim.
wet wipes
some chewing gum or other soft candy.
flashlight
glosticks
wool socks
bandana
a plastic sack or two
ponchos
mirror
something to entertain themselves with puzzle book, cards or similar. Kids feel more comfortable if they have a task. and it might make it easier for them to sit still and focus on something like that if they need to be rescued.

 

[UnSafe]

How about a tactical wheelbarrow to carry everything in?

Looks like we all have different definitions of "Survival" and the time frame in which the child will have to survive.
The basics can be carried in a pocket. As you add items, you add weight, bulk and get further from survival supplies and drift in to camping/ living supplies. For 5-7 year olds, a little fanny pack or very small rucksack would work. at that age, they're just not going to tolerate humpin' a 15+lb rucksack while playing or hiking in the woods.

How long would a 5-7 year old kid be expecting to be alone? Probably have a full scale S&R going if it lasts beyond 24 hours.