There are three tools that can help you in most situations. If you are lost in the backcountry, out hunting, or just for every day, these three tools will help you survive if you find yourself in a bad situation. These three tools are a multitool, fire-starter, and a light. With these you will feel secure knowing you have with you a few items that will assist you out of a bad situation. Lets look at each and what you can use them for.
MultiTool
I cannot possibly list all the ways or situations this tool will help you, but I carry one with me every day and use mine at least once a week in different ways.
This tool can be used to build a shelter, cut rope, make wood tools, repair equipment, clean game, and many more options. The way to use this tool is unlimited, and only you can hold yourself back on the uses of this tool.
The two best brands of multitool that I like and have carried are Leatherman and Gerber. There are other brands that you can find, but these two seem to hold up to what ever you ask them to do.
Fire-starter
This one can make your situation more comfortable by providing warmth in a cold environment. You can also cook and purify water with fire.
Catching game with a trap you built and cleaned with the multitool can be cooked on the fire you built with your fire-starter, giving you calories, you will need to get yourself out of the situation you might find yourself.
The biggest advice I can give with a fire-starter is find one that you are comfortable using and proficient in starting fires with. You do not want to have a fire-starter that you are not sure how to use, and suddenly be dependent on it. Get on and practice with it. It would not hurt to have some type of tinder with your starter to make starting a fire easier. You can also make tinder with your multitool if necessary.
Light
This one will help you see in the dark, obviously. You may ask why a flashlight would be important in a survival type situation, and this would be to give comfort in the dark. You may think this would not be necessary but think about a time you have been outside in the dark and they strange noises you have heard. The dark is spooky when you cannot see what is around you.
You will also benefit from a light if you are trying to walk to safety and you run out of daylight and want to continue walking in the dark. Without a light this would be very dangerous and you could seriously injure yourself, so even if you think this is not an important tool to keep with you, get one anyway.
Most cell phones have flashlights on them and you may think this would be enough, but the battery on your cell phone can run out and you are again without light in a situation you need one.
How To Carry These Tools Every Day
You may ask how these three tools can be carried on you every day without people knowing what you have. One suggestion is carrying a bag with you that has other necessary things you use for work that you carry while going to and from your job.
I carry a backpack with me that has things I might use each day at work personally, and I have a pouch attached to it that has these and a few other items in it. This is how I know I have what I need with me.
When I am not carrying the backpack, I have these items in my pocket.
I obviously have more than one of each item, so I have different ways to carry depending on my day, and I do not forget to put the tools back for the work week. So, there would be a set that I can put in my pocket if it is the weekend, and I have my other in my bag for the work week.
Women mostly carry a pocketbook with them and can easily have these tools added to what they carry every day in that pocketbook.
If you do not carry any type of bag wherever you go then you will never be prepared for what could happen. You should have a bag that goes with you every day to put these three tools in and if you do not then you need to read my post about everyday carry.
Conclusion
Three tools can help you in just about any situation you might find yourself in, so get them and always keep them with you. I would even recommend more than one of each that you can have if different places that you find yourself regularly, like your office, home, and vehicle.
If you have used a multitool in a way that would be considered unusual, please share with us. I would say that I use the plyers more than any other tool within the multitool for many different reasons. Share your experiences with us by leaving a comment on this post, and I look forward to seeing where this conversation could go.
As always, Happy Prepping!
