SERE, E&E, SURVIVAL KIT BASICS

SERE, E&E, AND SURVIVAL KIT – I’m not going to talk about the doctrine or training behind this because there are any number of organizations, web sites, blogs, or books that go into great detail on how and what to do in situations you can find yourself in. What I do want to do is offer a suggestion for temporary sustainment as far as what to carry that can fit in a pocket or pouch in your kit.

First you will need a form of shelter. You have two choices carry one or make one. A simple small tarp or ground sheet made of a light weight nylon that is water proof and has grommet rings in the corners will work and can be folded into a 5 to 7 inch square. Not the easiest thing to pack but it will fit in a small pack and takes up little or no space.  If you want to make one you will need rope and a knife. Theses can take up less space in your kit, especially if you use a large spool of dental floss mixed with about 10 to 14 feet of para cord. The para cord is nice because if you know how to make proper knots it can be made into a bracelet and placed on your wrist. I like this option and have used it in the past as well; 100 feet of dental floss will fit nicely into a smaller kit and is strong enough to lash small logs together in order to make a temporary shelter. Additionally a survival blanket can provide shelter and warmth while taking up the smallest amount of space in a kit. I like these because they reflect heat including the heat from your body, they are waterproof and if you get the right one, highly reflective on one side and subdued on the other side.


Next you’ll want a fire. This can provide warmth and be used to signal for help depending on where you are and if you’re ready to be found.  There are three options for fire starter and I like to carry a minimum of two (one is none two is one). The obvious first choice is a good set of waterproof strike anywhere matches in a survival case. It’s easy to carry and fits into any kit nicely. Second I like to have a backup lighter. I carry about three at any given time, one in a pocket, one in my pack and one in my jacket. I use bic's, but a well-maintained butane or weatherproof zippo works equally as well so long as you remember to refill them. I usually will have a number of elastics wrapped around them as a it takes up no room and can be used for a 101 different little things. I choose the bic's because last when stored and even when they get wet you can dry them out and continue to use them. The last option is a magnesium strip and flint fire starter and some dryer lint or steel wool. Again these fit in just about anywhere in a small kit and can be used easily if you have a good knife. The difference between dryer lint and steel wool is simple the dryer wool gets wet and won’t light, the steel wool in most cases will still light but takes up more room then the dryer lint. A fire also allows you to boil water and make sure it can be purified for sustainment which will keep you alive long enough for people to find you. Now you can also add things like wetfire, flint strikers, and any number of small fire starter kits.

The third requirement is the ability to signal. Signals can be made out of a hundred different things most of them already in your kit. But since we’re all about the gear, a small mirror, which can be picked up at any camping or gear shop, is a must. Chem lights are a great little thing as well. Having one Green and one Inferred (IR) works well. I say green because any one searching with some kind of night vision is only going to see green anyway and an IR can be picked up from great distances away at anytime of day. Now keeping with the IR theme, there are any number of battery operated strobes that can be purchased. I like the ACR MS 2000 IR Strobe (coming review) personally as well as the VIP IR Strobe. Now both of these can be mounted to your gear or placed in a small kit. The last one I want to mention are signal lasers or laser flares. These can be seen from a retarded distance away and can be hidden from the less technically advanced. These will be picked up by those using IR and Thermal search capabilities making you unmistakably identifiable, that said they have a finite life span being dependant on the batteries in them.

The last major thing you want to have is a navigation set. I’m a big fan of the topo maps and compasses as they never lose power and can be fitted into pockets. Additionally a GPS or digital compass works well to find your current location and keep you on track until your batteries die.

Other things you are going to want are, snare or fishing line, cable saw, a good whistle, elastics and safety/baby pins.

Now you can build your own specific SERE, E&E and Survival Kit based on your personal requirements and environment. Remember your kit will change with the time of year and environment as well certain things like batteries, chem lights and electronics need to be tested and replenished periodically to ensure you have them when you need them. Additionally a container, preferably a waterproof one, be it a small Ziploc, Dry Bag or hard case is needed.

If you’re not sure what to put in a basic kit there are lots of suppliers out there that will sell you a premade kit. If you’re going to do this make sure it’s a trusted retailer who knows the product and isn’t just selling surplus kits that have expired. I personally like SURVIVAL KIT USA and HARD CASE SURVIVAL both of which have sites.

Following the basic SERE, E&E and SURVIVAL KIT theme for today id like to make a recommendtion. Now, during 2012 I had the pleasure and chance to work with Richard "Dicky" Pyshorn, a former Warrant Officer from the UK Military Survival School and member of the Royal Air Force Regiment. His focus on training and preparation was without comparison and no matter your skill set he has something to teach you. Now if your in his neck of the woods and require or want survival training you can find him and others instructors at SURVIVAL WISDOM. Dicky is a true professional and has a wealth of knowledge that should be taken advantage of if you have the chance I can't think of anyone else I would recommend for the job.

And as with anything, GET THE TRAINING, PRACTICE THE SKILLS, EDUCATE THOSE AROUND YOU.