This article is excerpted from the author’s unpublished book *China Survival Handbook*. “*China Survival Handbook* took four years to complete. It may not be a grand masterpiece, but I can confidently say it is currently the most suitable outdoor survival manual for use in China.”
In the wild, everything depends on your survival knowledge and the gear you bring. There are no shops here — money can’t buy what you need. Of course, money isn’t completely useless in the wild — at the very least, it can be used as kindling.
Although gear is listed last among the three essential elements of survival, good gear can make your life much more comfortable. Quality equipment often serves multiple purposes. Familiarize yourself with the use of every piece of gear. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, avoid items with overly narrow uses — no matter how appealing they may look. Knowledge can compensate for inadequate gear. You can find local materials to craft tools or combine seemingly unrelated gear to create a survival tool. For example, flashy but impractical stoves, gas canisters, and trekking poles often end up being burdensome and only good for show. If you think of yourself as a pack mule who’s happier the heavier your backpack is, then I’m sure your teammates will be even happier — everyone enjoys convenience, and I certainly don’t mind if you carry your whole house on your back.
There’s no such thing as a light load over a long distance. If you want to live as comfortably in the wild as you do in a hotel, then let me say it again: “Drop the idea and go home!”
The weight of your gear should ideally not exceed 20 kilograms. For an average person, a suitable weight is below 15 kilograms. Due to physical limitations, women typically find around 10 kilograms to be appropriate. Therefore, female survivalists can reduce the load by sharing some gear and focusing on essentials — compass, knife, survival scarf, raincoat, fire-starting tools, and first aid kit.
A principle for gear preparation: prioritize essentials, then consider versatile gear, and finally, based on weight, consider single-purpose items. The following list includes basic gear suitable for most terrains.
First, you’ll need a backpack to carry your other gear. Internal-frame and external-frame backpacks each have their pros and cons, and both are widely available in stores — choose whichever you prefer. Your backpack should be waterproof, durable, and scratch-resistant. Straps should preferably be wide to reduce shoulder pressure. A good backpack distributes weight to the hips through its suspension system, reducing strain on your shoulders and back. It should also have a breathable layer, otherwise your back will quickly become sweaty and uncomfortable. The size of the backpack depends on how much gear you have. A suitable capacity for field use generally ranges from 45 to 70 liters. Most importantly, your backpack must be waterproof.
Compass: Even if you think you’re a direction genius, I won’t stop you from leaving this behind — but it’s not heavy and deserves a spot in your gear. And don’t forget your map, pen, and drawing board either — even a simple plastic sheet can serve as a drawing board. Using a compass together with a map is the most effective approach. Choose a sturdy, waterproof map that won’t fall apart after a couple of folds. It’s also good to carry extra sheets of paper. If the map scale is too large, you can use the paper to sketch smaller-scale maps. Ensure your pen has enough ink; otherwise, you’ll have to search for a replacement. Protect them carefully — store them in the first aid kit while camping and take them out when marching. Compass and map usage will be explained in detail later.
Although GPS devices are now common, remember: the more complex something is, the more likely it is to fail. A good GPS isn’t affordable for everyone. Under harsh conditions such as poor satellite reception, extreme cold, intense heat, or humidity, the power consumption of a GPS often far exceeds its rated performance — for instance, in temperatures around minus 10 degrees Celsius in northeastern China, GPS devices may consume 30% more power than at normal temperatures. In tough environments, LCD screens on GPS units often malfunction, resulting in black screens, white screens, or incomplete displays. Of course, if you own a high-end, rugged GPS worth tens of thousands of yuan that can withstand extreme conditions, that’s beyond the scope of this discussion. I’m simply reminding you to bring along plenty of fully charged spare batteries.
Even if you have a GPS, I strongly recommend bringing a compass. In recent years, numerous outdoor incidents have occurred where people got lost despite carrying a GPS.
Knife: A knife is an indispensable tool for wilderness survival. You should have at least two — a machete and a folding knife (a Swiss Army knife is a good choice). A machete helps you clear paths, chop wood, deal with wild animals, and build rafts. Folding knives come in many types, but their primary uses include whittling bamboo or wood skewers and crafting tools. They are also lightweight and compact. However, I suggest you bring a third knife if possible — a survival knife, some of which come with basic survival tools built-in.
Fire-starting tools: I don’t need to elaborate on the importance of fire — human civilization is built upon it. To enjoy a more “luxurious” experience in the wild, bring a lighter. The common plastic lighters sold on the street are actually quite good — they’re lightweight and convenient, and you might as well carry several as backups. Fire-starting tools aren’t limited to just a lighter. Include as many matches as possible and a candle. Some might ask: If you already have a lighter, why carry matches? Simply put, the more complex something is, the more prone to failure. If your lighter breaks, you’ll still be able to start a fire. Regular matches become unusable when wet, but you can wrap the match heads in melted wax. Just remember, this is a last-resort method — protect it well. The primary role of a candle is to extend your fire-starting capabilities, conserving precious fire sources, especially in damp weather when lighting a fire is difficult. Light the candle first, then start your main fire, and extinguish the candle once the fire is established. If you have room, bring a bottle of fire-starting oil — a Zippo fuel canister is a great, convenient option. When dealing with rain or damp environments where lighting a fire is challenging, you’ll be glad you brought it. Solid alcohol is another good option, available at chemical supply stores. No matter how wet the area, solid alcohol allows you to start a fire quickly.
Timekeeping tools: Although modern phones have timers, I still recommend bringing a watch. Besides helping you keep track of time accurately, a watch can also help you find direction using the sun if your compass is damaged. An analog, waterproof wristwatch is best. If your watch isn’t waterproof, wrap it in a plastic bag to keep it dry during rain or river crossings.