Ultimate Guide to Survival Gear in Australia [PDF Checklist]

What Is Survival Gear?

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to take the safety and conveniences of modern life for granted. Most people are used to the comfort of their homes, the availability of food and water, and the protection provided by emergency services.

However, everyone should remember that emergency and unforeseen situations can arise at any time, so it is essential to have a well-prepared and ready survival kit.

Survival gear contains the essential tools and resources needed to survive an emergency, guaranteeing your survival and meeting your basic needs. In addition, survival gear is designed to help in fire fighting, shelter, navigation and obtaining food and water. With adequate survival equipment, everything becomes more accessible, and the chances of survival are significantly reduced.

In short, preparing your survival gear in advance is not a matter of paranoia but responsible preparation. Sudden emergencies and accidents can happen to anyone, and being prepared with survival gear to handle these situations can be a matter of life and death.

Therefore, take the time to prepare a set of survival equipment according to your needs and stay informed about emergency procedures and survival tips.

Why Survival Gear So Matters?

Whether preparing for a short power outage or an extended camping trip, you can prepare survival gear. Food, water, first aid supplies, communication equipment, etc., are all relevant survival gear. When an emergency arises, your preparation today will make a difference. Here are some reasons to prepare the relevant survival gear:

Preparing for Unpredictable Emergencies: Natural disasters can strike without warning. Likewise, unexpected events such as power outages, vehicle breakdowns, or getting lost could put you in a dangerous situation. Prepared survival gear can make your life as normal as possible in such situations.

When it's an emergency, time is of the essence. Prepared survival gear ensures immediate access to essential items. You don't need to search for items or risk forgetting them.

Personal Safety: Knowing that you have well-prepared survival gear can provide a certain level of personal safety. In addition, survival gear will give you the confidence to face unexpected situations, which can help reduce panic and stress in an emergency.

Long-term Benefits: Survival gear is useful not only in emergencies but also in everyday life. Flashlights, multitools, and first aid supplies can be used for various tasks and minor emergencies.  

>>Download The Survival Gear Checklist PDF

Survival Gear in Australia

Whether you're an outdoorsman, an avid camper, or someone who prepares for emergencies, having a comprehensive list of survival gear is essential. Read on to learn everything you need and which products are necessary.

Preparing essential survival gear can significantly improve your chances of surviving and staying safe in an emergency or outdoor adventure. The following covers the vital gear you should consider taking with you.

1. Shelters

Emergency shelters usually help you survive some lousy weather. Space blankets are the minimum requirement for emergency shelters. Bivy bags are also a good option. Ultralight tents, on the other hand, offer more comfort and versatility than bivy bags of similar weight.

Here are the advantages of various shelters:

Tents: Lightweight, weatherproof tents that protect against rain, wind, and sun.

Tarps: A lightweight, weatherproof tarp used to protect against rain, wind, and sun.

Space blankets: Reflective space blankets that retain body heat and provide insulation.

1. Fire-Making Tools

Starting a fire in the wild can be a lifesaver because it provides warmth, helps cook food, and sends out a distress signal. Proper fire-making tools must be included in your camping survival essentials:

Waterproof matches: Waterproof matches in a sealed container.

Weatherproof lighter: A reliable, windproof lighter that can be used as a backup fire-making method.

If you don't have a lighter or matches, your best bet is to use a fire starter, such as a flint stick, a metal match or a spark stick. A flint stick is not guaranteed to produce a flame, so you must learn how to find and prepare tinder in nature. To make fire from nature, you must learn to make fire through friction.

1. Water

Access to potable water is critical in any emergency. So water containers and tools to purify water are also important.

Water containers: Sturdy, portable water containers for storing and transporting water.

• Aluminum bottles can not only be used to store water but also to boil water.
• Plastic bags and plastic films can collect and store water.

Water purification: Water purification tablets, filters or portable water purifiers can purify water to a certain extent to ensure safety.

1. Food

Prepare some non-perishable food. For example, high-calorie, nutritious energy bars can quickly replenish energy.

1. Navigation Tools

Maps, compasses and GPS are essential tools for navigation and determining location.

Maps and compasses: Topographic maps and reliable compasses for precise navigation.

GPS devices: GPS devices with backup batteries for obtaining precise coordinates.

1. Cutting Tools

The cutting tool is the most essential. Ideally, it should be a full-handled 5-inch (11 cm) carbon steel or stainless steel knife without serrations or saws, as these limit its usefulness.

Cutting tools: Tools with blades, scissors, and other practical functions.

Pliers and wire cutters: For repairs and crafting.

1. First Aid Kit

To prevent injuries in emergencies, always double-check that your first aid kit is fully stocked:

1. Clothing and Personal Items

Keeping warm and protecting yourself is the ultimate purpose of preparing some clothing in advance.

1. Backup Power

Electricity is an indispensable part of human life. So even if the power is cut off in a critical situation, you need to prepare a backup power supply as power support. The backup power supply can provide continuous power supply for electronic devices and additional power support in an emergency.

When choosing a backup power supply, you can consider a Jackery Portable Power Station or Jackery Solar Generator. Based on the above content, we will provide you with a survival gear list.

More Survival Gear for Family Members

Considering the needs of all family members, you may need to add some additional survival gear. If there are sick or older adults in the family, you must consider medical supplies and additional daily necessities. If babies are in the family, you must consider preparing baby supplies. In addition, if there are pets, you must consider preparing some pet supplies.

The additional survival gear in the following table can be used as a reference.

There are more gear and equipment that you may be interested in:

- Fishing gear in Australia

- Hiking gear in Australia

- Must-have camping essentials in Australia

Jackery Solar Generators for Emergencies

Access to reliable energy can be crucial for outdoor adventures or emergency preparedness in Australia. Jackery, a leader in solar technology, provides survival gear solutions like solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations to keep you powered in any situation.

Jackery Solar Generators offer an independent energy source, enabling you to keep critical devices charged, whether off-grid or in an emergency.

Combined with Jackery Solar Panels, a Jackery Portable Power Station efficiently stores solar power, ensuring access to backup energy whenever needed. Its multiple ports allow you to power various survival devices simultaneously, providing the adaptability required for outdoor and survival situations.

Additionally, these Portable Power Stations can be recharged in several ways, such as solar panels, vehicle outlets, or standard wall sockets, making Jackery an ideal choice for reliable and versatile energy in emergencies.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

Compact, versatile, and efficient, the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is an intelligent choice for survival kits where mobility and speed are essential. This portable powerhouse ensures that essential survival gear remains operational and accessible, regardless of your location.

• Adaptable Capacity to Meet Essential Needs: With an initial capacity of 1264Wh, expandable up to 5 kWh, the Solar Generator 1000 Plus is ideal for powering essential items during outages, such as mobile devices, lighting, and smaller appliances. Thanks to its 2000Woutput, which can power 99% of household items, you can stay connected and comfortable during interruptions.

• Fast and Effective Solar Recharging: The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus also performs exceptionally well in solar charging. Four SolarSaga 100W panels can fully charge it in as little as 5 hours. For added convenience, you can also use wall or auto charging, making it easy to recharge and prepare for the next outage. 

• Long-Last Lifespan: The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plusportable power station, with a 10-year lifespan and a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, provides a consistent voltage and pure sine wave to ensure the safety of all your electrical gadgets. Additionally, the innovative ChargeShield technology and consistent power delivery avoid equipment damage.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

For those assembling a reliable survival gear kit in Australia, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus offers powerful, eco-friendly energy to keep essential equipment functioning when it matters most. Its capacity and versatility make it vital in any emergency preparedness kit. 

• Flexible and Expandable Power for Extended Outages: The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus has a powerful 2 kWhstarting capacity, but it can be increased to 12 kWh with additional battery packs. This versatility allows you to continue using vital appliances such as lights, refrigerators, and communication devices during prolonged outages. The Solar Generator 2000 Plus even supports heavy-duty devices with a power output that reaches up to 3000W, ensuring nearly all critical home appliances stay operational.

• Reliable and Durable for Long-Term Use: Equipped with a LiFePO4 battery, the Jackery 2000 Plus offers a long-lasting solution that can handle over 4,000 charge cycles, providing up to a decade of reliable use. Its quiet operation and lack of emissions make it ideal for indoor and outdoor use, creating a safe, stress-free backup solution that delivers consistent power without noise or fumes.
• Self-Sufficient Solar Power: The Explorer 2000 Plus has a maximum power output of 3000W, 30% greater than other 2 kWh models with similar specifications. Also, the Solar Generator 2000 Plus is commonly used; it can achieve a complete charge within 6 hours by utilising six SolarSaga 100W solar panels. The power source achieves self-sufficiency by harnessing solar energy rather than relying on the power grid for charging.

Self-reliance and adaptability are key in the unpredictable Australian wilderness; the Jackery Solar Generators 2000 Plus and 1000 Plus provide a dependable power source. They're ideal for any survival situation, giving you the energy and resilience you need when facing the unexpected.

What Factors to Consider When Choosing Survival Gear?

When choosing your survival gear, consider a few key factors. The following factors will help you decide when choosing your survival gear in Australia.

Evaluate Your Needs: Choose the survival gear you need that differs from what you want. Determine what features you need in your survival gear to avoid spending too much on unnecessary features. For that, you need some judgment and self-control.

Quality: Quality is more important than price when choosing survival gear. Indeed, in a disaster or crisis, you cannot run to the store to find a replacement for your damaged or malfunctioning survival gear.

Safety is always the priority. While cost is significant, never sacrifice the safety and functionality of your survival equipment to lower the price. In particular, it is essential to prioritise survival equipment that is easy to use and reliable in an emergency.

Versatility: Look for survival gear with multiple uses to reduce the items you need to prepare or carry.

Consider Climate Conditions: Depending on your environment, there are a few other climate-related things you need to consider. In tropical areas, prepare antimalarials and tropical-strength insect repellent. Powder disinfectants and antibiotics should also be prepared to treat wounds in tropical environments. Remember to prepare enough warm items. Also, it's essential to carry some common cold medicines.

User Reviews: User reviews are also an important point to consider when choosing survival gear. Review customer reviews to see what people other than the manufacturer are saying about the product because the actual performance of the product may be completely different from what is printed on it. Therefore, the user experience will directly reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the survival gear.

Backup Items: If you decide that a particular piece of survival gear is absolutely "essential" to your and your family's survival, it's a good idea to prepare at least two pieces. You can buy excellent used items at survival gear swap meets or online marketplaces. You can usually find high-quality survival gear for less.

Tips for Maintaining Your Survival Gear

When choosing survival gear, you need to balance quality and price. You need survival gear that can withstand life's rigours and fits your budget. Once you have the right survival gear, you need to provide it with a certain level of care and maintenance.

Regular maintenance of your survival gear will ensure it remains in good condition when needed. Here are some tips to help you take care of your survival gear:

Know Your Gear

Each piece of survival gear is unique and requires special care. Knowing how to use and maintain each piece of gear properly is essential to ensure the survival gear's longevity and safety. Manufacturers usually provide maintenance instructions that you should follow to keep your survival gear in good condition.

Proper Storage

Proper storage extends the life of your survival gear. So, store your survival gear in a dry place to avoid moisture or UV damage. Also, don't store your survival gear in compressed form, which can lose its insulating properties.

Keep it Hygienic

Cleanliness is an essential aspect of survival gear maintenance. Dust and dirt can wear down various materials, causing performance degradation. Therefore, clean your survival gear after use according to the manufacturer's instructions to remove dirt, sweat and debris.

Periodic Inspections

To ensure the performance and safety of your survival gear, perform regular inspections.

• Regularly inspect your survival gear for signs of wear or damage.
• Test your survival gear (such as lighters) regularly to ensure they are still working correctly.
• Some survival gear (such as food or medical supplies) may have a shelf life, so replace them when needed.

Repair Damage Promptly

Repairing any damage in time can prevent further damage to survival gear. Small rips or loose seams can become serious problems if left untreated. Also, get rid of old or broken survival gear when necessary, and never sacrifice your safety for sentimental reasons.

Survival Gear FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about survival gear in Australia.

1. Why do I need survival gear?

Survival gear is essential because it helps you deal with unexpected emergencies, whether at home, in your car, or outdoors. It ensures you have the necessary supplies to treat injuries and signal for help, increasing your chances of survival and comfort until help arrives.

2. What is the difference between a survival gear bag and a first aid kit?

Generally, a first aid kit can be included in a survival gear bag. A survival gear bag is a comprehensive set of items to help you survive various emergencies, including shelter, fire prevention, food, water, and distress signalling tools. On the other hand, a first aid kit contains explicit medical supplies for treating wounds and preventing infection.

3. What should you consider when packing a first aid kit?

Staying healthy and alive is your top priority. So, always take advantage of first aid supplies. It's better to be safe than sorry (or dead), right?

Of course, a big part of being prepared is keeping critical supplies safe and easily accessible, so a first aid dry bag is an intelligent choice when packing your first aid kit.

The following are the things to look for in your first aid kit:

Bright colours and clear labels: You never know who might need to find your first aid kit in an emergency. Having a Red Cross on it is best so everyone knows they can find medical supplies.

Waterproof: First aid supplies are useless if they get soaked. So make sure your first aid kit is 100% waterproof.

4. How long does survival gear last?

Most survival gear, such as tools and shelter materials, can last indefinitely if properly maintained. However, consumables such as food, water, and medical supplies usually have a shelf life and should be replaced regularly. Regularly check and update your survival gear bag every six months to ensure all items are in good condition and ready to use.

Final Thoughts

Having the survival gear mentioned in this article can mean the difference between life and death in some extreme situations because the "five" big priorities for survival are water, warmth, shelter, signals and food. You can quickly minimise your risk of serious injury just by taking the time to buy the right survival gear online. Something as simple as an emergency blanket or water purification tablets can help you survive adverse emergencies in Australia.