Five Items

Five items

That's it all packed, only a small bag, but that's all we are allowed. Sorry, I should explain, I’m off on a trip, no idea where other than its warm. I’ve been selected for a new TV show, a group of strangers on a deserted island, surviving, for 6 months. I know it's not everyone’s cup of tea, but I can’t wait.

I have been watching Bear Grylls for years, I have learned so much. How to filter water through my socks, not nice but could save your life so worth it. I now know how to catch fish using only natural materials and my own wits. I’ve read books too, lots of bushcraft and survival books. The main problem is as we don’t know where we are going, it's hard to know what plants and animals we will encounter, would make it easier if we at least knew what continent we were on.

We are all allowed 5 items, as well as two complete changes of clothes and that's it, oh, and it must all fit in a 10-litre bag. There are certain things we are not allowed like electronic devices, not that they would work anyway. Other contraband items include tobacco, cooking stoves, camp beds and alcohol. We get issued with knives, so we don’t need to take those, though I was tempted, seen some good ones.

I’ve a had a few months to think about it, and have done my research. So this is what I have.

1. Mini saw you know the wire type one, folds down to virtually nothing and fits in my pocket. We are bound to need to cut wood. We will need firewood, might need to build a shelter, beds who knows what else.
2. Fire lighting kit, contains fire steel, char cloth, cotton wool and Vaseline. We are going to need to light fires, I mean we will need to cook, maybe signal, perhaps even keep warm.
3. Multi-season sleeping bag with mosquito net built in, I love this sleeping bag, it has loads of zipped ventilation slots. It's also when the slots are closed waterproof. The base is great as it got a built in feathered mattress. I hope it's not considered a camp bed.
4. Paracord, after a lot of thought I decided that 500 meters of Paracord was worth the weight. I mean I can use it for so many things, from lashing and tying to making nets or even snares. It's strong, durable seems perfect.
5. My last item, well it was simple really, maybe a bit of a cheat. My survival book, well we will need knowledge, and although I have read the book several times, it will be useful to refer too. Others can use it too, so should help the whole group.

So hopefully that's me ready, I have undertaken a bushcraft course, learned all about foraging and surviving. I can’t wait.