Force multipliers are modern tools that can greatly impact a survival situation. With tools like an ax or a fishing rod, individuals or a small survival group can meet their basic needs, like food and shelter, even if they're trapped in the wilderness. (h/t to SurvivalSkillsGuide.com.)
In a disaster scenario, your odds of surviving can be improved if you have one of several of the force multipliers listed below.
Shelter
Ax, machete, and saw
With one or all of these tools, you won't have to worry about gathering firewood or building a shelter outdoors.
Bug-proof shelter
Some locations, like bug-infested areas, may require a bug-proof shelter. If you have a lightweight three-season tent for two people, you can have protection from bugs like horseflies, mosquitoes, and ticks.
A sturdy tent can also keep the rain away. A bug-proof shelter is crucial if you want to sleep soundly in the wild.
Firestarter
You should know how to start a fire with friction, but a lighter can make the job much easier. Consider bringing a ferrocerium (ferro) rod or a lighter so you can easily start a fire whether you're out camping or if you're lost in the woods.
Ferro rods are made from ferrocerium, a man-made metallic material that "produces sparks in excess of 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit when it’s scraped with a rough surface or a sharp edge." Ferrocerium is often used to make the flint in cigarette lighters.
Outdoor clothing
Clothes are crucial survival items. A good set of outdoor clothes that you can layer to adjust to different weather conditions is an important force multiplier.
Your footwear can also affect your chance of survival, as well as rain gear and warm clothes. If you're warm and dry, your body will require less energy to stay warm.
Sleeping bag
With a sleeping bag, you can sleep warmly even if you're in a cold section of the woods. Ideally, you should have a sleeping bag made of synthetic insulation, especially if you're going to use it for a long time.
A sleeping bag should also be rated to the coldest temperature to be encountered. A high-quality synthetic sleeping bag ensures that you can get much-needed rest out in the woods.
Tarp
You can make a natural and watertight material for the roof of your shelter, but this will be a very labor-intensive task. You can save time and energy if you have a tarp to make a shelter.
Tarps are lightweight, and you can bring them with you if you need to camp elsewhere. Get a sil-nylon (silicone/nylon) tarp for your survival gear. They're a bit pricey, but they're very light and they can last long if you handle them with care.
Food
Fishing net
A fishing net is an important force multiplier tool to have in your gear, especially if you frequent areas near bodies of water. With a net, you can procure food for the rest of your group. A gill net is a passive tool for food gathering, and it will work no matter what time of day it is. When traveling in coastal areas, use a casting net instead.
Fishing rod and hooks
With a fishing rod and some hooks, you can actively hunt or trap fish. Fishing rods will complement other passive fishing techniques, like nets.
Pair modern fishing rods and hooks with lures or bait to catch fish more effectively. These force multipliers are a must for long-term survival kits.
Metal pots
Metal pots can improve your chances of survival, especially since you can use them to collect and treat water and cook food. Other kinds of pots can also be used to store food overnight to keep rodents away. (Related: Essential gear you need for shelter, fire, water, and survival.)
Metal traps
Use body grip steel traps to hunt medium game for food. Unlike other traps, body grip steel traps don't require bait if you place them in a well-used and funneled trail. These traps are durable and easy to use.
Rifle
You can use a .22 rifle to hunt small or large game when SHTF. Bullets of .22 caliber are cheap and compact, and with a rifle you can hunt medium or large game even during winter.
Human-powered vehicles
If you have a bicycle or a canoe, you can bring more equipment and supplies into the wilderness. Other vehicles that you can bring with you include kayaks or packrafts. With a canoe, you can bring heavy supplies from places far from camp. A canoe is also useful if you're going fishing.
It's also easier to patrol your camp if you have a human-powered vehicle like a bicycle. You can increase your roaming area and increase your access to fishing, harvesting, hunting, or trapping grounds. The energy you save by using a vehicle can be used to gather food or supplies instead.
With these handy force multipliers, you can improve your group's chances of surviving in the wild.
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