ATV Survival Kit

Depending on where you’re going, an ATV survival kit could be crucial.

One Fall day, I spent all day (and into the early night) riding my ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) on various Snowmobile trails through the woods and National Forest regions of the White Mountains here in New Hampshire. I helped out one of the clubs with fallen tree removal, putting up signs for the coming season, and trail maintenance.

Before embarking on this unique journey, a 20-mile trek deep into the forests and up to mountaintops at elevation, I dedicated some time to pondering an emergency kit for my ATV. This was a one-of-a-kind experience, with no other likely travelers on those trails, which are off-limits except for Snowmobiles (it’s not in season yet).

With that said, I was not traveling alone (it was always a good idea to do such things with a partner), but I still wanted to build a generic ATV survival kit – just in case.

Here’s what I took with me besides the tools and gear needed for the task at hand:

ATV Survival Kit Items

• M&P-45 on my belt w/extra mag
• Full-tang heavy-duty knife
• Read >> Best Knife for Batoning Wood
• Tow Strap
• A length of heavy-duty rope
• Tire Repair Kit
• Portable Air Compressor
• Basic Tool Kit
• Extra Fuel
• Tarp
• A length of 550 Paracord
• Read >> Survival Kit Paracord
• Topo Map of the region and Compass
• Flashlight with fresh Lithium AA batteries
• Sawyer Mini water filter (Mini Water Filtration System)
• Water: Several water bottles
• Emergency Food Bars – in addition to my lunch
• Read >> The CLIF BAR Energy Food
• A wrapped length of Toilet Paper in a Ziploc bag

Fire-starter kit including…

• Bic lighter
• Strike-Anywhere matches (in watertight containment)
• FireSteel with striker
• Visit >> FireSteel.com
• Small Magnifying Glass
• Tealight candle
• Vaseline-coated cotton balls

Maxpedition Versipack

Note: Some items mentioned above for my ATV survival kit are kept in a Maxpedition Versipack. I highly recommend their bags due to their versatility, strength, and comfort for carrying ‘stuff’ less than a full-on backpack. The Versipack, known for its durability, is more practical than a full-on backpack for carrying smaller items because it’s lighter, more compact, and easier to access. I have two of these (one for Mrs.J), and they get used often when we’re out in the woods, hiking, etc.

I sure did enjoy the experience. There’s nothing like being deep in the forest, many miles from even the smallest town. There were no emergency incidents; there was just lots of muscle usage while cutting/clearing and dragging fallen trees and tree limbs, rolling some big rocks off the trail, cutting brush, digging post-holes, and pounding signs into the ground. It was all worth it in the evening to watch the sunset from atop Cherry Mountain, looking over towards the lit-up Presidential Range across the valley with fading red/orange/purple light… The ride back down in the darkness was fun, too 😉

I traveled with two others, so the likelihood of being stranded was low. However, it sure is a good idea to be prepared anyway because the other person or people you’re with might not have their appropriate emergency kit or supplies.

You have a false sense of security with others, so don’t count on it. Take your security and safety into your own hands and plan for it.

I wish I had a better camera, but this was taken from my ‘flip phone’ atop Cherry Mountain / Owls Head (yes, a flip Phone… this particular expedition was some time ago).