Having the right tools on hand in a survival situation can make or break you. If you are lacking in these tools, not only will you be uncomfortable, but you may not even make it out alive. For the top 5 essentials, you have to keep in mind Dave Canterbury's 5 C's of survival: Cutting, Combustion, Cover, Container, Cordage. See what you need below.

Within the list are tools which cover the five C’s of survivability (Cutting, Combustion, Cover, Container, Cordage).

1. Knife

2. Firestarter (Firesteel, Lighter, etc..)

3. Rifle (Firearm)

4. Stainless Steel Canteen with screw-on lid

5. Tarp

6. Hand axe

7. Paracord

8. Water filter

9. Stainless Steel Pot or Mess Kit

10. Saw (Bow, Folding)

11. Multitool (Leatherman, etc..)

Following the 5 C's of Survival, you should be able to pack, at the very least, the bare minimum into your bug out or survival kit. Hopefully, you will pack far more than what's presented here, and if in doubt, always bring a spare. You would hate to get into a situation you can't back out of and realize that you didn't pack something you know you should have simply for the sake of weight.

This is a pretty good starting point for any survival kit. If you would like to know more things that would make good additions, read more at Modern Survival Blog.