Captain's Pick 41 · Survival to Win
PREPARED4X Survival Torch Fire Starter
One strike and the wick catches — soaking wet, in the wind, at three in the morning. Three hours of continuous flame from a tool smaller than a flashlight, so the fire gets lit no matter what the weather decides.
See it on Amazon →What it is
The PREPARED4X fire starter is a ferro rod survival tool built to throw sparks wet or dry.
Why it's on my list
Matches get wet and lighters run out. A tool like this keeps working when the weather doesn't cooperate.
Best for
Campers, hunters, and any emergency kit.
Captain's tip
Practice lighting a fire with it at home before relying on it outdoors.
More from Survival to Win
Read the full guide: Emergency Preparedness Gear: Survival to Win
ReadyWise 30-Day Food Supply
296 servings, 25-year shelf life, just add water. Two buckets in the garage mean my family eats well no matter what the forecast says.
See it on Amazon →Read Captain Ron's review
BTECH GMRS-V2 Radio
Five watts, 200 programmable channels, and a NOAA weather receiver — the radio that keeps the crew on one page when the trail, the campsite, or the forecast turns.
See it on Amazon →Read Captain Ron's review
Grand Way 25" Machete with Saw
Clear the brush, the fallen branch, and whatever the storm leaves behind — 25 inches of serrated steel that rides on your hip until the day you need it.
See it on Amazon →Read Captain Ron's review