Exclusive Top Ten — Perfect for the Holidays
Sometimes you just have to treat yourself by splurging on a high-quality, beautifully-designed piece of equipment. Yes, maybe you can justify it as part of your survival kit. (Maybe not. Don’t think you have to!)
Sometimes, you want to show your appreciation for someone else buy buying them the very best item available! You don’t even have to justify that purchase!
Here are some suggestions for survival gifts great for the holidays, special for a birthday, perfect for any special time!
High-quality, highly respected
These high-quality survival gear items will keep your family and team members enthusiastic about emergency preparedness.
(Don’t overlook the power behind the throne — you! I am sure you’ll want one or two of these survival gifts for yourself, too!)
We searched for these gifts in a number of places, including in local stores. Without exception, we found the BEST DEAL at Amazon. That doesn’t mean you won’t find a better deal if you shop. But take the time to click on the image and you’ll go directly to Amazon so you can get all the details and compare prices. As you know, we are Amazon Affiliates and may get a sales commission — that doesn’t affect your price — if you buy through our recommendations.
  Altair 818 Hornet Beginner FPV Camera Drone   Quadcopter Drone with Camera Live Video - “Force1 U818A Discovery” WiFi FPV Drones + VR Headset for RC Camera Drone | Now, that drone you secretly wanted! After all our research on drones for emergency response teams, it seemed natural to take a look at drones for fun -- for for learning! There are, of course, many out there. I was looking for machines that were big enough and sophisticated enough that learning to fly them would be a good investment. At the same time, it's understood that a first-time user is likely to crash, at least once. I looked for a model are DESIGNED for learners that had as much crash protection as reasonable. These two drones that aren't over-the-top expensive, but still have the ability to fly outdoors and film. (Some toy drones do neither.) They each have some special features you'll want to study up on. Check them out at Amazon for full details. Just click on the image or the link . (P.S. Don't forget to review the rules and regs associated with flying a drone. Full details at Rules for drones. |
  | Another wonderful survival tool -- so much more than just a watch! I grew up hearing about the "Swiss Army Knife," never knowing it was really a product of Victorinox. In the past few years I've learned a lot more about the brand. Here's a prime example of their high, high quality tools: Victorinox Swiss Army Men's 241602 Maverick Watch with Blue Dial and Stainless Steel Bracelet. . Click on the image to get to Amazon and when you're there, click again to zoom in on the face of the watch. It really is beautiful. (Compare to other, similarly colored watches and you'll see what I mean.) And, of course, the watch is stainless steel tough, scratch and water resistant (not for scuba diving), and maybe best of all right now reduced to about half price by what looks to be strong competition! This watch has a 3-year warranty from the factory in Switzerland. |
  | And at a different --higher! - level altogether, a GPS watch. Garmin is known for its high-end walkie-talkies, map systems, and, for that matter, all things GPS. This is the Garmin Tactix Charlie Multisport GPS Watch 010-02084-00 . It's a dual purpose watch, designed for fitness training and outdoor navigation. Built-in navigation sensors include GPS and GLONASS plus a three-axis compass, barometer, altimeter and gyroscope. The Multisport is all black coated titanium, with a colored read-out: your route, heart rate, fitness metrics -- and you can switch between day and nighttime view. Naturally, many of the features are built in, but customization options are available, too. If your fail-safe present was beginning to feel like socks or a scarf, maybe you can switch to this as an option! LOTS more interesting and useful! |
  | Sticking with another GPS survival device recommended to me by a reader Yes, we started this list with a toy. This item is definitely NOT a toy. In fact, the advertising comes with multiple warnings about using the device improperly. What it's meant for is to find you if you are lost. Hiking, camping, boating -- this version of the ACR Personal Locator Beacon ResQLink+ 406 Buoyant PLB-375 (ACR-2881) relays your position to a worldwide network of search and rescue satellites. To activate, simply deploy the antenna and press the ON button. Heading out for a new adventure -- to a place you've never been? Heading FAR out? Consider adding the ResQLink to your pack. Small and mighty. |
  | Worried about being cold? Getting a bit back to normal. I know we always list Mylar space blankets as an essential item for your Survival Kit. At less than $1 each, they keep heat out or in, depending on how you position the reflective side. However, they always look VERY slippery-slidey and I know they aren’t very sturdy. Trying to convert a square blanket into something to sleep in seems daunting, even if you DO have duct tape handy. So, rather than worry just how they would actually work in an emergency, I feel a lot more comfortable with a Bivvy Bag Survival Bag This sleeping sack packs neatly in its own nylon bag and is so compact it fits right in the palm of your hand. Repacks just as neatly, too! (The Mylar doesn’t.) You can sleep in the bag, wrap it in a blanket, or even tuck it inside a regular sleeping bag, for extra warmth. There are green and orange versions of these bags. All are made of tear-resistant material that is windproof and waterproof. Hang on the mantle right alongside the Christmas stockings! A great addition to every family member’s go-bag. |
  | Even more comfortable -- Rumple Indoor/Outdoor Puffy Down Blanket So you need some extra warmth but aren’t ready to crawl into that bivvy bag! How about a blanket for the backseat of the car, for wrapping up at sporting events or around the campfire? A CLASSY blanket! (And washable, too.) This is it! Rumple makes the most attractive blankets! (Note the stitching patterns. Each is slightly different. That’s what is outstanding about the design!) There are a couple of sizes, so be sure to check the one you want! I hate to be cold. If you do too, here’s something you’ll really like! |
  | Tesla’s Rechargeable Coil Lighter Yes, I have matches in a waterproof case. I have a magnesium lighter. But who could resist THIS fire starter that doesn’t depend on fuel, creates no flames and no smoke! How can this lighter work under all circumstances and in all weather? Electricity! The lighter is based on research done by Nicola Tessla. (You’ve seen that photo of him with lightening flashing all around him!) When you press the button, plasma arcs jump across the tiny nozzles at the top of the lighter. Whatever you put in the way of these arcs instantly bursts into flame. Of course, your survival mind should have detected the word “electricity.” Which means batteries that need charging. The lighter comes with a cord that can be plugged into any power bank, a solar source, even the wall. But because it draws so little power, one charge will last for hundreds of lightings. Gotta have this one! (Read below for where to carry it . . .) |
 | Two worst fire days of the year? Thanksgiving and Christmas! Where do the fires start? In the kitchen! I took a poll a couple of weeks ago of a group of neighbors. "How many have a fire extinguisher? How many have two?" The response was disheartening. I hope you can answer positively! If you can't, this gift suggestion is for YOU! If you have a fire extinguisher handy, you can stop nearly every kitchen fire in its tracks!I Of course, you want to get the extinguisher that works on grease. (It's the kitchen, remember.) You want to store it away from the stove so you can grab it and then approach the fire using the PASS technique: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep from side to side. These extinguishers from Amerex are ABC. They weigh 5 lbs each. They are large enough to have some real stopping power. (Be sure everyone in the family knows how to find them and deploy them. They're heavier than you might think, so give everyone a chance to hold them.) You'll never find a better or more valuable piece of equipment for peace of mind at the holidays. Treat yourself and your family to this one. P.S. There are also smaller CANISTER type extinguishers -- about as big as a bottle of hair spray. Check them out, too. But they're not going to have the stopping power of a real extinguisher.) |
  | And while we're on FAMILY SAFETY . . . In our car emergency kit, we've had reflective triangles. Classic red flares. Some rickety stand-up yellow lights. All required setting up -- tough in the dark. Now, the newest generation of emergency flares -- smaller, round, just turn 'em on for 360 degree LED lighting. Magnets can hold the flares to a car. Lay them down or stand them up. Set them out in a line to direct traffic around your disabled vehicle. Unpack the carrier and spread six flares out for full protection. (Make sure your line starts far enough away from the car.) (See the excellent photo at Amazon.) I can't imagine any car NOT having these flares. A great present for the driver of every vehicle you own. Think about grandchildren driving, too . . . A way to get the conversation started! |
 | Survival Vest Joe has always been a fan of gadgets. I remember identifying him one day on the streets of downtown San Francisco by the photographer’s vest he was wearing. (He was head of an advertising agency.) That vest had pocket after pocket, just what he needed to carry all his stuff: pens, calculator, lighter, notebook, tools, small dictation machine, knife, office items, keys – and yes, a camera with various lenses and, of course, film canisters. (These were the old days, before smart phones.) He still has that vest (a couple of them, actually) but he has now graduated to a much sleeker and more urban look! You may want to too – and if you do, here’s a suggestion. Scotte vests come in all sorts of styles, all with multiple pockets and some with as many as 42 of ‘em! Some have zip-on sleeves that turn them into a jacket. I chose this model because it can store 26 pocket’s worth of stuff including a large phone or medium-sized tablet – all scientifically balanced for easy carrying. And it looks very put together. Click on the image and when you get to Amazon, click on all the small photos at the left and you will find a photo of the vest opened -- see how everything would fit in there! It’s advertised as a “vest for travel” and as such, actually has a pocket for credit cards that is “RFID blocking.” Just because you feel most comfortable when you have your basic supplies with you, you don’t need to look lumpy or be weighted down with a duffle or man purse. You can pack and carry essentials in your vest. |
Oh, wait. I just ran this list by Joe — again. And he absolutely insisted we include one BONUS ITEM — The Eton Grundig Satellit 750 radio.
We had already included it in our list of the Best Emergency Radios so if a super radio is on your list of survival gifts — please head over there to check it out!
It’s not too early to be thinking about gifts for the holidays. I hope you’ll find something on this list that is just perfect!