Build A Lightweight 10 C's SURVIVAL KIT & Avoid This Fatal Flaw!

I'm not a bushcrafter or even much of a hiker but I enjoy walking in the woods. My day pack includes; A 5x7 tarp, compass and map, fire kit (fire steel, lighter, matches, fat wood, tinder, pocket stove with 8 cubes and a silky pocketboy) first aid kit with a basic trauma kit, (tourniquet & Israeli bandage) Water kit (purification tablets, water bags and filter) Leatherman sidekick, trail marking tape, modified Stanley cook set, (with bale & sealable plastic lid) A packable jacket, wool socks and hat. Water and food appropriate for a day hike. Emergency food (2 backpacker meals, 2 cups each of oats, lentils, black beans, self rising flour, dried fruit and cous cous, a couple of boullion cubes, instant coffee, sugar, creamer, salt and honey packets) GPS locator beacon and a fixed blade knife (either a Becker bk2 companion or an OKC rat-5)

I'm not any kind of survival expert but I have been both lost and medically stranded in the woods. (On separate occasions) now I always go prepared.

Something no one ever talks about in these videos is what to do when you're injured. What if you break an arm or leg? Everything becomes incredibly difficult if not impossible. If you can't move around, keeping warm is hard.

Practicing survival skills is really just camping. Understand that being trapped either by being lost or injured is terrifying. Have something to focus you if you start to panic (sit down, sing a song, say a prayer, eat a candy bar, smoke a cigarette, whatever) Panicking won't help but being overconfident is more likely to get you killed. Never rely solely on technology. Both when I was lost and when I was injured, search and rescue were delayed by weather.

Take with you whatever you would want when you're dealing with extreme stress (for me it's food, music and cigarettes) keeping up your own moral will help more than almost anything. If you give up, your f*cked.

I think after watching and reading comments that the 10 c's are a great idea. Most of the comments are spot on. One thing I would add about the 10c's is most of these items are in a category of items that are very time consuming to create in the wild. Its not that you can't make them but do you need something like a fire right now after falling in cold water. I agree with the category's but don't overlook the ITEM and the time and effort to recreate a cutting edge, or cordage, or a container or friction fire. Spend more time enjoying the outdoors because you have the 10 c's. Never stop learning.

Look at what Thru hikers carry, they walk from Mexico to Canada, no big knives, tape, needles, cordage

Ten C' is for crazy bushcrafters, they make no sense whatsoever. 99% of survival issues relate to getting lost or injured. 1 navigation, first aid, water,. Smart phone with download maps will solve all your navigation problem, or satellite comms system. Carry water, if run out of water just drink contaminated water, it takes a few days for bacteria to affect one, by then you should be rescued. Making fire boiling water waste of rescue time.

10 C’s are flawed?!? Ooo thems is fightin words. I’ve always read them as categories to start your kit with the understanding that modification is necessary based on your environment and needs. Improve, adapt and overcome.

Im really Sorry, but Dave Canterburry always talks about IFAK's First. Because without the Ability to Stop a severe Bleeding asap your Dead anyways.

Bank line is cool. Dave likes it but you can snap it fairly easy and it frays. Parachord is very strong.

And a Compass should be a basic item that you always carry. I do carry one every day in my EDC bag.

I used to teach Wilderness Survival, way back in the 80's. I'm 61 now and I've learned a few things. First off, a First Aid Kit, is something you should always carry. Its a Basic needed item. I carry one on my bicycle, and when I hike, it goes in my pack. A Army Medic helped me build it. So here are my 7 C's that I have come up with
1. Cover, a Tarp or Rain Poncho, with stakes. Since you cannot always make stakes, easier to have them with you.
2. Cordage, I like 550 cord, always have, but each to their own.
3. Cutting. One is none, two is on e. So I carry a Swiss Army Deluxe Tinker, and a old Gerber Multi Tool. Plus a sheath knife, a tomahawk, and folding saw. Yep, even on a day hike. Because you never know how long a day hike might last.
4. Combustion. You pretty much covered that one nicely. Except I also carry Strike Any where Matches, yes you can still find them, in a water proof case. And yes, take some tinder with you. Whether you make it or buy it.
5. Container. I will always have a water bottle with me. Be it a Nalgene, or a Klean Kanteen. But that rectangular tin, a very goo idea. As for making drinkable water. I also carry coffee filters, rubber bands and the Pure Water Aqua Drops. Remember the higher up you go, the lower the temp water boils at.
6. Calories. I always have food with me on a day hike. But, I also carry enough food in case I have to spend the night outside, away from camp or trail head.
7. Communications. Now I am not talking a Cell Phone. I am talking a good loud Whistle, a Signal Mirror, a Bright Orange signal panel. Maybe some of the Chem Lights. Also a good bright flashlight. But a flashlight is something I always carry.

The cotton bandana is also something I always have on me. My Army friend taught me how useful they are. As far as things like tape and a sewing kit. I think that depends on the person.
Yes, I am old school. I don't worry about the weight too much, just if I have the right items I need.
So that is my 7 C.s, and my two cents worth. Stay safe.

The 10 C's is a starting point... just a starting point.... you can add etc as you want to...

I think there are much better survival kits and systems than the 10c's, it has had the best marketing and monetization of the system when you compare to the alternatives though.

Water purification tablets for instant drinkable water perhaps.

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I have never liked the ESEE Knife I tried but the handle being such a slab handle just never felt comfortable when doing any amount of wood work. Totally agree with you on the need for a first aid kit in any kit. Thanks for sharing great video.

Water and food are rarely mentioned. It seems water would be the first item on any survival list.

Nice starter kit.

One thing I always critizes about Daves Cs is the first thing must be care, its crucial, fully agree. But he is not going into detail here often. First aid and out of which number 1 must always be the emergency blanket. He made some videos where he completely ignored first aid and the blankets, focusing to much on making fire etc but the more probable situation is cold and not having time or capability to make a fire due to injury, so having an emergency poncho and blanket and some other first aid stuff must be always number one in any list, before(!) anything else. I have seen videos even of attendees of his clases not carrying any real first aid not to mention emergency blankets ... and some videos of Dave ignore it and others of him he only mentions it very briefly as a side note really. This is against all survival rules I learned from military professionals of the German Mountain Troops in Bavaria (Gebirgsjäger). And more IMPORTANT: Care is not only about yourself but actually about your fellow camerades who are with you and need help, you might not be alone in the wilderness and still be in an emergency. This is true survival, caring is not only about yourself but others in the first place. So thank you for your Video, cheers from Germany

I am in Central Texas. 8 months out of the year. It is hot. Most times lows will be over 65•F highs can be over 100. Shade during peak heat of the day, can be the difference between life and death. Shade cloth is light. Also the need to carry at least half a gallon of water is advised as a minimum.

The 10C is a starting point. Because a first aid kit should be personalized, never use a generic first aid kit. Basically, everything in the 10C should be personalized. They are more of a list so you don't forget something. Because everybody I've ever done a pocket dump with all of our 10C are different items, but go in the categories.

Personally, I prefer a SAK like the Fieldmaster or Huntsman over a multi tool. Multi Tools are very expensive compared to SAK's.

Remember the 10 C's are basic short term survival items. Dave also stresses multi use items. The bandana, Gorilla tape and sail needle can be first aid items. Personally, I carry more than that for first aid tailored to me. As an example I carry gauze pads. With the gauze pads, bandana and gorilla tape I can make small to large bandages.

It amazes me when I get an opportunity to look at what other people are actually carrying in their bushcraft kits. On the onset all of the items in these sacks, bags, or packs seem to belong there, they make sense to carry with you. But when you try to pickup many of these sacks, bags, or packs they are very heavy. Overloaded to the point that they no longer make sense to try to carry. So, we can’t really take everything that we might need with us. We’re limited by weight and space. That is where these lists come in. Setting a definite inventory of items that bring certain capabilities ti our kit. It has been said that the stronger your skills, the less dependent you are on stuff while in the woods. There is some truth to that. However, we are all at different skill levels when it comes to bushcraft. Some think that they are better prepared than they really might be. Some have very little actual experience in the woods. All justification for carrying the stuff you’ll need to survive and thrive on an adventure. I agree with the baseline established with these 10 C’s and other lists. Of course, no one includes food and water on their list, but we all know that it is going to be in the bag. Just my thoughts on your conversation.

From an infantry perspective, if you can't keep warm the kit is no good. Wait till the weather is 20 degrees and go outside with your kit. If you say hell no. Your kit is deemed a failure. A 22 pistol is essential in my mind as well for survival and self defense. Because the 22 is light you can carry more ammo.

I’ve known about the essential’s list long before Dave came out with the 10 C’s, which is a great list but I have to agree with you that the 10 C’s & all lists are subject to interpretation & the local environment of the user & the skill level. Bring what works for you. The lists are a guide not a set of rules.

The 10 c's in its entirety is the the 10 categories that are the hardest to recreate in the wild. This is the purpose of the 10 c's. Dave will tell u he did not create this system but made it easier for people to remember and utilize. Of course any system can and should be revisited and modified based on needs and environment. Overall a really great system and u pointed out some really great things as well.

Coming from the originator of the 100 C's

IMHO, I don't think the 10cs are flawed. In order to consider the 10cs flawed, you would have to go into the philosophy and application of the 10cs and specifically point out the flaw. I believe you needed a catchy title to attract viewers 🤔 After watching your vid, you catered your edc to your specific experience. Which is technically the guide to any go bag, get home bag, bug out bag, auto emergency kit, emergency go bag. Small edc kit. It's all relative to each persons specific needs and environment. Basically, it's a personalized kit suited to you. Still enjoyed the content, the title not so much. Thx 👍 👍

#11 Crucial medical gear

What I got out of DC’s The 10c of survival video was that it was 10 critical categories, not just 10 items. He even said there were more categories and items, but these would make the core kit. And it was because these 10 items or categories were very hard to reproduce in the wild. He also said they could vary in importance depending on where you lived and surrounding environment.

If you have the room, absolutely put a boo boo kit in. However I’m under the impression that a boo boo kit is simply not important enough or worth the weight vs it’s value in the overall list of items you could use.

1. Medical use is listed with 8 of the 10 items mentioned. Throw some superglue in there, and you’re set with about anything you could use a boo boo kit for.

2. If you’re in a situation where you’re down to using the 10c of survival, you’ve got bigger worries than not having bandaids and moleskins. You are not gonna die immediately from scrapes and small cuts.

Oh, not sure if anybody caught it, but I think you left out the bivy/emergency blanket?

I’ve heard him say multiple times that it isn’t 5/10 items, but 5/10 categories of items

Yes i agree bank line is strong but paracord has many more uses!
inner strands can be used for fishing or extra cordage to tie down stuff.
Many videos showing the uses.

The ripspool is a very cool item, but at over thirty dollars Exotac can get fucked. The over pricing in this industry is ridiculous right now.

I remember one video a while ago that DC did talk about not having a FAK. His rationale was that he could improvise pieces from what he already had on hand. That being said. I do carry a small FAK. "Knowledge is King"

the 10c's are categories of different items. not just one per category. like cutting tool... knife, saw , ax, machete and so on. combustion can be ferro rod, bic, like you show, but also Fresnel lens or magnifying lens, and cover can be a tarp, of several designs, poncho, sleeping bag and so on. so you could carry more than one item . i carry a knife, saw and a hatchet , also a ferro rod, bics, matches, fresnel lens, and fatwood. i also carry a poncho, tarp and a sleeping bag. maybe the 10c's is an advanced form of the 10 essentials. i agree that everyone should carry some form of first aid, and a way to carry and filter water. imo combining both methods will get you a well rounded kit.

Extra C's can be
CARE= First Aid and personal meds and even include basic hygiene
CALORIES= some food... even just an energy bar or 2
CALLING/COMMUNICATION= Whistle, bright bandanna, headlamp, chem. stick, signal panel etc..
CASH= some change and paper money for finding a store in town for food and water.
The 10 C's of survivability are a GREAT idea for a basic kit and a starting point. Especially the first 5 as they are the most difficult to reproduce in nature but I agree, I always thought they could be expanded upon. Maybe it's time for Dave or someone to UPDATE the 10-C's to maybe the 15- C's (or however many)of survivability. JMHO 👍

I always say the tenth “C” should be called “care item” which would be a first aid kit and include items for heath, basic hygiene and repair.

Agreed on first aid and multi tool. Most of my EDC is first aid and hygiene items, with a multitool and some small repair items tucked in it. That all goes into a dayhike/bushcraft pack when I go out. Gotta be prepared when you're cutting and burning stuff in the woods!! I have a list of both the 10c's and the 10 essentials plus my personal list to reference when I'm packing for a trip.

Dave said hundreds of times that the 10c is not 10 items, it is 10 categories of items, it can be many items for each c

Duct tape is very versatile in that you can also rip off a section and use it to light a fire and it will burn for a while to get the fire going. I like that you added a medical component to your kit but one other thing I think that would be very helpful in addition to a kit like a 10 C's kit would be water purification. I know the cotton cloth in filtering and then a good boil works wonders but as a redundancy a water filter straw like a life straw or mini sawyer or 2 to 3 tablets really don't weigh much nor would they take up much room. I just know water is very important and to have a surr fire way to have drinkable water is quintessential. Another thing I liked was that you had two containers you can hold and boil water to purify to cook to organize so many things but you're not solely relying on just your water bottle to do all the work you have a redundancy. I like when things are multi purpose

Car cot cash and credit cards . Have fun stay safe

Lots of guys have slightly different lists. I view them as reminders— not requirements.

I've always wondered just how essential a canvas needle is ... or a cotton bandana.

Great addition I as a Scout A.B.G.D. trained ex Deputy Sheriff and C.E.R.T. member first aid is a must.

I own several esee and there awesome but that warranty does mean anything in SHTF.. especially it its bad enough. I recommend esee but i also recommend others also. Any of the kabar BK series. Tops., benchamde, bark river

i usually carry a small roll of gorilla tape and i tape some around my extra bic lighter for a firestarter

A bandana is a bandage. Gorilla tape will hold it in place. The 10 c's are a springboard for essentials. He never said that's all you need. I'd add soap for sure as well as snarewire.But keeping with C's, how about coffee, cell phone, charging brick and cash.

I was trained on the "10 Essentials." Together with Cantebury's 10C's, you get a good framework for outdoor readiness. I also trained as an EMT, so the first aid kit, extra water, and extra food are always on my list.

I remember the 10 Essentials being emphasized for hunting, as a very basic 24hr kit if one were stuck in the woods, for whatever reason. Therefore, the list included some food and water provision. THE TRICK was to keep it as light and compact as possible, understanding that it was NOT the primary outdoors rig; rather what you would keep with you after making camp.

I tend to disagree with you about your choice of cordage there is something lighter and stronger it's called technora and has a 400lb breaking strength and is much lighter and thinner so as to fit into a lightweight kit.
Another option is called mule-tape it also has a very high tensile strength and is far lighter than the average 550 cord or bank-line. You can find the mule tape on Self-reliance outfitters but I am not sure about the technora cordage.
Anyway I hope maybe you give one or the other a try and hope that this helps with making your lightweight kit that much lighter.
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