instead of looking at the problem as "How can I become fully "geared up" for $x.xx." We might look at this as "Given financial and availability problems what are the priorities and what can be adequately improvised?"<br><br>I would suggest that in a situation where cash, time or availability are a problem that tools are most important. <br><br>Tools First<br>SAK or Multi-tool $5 to $100<br>supplying blade, saw, awl, can opener at minimum<br>With this one tool you can improvise shelter from any wooded environment. <br> <br>Sharpener $1 to $100<br>A dull knife will hurt more than help.<br><br>Shovel $5 - $15 doesn't fit in a PSK but might be essential<br>If you are in an arctic or desert situation then a shovel might be more necessary.<br><br>Snare wire $2 - $50<br>picture hanging wire will substitute, strong fishing wire will substitute, electrical extension wire may substitute if you watch your traps.<br><br>Fishing kit $0 - $50<br>You may be able to improvise fishing gear from cordage and owl droppings or you might want some purpose made hooks at least. This category may be considered redundant with the snare wire. With skill cordage == netting if you have enough cordage. Nets may catch more and more easily than hooks depending upon location. Fish traps are also free and effective in some locations but will take training and experience and are only useful if you are staying put for a day or two.<br><br>Saws & axes $7 - $40<br>wire saws; BCB survival saw; Chainsaw in a can; pack saw; camp ax<br><br>Cordage $0 - $400<br>The first item that could be improvised in the field. The stronger the better, The greater variety the better. Nylon twine is fine to tie down the tarp / garbage bag over the debris hut it would be a shame to cut up the paracord for that purpose. The nylon twine is not something I would want to attempt to climb with. Good nylon twine in large lengths is cheap, climbing rope is expensive.<br><br>Medical next $10 - $1000<br>The most necessary part of this category is training and understanding of your limitations in the field. Hygiene is the most important part of medical treatment in the field. <br><br>Fire next $0 - $20<br>Redundancy is necessary as is tinder. Book matches can be had for free from convenience stores and restaurants in the US, don't know about custom elsewhere; Bic lighter; Pop Bottle top (for the fire drill bearing); flint; sparklite; matches; etc. At least two sources of fire start.<br>tinder. lint is free; toothpicks can be had for free from restaurants; found tinder such as birch bark and punk are free; made tinder such as char is free; empty film canisters are a good free waterproof carry as are cast-off soda bottles; cotton balls with or without petro; candles; cotton twine; at least two sources of tinder and a waterproof means of carry.<br><br>Water next $0 - $1000<br>Bandanas and boiling is a free option; iodine tabs; potassium permanganate; tincture of Iodine; Clor-floc tabs; Chlorine bleach; pool Chlorine; carbon filters; ceramic filters; filter bottles; de-salinators; stills<br><br>Shelter next $0 - $400<br>If you have done well in the tools area this can be wholey improvised in the field. Garbage bags, Tarps, tents<br><br>Food next $0<br>see tools<br><br>Defense is hard to prioritize. May be first priority or last depending upon the threats. If you must prioritize defense effective defense must be specific to the anticipated threat. Perimiter defense is easily setup with some cordage and an alarm which can be improvised in the field. This sort of defense of a camp can be useful against most threats because it sets you on alert to the threat.<br><br>Spend whatever cash you have for this at whatever retailer you can find that respects your cash the best in the order of priorities above, stuff the items in your pocket and you will be better off for having done something. <br> With a SAK in your pocket and a little know-how you can improvise shelter(debris hut), fire(using a fire-drill), clean water(boiling), cordage(plaited thistle, bark or other found fiber), food(snares and traps set using the cordage). This is certainly going to be much less appealing than having a bic lighter for the fire and a trash-bag to waterproof the debris hut but it is a start and if that is what your budget can handle then get started. Before you move into an expensive mode in any of these categories make sure that you have covered all of them in some way. Since most of these may be handled for free except the tools I suggest that you use your money on the tools first. If you are counting on a free method that requires skill then get that skill. Don't count on being able to make a debris hut with a SAK unless you have done so. Don't count on being able to make and effectively use a fire-drill unless you have done so.