The 5 C's of Survivability
Developed by survival expert Dave Canterbury, the 5 C's represent essential gear that is difficult to replicate in the wilderness.
The Philosophy
Cutting Tool
The most important survival tool
A reliable cutting tool allows you to process wood for shelter and fire, prepare food, create cordage, and fashion other tools.
Recommended Gear
Primary Uses
Combustion
Multiple reliable fire-starting methods
Fire provides warmth, water purification, signaling, psychological comfort, and cooking ability.
Recommended Gear
Primary Uses
Cover
Protection from the elements
Cover includes both what you wear and what you can build. A quality tarp allows rapid shelter construction.
Recommended Gear
Primary Uses
Container
For water transport and boiling
A metal container allows you to carry water and boil it directly over fire for purification.
Recommended Gear
Primary Uses
Cordage
For binding, building, and trapping
Quality cordage is extremely difficult to make in the wild. Carrying 50-100 feet enables shelter building and trapping.
Recommended Gear
Primary Uses
🪢 Essential Knots for Cordage
Bowline
Creates a fixed loop that won't slip
Make a small loop in the standing part (the "rabbit hole")
Dave Canterbury later expanded the list for extended wilderness stays:
Headlamp/flashlight
Filtering, bandaging, signaling
Navigation and direction finding
Repairs, waterproofing
Gear repair and sutures
Minimum Survival Kit
Cutting Tool
Combustion
Cover
Container
Cordage
These 5 items give you the capability to survive almost any situation.
"It's not the equipment that makes the survivalist —
it's the knowledge to use it."
— Dave Canterbury