So there you have a few life-saving knife scenarios. Remember, it?s always a good idea to carry a knife since you never know when it may save your life. No one expects to be stranded or lost in the wilderness. Whether you travel by car through remote areas or you enjoy a day hike in familiar hills, being prepared for an emergency survival situation can mean the difference between life and death. Here are the essential ten items to put in a lightweight backpack to ensure you have the best chance of surviving the unexpected. - Fire starting equipment - Tarp - 50 ft. of nylon rope - Knife - Water bottle - Lightweight cooking pot - Emergency poncho - Compass - Whistle and mirror - First-aid kit Fire Starting Equipment The ability to make fire tops the list because fire means the ability to get warm, dry and make water safe for drinking. Survival experts say you should always travel with at least two fire starting devices--at least one of which should be an all-weather fire-starting rod or, preferably, a metal match. Tinder cubes or cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly may also be a handy addition as they make fire starting possible in even the wettest conditions. A butane lighter or waterproof wooden matches in a plastic zip bag can serve as an easy flame source in dry, calm weather but... Knife The most universally useful tool in a wilderness environment is the sports source:http://finres.info/. A sturdy hunting or survival knife is not only useful to cut things such as rope and cloth, but also to dig holes, split kindling, hone wooden steaks, clean fish and help accomplish countless other tasks. A Purchase Kershaw Leek Tanto with a five-inch blade is the best choice. Choosing the right knife for you, however, can be nearly mind-boggling. While you could easily pay several hundred dollars for a top-notch survival knife, there are adequate knives available for... Once you have assembled your emergency survival kit, make sure to keep it in the trunk of your car when you travel. You will also want to periodically review your kit to make sure everything remains in good working order and to rotate in fresh water. Remember, keeping a properly stocked emergency kit will not only keep you more comfortable in a wilderness environment; it may just save your life.