The “5C’s of Survivability” is a system developed by Dave Canterbury of Self Reliance Outfitters and the Pathfinder School. This system is taught throughout the Pathfinder School programs and discussed wildly across Dave Canterbury’s videos and elsewhere. Fundamentally, the 5C’s of survivability are exemplified in the historic practices of a variety of peoples.

The 5C’s of survivability offer a categorical system for gear considerations when heading into the outdoors. Each one of the 5C’s of survivability is a critical category of equipment for a survival situation. The 5C’s of survivability are comprised of:

• Cover (e.g. clothing system, tarp, or tent)
• Cutting Tool (e.g. Axe, hatchet, machete, fixed blade knife, or folding blade)
• Combustion Means (e.g. lighter, matches, or Ferro rod)
• Cordage (e.g. 550 cord, bank line, or tubular nylon webbing)
• Container (e.g. Nalgene, cook pot, or canteen)

Notably, these categories of equipment are also difficult or time consuming to reproduce in nature. However, they may be used in conjunction to drastically affect one’s situation in the outdoors.

Gear Selection, Risk Assessment and the Outdoors

I have carried the 5C’s of Survivability in my outdoor kits since I was a teenager. Importantly, the 5C’s system offers categorical recommendations. The precise form of equipment that satisfies the category is situation dependent.

For example, a proper clothing system would likely satisfy the “cover” category on a short nature walk but would fall short for the demands of a a multi day outing.

Today we will look at the 5C’s of Survivability integrated into a simple day-hiking kit. I recently used this gear system on a hike in the Adirondack High Peaks.

With any outdoor activity the outdoorsman must conduct a personal risk assessment. The individual should weigh their experience level, objectives, group experience, and environment in this personal risk assessment. One’s personal gear choices should be a reflection of this risk analysis.

5C’s of Survivability Hiking Kit

Here’s a simple kit I’ve used implementing the 5C’s of Survivability on an Adirondack High Peaks hike (read more). Importantly, this kit is not stagnant. I constantly adapt and change gear based on conditions and my personal level of risk acceptance.

Cover

My clothing system was my only “cover” system for this day trip. With fringe Fall temperatures I leaned toward an extra warming layer, opting for:

• Eddie Bauer zip off hiking pants
• Kuiu Short sleeve merino shirt
• Duckworth Merino Wool powder Hoody
• Kuiu Pro Down puffy (did not wear)

I assumed some risk by not bringing a rain jacket. I did bring a rain fly for my pack.

Cutting Tool

A multitool is a simple option for everday carry. I add a fixed blade belt knife on long day trips for the insurance of redundancy and increased capability.

• Mora Garberg on Belt
• Gerber multitool in Fannypack

Combustion

Both the Ferro rod and lighter take up minimal space and are efficient means of fire lighting combustion.

• Lighter in Fanny pack
• Ferro rod in Fanny pack
• Sunto orienteering compass has small magnifying glass for emergency.

Container

In regions with sufficient streams I have stopped carrying a camelback. Instead I rely on a gravity filter to resupply water as needed. If I need to carry additional volume I can use the gravity filter as a bladder without a hose. I have found this system cuts on weight. However, it requires situational awareness about water resources in your environment.

• 1-liter Nalgene
• 16 oz Gatorade (blue)
• 3 L Katadyn gravity filter (empty)

Pack

A simple day pack will carry your equipment. I prefer to wear a fanny pack that holds my essentials directly on my person. I find this more comfortable than stuffing too many things in my pockets.

• Gregory 30 L Zulu Day pack.
• Eberlestock Fannypack

Cordage

There are numerous options for cordage. This trip I had a spool of bankline set aside. Rope can be used for a variety of tasks. However, someone once told me rope is useless unless you know the knots that make it work. Again, we are reminded that our gear is only as useful as knowledge and experience allows it to be.

• Bankline (approximately 30 ft)

5C’s of Survivability and Hiking Kit

The 5C’s of Survivability is a system that relies on integration with wilderness knowledge and experience. This is just one example of how the 5C’s of Survivability might be carried for a day hiking kit. More lessons about the 5C’s are available from a variety of sources including Dave Canterbury’s YouTube channel.

How do you carry the 5C’s of survivability?

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