The US military has various survival kits it supplies its pilots with. The kits are usually found underneath the seat, and are accessible should the pilot need to eject. Below is a list of the items found in a basic kit, as well as some adjustments for different scenarios and climates.

Basic US Military Survival Kits

The items contained in this kit are as follows:

Survival manual- covers all the materials in the kit and their uses. While it might not seem like someone in the military would need this, never underestimate a stressful environment’s ability to cause one to forget. A manual helps get the ball rolling when the body is surging with adrenaline and the mind is clouded.

Food packets- A few days worth of food rations.

Survival fishing kit- usually consisting of lines and hooks, meant to be set and left, returned to hours later.

Frying pan and compressed trioxane fuel- for cooking.

Water Bag- to store water in.

Water purification tablets- to purify water and make it drinkable.

Plastic spoon- for eating.

Saw/knife blade, Shovel head, and handle- A knife, a shovel head, and a handle that screws onto both. Saves space to share a handle and makes things easier to pack.

First aid kit- for treating wounds, injuries.

Waterproof matchbox- very key to have your fire supply waterproof.

MC-1 magnetic compass- to help navigate your way to safety.

Snare wire- many potential uses, from building a shelter, to using it as a fishing line, to strangling an enemy combatant.

Smoke signals and signalling mirror- to signal help.

Illuminating candles- for visibility in the dark.

Poncho- protection from the elements.

Sleeping pack- allows you to sleep and remain warm and dry.

Variations On The Kit

Other items can be added to the kit depending on the environment likely to be encountered. Some environments and modifications to the kit:

Desert- some additional items to the kit may include more water, sunscreen, shade hats and sunglasses. A lighter sleeping bag would be used. The fishing kit would admittedly seem less useful.

Arctic- some additional items would include cold weather clothing, heavier sleeping bags and a space blanket, snow goggles, snow shoes, a camp stove with fuel, extra socks, and arctic tent, canned drinking water, a chemical hand warmer.

Over water- some additional items would include floatation vests, fishing nets and equipment, a water desalting kit, a flare gun, sunscreen, an inflatable raft and a radio for contacting help.

Tropical- insect repellent, insect head netting, a large knife/machete, sunscreen, more water, seawater desalting kit, and specific medicine (anti-malaria, anti- fungal, etc).


Check out this article on creating your own 72 emergency kit, or bug out bag. If your an outdoors man or woman, read this article on building your own wilderness survival kit.

Good luck and stay prepared!

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  1. Irish-7 says:

    Pilots wear a vest with most of the items required for survival. I am not sure what, if anything is stored under the seat, as an explosive charge ejects the pilot out of the aircraft when the plane is on its way down. A long time ago, they used to have an M6 over/under rifle (22LR/410GA). There was an AR7 Air Force Survival Rifle made in 22 Long Rifle to replace the M6, but I am not sure if the Air Force ever contracted for them. I know I bought several of these rifles. Most pilots carry an M9 9mm pistol. Perhaps the Air Force did away with the rifle all together.

  2. On this topic all my info has come from research, so if you have military experience you are most likely correct. As for the firearms, that is a topic I am not well versed in, so I’ve avoided writing about it until I know what I’m talking about a little more. So thanks for filling in the gaps.

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