One-Man Bug Out Survival: Is the EVAQ-8 Survival Kit any Good
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Date: 2026-01-23
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Comments and reviews: 20
loragunning5394
Just my opinion, of course, but any emergency survival kit that does not include food, shelter, and a means to keep oneself warm at night is severely lacking.
When I was in high school (in USA, grades 9-12, I was taking a mandatory science class that required each student to imagine themself shipwrecked on a deserted island. We were given a list of items to equip our small sailboat with prior to it's being wrecked and tasked with both 1) choosing from the list which items to equip our boat with and 2) once shipwrecked, which items to carry ashore with us prior to the boat sinking and putting retrieval of any other items out of reach. It was a very interesting exercise for teenagers not really accustomed to thinking along bare bones survival needs. We only had (1) item by default: a Swiss Army knife we would have on our person at all times during our sail and resultant shipwreck. An inflatable, covered life raft was included as one of the optional items we could equip our sailboat with, as was a small open dinghy. we could choose one or the other. I really don't remember the array of other items we could choose, other than that there was a weight limit for both the sailboat and whatever escape vessel we chose, if we even chose one. We were all given the same exact specs for the sailboat and expected to name it. I named mine The Albatross. I found it a fascinating assignment, although in truth I don't remember many of my choice or how I fared, in terms or my final grade on the project. Other than what I named my boat, all I really remember is I did equip my boat with a solar-powered salt-to-fresh-water distillery, as one of the default conditions was the island we came to shore on had no obvious source of fresh water (although there was plant life there, and that I did choose to bring said distillery ashore with me. I also seem to remember I used my Swiss Army knife to cut one of the sails from the boat, to use as shelter. Folks, this was 55 years ago, hahahaha.
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Just my opinion, of course, but any emergency survival kit that does not include food, shelter, and a means to keep oneself warm at night is severely lacking.
When I was in high school (in USA, grades 9-12, I was taking a mandatory science class that required each student to imagine themself shipwrecked on a deserted island. We were given a list of items to equip our small sailboat with prior to it's being wrecked and tasked with both 1) choosing from the list which items to equip our boat with and 2) once shipwrecked, which items to carry ashore with us prior to the boat sinking and putting retrieval of any other items out of reach. It was a very interesting exercise for teenagers not really accustomed to thinking along bare bones survival needs. We only had (1) item by default: a Swiss Army knife we would have on our person at all times during our sail and resultant shipwreck. An inflatable, covered life raft was included as one of the optional items we could equip our sailboat with, as was a small open dinghy. we could choose one or the other. I really don't remember the array of other items we could choose, other than that there was a weight limit for both the sailboat and whatever escape vessel we chose, if we even chose one. We were all given the same exact specs for the sailboat and expected to name it. I named mine The Albatross. I found it a fascinating assignment, although in truth I don't remember many of my choice or how I fared, in terms or my final grade on the project. Other than what I named my boat, all I really remember is I did equip my boat with a solar-powered salt-to-fresh-water distillery, as one of the default conditions was the island we came to shore on had no obvious source of fresh water (although there was plant life there, and that I did choose to bring said distillery ashore with me. I also seem to remember I used my Swiss Army knife to cut one of the sails from the boat, to use as shelter. Folks, this was 55 years ago, hahahaha.
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phild8095
I beg you, all of you, put on your pack and spend some miles with it. Get to know how it fits with different things in it. Buy some yard sale stuff and tie it on or stuff it in the pack. The weather changes, your load changes. I've rucked 700 to 1100 miles a year for the past 5 1/2 years. Almost daily walk with the dog and a pack. Not only is it good exercise, but it has shown me that throwing on a pack and getting miles is a simple skill that most people do not have. I left home with a 27 pound pack one day and came home with a 55 pound pack due to all the hand and garden tools I purchased for a buck each. That 48 pry bar and the D handle trench shovel really took some ingenuity to tie on so they stayed in place. My load varies from 3-5 liters of water, winter clothes, summer clothes, sometimes a spare pad so I can sit on a snow covered bench. Sometimes I come home with a gallon of milk. (almost nine pounds)
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I beg you, all of you, put on your pack and spend some miles with it. Get to know how it fits with different things in it. Buy some yard sale stuff and tie it on or stuff it in the pack. The weather changes, your load changes. I've rucked 700 to 1100 miles a year for the past 5 1/2 years. Almost daily walk with the dog and a pack. Not only is it good exercise, but it has shown me that throwing on a pack and getting miles is a simple skill that most people do not have. I left home with a 27 pound pack one day and came home with a 55 pound pack due to all the hand and garden tools I purchased for a buck each. That 48 pry bar and the D handle trench shovel really took some ingenuity to tie on so they stayed in place. My load varies from 3-5 liters of water, winter clothes, summer clothes, sometimes a spare pad so I can sit on a snow covered bench. Sometimes I come home with a gallon of milk. (almost nine pounds)
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compwiz101
My own emergency kit I rather combined a few things - I have an Eton weather radio that has a flashlight AND USB charging port all in one bit of kit. Little solar panel helps top it up but it also has a substantial hand-crank to recharge the onboard lithium cell.
For a fire/cooking setup I have a knock-off picogrill 85 stick stove that folds dead flat along with a little 750ml titanium pot with a trangia knock-off: D
A firesteel, some waterproof storm matches, and firestarters made of vaseline-dredged cotton balls as well.
Water wise, I have water pouches but also a canteen and water purification tablets, and since I had the room I also tossed in a 4l collapsible water collection bag
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My own emergency kit I rather combined a few things - I have an Eton weather radio that has a flashlight AND USB charging port all in one bit of kit. Little solar panel helps top it up but it also has a substantial hand-crank to recharge the onboard lithium cell.
For a fire/cooking setup I have a knock-off picogrill 85 stick stove that folds dead flat along with a little 750ml titanium pot with a trangia knock-off: D
A firesteel, some waterproof storm matches, and firestarters made of vaseline-dredged cotton balls as well.
Water wise, I have water pouches but also a canteen and water purification tablets, and since I had the room I also tossed in a 4l collapsible water collection bag
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robertr4193
looks like the biggest drawback of the kit you tried in this video was the lack of any fire starting gear. I have a suggestion for a hardy fairly quick meal you could make I call it a modified Potato soup. Cut potatoes in to chunks start boiling potatoes in enough water to just cover them. Then pour in a can of evaporated filled milk not sure if you get it in the UK but the brand of evaporated milk I use is called Milnot and butter, slice up a link sausage in to it add pepper. If you have some arrow root powder, or corn starch, or simple wheat flour once the potatoes are soft you can add either of those to thicken the soup. It's tasty and quite filling.
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looks like the biggest drawback of the kit you tried in this video was the lack of any fire starting gear. I have a suggestion for a hardy fairly quick meal you could make I call it a modified Potato soup. Cut potatoes in to chunks start boiling potatoes in enough water to just cover them. Then pour in a can of evaporated filled milk not sure if you get it in the UK but the brand of evaporated milk I use is called Milnot and butter, slice up a link sausage in to it add pepper. If you have some arrow root powder, or corn starch, or simple wheat flour once the potatoes are soft you can add either of those to thicken the soup. It's tasty and quite filling.
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taoutdoors
Well done interesting to hear that the UK has very strict knife laws I even heard that you guys can no longer bow hunt Those card blades are frigging dangerous and you can easily slice your hand. I feel that that survival pack is missing a few items for the money you spent on it such as some fire lighters a decent rope toilet paper or wipes at least. A cheap lighter or matches a full tang knife a decent wire saw or a magnifying glass & compass just to name a few anyways each to their own. Stay safe now keep prepping.
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Well done interesting to hear that the UK has very strict knife laws I even heard that you guys can no longer bow hunt Those card blades are frigging dangerous and you can easily slice your hand. I feel that that survival pack is missing a few items for the money you spent on it such as some fire lighters a decent rope toilet paper or wipes at least. A cheap lighter or matches a full tang knife a decent wire saw or a magnifying glass & compass just to name a few anyways each to their own. Stay safe now keep prepping.
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billbaker4519
One thing about your water gathering. It used to be in going from the U. S. A to Mexico, people were told to use bottled water to prevent dysentery. But when they ordered a salad from a restaurant, the staff used the local water (if you weren't watching) resulting in dysentery. The moral. gather the water in a separate container boil it then pour it into the storage container. If you have a better spin on it, I'm interested. But the outside of the container is contaminated.
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One thing about your water gathering. It used to be in going from the U. S. A to Mexico, people were told to use bottled water to prevent dysentery. But when they ordered a salad from a restaurant, the staff used the local water (if you weren't watching) resulting in dysentery. The moral. gather the water in a separate container boil it then pour it into the storage container. If you have a better spin on it, I'm interested. But the outside of the container is contaminated.
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tonyn3123
For me, the previous survival kits are junk compared to this one. They should not have survival in the name. This one has possibilities but agree it's still lacking a few remaining items for actual survival. Positive side is that it has room to add fire lighting materials, etc. Some external straps to add bedding and shelter materials would be positive. A person should not go into a woodland without real personal knife and fire making starter of some kind anyway.
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For me, the previous survival kits are junk compared to this one. They should not have survival in the name. This one has possibilities but agree it's still lacking a few remaining items for actual survival. Positive side is that it has room to add fire lighting materials, etc. Some external straps to add bedding and shelter materials would be positive. A person should not go into a woodland without real personal knife and fire making starter of some kind anyway.
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xenophobiac4570
I like that you went through the bag; most of the time people will just toss it in their car or wherever then find they’re woefully unprepared and the kit doesn’t have half of what they need. I agree that a fire starting tool would be helpful. Add a couple of Bic lighters and charge maybe $1 more. The first aid kits in these bags are always bare bones. Ace wraps, SAM splints and superglue do wonders in the field. As always, good work.
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I like that you went through the bag; most of the time people will just toss it in their car or wherever then find they’re woefully unprepared and the kit doesn’t have half of what they need. I agree that a fire starting tool would be helpful. Add a couple of Bic lighters and charge maybe $1 more. The first aid kits in these bags are always bare bones. Ace wraps, SAM splints and superglue do wonders in the field. As always, good work.
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jamesellsworth9673
You made this interesting. The heavier mylar shelter bag does seem to improve durability, but condensation will still be an issue to address. I would not recommend gathering the opening too closely around the head and neck. For fire, I would still go with a Bic lighter in the kit. Maybe there were fire-safety concerns about packing one into a kit that would sit in a warehouse with other similar kits.
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You made this interesting. The heavier mylar shelter bag does seem to improve durability, but condensation will still be an issue to address. I would not recommend gathering the opening too closely around the head and neck. For fire, I would still go with a Bic lighter in the kit. Maybe there were fire-safety concerns about packing one into a kit that would sit in a warehouse with other similar kits.
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greenaum
Water doesn't technically ever go off, it's all been here for the last few billion years after all. It's the packaging! Same with plastic bottles of water. The plasticisers can leach out of the plastic, and over a length of time that's not entirely good for you. In an emergency though I'm sure you'd be better off drinking 20 year old water from a plastic bag, than not having any.
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Water doesn't technically ever go off, it's all been here for the last few billion years after all. It's the packaging! Same with plastic bottles of water. The plasticisers can leach out of the plastic, and over a length of time that's not entirely good for you. In an emergency though I'm sure you'd be better off drinking 20 year old water from a plastic bag, than not having any.
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taoutdoors
It's no good. In a SHTF situation that bag will make you a target. Man with crossbow wants to nick bag You run into the woods, he sees you. Thwock! A bolt in your neck and he nicks your obviously valuable supplies. Guess where you've hidden essential-for-survival stuff Hmm. Let me think. Could it be in that bright red and emergency fluorescent bag in your back, I wonder Hmmm.
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It's no good. In a SHTF situation that bag will make you a target. Man with crossbow wants to nick bag You run into the woods, he sees you. Thwock! A bolt in your neck and he nicks your obviously valuable supplies. Guess where you've hidden essential-for-survival stuff Hmm. Let me think. Could it be in that bright red and emergency fluorescent bag in your back, I wonder Hmmm.
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lesliespeaker668
Those exact compressed emergency rations with the water bags is what you'd normally find in an inflatable life raft. I think the brand logo even is an indication that it's for that purpose. I've once tested some that were expired for over 20 years, they didn't spoil and tasted exactly like you have described. In an emergency with nothing else not bad at all.
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Those exact compressed emergency rations with the water bags is what you'd normally find in an inflatable life raft. I think the brand logo even is an indication that it's for that purpose. I've once tested some that were expired for over 20 years, they didn't spoil and tasted exactly like you have described. In an emergency with nothing else not bad at all.
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wittewolf9866
They always put an expiration date on food, etc, because it's required, but it doesn't always tell you anything. Water doesn't perish! Period! Most of the drinking water we get from the ground here is a whopping 15, 000 years old. Another example: someone on the preppers forum recently tested a Bar-le-duc water pack that was six years out of date. No problem!
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They always put an expiration date on food, etc, because it's required, but it doesn't always tell you anything. Water doesn't perish! Period! Most of the drinking water we get from the ground here is a whopping 15, 000 years old. Another example: someone on the preppers forum recently tested a Bar-le-duc water pack that was six years out of date. No problem!
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taoutdoors
28: 40 a couple of those emergency shortbread cookies with a vertical fork cup of black coffee will definitely fuel you up for a day of trekking. However too many can cause brutal bloating and constipation. And it’s the type of constipation that can last a full 72-96 hours. They’re deceptively tasty but if you wolf down 4-6 of them God help you
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28: 40 a couple of those emergency shortbread cookies with a vertical fork cup of black coffee will definitely fuel you up for a day of trekking. However too many can cause brutal bloating and constipation. And it’s the type of constipation that can last a full 72-96 hours. They’re deceptively tasty but if you wolf down 4-6 of them God help you
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Stubear22374
I have been buying from Evaq 8 for years great survival supplier the kften have lots of new stuff and you can find som good value items for you bug out bag, they have recently started to raise prices but I get that everything is going up in price, based on that emergency survival bag I’ve already bought one for each family member
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I have been buying from Evaq 8 for years great survival supplier the kften have lots of new stuff and you can find som good value items for you bug out bag, they have recently started to raise prices but I get that everything is going up in price, based on that emergency survival bag I’ve already bought one for each family member
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corbenj
1. Whilst it’s got some nifty bits and bobs, I’m certain you’d have a similar experience with just the gear that you took.
2. A lot of people are saying to make your own kits but, pft! That’d be easy (and honestly a bit boring. I would like to see you put together a kit to the same value as each kit that you test/review.
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1. Whilst it’s got some nifty bits and bobs, I’m certain you’d have a similar experience with just the gear that you took.
2. A lot of people are saying to make your own kits but, pft! That’d be easy (and honestly a bit boring. I would like to see you put together a kit to the same value as each kit that you test/review.
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hayleyhugo22
Well Mike after all these emergency kits that you have tested im sure you would be able to create at least 2 really good ones for your shop. Maybe a budget one and a more advanced one or even an intermediate one in between. I really enjoy watching these its interesting to see what's in each one. this one seems quite alright
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Well Mike after all these emergency kits that you have tested im sure you would be able to create at least 2 really good ones for your shop. Maybe a budget one and a more advanced one or even an intermediate one in between. I really enjoy watching these its interesting to see what's in each one. this one seems quite alright
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280zjammer
Imagine enough EDC gear to overnight comfortably and build a fire easily even in wet weather plus so much more. That’s how I roll. I use my jacket to add a level of shelter and other bulkier stuff. I figure; If I need a jacket, I need more gear so I found a jacket with a lot of pocket capacity and I’m nearly backpacking.
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Imagine enough EDC gear to overnight comfortably and build a fire easily even in wet weather plus so much more. That’s how I roll. I use my jacket to add a level of shelter and other bulkier stuff. I figure; If I need a jacket, I need more gear so I found a jacket with a lot of pocket capacity and I’m nearly backpacking.
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TheSaneHatter
It's nice to have a pleasant surprise, once in a while. But if you're looking for fire, then be advised that one of MY favorite companies, America's Exotic, has recently released a fire kit, and not only would it be a fun (if specialized) one for you to try out, but if it works, you can just add it into THIS one!
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It's nice to have a pleasant surprise, once in a while. But if you're looking for fire, then be advised that one of MY favorite companies, America's Exotic, has recently released a fire kit, and not only would it be a fun (if specialized) one for you to try out, but if it works, you can just add it into THIS one!
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deborahtk4h
Another great video. The key to this pack I think, is the word Emergency’. If you or a member of your group had broken a leg, hip, or had major injuries there might not be the ability to collect wood for a fire, and keep it burning. Shelter and drinking water would be the priority while you waited to be rescued.
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Another great video. The key to this pack I think, is the word Emergency’. If you or a member of your group had broken a leg, hip, or had major injuries there might not be the ability to collect wood for a fire, and keep it burning. Shelter and drinking water would be the priority while you waited to be rescued.
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