9 Must Have Survival Products Going Viral in 2018

Many people think that emergency preparedness is all about getting ready for certain disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and others - but this is only one small part of a much larger story. While it's true that these types of situations are important to guard yourself against, particularly as hurricanes become more frequent and more devastating all the time, true emergency preparedness is only effective if it accounts both for what you can predict... and what you can't.

According to The American Housing Survey conducted by the Census Bureau and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, most people aren't quite sure how to address these and other types of dangers. An estimated 46.1% of people say that they hadn't yet prepared an emergency evacuation kit and an astounding 60.6% of people say they weren't even sure where they would meet family, friends and other loved ones in the event of an emergency in the first place.

What do you do if you're out for an afternoon of hiking and suddenly realize that you're not where you thought you were? Worse, that you're lost - and that you currently have absolutely no idea how to get back to your car or campsite? What do you do if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere? The fact that you just had it serviced last week suddenly doesn't matter - the stakes are what they are and the only choice you now have is to react in the best way possible. How do you take steps to prepare yourself for these and other types of unpredictable scenarios?

All of this is to say that despite the wonders of modern technology, the old mantra of "always be prepared" still very much applies in the current era. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of nine incredible survival products that are making waves in 2018 and beyond. Regardless of the situation you find yourself in or even in the wake of the challenges that you hoped you'd never have to face but currently do, these terrific viral products will certainly have you covered in more ways than one.

1. Roadside HERO ™ 9-IN-1 Auto Emergency Flashlight / Device

The Roadside HERO™ will most likely become the best and most useful tool you've ever owned. Your flashlight collection is not complete without this solar powered multi-function survival flashlight with hammer, belt cutter, magnet, compass, and power bank. It can be used as a regular 3-mode 200 lumen standard flashlight, 10 LED bright white work light light, or red emergency sos light. The unique tip has a belt cutter, hammer (for breaking glass in case of an emergency) and a magnet to pick stuff up or to mount the flashlight. The solar panel allows you to get endless power to its built in 2000mah 18650 battery. This flashlight also doubles as a power bank to charge your usb devices. This is the perfect item to keep in the car, home, backpack, bugout bag, or pretty much ANYWHERE.

2. Portable Car Battery Jump Starter

The SA-CPB400 is the next-generation of rechargeable 4-in-1 multi-function power banks. It is compact enough to store in a glove box or under a seat when not in use, ensuring that drivers anywhere have a power option to start their vehicle in a number of situations without the need to rely on towing services or the generosity of a jumpstart from a stranger.

3. The Ultralight Portable Outdoor Pot Pan & Stove Set with Piezo Ignition

Whether you're interested in camping, backpacking, hiking or even just emergency preparedness, it's always a good idea to know how you're going to prepare your next meal. This is especially true for situations where you end up spending more time outside than you originally planned on. With that simple goal in mind comes the Ultralight Portable Outdoor Pot Pan & Stove Set with Piezo Ignition - perhaps the single best set for nearly any situation you find yourself in. Not only do the pan and pot nest together for fast and efficient storage, but the included mesh bag also contains more than enough room to add in additional utensils or anything else you might require.

4. The Multi-Function Paracord Shoelaces with Ferrocerium Tipped Flint Fire Starter

Part of emergency preparedness involves planning for those events that you can predict, along with those you can't. Any survival item that lets you kill two proverbial birds with one stone is one worth having around - such is the case with the Multi-Function Paracord Shoelaces with Ferrocerium Tipped Flint Fire Starter. Not only do you get laces that serve as an incredibly effective fire starter, but they also act as an extremely durable 550 pound (!) paracord should the need arise. Never let wet matches stand in the way of you and a warm, toasty fire ever again.

5. The Mini Portable Pocket Pen Fishing Rod and Reel

Fishing is one of those rare activities that can effortlessly shift between "pleasure" and "survival" depending on the situation you find yourself in. If you planned for an afternoon of relaxing sportsmanship, you probably already brought your fishing rod and reel. If you didn't, you absolutely don't want to find yourself out of luck. Now, thanks to the Mini Portable Pocket Pen Fishing Rod and Reel, this is one situation you don't have to worry about ever again. The unit itself is just 8 inches when closed and opens up to approximately 38 inches when duty calls. The rod itself is made of fibre glass and aluminum alloy, proving more than capable of standing up to even the harshest demands.

6. The Military Style Outdoor 30L Waterproof Rucksack/Backpack

Mother Nature can be your best friend or your worst enemy - it all depends on whether or not you were adequately prepared for whatever challenge you currently place. Now, thanks to the Military Style Outdoor 30L Waterproof Rucksack/Backpack, you can keep ALL of your essentials protected regardless of what the weather happens to throw at you. This is a high quality backpack suitable for literally any situation that is not only 600D water resistant, but also has five expanding compartments that provide an astounding 30 liters of storage. The mesh padded back panel can even hold up to a 2.5 litre hydration bladder, though that bladder is not included.

7. The 10-in-1 Multifunction Military Compass Kit

One of the tried-but-true mantras of survival is that EVERY item in your bag should have a dedicated purpose, no exceptions. There will be situations that you find yourself in where you cannot afford anything superfluous, which is part of what makes the 10-in-1 Multifunction Military Compass Kit so exciting. This single item acts not only as a compass but also as a reflector, a level bead, a magnifying glass, a pick-up actuator, a fire stone, a flint blade and so much more - absolutely justifying its place alongside your other essentials in your bag.

8. The Stainless Steel Gravity/Grappling Hook with Magnetic Retriever

Anyone who is a true fan of adventuring in the great outdoors can tell you that there are few items more essential than a grappling hook. To paraphrase an old saying, "it's better to have a grappling hook and not need it than need a grappling hook and not have it." Whether you're interested in camping, hiking, hunting or fishing, the Stainless Steel Gravity/Grappling Hook with Magnetic Retriever is a more than worthy addition to your arsenal for a number of key reasons. Not only does it act as a mechanical claw, a grappling hook and a magnetic crane all in one, but it can also pull up to 350 pounds effortlessly. The ultra strong Earth magnet attachment can even hold up to 55 pounds all on its own should the need arise.

9. The Stealth Angel Tact-1200 Flashlight Kit

Anyone who has spent any appreciable amount of time outdoors can tell you that there are few tools more valuable to have around than a flashlight. This isn't just any flashlight, however - the Stealth Angel Tact-1200 Flashlight Kit is literally a full 25 times brighter than a normal flashlight - and we're just getting started. In addition to the rugged aircraft aluminum housing that comprises the lightweight and durable body, the unit is IP 65 rated waterproof and comes with five distinct lighting modes for you to choose from depending on your needs: flash, strobe, SOS, high and medium. This makes it the absolute perfect item to keep by your side regardless of where you happen to be, from the comfort of your own home to your vehicle to by your side during your next hiking expedition.

10. The 15-in-1 Heavy Duty Multi-Function Folding Shovel

Again: one of the recurring themes throughout all of these items is that any item you bring with you on a trip outdoors needs to be valuable enough to justify its own existence. When the going gets tough, you can't afford any wasted space in your bag - end of story. This is also part of the reason why the 15-in-1 Heavy Duty Multi-Function Folding Shovel is going viral in the best possible way - from camping to hunting to gardening and beyond, it has more than enough features to quickly become one of your favorite items to keep by your side. Not only does it come complete with a compass, a fire starter, a screwdriver, a safety hammer, a scale knife/saw, a bottle opener/cutter and so much more, but the adjustable size also makes it incredibly easy to store and take with you - regardless of where life happens to take you next.

11. The Stealth Angel Survival/Everyday Carry Kit

Last but not least we have an item that was designed by experts for experts, intended to keep you safe in absolutely every situation - regardless of whether you could predict certain variables or not. The Stealth Angel Survival/Everyday Carry Kit is an 8-in-1 kit specifically designed by a professional team of law enforcement members, military veterans and outdoor enthusiasts. The product of their imagination is an impressive kit that you can take ANYWHERE - each included high quality item is provided to cover the widest range of possible scenarios. With items like a heavy duty steel pen carbide tip, a professional tact flashlight, a large ferrocerium rod flint, an aluminum high frequency whistle and more, you're looking at over 1000 possible combinations for making the most out of a single incredible purchase.