Dustin doesn’t consider himself a “survival expert.” Instead, he sees himself as an expert outdoorsman–the difference being his life is rarely in “imminent danger” when he’s in the wild. He’s learned by his own hand how to live and sustain himself in the wilderness, thanks to numerous weeks spent in the American backcountry. His solo expeditions have taken him from Montana to Alaska, pushing him to rely less and less on modern equipment to guide and support him. He knows he will have to push himself harder than ever once alone on Vancouver Island. He plans to rely heavily on his real world experience during this time in the wild. He’s left behind his wife and their two dogs, and while he’s trying to understand the enormity of the challenges involved, he’s excited to learn more about himself and test his mental toughness.

Here are the ten items Dustin selected to bring on his survival journey to Vancouver Island:

1. 550 paracord – 20m

2. Ax

3. Sleeping bag

4. Large 2-quart pot

5. Ferro rod

6. Water bottle/canteen

7. 300 yards of single filament line with 25 assorted hooks

8. Small gauge gill net

9. Slingshot

10. Knife