The First 72 Hours Decide Everything
Most rescues happen within three days...but surviving until then takes more than luck. As an outdoorsman and retired law enforcement officer, I designed this kit with direct feedback from survival professionals and special operations members, then hand-assembled it with only field-proven gear.
Key Features
- 72-Hour Readiness: Covers fire, water, shelter, trauma care, navigation, signaling, tools, lighting, and power.
- Expert-Sourced Gear: ESEE, Suunto, Exotac, North American Rescue, Sawyer. No white-label fillers, only trusted brands.
- Redundancy Where It Matters: Multiple fire, water, and lighting solutions so you’re never down to one.
- Compact & Rugged: Maxpedition Proteus Versipack: weather-resistant, MOLLE-ready, and built for hard use.
- Hand-Assembled in the USA: Built to order, packed and inspected in-house.
OPERIS isn’t theory. It’s the professional-grade foundation I trust myself in the field.
Rugged, Tough and Ready to Deploy
When you’re stranded 20 miles from nowhere — broken down on a desert trail or caught in a storm — cheap, flimsy gear is the last thing you need. OPERIS was built for that moment: designed by seasoned outdoorsmen, refined by survival experts, special operations, and proven in the field.
What Sets OPERIS Apart
No White-Label Gear — We source from experts: ESEE for blades, Suunto for navigation, Exotac for fire, NAR for medical.
Trusted Brands — Premium, professional-grade tools carried by overlanders, medics, and rescue pros.
Built-In Redundancy — Multiple fire, light, and water solutions so you’re never left with one option.
Hand-Assembled in the USA — Packed and inspected in-house, never mass-produced.
Compact but Capable — Carried in the Maxpedition Proteus Versipack: rugged, weather-resistant, MOLLE-ready.
Hard Use Gear, No Compromises
Tthe OPERIS Go-Bag delivers. Built for real emergencies, OPERIS puts the right tools in your hands when failure isn’t an option.
What's In It?
THE ADVENTURER
A robust kit with hard use tools and critical gear for advanced readiness.
CARRY BAG:
- Maxpedition Proteus Versipack
A rugged 1000D, weather-resistant, compact carry bag designed for organization and quick accessibility. Can be worn as a butt-pack or cross-body slung.
FIRE & HEAT:
- Exotac PolyStriker XL Ferro Rod
A lightweight, durable, and compact fire starter with an integrated striker. USA-made with a lifetime warranty. Replaces the UCO Titan Fire Ferro Rod. - UCO Survival Stormproof Match Kit
Sealed case with 15 windproof and waterproof matches. 12-second burn time. Integrated striker. - Tinder Quik Fire Starting Tabs (10x)
Quick-igniting tinder to pair with your fire starter. - Hand & Body Heat Packs (4x)
Disposable heat packs to keep you warm in cold conditions. That little bit of comfort goes a long way toward mental health.
WATER FILTRATION:
- Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System
Filters up to 100,000 gallons of water. The 0.1 micron absolute filter removes bacteria, protozoa, E. coli, Giardia, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella Typhi, Leptospirosis, and microplastics. - Whirl-Pack 1L Bags X3
Additional pouches for clean water storage after filtration.
SHELTER:
- SOL Emergency Bivvy
A lightweight, ultra-compact emergency sleeping bag shelter that retains up to 90% of body heat.
FIRST AID:
- Snake Staff Systems ETQ Gen 1 + IFAK Bundle
A North American Rescue compact trauma kit including medical gloves, wound-packing gauze, 2x Hyfin Compact Chest Seals, and an incredibly compact windlass ETQ tourniquet for bleeding control and trauma care. - Snake Staff Systems Snakeskin ETQ Sleeve
A compact sleeve to store and protect your ETQ tourniquet.
SIGNALING & NAVIGATION:
- Floating Signal Mirror
Can be seen from over 10 miles away. Ideal for distress signaling in the wilderness. - Windstorm Safety Whistle
Capable of being heard from over half a mile away, or even underwater. - Suunto A-10 Compass
Considered the gold standard in user-friendly compasses. - ESEE Navigation Cards
Compact, waterproof information cards to assist in land navigation. Includes a waterproof notepad.
TOOLS & ESSENTIALS:
- Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife
A military-grade, full-tang survival knife with an ambidextrous sheath, glass breaker pommel, and grippy handle. USA-made with a lifetime warranty. Replaces the Cold Steel SRK. - Silky F180 Folding Saw
Compact yet highly effective saw for processing firewood or shelter building. - NestOut 10,000mAh Rugged Waterproof Power Bank
A rugged power bank with IP67 waterproofing, shock absorption chassis, and 10,000mAh capacity to keep your cellphone working and your headlamp charged. - Atwood Rope BattleCord (50ft)
Ultra-tough rope with 2650 lbs tensile strength. This is 550 paracord’s big brother. USA-made. - Atwood Rope Micro Cord (125ft)
Versatile cord for various survival tasks such as shelter or tool building, letting you preserve your main cordage. - Singing Rock COLT Screw Locking Carabiner
Compact, high-strength locking carabiner with I-beam construction for reduced weight without sacrificing performance. Certified to EN12275 (Sport) and EN362 (Work), and rated to 26 kN major axis strength. Features a 28mm gate opening, ergonomic keylock nose, and anodized aluminum alloy construction. Individually tested and traceable by unique serial number. User assumes all responsibility for proper use and must have appropriate training. LYNX Survival Systems and Stay Ready Outdoors are not liable for misuse of climbing or load-bearing equipment. - ESEE Survival Card Set
Essential survival information in waterproof card format. - Rite in the Rain Mini Bolt Action Pen
Weatherproof pen for writing in all conditions. - Exotac ripSPOOL Field Repair Kit
Includes a sail needle, heavy-duty repair tape, Kevlar braided line, and fire cord lanyard for field repairs. Replaces the Mini Duct Tape Roll. - Cyalume 6" Chemlight - White
Ultra-bright chemlights, perfect for marking trails or other low-light situations. - 42 Gallon Contractor Grade HD Trash Bag
3 mil thickness, heavy duty. Works as a poncho or makeshift tarp in a pinch. Use to gather water in a storm or via condensation. Endless uses. - Maratac Afterburner Glow Tag
Amazingly bright and quick to charge under natural or artificial light. Find your pack in the dark when seconds count.
LIGHTING:
- Nitecore NU25 Headlamp
Ultra-light and compact headlamp. 400 lumens max. Max runtime on low: 45 hours. Rechargeable. Replaces the NU21.
THE SURVIVALIST
The ultimate loadout—modeled after my personal kit and built from real-world experience. This is what I carry in my own rig. Field-tested. Refined. Not for the faint of heart.
CARRY SYSTEM:
- Maxpedition Proteus Versipack
A rugged 1000D, weather-resistant, compact carry bag designed for organization and quick accessibility. Can be worn as a butt-pack or cross-body slung. - Maxpedition Janus Pouch
Modular pouch used to house the trauma kit. Includes First Aid PVC patch for clear identification. Clips directly to the Versipack for fast access.
FIRE & HEAT:
- Exotac FireRod V2
An aircraft-grade aluminum handle with a replaceable ferro rod and waterproof tinder storage. Built for long-term durability. USA-made with a lifetime warranty. - Exotac MATCHCAP XL Match Vault with 15 Stormproof Matches
Crush-resistant aluminum match case with integrated striker pads. Waterproof and built to withstand extreme conditions. - Exotac Mini fireSLEEVE with Lighter
Waterproof lighter sleeve with improved grip and retention. Floats in water. Comes with a BIC lighter. - Pocket Bellows
Telescoping stainless steel tube that directs oxygen directly into the heart of your fire. Allows for safe and efficient fire building, especially in damp conditions. - Tinder Quik Fire Starting Tabs (10x)
Quick-igniting tinder to pair with your fire starter. - Hot Hands Hand Warmers (2 Pack x2)
Disposable heat packs to keep you warm in cold conditions. That little bit of comfort goes a long way toward mental health.
WATER FILTRATION:
- Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System
Filters up to 100,000 gallons of water. The 0.1 micron absolute filter removes bacteria, protozoa, E. coli, Giardia, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella Typhi, Leptospirosis, and microplastics. - Whirl-Pack 1L Bags X3
Additional pouches for clean water storage after filtration.
SHELTER:
- SOL Emergency Bivvy
A lightweight, ultra-compact emergency sleeping bag shelter that retains up to 90% of body heat. Includes built-in emergency whistle.
FIRST AID:
- Snakestaff Systems ETQ + IFAK
A North American Rescue compact trauma kit including medical gloves, wound-packing gauze, 2x Hyfin Compact Chest Seals, and an incredibly compact windlass ETQ tourniquet for bleeding control and trauma care. - Snakestaff Systems Snakeskin ETQ Sleeve
A compact sleeve to store and protect your ETQ tourniquet. Stored inside the Janus Pouch for rapid access.
SIGNALING & NAVIGATION:
- Suunto MC-2 NH Mirror Compass
One of the best mirrored compasses on the market, featuring adjustable declination, a sighting mirror, and luminous markings for night use. - Floating Signal Mirror
Can be seen from over 10 miles away. Ideal for distress signaling in the wilderness. - Windstorm Safety Whistle
Capable of being heard from over half a mile away, or even underwater. - ESEE Navigation Cards
Compact, waterproof information cards to assist in land navigation. Includes a waterproof notepad.
KNOWLEDGE & REDUNDANCY:
- Grim Workshop 20-Piece Emergency & Survival Tip Card Kit
A compact survival guide featuring 20 double-sided weatherproof cards, each packed with practical, field-ready survival knowledge. Topics include navigation, signaling, food procurement, water purification, vehicle survival techniques, shelter construction, and more. Cards are printed on durable, tear-resistant, UV-stable plastic and stored in a metal slide-top tin. Designed to fit in your pocket or pack without adding bulk, this kit ensures critical information is always within reach.
TOOLS & ESSENTIALS:
- ESEE Model 4 Fixed Blade Knife
A compact but highly capable 1095 high carbon steel fixed blade knife with molded sheath and belt clip. Personally preferred over the Model 5 for its better balance and carryability. USA-made. - Silky F180 Folding Saw
Compact yet highly effective saw for processing firewood or shelter building. - NestOut 10,000mAh Rugged Waterproof Power Bank
A rugged power bank with IP67 waterproofing, shock absorption chassis, and 10,000mAh capacity to keep your cellphone working and your headlamp charged. - Atwood Rope BattleCord (50ft)
Ultra-tough rope with 2650 lbs tensile strength. This is 550 paracord’s big brother. USA-made. Not a lifeline. - Atwood Rope Micro Cord (125ft)
Versatile cord for various survival tasks such as shelter or tool building, letting you preserve your main cordage. - Exotac ripSPOOL Field Repair Kit
Includes a sail needle, heavy-duty repair tape, Kevlar braided line, and fire cord lanyard for field repairs. - Singing Rock COLT Screw Locking Carabiner
Compact, high-strength locking carabiner with I-beam construction for reduced weight without sacrificing performance. Certified to EN12275 (Sport) and EN362 (Work), and rated to 26 kN major axis strength. Features a 28mm gate opening, ergonomic keylock nose, and anodized aluminum alloy construction. Individually tested and traceable by unique serial number. User assumes all responsibility for proper use and must have appropriate training. LYNX Survival Systems and Stay Ready Outdoors are not liable for misuse of climbing or load-bearing equipment. - Rite in the Rain Mini Bolt Action Pen
Weatherproof pen for writing in all conditions. - Cyalume 6" Chemlight - White
Ultra-bright chemlights, perfect for marking trails or other low-light situations. - 42 Gallon Contractor Grade HD Trash Bag
3 mil thickness, heavy duty. Works as a poncho or makeshift tarp in a pinch. Use to gather water in a storm or via condensation. Endless uses. - Maratac Afterburner Glow Tag
Amazingly bright and quick to charge under natural or artificial light. Find your pack in the dark when seconds count.
LIGHTING:
- Nitecore NU43 Headlamp
High-performance rechargeable headlamp. 1400 lumens max. Max runtime on low: 29 hours. Uses a high-capacity 18650 battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does OPERIS cost more than other survival kits?
A: OPERIS isn’t built with generic gear. Every item comes from trusted brands like ESEE, Suunto, Exotac, NAR, Sawyer, and Silky. No filler, no knock-offs — just professional-grade tools proven in the field.
Q: What’s actually inside the kit?
A: Full contents are listed on this page. Nothing is hidden — you’ll know the exact gear, down to the brand and model.
Q: Is this kit everything I’ll ever need?
A: No survival kit can truly be a one-size-fits-all solution — and that includes ours. What we’ve built is a professional-grade foundation: trauma care, water purification, fire redundancy, shelter, navigation, and hard-use tools. These are the core systems you can’t improvise under pressure.
But survival is also personal. We strongly recommend customizing your kit with items specific to you and your situation, such as:
- Prescription medications and medical supplies
- Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Season-appropriate clothing (cold-weather gear, rain layers, etc.)
- Infant or pet essentials
- Copies of critical documents or spare keys
Think of your LYNX kit as the mission-ready backbone — you can rely on it in any emergency. Adding your personal essentials makes it truly complete.
Q: How is OPERIS carried?
A: OPERIS is staged in the Maxpedition Proteus Versipack. It can be worn cross-body, waist-mounted, or shoulder-slung with optional straps. Compact enough for overland rigs, rugged enough for backcountry carry.
Q: Is OPERIS enough to keep me alive in an emergency?
A: Yes — it covers the core survival systems: fire, water, shelter, trauma care, navigation, signaling, lighting, and hard-use tools. It’s a professional-grade foundation for the critical first 72 hours.
Q: Can I customize the kit?
A: Yes. We can tailor loadouts to your needs, and we support bulk and agency builds through RFQ
Customer Reviews
Love this kit. Purchased last minute in a pinch, & will most likely purchase another one. This kit was very well thought out. Honestly, the best I’ve come across in a pre-made kit. 100% name brand, best in class, quality gear. Everything you might need to save your life or sustain it, no fillers, no frills. Unless you’re procuring everything yourself, that’s a rare find, and penny for penny the value is there. As an added bonus, the owner himself very quickly responded to an email I’d sent & provided 5 star customer service experience. I sincerely recommend Stay Ready Outdoors for wherever outdoor adventure takes you.
It was a pleasure working with you on your kit, Corrin! Thank you for recognizing the hard work and thought that goes into the development of these kits. Safe travels and keep in touch! Stay Ready!
-Charles, owner
I purchased the LYNX Go-Bag: Survivalist Tier to examine and compare with my own, personally built bags. I found the quality of the gear to be superior to many of the pre-packed backs available on the market today. It was obvious to me that this company has taken the time to research their components to ensure they aren't including cheap knock=-off items that will fail to function properly or break quickly. After 26+ years in the military and a life-long learner, focusing on preparedness (many, many courses with FEMA, CERT trainer experience, and a doctorate degree specializing in preparedness at the local level), I can say unequivocally Stay Ready Outdoors has put together a top-tier go bag product.
With your experience and background, I am truly humbled by your support. I very much enjoyed our phone conversation the other day, I left it feeling educated and driven harder to keep putting out quality kits and staying the course. Thank you sir, and Stay Ready!
I ordered the LYNX GO-BAG SURVIVAL KIT in the Survivalist / Black edition. The bag arrived as expected and had all the items mentioned. Its well put together and really makes it an easy choice if you are not sure what to include in a go bag. Great job! Looking towards what you guys make next.
Thank you sir! It was great working with you on building your kit. If you do any modifications to it throw up some photos, I love seeing how our customers personalize their kits and put them to work. If you ever need anything please hit me up, I'll make sure you are taken care of. Stay Ready!
-Charles
This kit is as about as complete as you can get for a compact kit. The quality of the gear is top notch. It has well know reputable brands that have been in the industry for many years. With that being said, I have customized my kit to fit my needs ans wants a little more. I added a mini sharpie and a small zip lock full of band-aids and travel meds to add to the medical side of the kit. I added the ESEE mini kit and pouch to the knife. I also took out a couple of the Sawyer bags for whirlpak stand up bags, water purification tablets and a Grayl Ultrapress. I've attached a few pictures of the things I've added.
Thank you Kevin! I love seeing how our customers build off our kits and customize them to their needs. I'm currently working on some new kits and your modifications are definitely in-line with some options I'll be adding to the custom kit builder. Stay Ready!
Got my Founders Tier kit in and couldn’t be happier with it. The quality of the gear is excellent, and you can tell a lot of thought went into the details. It’s not a budget kit—and it shows. Definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something that’s ready to go out of the box. I did add some boo boo items and meds to the fak and a Leatherman and a millennium food bar to the main bag but other than that it’s spot on.
Paul, thank you for your support of our small shop, and it means so much to hear you are happy with your go-bag! I'm always excited to hear how our customers modify and enhance their kits when they get them....that's the point! Use it, build on it, tailor it to your own. Love it. Stay Ready!
Why Create the LYNX Go-Bag?
Owner Charles Quarto delves into why he felt compelled to create a premium, hard hitting survival kit.
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