Whether you are backpacking for a day, a week or a month, you must always be ready to deal with emergencies if and when they arise. Along with all the gear you carry in your backpack, there is one collection of backpacking gear that should always be available and they are known as the 10 Essentials.
With this rather modest kit, you will be better able to spend an unexpected night in the woods or in the most extreme cases, survive.
Type of Camping or Backpacking Dictates Your Survival Kit
Each backpacking and camping trip presents different challenges. The 10 Essentials you will need will change based on the conditions you will face. A short day hike will not require all of he items listed while a major back country trip will have you taking more than the basic 10 items.
But one thing is certain, if you are heading into an area where you could be forced to stay the nigh, then you will want to carry at least the first three items.
The Basic 10 Essentials
Map and Compass – Some form of navigation is a must when backpacking, but many times day hikers will forgo this item, which is a mistake. Even on extended day hikes, a person can become confused and in more remote areas, it does not take long to become lost.
Flashlight – It does not take much to carry a small light even on day hikes. Having a flashlight will allow you to follow a trail in dim light or collect wood in the event a night is spent on the trail. Keep in mind this is an extra item and can serve as a backup to your main light. Just keep it light in weight when you choose one.
Extra clothing– When you have your pack with you, there should be all the clothing you need. But on day hikes an extra piece of clothing can keep you warm, dry or help keep the bugs off. In the summer, a light-weight long sleeved shirt comes in handy in the evening when the bugs begin their attack.
Knife– A backpacker will usually have a knife available while on the trail, but it is also needed on day hikes. It is one piece of gear that should always be at hand.
First aid kit – Carrying a small first aid kit can save the day in situations from bug bites or cuts, to a simple headache. A small kit weighs only one ounce or so and will fit in a pocket. Again this is a backup kit so it does not need to be as complete as the main first aid kit.
Water purification tablets – With these you will have the option if needed, to refill your water bottle from a lake or stream. Under no circumstances should you ever drink water that has not been purified.
Fire starters and matches – When it comes to staying comfortable at night a fire can really help. On cold nights it will help keep you warm and in the summer, it can drive off bugs and it can create smoke to signal rescuers. Having a fire starting kit with matches stored in a waterproof container and some sort of fire starting aid will make life much easier.
Water and Food– When it comes to staying healthy you must have water. Most people carry a water bottle with them while on the trail and in the event that the next water source is not available, the backup water can save the day. The same goes for extra food, whether on a long trip or a day hike. In an emergency it will give you the energy you need to make clear decisions. Even a few energy bars will hold you for a couple days if rationed in the event you are stranded in the back country.
Parachute cord– A 20-foot piece of cord can serve as a belt if you need one, it works great for boot laces and you can use it to rig a shelter.
Small tarp and space blanket – With a 4 x 6-foot tarp you will have a place to sit on the ground or something to sleep under. It can also be used as a makeshift poncho in the event of rain or a way to carry fire wood. The small space blanket, which weighs about one ounce, will help keep you warm or can be rigged to reflect the heat from a fire. This is one item that should be in every pack, always.
Staying Safe Backpacking or Camping
The thing about the 10 Essentials is that it is a starting point for a survival kit that will help keep you safe in the outdoors. And based on what you are doing and when, the kit will shrink or grow, but some sort of kit should always be available.
Always keep one in your pack in an easy to reach place, because you never know when you are going to need it, and after all that is the whole point behind having it available.
So load up your pack, toss in the 10 Essentials and then head out and have some fun in the outdoors.
