Emergency Gear - What do you carry?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin on August 1, 2008 at 1:07pm

Well this depends on hiking, climbing or pedaling. It also depends on the location. But for the most part, the break down is as follows.

Hiking- First Aid Kit with: Bandgaes, gauze, tape, tongue depressors, Cotton balls, Floss, Q-Tips, Alcohol, Iodine, Hydrogen Peroxide pads, Bayer Back n Body, Clove Oil, and few other natural meds that I pick or dry and carry. Also always, a spare knife, Ace Bandage, Visene, cell phone, Safety Pins, and Shoelaces.

Climbing the same thing, except less meds and more gauze.

Pedaling-Just Bandages, gauze, alcohol prep pads, and tape.

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Permalink Reply by Suzanne on August 10, 2008 at 12:30pm

As the organizer and leader of my own hiking group (hiking.meetup.com/362), I usually carry extra water, iodine pills to desinfect water, vitamin & mineral pills, a Sam splint & straps for making a splint, in addition to what Kevin listed.

It is recommended that everyone carries a flashlight or headlamp in case you get lost in the forest and have to spend the night. If the night promises to be cold, a space blanket should also be in your pack.

Tweezers are good for removing splinters.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin on August 10, 2008 at 4:06pm

Ahh good catch on the flashlight, in fact I'd even recommend one with a strobe option to help others find you. I always also carry an emergency blanket(foil), I always have a water filtration system (Katadyn Micro Filter) along with some purification tablets. Obviously multitool or swiss knife, magnesium flint stick in addition to my normal lighters and such. I was really just listing the items I bring in my First Aid Kit.

Let us not forget some form of sustainable food, which is why I always bring Beef Jerkey and some trail mix and granola bars.

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Permalink Reply by John Smith on August 11, 2008 at 10:15pm

Suzanne,

Why the vitamin and mineral pills? Is this for day trips or multi-day trips?

Also on my list I forgot to mention a map and compass.

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Permalink Reply by Suzanne on March 2, 2009 at 4:08pm

the vitamin & mineral pills are mainly for the magnesium which I feel is helpful for dehydration or muscle cramps, but I don't know if it's actually true. Also, might have a placebo effect ;-)

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Permalink Reply by John Smith on March 2, 2009 at 11:22pm

Have you looked into the benefits of calcium pills. They never really occurred to me until after my wife was pregnant with our last child. Her midwife prescribed some to her for cramps and it was amazing the reduction in them. Since then she and my daughters have used them regularly for menstrual cramps and I have taken them when I am in heavy training for running. I swear by them now.

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Permalink Reply by Coty on April 22, 2009 at 12:00am

I am with you on the calcium pills. I don't take them daily, but about a week before a big trip, I will start them up and continue until after I get back home. Since I have started taking them, I don't seem to get leg cramps during the night while out on multi-day trips.

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Permalink Reply by John Smith on August 10, 2008 at 4:56pm

Never leave home without - poncho (actually a fitted cape) - insulated top and bottoms - hat - light insulated gloves - wool socks - shoes - chaps - 2 light sources - fire starting kit - beer can stove kit - first aid kit

First aid kit contains - ibuprofen - benadryl - digestive aid - (qty depends on trip duration) - iodine pills - leukotape - tincture of benzoin - gauze pads - needle - 10 cc irrigator - sutures - hydropel - single use super glue - knife with scissors - dr bronners soap - sunscreen - bug dope - two 2.5" x 2.75" tegaderm dressings.

My cape actually is my shelter of choice for ultralight trips designed to see as much per day as possible and still have an adequate shelter at night if needed. It is the Gatewood Cape.

The insulated tops and bottoms will provide me additional layer of insulation in the event a day hike turns bad and I have to stay overnight.

Hat is more for sun than insulation, however at night extra insulation is always appreciated.

Light natural materials insulated gloves serve double duty as pot holders and insulation.

Socks must be able to dry rapidly when worn wet. Most natural fibers don't do this however merino wool does.

Shoes are always on my feet.

chaps combined with a cape allow for complete coverage and very little weight.

Light sources - always have two. Before LED's I used to say always have three but LED's allow me to lighten up and still have the ability to see what I am doing. They are a tiny head lamp and a pocket Photon X light.

Fire starting kit - Cave man say uggg!!!! Actually growing up in Alaska I can understand why fire gods were always popular in just about every early culture.

Beer can stove kit - I actually carry this for the coolness factor. When every one else sits down for a handful of GORP I pull out my beer can stove kit (weighs 5 oz) and heat up a pot of whatever suits me. I have a hot lunch and enjoy the envy of others. Also if stuck out at night even without food a cup of hot water will assist in maintaining body temperature.

First aid kit - My first aid kit is primarily to enable me to either finish the hike (blister assistance or mild pain/discomfort relief), or to get back to civilization (hence the sutures, super glue, needles and gauze.) I have had to give myself stitches and I did not like it. It was not as fun as Rambo made it look. On the other hand I have read about numerous people using irrigators and super glue to great effect and so I carry them with me now as well. I have not had to use them and I hope to never do so but I probably will someday.

John the x-crazyalaskanrunner

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Permalink Reply by Kyle Cozzens on November 3, 2008 at 12:23pm

I usually carry a first aid kit with the usual bandages, wipes, creams, meds, chapstick, plus an ice pack, hand warmers, tweezers, and water purification tablets (which I rarely use since I drink untreated water almost exclusively).

Outside the first aid kit, I always bring rain gear, a headlamp, map and compass, and a 50/50 straight/serrated folding knife that has a built in fire steel. Also, I carry nylon cord for repairs.

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Permalink Reply by Joshua Cocks on December 15, 2008 at 6:08am

First Aid Kit for possible injuries what may occur including: diarrohea, severe pain, vomiting, ankle or knee injury, fever, snake bit,

Personal Locating Beacon (PLB)

GPS Device

Emergency Blanket

Whistle

Mirror

Hoochie (if no tent)

Poncho (if not jacket)

Spare Clothes

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Permalink Reply by Joshua Cocks on January 8, 2009 at 7:35am

I'm now carrying a local first aid book too :D

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Permalink Reply by Paul Sheehan on March 5, 2009 at 3:12am

I don't carry any emergency gear for the sole purpose of emergencies. Everything In my pack gets used or it does not go in. I guess a small first aid kit and I do mean small. I guess one could ask what makes an emergency? Snow, I carry fire starting stuff, lost I got a map and things that could be used to signal. heat, I got a great hat, water container and sunblock. The only time one needs an emergency kit is if they don't have a backpack full of gear. Such as a day hike, white water rafting for a day Etc. And the garbage that most people call emergency gear is more likely to get them killed in an emergency. Using your brain and having a plan and the two best things you can take in to the wild with you.

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