Outdoor Adventure USA

If you let someone know where you are going and when you will return, chances are that you will not need to survive more then 72 hours while you wait for help. Unlike back packers, mountain bikers, and motorcyclists, we have pleantly of room to take all the supplies and equipment to actually be comfortable while we wait. Here is a list of ideas in catagories of things to take. This list is a brain storm of ideas and you might need only a few of the items in each catagory. Just make sure you have at least the "basic 10". (*=The 10 Essentials ). Each expert has a slight variation on one or two of the basic 10, so it would be interesting in hearing your thoughts on what should be on or off the list. Also how would you rank the 10 basics in priority order. I think matches and water (in SOcal) are number one. If we were not in a dersert area then I would rank matches and a knife as number 1. What do you think?

COMMUNICATION
Cell phone & cigarette plug
CB radio
2 meter radio (Ham)
Flares (min 3)
Signal Mirror
*Flash Light
Whistle
Paper & pencil
Dry Eraser Marker

ENTERTAINMENT
Books

SAFETY
*First Aid Kit
Fire Extinguisher
Shovel
Extra batteries
Required Medications

SHELTER
Plastic Sheet or tarp
Tent
Sleeping bag
*Knife

FOOD
*Extra Food
*Water
Small Stove

HEAT
*Matches
*Fire starter
Ax
*Extra clothes
Rain gear
Candles

NAVIGATION
*Maps
*Compass
GPS

WASTE DISPOSAL
*Toilet Paper (considered the 11th basic)
Plastic bags


*=The 10 Essentials

Vey good list there... I will mark this page for sure.

Good list Tom. There are a couple of add-ons that I wouldn't leave home without.

1. duct tape (in camo, if hunting)
2. water purifier, chlorine tablets
3. wood saw (w/ retractable blade)
4. leather gloves.


As far as prioritizing the list, it seems that would only be necessary if back packing. All of these items are small enough to be carried in any trail rig I've seen. I guess that I wouldn't select any item to be "off the list".

On a somewhat related subject, many local community disaster preparedness organizations, especially ones associated with ham clubs, prepare lists of items for their members to have ready on a moments notice, whether carried in the vehicle at all times or near the door as you leave. These disaster kits are not that much different than what we carry on the trail. Like Ollie, I carry most of this stuff (and much more) at all times, on and off the trail.