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Outdoor Emergency Equipment

As your mother always says, "It's better to be safe than sorry." Whether you are scaling the slopes of the Tetons  or backpacking  down under, it's important to head out into the wilderness prepared -- just in case. Nonetheless, it's not practical to haul an arsenal of supplies with you. You need just enough to support you should anything go awry. How much safety equipment you need will depend on the location, weather, terrain type and your personal health. Before buying kits (there are many pre-packaged survival kits  available on the Web) or packing up your own homemade version, consider what elements will really be most vital to your safety for each particular outing you plan to take. And no, a Swiss Army Knife  is not enough to get you by.

Basic Survival Kit

The key to survival in any event is heat/fire, shelter, water and food, most often in that order. Below, are some of the most basic supplies you might want to bring to cover just about any situation you could get yourself into, especially in the case that you get lost, which is when these items really come in handy. Remember though, these items are like gold in the hands of someone with the basic survival skills to go along with them. However, if you don't know what you're doing, they could quickly be worth less than a sack of dirt in the great outdoors. The point is that you should practice your survival skills before venturing into situations where you might seriously put yourself at risk. Take a class, read a book  or browse the Web. Then put your knowledge to the test in your own backyard. If possible make sure that you will be competent enough to use the tools in your survival kit  should there come the time when you must use them for real.

Heat & Light

It is crucial that you have a way to start a fire for heat, light, cooking and signaling. There are several options and you may choose to bring along a couple depending on how much room you have and how much extra weight you are willing to carry. At least have one fire starting device mentioned here.

  • Waterproof Matches  and/or Stormproof Lighter 
    • Always pack the matches in a waterproof container! Try NATO Waterproof Matches  or Hurricane Matches. 
    • Stuff some cotton balls inside the container. They can be used later to create a long burning torch, but you'll need some petroleum jelly for that. Quick fix? Bring along a tube of Vaseline lip balm. 
    • As tinder, you'll need dry wood. Pencils work well in case you find yourself in damp conditions. They can be used for note taking, too.
  • Flint and steel  is the one unlimited source of fire but it has a steep learning curve. Fire starters  might be better for novices.
  • A basic BIC lighter  is useful as are butane lighters,  but they both have limited lifespans.
  • Emergency Hand and Foot Warmers : These are especially useful if you are in a cold climate and can help when you may be as risk for frostbite. They take up very little room and can provide heat for up to an hour.
  • Candle : A small votive  or tea light  can provide light and some heat. The best option is long-burning emergency candles. 
  • Light Sticks : While they only last a maximum of 12 hours, they can help provide some light and be used for signaling. These are especially useful if you are hiking in a group.
  • Photon Microlite : These tiny little lights can be hung on a key chain and provide just enough light in the last case scenario.

Shelter

Having a tent  with you is ideal, but you may not be planning to spend the night wherever you're headed. Nonetheless, setting up shelter is of prime importance when you are in cold, wet and windy conditions. Often, if you are in such elements, finding shelter will be higher on your priority list than creating a fire. Since, after all, what good is a fire if the rain or snow is just going to put it out? While finding natural shelter is sometimes possible, most often you'll have to build it yourself. Useful items to have with you in this case include:

  • Duct Tape : It's always helpful.
  • Commando Saw : Use this to tiny wire saw to cut through branches, bones or any other item that needs to be cut. It is so lightweight and inexpensive, it really would be a shame not to bring one with you.
  • Utility Knife : A multi-purpose pocket knife is indispensable. You can use it for making shelter, hunting and other activities. If you don't own one and can't afford to spend the money, opt for a pack of razor blades instead. They are not as versatile, but they will be extremely useful.
  • Parachute Cord : It can be used for making shelter since it's heavy duty and weight bearing. You can also use it to make traps for hunting or as fishing line.
  • Tarp : A small tarp can be used for creating shelter and for gathering water.
  • Fishing Line : Heavy-duty fishing line can be used for other things besides fishing, like hunting or securing shelter. If you are bringing some along, you might as well throw in a few fishing hooks. 
  • Plastic Garbage Bags : Two of these stuffed in a pocket can be remarkably useful for gathering water and keeping a shelter dry.
  • Poncho : Keeps the rain off and can be used for waterproofing shelter.

Water & Food

Food is not as important as water. Without water, you will die. On the other hand, you can go for three weeks without food and still survive. What you should be most concerned with when out in the open is to first find, then gather water. Do not drink water from mountain streams without boiling it or adding a purification tablet. Only if you are very dehydrated and have no way of cleaning it should you drink it. Also, avoid eating snow for hydration. It will make you colder and provides minimal hydration.

  • Water Purification Tabs : They can be iodine, chlorine or another type.
  • Non-Lubricated Condoms : No, not for sex while you are lost in the woods, but rather as a compact and lightweight means of carrying water. Plastic bags  are another option and they save the same purpose.
  • Big Plastic Bags : These can be used for gathering and storing large quantities of water and for waterproofing a shelter.
  • Aluminum Foil : Use it to trap water and boil it or as cookware and utensils. The reflective properties can also be useful for signaling.
  • Freeze-Dried Food : It's lightweight and easy to pack. Why not stash a few in your pack? It could save you hours of frustration of trying to catch food and hold you over until help arrives.

Items Needed to Get You Home

If you get lost -- really lost -- you need a way of finding your way back to civilization. Unfortunately, when stranded in an unfamiliar location and without any way of establishing your bearings (you should have brought that GPS device ) a few basic tools may make the difference between sleeping in a tree or snuggling in your bed at home.

Navigation Tools to Help You Find Your Way

  • Compass : This is a no brainer. Bring one and be glad you did.
  • Flashlight : Not only can it light up a path, but a flashlight can be used for signaling too. A crank flashlight  is not small, but it can be very handy when out in the woods at night. Plus, it'll last, and last, and last.
  • Maps : Laminate them to keep them protected from the elements. Putting them in a Ziploc Bag  works as well.

Signaling to Be Seen and Heard

  • Rescue Whistle : It's easy to be in a thick forest waving a flashlight or piece of fabric and not get noticed. But with a powerful whistle you can be heard from miles away.
  • Signal Mirror : These tiny mirrors are great tools for signaling.
  • Fluorescent Handkerchief : A bright piece of fabric will help you stand out and can be used to signal others who are far away. It can also be ripped or cut up and tied to trees or bushes to act as markers.
  • Cell Phone : This might seem obvious in today's technocentric world, but it can be a lifesaver. Also, don't forget to bring a crank battery charger  with you.
  • Emergency Radio : This could help you get in touch with park rangers or a rescue party.

First Aid Kits

A compact first aid kit   is useful in just about every situation, no matter if you are out for a long expedition or just a casual outing. The longer and the farther away from civilization you are going, the more important it is to have first aid supplies. To learn more about packing a first aid kit, please see the complete guide to First Aid Kits.

Pre-Fabricated Survival Kits

Here are some kits that are packed and ready to go with you, ranging from the smallest, most minimalist of designs to all-encompassing packs.



Bear Safety

  • Mace : Stop, drop and assume fetal position. And then? Bring some mace or bear spray  along with you when hiking. Usually they are very compact and lightweight and in the case that you are attacked or about to be attacked, it could just help save your life. Remember that mace is a very powerful tool. You MUST learn to use it properly, otherwise you could put yourself in more danger.
  • Bear-Proof Container : Bears have a great sense of smell and they'll track that trail mix from miles away. Protect yourself while hiking or while camping with a secure container that can be strung up between two trees, the best place to keep food while in bear country.
  • Bear Bell : These are little bells attached to a strap. The noise will help keep bears away. You can also purchase some bells from a craft store and sew them onto a piece of fabric of your choosing.

To learn more about what you can do to stay safe in bear country, please see this informative Web site on Bear Safety.

Cold Weather & Avalanche Safety

In cold weather, the stakes are slightly against you. If you are going to be venturing into areas where avalanches are likely to occur, you need to have a few special items with you to protect yourself besides the items mentioned above.

Personal Locator/Avalanche Beacons

If you ever get caught in an avalanche besides knowing what to do, one of the next best things to have on you is a personal locator or avalanche beacon.  They can help save your life if you and the others you are out with have one. Here's what to look for:

  • A beacon that works in both digital and analog mode. Digital beacons  make a search go much faster once close by making the location process faster. However, an analog beacon  has better range.
  • The larger the search range, the better. Should you be separated from your buddy, it could make a big difference as long as the beacon's batteries are strong and the antennas are parallel to one another.
  • Long battery life.
  • Multiple burial mode to detect the location of several individuals under an avalanche.
  • A 457 kHz transmitting frequency.
  • Some models to try: BCA Tracker DTS Avalanche Beacon  and Pieps DSP Avalanche Beacon. 

The Mammut Pulse Barryvox Avalanche Beacon  (shown left)  has been singled out to show that it is the first and only beacon to detect pulse of a buried victim. This unique technology makes rescuing people in a multiple burial situation more efficient, especially when everyone in a group has one. The device has a built-in vitals/movement detector that will signal the receiving beacons of any signs that a victim is still alive. The receiving beacons will show how many people are buried, where and how far away they are as will as who needs to be saved first and who has the best chance of survival. The unit starts at $400. For more information, please visit Piste Hors, Wild Snow or the manufacturer's Web site.

Other Essential Products

Snow  or avalanche probes  are used to find buried avalanche victims and should be carried with you at all times when in avalanche territory. They should be collapsible so that they are easy to carry.

A shovel  is an essential piece of equipment to have in the back country. However, Life Link Slingblade  (shown above) combines a probe and shovel in one convenient, folding device to kill two birds with one stone and keep you and your pals from being killed.

A space blanket  is a must-have. It can keep you warm no matter how bad things get. Inside, you can easily start a tiny fire. The heat from the flame and your body will be recycled and keep you toasty warm.

Related Buying Guides

Utility Knives and Tools

GPS Devices

First Aid Kits

Hydration Systems

Tents

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