| A map and compass prevents one from
| |
| | might address broken fingers, limbs,
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| getting lost in the field. Losing one's
| |
| | cardiac conditions, hypothermia,
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| bearing in unfamiliar terrain raises the
| |
| | frostbite, hyperthermia, hypoxia,
|
| risk of anxiety and panic, and hence,
| |
| | decompression sickness, insect and snake
|
| physical injury. Maps that cover the
| |
| | bites, allergic reactions, burns and
|
| relevant area in sufficient detail and
| |
| | other wounds. If applicable, include any
|
| dimension (topography, trails, roads,
| |
| | personal medications.
|
| campsites, towns, etc.) and the skill and
| |
| | A knife is useful for opening packages,
|
| knowledge to use them are indispensable
| |
| | building shelter, shaving wood for
|
| when traveling through the outdoors,
| |
| | tinder, eating, field surgery (after
|
| especially when the place of travel lacks
| |
| | sterilization), cutting rope and
|
| signage, markings or guides. Even a basic
| |
| | clothing, etc. A larger knife (machete)
|
| compass can help an individual find his
| |
| | might be essential when one needs or
|
| way to safety.
| |
| | desires to go off trail into thicker
|
| A flashlight protects against physical
| |
| | growth. A heavier ax or knife is more
|
| injury when traveling in the dark. A
| |
| | effective when one has larger needs for
|
| flashlight is also useful for finding
| |
| | construction or for collecting firewood.
|
| things in the pack, observing wildlife in
| |
| | Matches (or a lighter) and fire starter
|
| dark crevices and folds, and for distant
| |
| | (tinder and kindling) to light a campfire
|
| signaling. Extra batteries and bulbs are
| |
| | is useful for preventing hypothermia and
|
| highly recommended.
| |
| | to signal for aid. In an emergency, a
|
| Extra food and water can prevent or cure
| |
| | fire increases one's psychological will
|
| hypothermia and dehydration, common
| |
| | to survive.
|
| illness that can be serious risks in the
| |
| | A water treatment device (filter or
|
| backcountry where immediate medical
| |
| | chemical treatment) make water potable.
|
| response is not possible. These items
| |
| | All water, including that from streams,
|
| also minimize the likelihood of panic. It
| |
| | lakes, or pools, needs to be treated for
|
| is not recommended that one eat food when
| |
| | bacteria and viruses in order to ensure
|
| there is no water, as the body requires
| |
| | safety. Most backcountry travelers carry
|
| water to metabolize food.
| |
| | a water filter: low end models are
|
| Extra clothes protect against
| |
| | inexpensive and provide protection
|
| hypothermia. Multiple layers of clothes
| |
| | against many pathogens, but not viruses.
|
| are generally warmer than a single thick
| |
| | Some more expensive filters and improved
|
| garment. By having the ability to simply
| |
| | chemical treatments get rid of most
|
| take off a layer of clothes, one can
| |
| | health risks, including giardia and other
|
| avoid overheating, which can cause sweat
| |
| | protozoa and viruses. Treating the water
|
| and dampen clothing. Moreover, a change
| |
| | reduces the likelihood of
|
| into dry clothes is the fastest way to
| |
| | gastrointestinal diseases. Since some
|
| become warm. Extra clothing is also
| |
| | chemical treatments such as iodine or
|
| useful for protection from the elements,
| |
| | chlorine may leave a bad taste, many
|
| including thorns, insects, sun, wind, and
| |
| | suggest mixing in a flavor to hide the
|
| often cold. If necessary, they can be cut
| |
| | taste. These include powdered lemonade or
|
| into bandages, used as a tree climbing
| |
| | fruit drinks, or other Tang, Gatorade, or
|
| aid, made into hotpads, pillows, towels,
| |
| | Crystal Light.
|
| or makeshift ropes. For overnight
| |
| | A whistle is a compact, lightweight, and
|
| trekking, one should keep one set of
| |
| | inexpensive way to signal for help.
|
| clothes dry for wear in the evening. One
| |
| | Although a person cannot shout for a long
|
| can wear the "day" clothes during the
| |
| | period, he can whistle for extended
|
| next day's hike when they are drier.
| |
| | amounts of time. Moreover, the sharp
|
| Sunglasses help prevent snowblindness.
| |
| | sound of a whistle travels over longer
|
| Sunlight, especially when reflected in
| |
| | distances than the human voice, and
|
| snow, can seriously limit visibility, and
| |
| | provides a much more distinct sound.
|
| jeopardize one's ability to travel
| |
| | Although environmental factors such as
|
| safely.
| |
| | wind, snow, and heavy rain may drown out
|
| A first aid kit usually contains items to
| |
| | a voice, the sound of a whistle is
|
| treat cuts, abrasions (blisters),
| |
| | clearly distinguishable in the field.
|
| punctures and burns. Additional items
| |
| |
|
