Emergency/Medical/Personal Supplies Packing List
October 17, 2013
The always up to date guide to what’s in my pack! I pretty much bring this kit with me on any trip no matter what activity I’m doing.
Last Updated: 9/09/2015
- Eye drops
- Chapstick – SPF 30
- Blister tape – Lukeotape
- Hands down the best blister tape ever.
- Multitool – Gerber Dime
- I like its because its small and light but has a quality set of pliers and scissors. Scissors are pretty essential for cutting tenacious tape or blister tape. Its tough to repair bent aluminum tent poles without pliers.
- Saw – Gerber Sliding Saw
- I don’t usually need to cut wood (leave no trace and all…) but when I do nothing is better than a small saw. Way lighter than an ax much easier to pack.
- Aleve pain killers
- Aspirin
- Heart attacks can strike at any time. Aspirin saves lives.
- Irrigation Syringe – Small
- It is very difficult to clean out a wound properly without one.
- Tweezers
- Just like an irrigation syringe cleaning a wound of small particulates is very difficult without one.
- Pepto Bismol pills
- When the need strikes you will never regret having these in your pack.
- Bug Repellent – Superband Premium
- I like the bracelet repellent solutions since I don’t need to rub DEET all over my skin.
- Butane lighter – Ultimate Survival Technologies Floating Lighter
- Nothing starts a fire better than a butane lighter – period. Les Stroud (host of the Survivorman TV show), during a recent interview, said that a butane lighter is more important to him than a knife for surviving in the wilderness.
- Compass
- Compact shatterproof mirror – Coleman Camp Mirror
- Very nice for signaling if needed but also very helpful if you need to mess with contacts or remove something that is stuck in your eye.
- Topographic map of area
- Printed from Trails.com and put into a zip lock bag to keep it dry.
- Extra batteries
- I try and bring 1 extra set for each electronics item I pack.
- Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries work far better than traditional alkaline in the cold. They also weight about 50% less than alkaline batteries.
- Sunscreen
- If you get a zinc oxide based sun screen it won’t sting your eyes if sweat causes it to drip.
- I prefer the type that comes in a stick – looks like a gigantic stick of chap stick.
- Body glide anti chafe balm
- 50′ of thin rope – Z-Line Dyneema Cord
- Water purification pills – Katadyn Micropur tablets
- I like the Katadyn Micropur tablets for ease of use and lack of a nasty aftertaste.
- 25 weatherproof matches
- 10 medium zip ties
- You can fix anything with zip ties (seriously).
- Tent Pole Sleeve
- You will have a hard time fixing your busted tent or trekking pole without one.
- Extra contacts – 1 pair
- Assortment of band aids
- Small pad of waterproof paper & Bic pen
- There are many times when that brilliant idea strikes me while I hike and I want to write it down. Its also important to be able to leave a note to someone if you change locations and can’t inform someone who might be looking for you (either a lost party member or if you are lost those searching for you).
- Fire starters
- Check out my article on the best fire starters to use.
- Toilet paper
- Trowel – The Deuce of Spades
- 1′ Gear Aid Tenacious Tape
- Tenacious tape is hands down my favorite way to repair gear – both in the field and long term at home.
Alternate Items
- Emergency Shelter – SOL emergency bivvy & SOL emergency tarp
- If I’m going on a day trip and don’t have a tent and sleeping bag packed I throw these two items into my bag
- Tooth Brush & tooth paste (1/2 full travel tube)
- For multi-night trips
- Baby wipes
- These are essentially a shower in a bag. Great for keeping clean during multi day trips. Bacteria build up can cause major groin and foot irritation.
- Goldbond powder
- Really helps to dry out your feet. On multi day hikes, once I get to camp, I will stop and put on my extra socks and douse my feet with Goldbond. Taking care of your feet is very important to enjoying the outdoors.
- 4 disposable hand warmers
- Opening one or two of these during a particularly cold night and rotating them through various pockets can turn a miserable night stranded in the woods into an almost pleasant experience. I bring these during the winter time.
- The Tick Key
- Really nice for removing ticks both from yourself or from your pets.