Emergency/Medical/Personal Supplies Packing List

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.