Essentials-Mostly Emergency Kit

C_Kyle

C_Kyle

Joined
Feb 7, 2005
Messages
1,086
After my "event", I've been thinking about what I needed and would need in the future as an emergency kit. This is not an ultralight first-aid kit, but more of a "what would I actually use" emergency kit.

Here's what I have thought of, and why:

Signaling
Mirror
Whistle
Sil-nylon panel​

Medical
100mph Tape (Duc-Tape), approximately 10'
Replaces all adhesive bandages, mole skin, butterfly sutures, clothes/shelter/pack repair, splint-making, etc​
Ziploc bags (can be used to waterproof things, and for sucking chest wounds, etc)
Single cravat pack
Tecnu Scrub (4 sample packets instead of the whole tube)
I have a serious problem with urushiol, so this is important to me​
Single Ace bandage
Powdered asprin, 4 packets (works quickly, can be rubbed on gumbs, etc)
Lip balm (could possibly be used for fire starting...not sure)
Dawn dish soap in small squeeze bottle​

Water/Food
Water purification tablets
Four Emergen-C packets
One protein bar​

Misc Items
SAK
Bic lighter
Photon key-ring LED flashlight

These are items that I think I would actually use in an emergency in the Central Florida area, while doing a 1-2 day hike.

Keep in mind, this is just my idea of emergency stuff, and not including shelter, food, water, or any other stuff that I would actually be carrying.

This is stuff that I would like to squeeze into a container, maybe a 32oz Nalgene bottle or something I could carry on my person.

Input is definitely welcome.​
 
Looks like a pretty good kit. My only recomendation is I did not see any back up navigation gear mentioned. I always carry an extra compass in my survival gear,and a roll of snare wire fishing line with some hooks in styrofoam that all fit neatly in a medicine bottle. just my 2 cents.
Mike
 
As an emergency kit, do you want this mostly for first aid, and backup survival equipment in case you are out of reach of a normal hike or something along those lines? Or a overall get through whatever may happen backup kit?
 
I agree with TheGame, this thing sounds like it should mostly be first aid and hydration related. Throw in some instant Gatoraid packets. I have used emergenC and I don't think it really addresses the issue you had a while back., Gatoraid or even better EXCEED is excellent stuff. I have seen prople on the side of the road losing their mind due to electrilyt imballance be good to go in 10 minutes with that stuff.
My impression is that EmergenC is primarily an imune system booster for travelers on planes and the like, where Little Johnny is waiting to cough Lung Cancer all over you.
 
This is tailored to a day hike, or possibly an overnight and hike back in my area, which is the Ocala National Forest. ONF has well defined boundaries and water features throughout it.

The kit is mostly medical related. Maybe the Emergen-C stuff is not the best for electrolyte replacement. I searched this form and a lot of people like it; that's why I started using it.

I didn't include any navigation because I don't think it would serve a purpose for this particular kit. Here's why:

I carry nav stuff on my person. To throw an extra compass in the kit isn't a big deal by itself, but I would also need to throw an extra map in there too, for the compass to be effective. I can find cardinal directions without the compass.

Now, if I was going to a place that I was unfamiliar with, regardless of how many days, redundancy would definitely be factored in. I would carry map/compass in the emergency kit.

This emergency kit is mostly first-aid, with water/electrolyte procurement, and few misc items. The kit is entirely tailored to my location and time of year; which is important. I wouldn't carry an insulated parka, gloves, hat, etc while hiking/camping in Central Florida in March-November.

The things that are important to me at this time of year are not being a heat casualty, animal attacks, bleeding, impaired movement, blisters, urushiol:eek:, pain controlling, and signaling.

Now, emergency shelter, food, navigation are also important, but I want to address these in different posts.
 
I'm in the same boat when it comes to poison, and my sensitivity to it.. I keep a full tube of either the scrub or soap in my bag ALWAYS.. Seeing as this is your stomping grounds I don't see reason for any extra nav gear.. As for the electrolyte replacement I went with propel, emergen-c never sat right with my system(always made me jittery and then really dizzy after it wore off..).. I think ocean spray has a powdered drink out as well, you might wana look into them..

Best of luck with you pack...
 
I was looking for a sports drink powder a while ago and I got some Emergen-C packets...

They're ok, but a noticed when i examined the label more carefully that they have almost no sugar/calories or sodium...the other stuff in them is good, but that is a pretty big drawback if your looking to them as a heat exhaustion/dehydration fix...
 
Joben said:
I was looking for a sports drink powder a while ago and I got some Emergen-C packets...

They're ok, but a noticed when i examined the label more carefully that they have almost no sugar/calories or sodium...the other stuff in them is good, but that is a pretty big drawback if your looking to them as a heat exhaustion/dehydration fix...
Click to expand...

They are not an electrolite replacement. Buy a can of gatorade pour some into an old screw top vitamin bottle or similar and you are good to go. Cheap and easy.

I always carry the strongest cortisone cream I can get when down south, nasty bites ants etc..

Skam
 
skammer said:
They are not an electrolite replacement. Buy a can of gatorade pour some into an old screw top vitamin bottle or similar and you are good to go. Cheap and easy...
Click to expand...

That's my point...
I thought they were at first because the packets say they contain, among other things, Electrolytes.
But a more careful reading of the ingredients list revealed that they had a different focus.
 
Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm going to look into something besides Emergen-C.

Adding a cell phone to the emergency kit:

I already carry the cell phone; it's just not in the emergency kit. The cell phone isn't something I would rely on. I was very lucky I had cell signal in that spot. I've checked along most of that trail, and there is no cell signal, as well as in most of ONF.

I think this applies to everyone's local haunts, getting cell signal should not be something you would expect. If it happens, that's great; but, it's very likely there will be no signal.
 
We're pretty much infested with ticks, so tweezers are essential for me. And they come in handy for some other uses as well.
 
Good Kit: I still like bandaids for quick fixes. and I notice you lack any gauze or anything else to put between the tape and a wound. I have used bandanna/ duct tape bandages with success, but I still like a 4x4 or two in the kit. also a pair of tweezers and scissors (if you dont have a Sak with them)

I have heard that Pedialyte makes powder but have been unable to find it. Amazon.com has an entire section of electrolyte powders including chewable tab.
 
wulfshrunting said:
After my "event", I've been thinking about what I needed and would need in the future as an emergency kit. This is not an ultralight first-aid kit, but more of a "what would I actually use" emergency kit.

Here's what I have thought of, and why:

Signaling
Mirror
Whistle
Sil-nylon panel​

Medical
100mph Tape (Duc-Tape), approximately 10'
Replaces all adhesive bandages, mole skin, butterfly sutures, clothes/shelter/pack repair, splint-making, etc​
Ziploc bags (can be used to waterproof things, and for sucking chest wounds, etc)
Single cravat pack
Tecnu Scrub (4 sample packets instead of the whole tube)
I have a serious problem with urushiol, so this is important to me​
Single Ace bandage
Powdered asprin, 4 packets (works quickly, can be rubbed on gumbs, etc)
Lip balm (could possibly be used for fire starting...not sure)
Dawn dish soap in small squeeze bottle​

Water/Food
Water purification tablets
Four Emergen-C packets
One protein bar​

Misc Items
SAK
Bic lighter
Photon key-ring LED flashlight

These are items that I think I would actually use in an emergency in the Central Florida area, while doing a 1-2 day hike.

Keep in mind, this is just my idea of emergency stuff, and not including shelter, food, water, or any other stuff that I would actually be carrying.

This is stuff that I would like to squeeze into a container, maybe a 32oz Nalgene bottle or something I could carry on my person.

Input is definitely welcome.​
Click to expand...


Ok, this is going to sound wierd but hopefully I'll explain the reasoning well enough.

I think you should get one of those real big umbrellas, not a beach umbrella but the ones that have like a 4 foot diameter. If you get a sturdy one it'll serve as a walking stick plus if you need shade it goes up instantly. You already went tits up once and you don't want to do it again, so if you have an umbrella and some water, then when you get to feeling like you're about to fall out...sit down pop the umbrella open and pour a little water on a bandana for your neck then sit and drink.

Hope this helps
David​
 
ac1d0v3r1d3 said:
Are you relying on the bic lighter to be your only fire starter?
Click to expand...

No. I also carry a mag block and/or firesteel. To be totally honest, for what I'm doing, I can't really think of a need for fire. Maybe to sterilize a needle or something like that.

Being out for several days is a different story; I would definitely use fire of some sort.

Gause bandages. I can throw a few in the kit. I've never used gause before; I've carried it, just never used it. DucTape on the other hand, I have used to close up cuts and blisters.

A good pair of tweezers...how did I forget that? I've never had much luck with the tweezers in the SAK.
 
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