How do you rate the BSA's 10 essentials?

C

CM_Rick

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Jan 10, 2011
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I feel like my last thread about BATONING was real winner, and thought that this one would be too. I don't know how many of you are, or have been, affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, but anyone with WSS knowledge can chime in on this one.

Give me your thoughts, comments, complaints, suggestions, ... what-have-you on the BSA's 10 most essential items to have in your survival kit.

They are:
First Aid Kit
Filled Water Bottle
Flashlight
Trail Food
Sunscreen
Whistle
Map and Compass
Rain Gear
Pocket Knife
Matches or Fire Starters

I have no complaints about the list, personally. I usually only make suggestions to the boys on what to specifically carry, ie brands or versions. Now what do you guys think?
 
Looks pretty good to me. As you say, the details would really matter. I was thinking a tarp would be groovy, but maybe if a large poncho were the rain gear then the tarp would fall off the list. I would turn the pocket knife into a multitool with saw, and possibly trade the sunscreen for a bandana. But overall it looks pretty good - water, food, shelter, signaling.
 
I'm an Eagle Scout and former Scouting Professional. This is pretty much what you would want. I remember the list being a little different though.

Also don't forget to STOP:
Stop
Think
Observe
Plan
Training and common sense is much more important!
 
If you Google 10 essentials you will find a huge variety of lists. I saw a study that I think was done by NASAR, (or maybe CAP). It looked at twenty "10 essentials" lists from well known organizations. They wound up with over 100 different items. The bottom line is that everyone's list will probably vary a little.

As for the OP's ?: I would replace the trail food with an extra layer of clothes. At the very minimum dry socks or pullover.
 
The list is vague, and open for some interpretation. There is no one size fits all solution to essential gear. This list gets the gears turning without the sometimes rampant demogogy of "in order to survive you must have x gear from y manufacturer."

To some a first aid kit is 3 bandaids and daub of neosporin. To others it is a trauma kit.
What is "trail food?"
Sunscreen could be coconut scented spf 50 lotion, or it could be environment appropriate clothing (long sleeves, long pants, a wide brimmed hat, and a bandana.)
A whistle could conceivably be on of those pocket air horns...
Raingear- something to keep the rain off- could be a poncho, tarp, or waterproof top and pants.
A pocket knife could be anything from a case peanut, to a multitool, to one of the many fine pocket fixed blades offered here on the forums.
matches or firestarter- firesteel, bic lighter, rei storm proof matches.

The list does leave out cordage. How are you going to survive without mil spec 550 paracord?!?!!
 
heres whats in mine, it all fits into a small canvas belt pouch

lighter, candle, hexemine ,firesteel
emergency blanket
button compass
first feild dressing, plasters, panadol,antiseptic cream, scalpel, water puree tabs
2x condoms un lubricated
sewing kit
electrical tape
10 metres of para cord
tiny torch and small battery
swiss army knife
snare wire
fishing kit
whistle
insect repelland/sunscreen

but most important is the knowledge of how to use it, and making sure you have it on you when in the field. My kit fits on my belt and I dont even notice its there
 
Stealth,

Just read a study on this. In order to get suncreen with bug repellent on you in enough volume to do any good - you run the risk of DEET poisoning. You essentially have very little sun coverage when you use a product like this.

TF
 
list looks pretty good to me, if more folks would adhere to carrying the above we'd have fewer SAR incidents that end badly :(

I think one of the things that most "10 essentials" leave off is adequate clothing for the environment- lots of folks end up in serious trouble simply by wearing the wrong clothing and/or not carrying the extra appropriate clothing

I'm glad they at least mention rain gear as it goes a little way towards that goal
 
Vital to include:

Essential medication (diabetes, heart condition, allergies, etc).
Radio and batteries (if it is kit for civil emergencies and the like).

Also essential to include the skills to use the gear. A compass is pointless if you don't know how to use it. Same goes for first aid kit, firelighters, knife, etc.


My definition of "trail food" is "stuff you can eat cold with your fingers. For example muesli bars or tins of fish.
 
Another thing to remember is that scouts all encourage and teach the buddy system in pretty much all of thier acivities. While each scout should have the 10 essentials, most activities will be in group form.
 
These are all good points.

We teach scouts how to use everything in their kits effectively.

Concerning clothing, good scout leaders discuss this before the outing and make sure that they are wearing what is appropriate before they hit the trail or campsite. I like to make sure all the scouts have something very bright as part of their clothing.

And, we make suggestions to the scouts on the specifics from our own experiences with kits.

I usually carry an extensive First Aid kit with me, the scouts have the basics and their individual needs, like epenepherin (I know that's spelled wrong). My kit is modeled around the kit designs of John "Lofty" Wiseman.
 
Eyegor said:
I saw a study that I think was done by NASAR, (or maybe CAP). It looked at twenty "10 essentials" lists from well known organizations. They wound up with over 100 different items. The bottom line is that everyone's list will probably vary a little.
Click to expand...

That would be an interesting read, can you post it?
 
CM_Rick said:
Sunscreen
Click to expand...

I've seen that pop up on a lot of lists. I don't see the need. If you are in an area where you needed it; you would have applied it at the start of the day. So, you have some protection.

I would put a hat in instead of sunscreen. It provides protection from the sun and warmth.
 
mtwarden said:
list looks pretty good to me, if more folks would adhere to carrying the above we'd have fewer SAR incidents that end badly :(

I think one of the things that most "10 essentials" leave off is adequate clothing for the environment- lots of folks end up in serious trouble simply by wearing the wrong clothing and/or not carrying the extra appropriate clothing

I'm glad they at least mention rain gear as it goes a little way towards that goal
Click to expand...

I agree 100%. Proper clothing is your number 1 essential. All else is a matter of how comfy you want to be IMO.

The list is a good one. I would expand it to 12-15 essentials to include tarp, water purification method and cordage but as a start it's a good one.
 
Talfuchre said:
Stealth,

Just read a study on this. In order to get suncreen with bug repellent on you in enough volume to do any good - you run the risk of DEET poisoning. You essentially have very little sun coverage when you use a product like this.

TF
Click to expand...

dang...I have some stuff my mom got from AVON (I think) that is sunscreen, and bug spray. it seemed to help...But then again, I don't use it very often; heck, I rarely even use sunscreen.
 
I got these individually packaged wipes from the custodians where I work that have both sun screen and bug spray. They are large (~1 sq. ft.) and one wipe is enough for at least 4 people. These things are great and I carry them all the time. A very light and small solution for two important items. I'll post a pic soon.
 
I think this list is a darn good start. I think the list is deliberately vague, which is good. We can determine what the right first aid kit contents are, for our application, and the knowledge and training we possess.

I think the most important thing about this list is that it reminds us to be prepared, in a society that tries so hard foster helplessness.

SP
 
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