the ten essentials

G

GIBBY

Joined
Oct 27, 2004
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Where can I find a list of the 10 essentials that should be with you in a psk for outdoor trips? I probably have everything but you never know...
 
Hmmmmm.....assuming you are carrying adequate warm clothing for the conditions in the area, I would say off the top of my head (if near civilization):

1. A generously sized poncho
2. A fleece or wool hat or balaclava
3. Water in a sturdy bottle if natural water may be hard to find
4. A gas cigarette lighter in a waterproof container (and a backup firelighter method...probably waterproof matches or a magnesium block with a ferrocerium rod attached).
5. Cell phone if practical
6. Secure packet containing my money, credit card, ID etc
7. Knife (OK, OK, probably just a sturdy folder, but a small fixed blade if convenient and if it is not likely to get me arrested).
8. A decent quantity of braided nylon cord
9. Small LED flashlight (dang I love these)
10. A sturdy backpack or whatever to carry these things and anything else I may pick up on the way.

If deliberately setting out into the wilderness I would consider trying to include a light hatchet with a safe sheath, a stainless steel billycan or big mug, some fish hooks and line, some sticking plasters, some food and probably a tarpaulin.
 
My ten:
1. PSK/Multitool (usually carry a tool and a folder. EDIT I carry three. Forgot about the little folder in my fanny pack kit.)
2. lighter and firestarting equipment (cheating a little, I carry two or maybe three of these. The Bic in my pocket is what I use, the others are "survival" stuff.)
3. Poncho/contractor trash bag/ similar (or two or three especially if trash bags) Maybe a space blanket instead or also.
4. Cord (attached to just about everything as lanyards, around hat), wire, duct tape
5. Hat (cord attached), gloves, spare socks, and scarf (signalling) always, sunglasses usually, maybe a sweater, jacket, or cold weather gloves depending on the climate
6. Canteen/Nalgene/condoms at least with water purification tablets, straw, or pump
8. First aid kit (cheating again)
9. Compass (usually carry two in the woods) and map maybe GPS but never just a GPS
10. LED Flashlight and usually at least one backup. Batteries too (all AA for me)

Just 10 things. :rolleyes: I know I cheated.

I never really think of just 10 things because in reality it is grouped as:
Sharp stuff, big (hatchet, machete, big rambo knife) and small (folders and tools)
Clothing, appropriate for climate
Shelter building
Fire making
Direction finding
Signalling (I always short change this but I know the BEST signalling devices are fires and big things that I may make such as lines tromped in the grass or logs placed in a triangle or three straight lines. But if your leg is broken, a whisle and mirror may save your baken and they don't take up much space.)
First Aid
Repairs
Food? (I know, real survivors take real snares and fishing tackle with them everywhere... I just have never been that concerned about it.)
 
Although many people agree on the concept of ten essentials, not all agree on which ten. While the goals remain the same, the actual items will vary somewhat. As suggested, an internet search will provide many such lists.
 
Eyegor said:
Although many people agree on the concept of ten essentials, not all agree on which ten. While the goals remain the same, the actual items will vary somewhat. As suggested, an internet search will provide many such lists.
Click to expand...

Exactly, your ten may vary from mine. But every kit should have.

knife
matches or firestarting tools
compass
water purification
signaling items, mirror, whistle, etc.
paracord
zip ties
duct tape
emergency blanket or poncho

Start with these basic items and build your kit to suit your needs. I'm sure you could have a 100 essentials list if you wanted to.
 
I'm not a Sierra Club member but The New Ten Essentials are categorized by like groupings which is easier to understand IMO. It leaves the list a little open to interpretation by listing a capability but not mandating a specific tool requirement. One guy might take a map and compass, another takes a mapping GPS. The link is pretty easy to follow.
 
Eyegor said:
While the goals remain the same, the actual items will vary somewhat.
Click to expand...

I think they will vary A GREAT LOT. Here in Arizona, the first thing I'd take is a Nalgene of water. The second thing I'd take is another Nalgene. The third thing would be a camelback. The fourth thing is a second Camelback The fifth thing is probably a quart GI canteen to throw over my shoulder. The sixth thing... Several of my 10 items will be the same thing. You get the point.
 
>keeping your body at 98.6
>water
>signaling
>navigation
>first aid
>food

Ideas of the minimum gear to meet these needs will vary by area, season, and personal preference/knowledge/experience.

Fire-making meets such a broad range of needs that it is sometimes described as a need.
 
From my SAR teams web page...

The 10 Essentials​

1) Map of the area you are in (Water proof case is a good idea)

2) Compass (Knowing how to use it is a plus)

3) Flashlight (with extra batteries)

4) Firestarter (Metal Match as well as matches)

5) Knife

6) Food (enough for 24 hr)

7) Water & a method to purify more (iodine tablets)

8) Signal Mirror & Whistle

9) Extra Clothes

10) Poncho (doubles as emergency shelter)

This is by no means an absolute, concrete, written in stone list. This is simply a list of items "Experts" have agreed should be in every outdoor enthusiast's pack. There have been people who have survived on much less; however, there have been people who have died though they carried much much more.
 
ilbruche said:
Exactly, your ten may vary from mine. But every kit should have.

knife
matches or firestarting tools
compass
water purification
signaling items, mirror, whistle, etc.
paracord
zip ties
duct tape
emergency blanket or poncho

Start with these basic items and build your kit to suit your needs. I'm sure you could have a 100 essentials list if you wanted to.
Click to expand...
Yeah I've never used zip ties. :D These lists very. I saw one list that had a camera as one of the "essentials.":rolleyes:
My advice is to look at a bunch of lists, especially the one like above where it's by function and not by item, and figure out what's best for your area. When in doubt take more than you need and start cutting back on it each trip.
 
I dont even know if their are ten must haves, but Ill take my shot.

-Knife
-Fire starting tools
-Firstaid
-Signaling (whistle-mirror)
-Metal cup, or small pot
-Plastic sheet of somekind
-compass, and GPS if you please
-food procurement kit (in a wilderness area, snaring gear, around water a fishing kit, both would be awsome)
-rope,twine,fishing line what ever.
-a map of the area, or have an understanding of your area (Ie: where roads are, to the east, west. were water holes are, steep cliffs)
 
Fonly,

You're one of the few that has a metal cup or pot as one of the essentials.

I see a lot of people bringing water purification stuff with them, but where are you going to store the water in? I see Nalgene bottles, but you can't use them to cook water in. And what if the water purification stuff is used up? I rather have a small pot, I can even use it to dig in soft soil, or boil water in.

The 10 essentials is also based on climate, season and on what kind of situation you expect to be in. A planned trip gone bad in your area, or you're completely lost in the South American Jungle, or in Artic Scandinavia?

I build my list ussually on the last situation (got lost somewhere on the globe). When I make a trip in my area, I have a lot more stuff with me, like maps, cellphone etc (have more luxury items:D )

So here's my list for getting lost (random order):

Shelter (UK army basha/tarp, with paracord attached to every grommet)
Firestarters (4"x0.5" Ferro rod, Bic ligther, Doan tool magblock, fat wood)
Small pot (aluminum, 6-8 "diameter)
Fixed knife (Ranger RD4 or Ontario RAT-5 or Ontario TAK-1)
Medikit (Strong painkillers, bandages, plaster, antibiotic ointment)
Compass
100-200ft of paracord
30ft of metal wire (snares)
30ft of fishing line with 4 small and 4 big hooks

With these tools, I expect to make my own other tools, and be able to stay alive a few more days. Shelter building costs a lot of time, and energy. That's why I take a tarp with me. It's fast and portable, and gives a feeling of having your own home with you all times. So you're home were ever you are :D:thumbup:

CZ
 
A Pot
Fire
Knife
Multi-tool w/Saw
Paracord
First aid kit
Tarp
Warm clothes + rain coat
water filter or purifier
Plant identification book

The reason why I take a plant identification book is I love checking out plants it is extremely entertaining for me. It also is comforting and makes the environ more hospitable. That massive wall of green stuff can provide solutions to some of your problems. It turns obstacles into facilitators with a little effort.
 
nemoaz said:
I think they will vary A GREAT LOT. Here in Arizona, the first thing I'd take is a Nalgene of water. The second thing I'd take is another Nalgene. The third thing would be a camelback. The fourth thing is a second Camelback The fifth thing is probably a quart GI canteen to throw over my shoulder. The sixth thing... Several of my 10 items will be the same thing. You get the point.
Click to expand...

Same thought I had. Water and a container to boil water in.
Also I really Hate flashlights in the bush, Ruins your night vision, and dulls your other senses. Take the flashlights away from people and they talk quieter and talk less.
 
I never go out at night without a light. Mostly I'm walking in town so I take my Surefire E2. But I've also got LED lights in white (bright), blue (way too bright), green (very good in the woods), and red (traditionally easy on night vision).

Depending on where you are, no light means blind. That's not good no matter how much you resent other people overdoing the light.
 
[QUOTE Also I really Hate flashlights in the bush, Ruins your night vision, and dulls your other senses. Take the flashlights away from people and they talk quieter and talk less.[/QUOTE]

During the Vietnam War, a fighter pilot acquaintance of mine was shot down at night. He landed in a tree and dropped his helmet to estimate how far up he was. The helmet his the ground immediately and he slipped out of his harness and fell to his death - the tree was on a cliff edge. He would have been crazy to use a light - we didn't carry them anyway - because it could have given away his location, but .... This is a survival thread. The hell with ambiance. Carry a light.
What did we carry? It varied from individual to individual, but we all carried two baby bottles full of water and a two way radio. It was common for someone ejecting to hit the ground with his mouth and throat so dry that he needed the water so he could talk on his radio.
 
Those giant orange pumpkin bags that they sell at holloween to fill with leaves would make a passable tarp.
 
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