What to put in my day hike pack?

[Stump_250]

Thanks Tony! I'll give that a try.

 

[kgd]

Break it down into categories and go from there:

Survival Kit:
-first aid
-fire
-shelter (e.g. heat sheets emergency blanket or garbage bags)
-water (large ziplock bag, purification tablets, something to boil water in)
-flash light, candle
-paracord or other cordage

Clothing
-spare socks
-rain gear
-extra insulation layer
-beanie or toque for this time of year
-gloves/mitts/scarf or bellaclava

Food
-snacks
-GSI Cup that fits around water bottle holder
-hot chocolate, cup-o-soup, starbucks instant coffee....
-stove if required

Navigation
-compass and map
-GPS
- Spare batteries

Comfort/entertainment
-field guides
-extra knife and sharpening stone
-small foam pad for a seat
-sunglasses
-camera

 

[cgebhard]

I'm suprised no one said TP you know toilet paper!! It's not a bad fire starter, plus the obivous thing it's good for.

 

[sleevefullofaces]

I'm suprised no one said TP you know toilet paper!! It's not a bad fire starter, plus the obivous thing it's good for.

That's what I was going to say! It's worth the weight.
Lots of good ideas in this thread.

 

[PayetteRucker]

That's what I was going to say! It's worth the weight.
Lots of good ideas in this thread.

Also an awesome clotting agent for cuts, it turns hard and crusty almost like a cast when soaked with blood and makes a great protective layer over bad cuts until they can be professionally dealt with.

 

[Bolt-action bultema]

Tampons, the kind without the plastic applicator, make for better wound management than TP, are cotton so they can be used to start a fire, can be used to filter water, and take up less space than TP. Just don't wipe with leaves of three.

As far as tTP as fire-starter goes, what brand do you guys find burns well. I have never had luck starting a fire with TP, it just doesn't seem to take a spark well, or ignite easily as kindling. Any hints?

 

[PayetteRucker]

only for bullet holes or other deep wound channels, my friend. I'd like to see you shove a tampon up the cut in your finger...

 

[Bolt-action bultema]

only for bullet holes or other deep wound channels, my friend. I'd like to see you shove a tampon up the cut in your finger...

Don't think of it as a cylinder, but rather as a compact package of useful raw materials.

Indeed, a tampon in its packaged state is pretty much useless for first aid, but modify it and it does wonders. You can cut a small disc, and expand it slightly to put it under tape or moleskin for a small cut. split it in half like a hotdog bun and pull gently for a larger one. A tampon has about as much absorbent material as 4-5 4x4 bandages, in a much more compact package. The fibers can be twisted as you pull it apart into a relatively strong thread.

My mother is a midwife, so growing up, there were all sorts of unused pads, tampons, disposable bed pads, packages of sterile gauze (OB gauze has a nice solid string attached, they tie right in to rat-bitten fingers), and stuff around. In high school, these things were much m ore cost effective than actually replacing bandages, tape, and gauze etc used from my first aid kit.

 

[cgebhard]

As far as the TP goes what ever is cheap.. I generally shread it a little and mix it with wood shavings. I don't know if I ever tried it with a "fire starter" or flint, but a match works wonders with it.

The other thing I have in my pack is a "cheap" poncho. When I say cheap it's probably the $4.99 poncho at the checkout. It's pretty small to pack and can shead the rain if needed. Can be used as a "survival blanket" too. Mine's blaze orange for visibility (deer hunter special). Like I said cheap, it's more of a one use type of thing.

 

[kgd]

As far as the TP goes what ever is cheap.. I generally shread it a little and mix it with wood shavings.

I heard about kung fu masters toughening up their hands by chopping wood blocks and spearing piles of sand. However, this statement give a whole new meaning to extreme training

 

[cgebhard]

I heard about kung fu masters toughening up their hands by chopping wood blocks and spearing piles of sand. However, this statement give a whole new meaning to extreme training

Yeah I guess I should have put that was a response to the question that someone asked about "what type as a fire starter".

I wouldn't recommend that mixture with wood shavings for everyday use..

 

[luckykitty]

I added something to my FAK today - a Resusci-Guard, a sheet with a valve for mouth to mouth resuscitation, so you can help someone without having to worry about infections (or someone can help you).

 

[din]

dynamite.
crisco (#10 can).
17 pingpong balls.
raspberry zingers.

 

[tdc rangemaster]

What to put in the bag is very individual and can be complicated. What to put ON the bag is much simpler.