A lot of discussion on another forum based on an article titled "What Should I know about Backcountry Emergency Kits?" found on traditionialmountaineering.org. I don't know how to post the link or I would.

Interesting sales approach.

What Should I Know About Backcountry Survival Kits

The Mountaineers "Ten Essentials System" is virtually identical to the Sierra Club's "Ten Essentials" we learned in their Basic Mountaineering Course. It pretty much covers all the bases. We always added the Eleventh Essential - Toilet Paper. Not truly essential, but very handy.

Kevin B.

Interesting and thought-provoking.

I find myself wondering if the term "emergency kit" does promote a false sense of security. Maybe it's worth thinking about preparedness in terms of "essentials" for leaving your house or your car or whatever, with the simple goal of being reasonably well equipped for the weather, terrain, and prevailing local conditions, emergency or otherwise. Rather than a sealed and seldom-used PSK, have a familiar and often-used assortment of "useful stuff" (essentials).

It dovetails nicely with the often-repeated topic on this and other forums of being familiar with your gear and practicing your skills in non-emergency situations, so that when the emergency comes you avoid many of the "what the heck do I do now?" moments.


Frank2135

While I think their list isn't too bad, I have to wonder about somebody who comes up with a "10 Essentials" list that has over 20 items on it like this one does. Slipping the word "System" in there really isn't all that clever. I'll bet somebody could come up with a "5 Essentials System" list that weighs 25 lbs. Oh wait, that's my BOB.

The 10 essentials list has been adjusted over the years. The basis of the list is good though. Add and delete as you wish, but know why you do.

Any list has two advantages -- one, its a list. You can look at it and see the stuff. Two it will make you either agree or disagee with the items -- which gets you thinking. TP is a great add!

What RAS said. The Sierra Club 10 Essentials are/were:

1. Map
2. Compass
3. Flashlight
4. Sunglasses
5. Extra food and water
6. Extra clothing
7. Waterproof matches
8. Candle
9. Pocketknife
10. First aid kit

Why sunglasses but not a hat or sunscreen? If you carry a flashlight shouldn't you also have extra bulbs and batteries? Why are food and water one item? Wouldn't a Bic be better than waterproof matches? A candle really isn't the best firestarter. And why are matches/candle two items while food/water are one? Why a pocketknife instead of a fixed blade or a multitool?

You see my point. Everyone customizes the 10 essentials according to their needs and preferences. The list isn't written on stone. It's just a tool to get you thinking in terms of navigation, protection from the elements, emergencies, etc.

A lot of people would never leave the house without a GPS, PLB, signal mirror, fishing kit, water purification system, etc. That's all fine and dandy. But if you literally had just the 10 items on the list you'd probably be in pretty good shape.

Kevin B.

Another version of the list as mentioned in the article is:
1. Navigation
2. Sun Protection
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination
5. First-Aid Supplies
6. Fire
7. Repair Kit and Tools
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Emergency Shelter

This list is more general and a bit easier to modify. The pocketknife in the first list would just be one of the Repair Kit and Tools of the second list. I don't understand why they separated Extra food and water in the first list to two items in the second -- probably seemed like a good idea at the time. Use either list, modify as your situation dictates, but don't drop something on the premise that you'll borrow from Peter.
What does that comment mean?

It was a little underwhelming, but maybe I'm just jaded.

I was suprised and very concerned by the associate at REI. That kind of reaction is kinda scary. And I liked the use of "special" to describe a blurb on CNN. You can't be very special in four minutes, I'm sorry.

It seems to me that another important message that the article speaks to is, "don't take a knife to a gun fight." Doug's mini-kits (of which I have two) are not intended to replace a 10 essential 12 to 18 lb day pack for a difficult all day or extended outing. Sometimes I get the feeling that some "survival hobbiest" believe that their little asprin or mint tin "kit" is all they will ever need.

You mean it won't????

Personally though, I've never had my 10 essentials weigh more than about 5 lbs, and it served me just fine. Of course, it usually supplemented an already full backpack.

I live in a semi-arid to arid climate and carry the recommended 2 quarts of water; that alone weights almost 5 lbs.

Ah heck, I have a hard time walking three miles in a straight line without finding a water source and I carry three times that at a minimum. :P

Be aware that you should carry (and drink) about a quart an hour (and possibly more). This does vary somewhat according to heat and humidity and you might want to be able to carry a gallon or more of water (DON'T forget salty snacks and a light weight tarp.)

Maybe if you left the salty snacks behind you wouldn't need to drink so much water?

Yep, there are no same 10 essentials for all situations. That's why I like my version better...

http://texas.sierraclub.org/dallas/page.asp?10essentialgroups

no TP?

ha...which group would you put TP under? Tools or Communication?

That quart an hour stuff may be for the summer mohave desert but in general it is way overstated. I've been backpacking for years, granted in cooler weather, but I never carry more than two quarts a day when we will be camping near water in the evening. I drink around three quarts a day and do just fine.

Learn to backpack and you will see how little you really need to get by.