Being Prepared with the “10 Essentials”

Often when preparing to go camping, backpacking or gold prospecting you are so excited about what you might find and the potential of the trip that the safety preparation may fall short. Any time you go into the wilderness, whether it be the forest, mountains, or the desert there are a number of items you should always carry with you to keep you safe. To help make a list of items necessary for your safety on your prospecting adventure we will want to look at the “10 Essentials”.

The “10 Essentials” is a list that was officially created in 1974 where it debuted in the 3^rd edition of “Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills.” It is a widely respected system that seeks to answer the question: In the case of an emergency, what is needed to survive? Although this system was created specifically for mountaineers, it speaks to many different types of outdoor activities as a beginning equipment list to help you survive an unexpected situation. This list is especially important when there is even the smallest chance of becoming stranded, when hiking to remote locations, and when prospecting in new unknown areas. When packing and reviewing this list, additional things that must be taken into consideration are weather, complexity and remoteness. These factors will help determine what extent each of the ten categories should be considered and what item or items will provide the most benefit.

The 10 Essentials

These are the 10 Essential categories. There may be one or more things that will be necessary to meet the needs of each category, so this is some examples and ways to consider what may be best to add to your list of essentials has been added.

Navigation

Navigation can be GPS, a map, compass, signaling devices, altimeter, PLB, and/or satellite communicator.

GPS devices can accurately give you your location on a digital map. The biggest benefit of a GPS device is that they are typically very accurate, and the maps can be downloaded, so you don’t need service to access them. At the same time, you must make sure you are using this type of GPS, so you do not end up lost assuming your GPS has this capability.

Maps can have quite a bit of information and do not require anything other than your ability to understand what you are looking at, so they make a great tool or backup tool. The best maps are topographical maps. Topographical maps show contours and elevation which make it easier for you to determine your precise location. The detailed 1:24,000 scale maps are the best ones, and will show the best detail, sometimes even including mines and prospects. Maps should be kept in a plastic bag or case to keep dry.

An altimeter tells you your elevation and can help you navigate with your topographic map.

Compasses are small, lightweight, and easy to use. Compasses can help orientate you and send you in the right direction.

A signaling device can be a fire, mirror, or other device that would help passersby or aircrafts find you. The biggest benefit of a signaling device is so that you do not have to leave a specific area where you may have told someone you were going and make it easier for you to be found if you were injured or lost.

A PLB is a personal location beacon that is used to determine your location using GPS and sends a message using government or commercial satellites.

Satellite communicators also use government or commercial satellites and are more dependable in remote locations than cell phones.

No matter what type of navigation tool or tools you use it is important to understand the limitations of the device before relying on it in the field.

Illumination

Illumination is crucial at night. Items that could be necessary could be a headlamp, flashlight, and/or lantern. Headlamps are considered to be the best type of illumination as they are hands free and lightweight. Some headlamps also include a red light that can be used for signaling.

Sun Protection

Sunglasses, sun protective clothes, umbrella, sunscreen and/or a hat are used to protect you from sunburn and snow blindness. Sun protective clothes such as lightweight long sleeve shirts and pants offer better protection that sunscreen. Sunscreen should be applied generously and as recommended by the EPA, be “broad spectrum” to have both UVA and UVB protection. It also should be applied regularly as even sweat or water-resistant sunscreen only lasts roughly 90 minutes. Do not forget about your lips too, you can apply sunscreen to your lips or get a lip balm that has sun protection in it. Sunglasses are great to protect your eyes from the sun, but make sure they have UV protective lens for the most amount of protection.

Personally, I tend to also carry an umbrella. Umbrellas can add unnecessary weight if you have protection already but having an umbrella with a UV protective coating can be beneficial in both rain and shine!

First Aid

First aid kits should be specific for what you are doing. It is important that you also know how to use the items in your first aid kit. You should never attempt to preform first aid above your level of training. Some basic items to include could be bandages, skin closures, gauze pads, tape, antiseptic, nitrile gloves, nonprescription painkillers, OTC anti-inflammatory, and any personal prescriptions. Make sure you pack an appropriate amount of extra prescription medications for emergencies. Also, insect repellant or lemon juice may be a great add to your first aid kit to avoid being bitten or stung and contracting a disease or infection,

Repair

Something always seems like it is breaking on every trip, so it is best to have some repair tools. A knife, duct tape, screwdriver, needles, scissors, multitool, wire, cable ties, and/or cordage are all good examples of things you may need for repair. Knives are especially useful as the help in repair, food preparation, area clearing, shelter building, self-defense, hunting, first aid, and many other applications.

Cordage, such as 550 parachute cord, is sturdy, resilient lightweight and portable which can help you build a shelter, hoist food away from animals, and can be used for repair. Also consider replacement parts when deciding what should go in your repair kit. Other repair items are going to specific to what you have and where you are going.

Fire

Being able to start and maintain an emergency fire is necessary to cook food, get warm, scare away wild animals, or even create a signal. Matches, a stove, lighter, fire starter, candles and/or tinder are all great items to make or maintain a fire. Tinder is useful in areas that are wet to get a fire started. Tinder you may want to consider packing can be wax infused rope, cotton balls covered in petroleum jelly, or wood soaked in wax or chemicals. A stove may also be useful with fuel tablets or butane if you are going somewhere where there may not be firewood. A disposable butane lighter is much more dependable than matches and can be the easiest and most efficient way to start a fire.

Shelter

Shelter is necessary to get you out of the wind, rain snow, and/or sun. Shelters can also be used to protect you from wildlife. A tent, bivy, canopy, and/or tarp are some examples of shelters you can pack. Tents can be heavy so on a day trip they may not be the best tool to have. An emergency bivy is typically lightweight and provides protection from both wind and rain, so keeping one in your bag can really be beneficial. A canopy or tarp can be used in emergency situations but do not offer much protection from wind. Large garbage bags can also be useful if they are what you have with you.

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Food

Extra food that is based on remoteness. A one-day supply is needed at a minimum for shorter trips. Consider items that do not require cooking if you are not packing a means to cook. Emergency food should be high in nutrients to help maintain you the longest. Consider salty and easy to digest foods. If you are a coffee drinker, having instant coffee in your kit can help in an emergency situation by reducing stress and anxiety. Also, you should get to know your area for edible (and not edible!) plants and insects.

Water

Pack water and/or tools to obtain and purify water. Always carry one bottle of water or hydration bag/bladder. For most people, 1.5 – 3 quarts of water are necessary, but it varies based on temperature, exerted energy, altitude, and each person’s body. Prepare your water before you need it to avoid dehydration.

Water filtration can be completed using a filtration bottle, a filter straw, boiling, or purification chemicals.

Insulation

Extra clothes such as rain gear, jacket, gloves, thermal underwear, and/or extra socks may be good to add. Pack to be prepared for unexpected weather changes that can protect you from the most extreme weather conditions you could encounter.

Limitations

It cannot be stressed enough that each and every trip has its own benefits and limitations, so be sure you are planning your essential items based on the needs of every trip. Staying safe, dry and comfortable is a must. Make sure these items are with you no matter where you are going or how long you’ll be away. If you hike away from your “base camp” these items should be with you including a means of shelter, having a tent back at camp is not going to do you any good if you cannot make it back to camp.

Some Extras to Consider

This list is very helpful in coming up with just the basic essential items, but there are a few additional things that I personally believe need to be considered.

Mental and Physical State

First, your physical and mental state in an emergency is very important. Maintaining your strength in both areas are essential. A few considerations could be:

• Only exert energy when absolutely necessary
• Keep mentally busy with items like crossword puzzles, reading, survival cards, writing, or anything to help pass the time especially if you are waiting a storm out, are trapped or injured, or need to be rescued.
• Try to maintain a positive attitude to avoid depression and anxiety.

Staying positive and mentally busy in a positive way can increase survival drastically.

Buddy System

Secondly, the buddy system can save your life. Traveling with another person or a group of people can help with a number of emergency situations such as:

• weight distribution of essential items allowing for more room to carry additional items you may not have had the ability to bring if travelling alone,
•  improved safety by helping prevent injury or providing rescue, and mental clarity through group problem solving and socialization that counters the sense of isolation.

Batteries and Charging

Lastly, batteries or a means of charging. These can be considered repair items, but I think it is important to think about this separately from the repair category. All items should be fully charged and/or have new batteries in them before your trip. If you are using items that use batteries or need to be charged, be sure to bring additional batteries and/or a power bank with the cords. There is no use in having a dead flashlight or GPS system.

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Self-Reliance

Self-reliance is key. Know your own limitations. You should check all your equipment before heading out to make sure it is not expired, damaged or inoperable. Make sure you are bringing items and tools that you know how to use. Do not exceed your own limitations if it is not necessary. In case an emergency does happen, it is not suggested that you leave your campsite or vehicle, but if you do, make sure you leave a note detailing the direction you will be headed and what day and time you left in case rescuers or passersby come across that first, so they know where to look.

Outdoor adventures are fun and exciting and the best way to make sure it stays that way is to be prepared for an emergency.