Outdoor Emergency Equipment
As your mother always says, "It's better to be safe than sorry." Whether you are scaling the slopes of the
Tetons or
backpacking down under, it's important to head out into the wilderness prepared Knife'>Swiss Army Knife is not enough to get you by.
Basic Survival Kit
The key to survival in any event is heat/fire, shelter, water and food, most often in that order. Below, are some of the most basic supplies you might want to bring to cover just about any situation you could get yourself into, especially in the case that you get lost, which is when these items really come in handy. Remember though, these items are like gold in the hands of someone with the basic survival skills to go along with them. However, if you don't know what you're doing, they could quickly be worth less than a sack of dirt in the great outdoors. The point is that you should practice your survival skills before venturing into situations where you might seriously put yourself at risk. Take a class, read a
survival kit should there come the time when you must use them for real.
Heat & Light
Shelter
Water & Food
Items Needed to Get You Home
If you get lostdevice'>GPS device) a few basic tools may make the difference between sleeping in a tree or snuggling in your bed at home.
Handheld GPS Devices
In the 21st century, it's important to stay connected. With today's technology you can have a satellitedevice'>handheld GPS devices are waterproof and durable.
First Aid Kits
A compact
First Aid Kits.
Pre-Fabricated Survival Kits
Here are some kits that are packed and ready to go with you, ranging from the smallest, most minimalist of designs to all-encompassing packs.
Bear Safety
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Mace: Stop, drop and assume fetal position. And then? Bring some mace or
bear spray along with you when hiking. Usually they are very compact and lightweight and in the case that you are attacked or about to be attacked, it could just help save your life. Remember that mace is a very powerful tool. You MUST learn to use it properly, otherwise you could put yourself in more danger.
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Bear Bell: These are little bells attached to a strap. The noise will help keep bears away. You can also purchase some bells from a craft store and sew them onto a piece of fabric of your choosing.
: To learn more about what you can do to stay safe in bear country, please see this informative
Web site on Bear Safety.
Cold Weather & Avalanche Safety
In cold weather, the stakes are slightly against you. If you are going to be venturing into areas where avalanches are likely to occur, you need to have a few special items with you to protect yourself besides the items mentioned above.
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