Wilderness Emergency Backpack and Day Pack Survival Kit

Emergencies can happen while you are in the wilderness.  Improve your odds of getting back home safely and with minimal discomfort by packing this emergency backpack kit.

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 Unpleasant emergencies can be brought about by:

• Sudden change in weather
• Getting injured
• Getting lost
• Getting delayed and unexpectedly having to spend the night in the wild
• Running out of water

Before you head out, assess your situation to determine how extensive your emergency kit should be.  There is always a trade off between weight and necessity.

 Questions to ask yourself:

• Am I going solo or with others?
• Will there be many other people where I am going?
• Have I told someone where I am going, what time I expect to return and when to sound an alarm if I’m not back?
• How variable is the weather where I am going?  Are pop up storms possible?
• Is it possible that the temperatures can be below 50 degrees fahrenheit/10 degrees celsius (even at night and you aren’t planning on spending the night)
• How rugged and/or remote is the terrain?
• How well marked is the trail?

See the Complete Backpack Emergency Kit Checklist below

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Priorities if You Get Lost

Shelter  – 3 Hours (in bad weather)

You can make a lean-to shelter with branches over a large rock or lower branch.  Make bedding with straw, grass or leaves, and use a large branch as a ‘door’.  A cave or rock ledge is great EXCEPT during a lightning storm.  Many people who get lost perish due to exposure.  It is critical to create a shelter if you do not have the proper gear for the rain or cold.  IMPORTANT: Don’t wait until it is almost dark to solve this urgent problem!  Avoid the 4 W’s:  Wigglies (ant hills, etc), Wildlife (avoid wildlife trails), Water (animals seek the rivers and lakes) and Wind (to avoid exposure and Widowmakers: dead tree branches that could fall on you).

Water – 3 Days

You can only go three days without water.  Hopefully you have at least packed a LifeStraw, if not a purifier.  Use a bandana to strain your water if you don’t.  It is better to not allow yourself to get dehydrated than to ‘ration’ your water.  If you can’t purify your water, drink from wherever you can find it and worry about any gastro issues after you are rescued.  If you don’t have water, move less and eat less.  If hot, stay in the shade.  Do NOT drink your urine!  Only drink MELTED snow so you don’t lower your temperature.

Food – 3 Weeks

You can go three weeks without food.  Most people are rescued within 48 hours.  Unless you are positive, don’t eat berries or mushrooms, as many are poisonous.  Read up on how to test plants to see if they are poisonous and perhaps take a foraging class.

Call Attention to Yourself

• Remember the 3’s:  it’s the universal signal for HELP!  Signal planes and helicopters with three reflections from a mirror or your phone (line up with a “V” with your other otherstretched arm and hand.  Use three branches or logs in a straight line or triangle to signal distress and need for help.
• Put out or wear neon or bright clothes.  Always carry some neon survey tape!  Better yet, use the bright colors to make your 3’s.
• Blow a whistle in sets of 3’s.
• If you see a plane or helicopter, don’t wave : they could think you are waving hello!  Put your arms straight up or lie down with arms straight up.  This is the signal for help.
• Make a fire in an area that won’t start a forest fire.  Use green vegetation to create smoke.  Always carry one or two means of starting a fire and PRACTICE!

Your Basic Backpack Essentials and Survival Kit

Most smart phones allow SOS calls even if you do not have service!

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