Hiking This Thanksgiving? Be Prepared Using This Easy Survival Kit Guide
Hikers – new and experienced – always need to be prepared. The notion of being prepared is the slogan for many outdoor groups for a good reason: it helps save lives. If one is new to trekking the great outdoors, there are some basic principles to help one be prepared:
- Preparing for a hike does not only mean packing enough granola bars and water, it also means planning on survival. This means knowing where you are going and your route, someone else knows where you will be and when you should be home, knowing the weather forecasted, having a cell phone and/or a personal locator beacon (to use only in emergency situations), being up to date with all your shots, and a survival kit.
- Survival kits should be:
- Small enough to carry
- Water-proof
- Sturdy
- Versatile enough to have different-sized items
- Survival kits should contain at least:
- First aid items: bandages, gauze, surgical tape, wet naps, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, safety pins, tweezers, surgical blade, butterfly sutures, etc.
- Shelter items and a foil/solar blanket
- Water-purifying tablets
- Things to light a fire: matches (waterproof) and/or a lighter
- Signaling items like a mirror, whistle, flare, etc.
- Food and food procurement items: snare wire, fish and snare line, bouillon cubes, etc.
- Compass
- Candle
- Anti-diarrhea and anti-infection medications
- Lip balm
- Knife
- Multi-tool
- Pencil and paper: if you veer from your original route, let rescuers know where you have gone or can be found.
- A list of important phone numbers in case you are lucky enough to have cell service.
- Orange flag tape
- Nylon cord
- Bandana
- Duct tape
- LED flashlight
- Sun block
- Plastic zipper bags to help keep items dry or to hold water
A prepared hiker is a surviving hiker that is not featured on the evening news about how things should have been done. Planning ahead is the most invaluable strategy any outdoor enthusiast can have.
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