"The worst thing you can do is get frightened. The truly dangerous enemy is not the cold or the hunger, so much as the fear. It robs the wanderer of his judgment and of his limb power; it is fear that turns the passing experience into a tragedy…Keep cool and all will be well…Use what you have, where you are, right now." Ernest Thompson Seton, 1906
We all know that for every outing the Boy Scouts of America recommends that each Scout carry a kit consisting of the Ten Essentials. This includes;
BSA's Ten Essentials
1. Map & Compass
2. Matches & lighter
3. Tarp/temp shelter
4. Whistle/signal mirror
5. Food & Water
6. Extra Clothing/ sunglasses/cap
7. Headlamp or flashlight
8. Fire Starter
9. First Aid Kit/sunscreen
10. Knife or Leatherman
The personal first aid kit should include;
Personal First Aid Kit
Allergy & Prescription Medicines w/ instructions
Bandaids, Bandages & Tape
Antiseptic cream (Bacitracin)
Self-adhesive Athletic Wrap
Moleskin/Foot Powder
Analgesic (Tylenol, Advil…)
Insect Repellant
Lip Balm & Sun Block
Matches (strike anywhere, waterproof)
Emergency Money (phone..)
HAT recommends that these lists be attached to each Scout's daypack & backpack to be sure these important items are included for each outing. To help with this, your unit can produce laminated copies of these lists periodically. These lists are available at these links: BSA's Ten Essentails and Personal First Aid Kit. These files can be printed front to back, cut out and then laminated at a local copy shop. We have been laminating them 12 to an 8.5"x11" laminating sheet to keep costs down (to about $0.10 each!). Punching a hole in the top edge allows them to be easily attached to a pack.
These files are in Adobe Acrobat pdf format. You'll need the free Acrobat reader to view these files.
For more than weekend hikes, the basic Ten Essentails may not be enough. What do you do if your snowshoe binding breaks, you get caught in need of emergency shelter, or you need to get help? HAT's Favorite Links page has several links to sites that provide in depth discussions of kits you should consider for extended treks and high adventure settings.
If you find your self lost or as Daniel Boone said ‘just a bit bewildered’, remember to STOP;
S – Stop
T – Think
O – Observe
P – Plan
It will always help to have a few basic survival and emergency supplies with you so if you ever need to STOP, you’ll have something to work with. Every survival kit should contain the following items;
A means of instant body protection from the elements.
A means of instant energy to help sustain the body.
A means of carrying and heating water for internal warmth.
We suggest the following minimum kit be carried in your car, your pack or your pocket when ever you venture out;
This 'Super 10' Kit contains;
Signaling
Whistle
Signal Mirror – 2x3"
Small high intensity flashlight - LED
Red plastic flagging – 6’
Emergency Devices
Fire starter flint
Steel for flint (piece of hacksaw blade)
Fire starter sticks (waxed wood chips)
Windproof/waterproof matches, REI – 6
Cotton fire tinder
Wire wood saw
Button compass
Emergency blanket/temp shelter
Medical
Super Tylenol – 2x500mg ea
Ibuprofen – 2
2x2" compress – 1
Adhesive bandages – 2
Iodine wipes in foil – 2
Alcohol wipe in foil – 1
Water & Food
Metal container w/ plastic lid
(for warming & storage)
Potable-aqua tablets – 25
(in glass bottle with teflon lined lid)
Zip lock baggie, food grade – 1 QT
Sugar packet – 1
Tea bag in foil – 1
Bullion foil packet – 1
Multi Purpose/Misc.
This materials list
Survival reference sheets – 5
550lb parachute cord – 25’
(wrapped around outside of can)
Electrical tape – 3’ (seals lid on can)
Twisted nylon line – 10’ (185lb test)
Duct tape on label backing – 2 11" strips
Sewing thread – heavy duty poly, 30'
Sewing needles – 1 large, 1 small
Safety pins – 10 misc. sizes
Blanket pins - 3
Alum foil – 5 sq. feet heavy duty
Galvanized steel wire, 19GA – 6’
Galvanized nails – 2 6d
Medium size plastic bag
Small wood pencil
Water proof writing paper – 2 sheets 4x6"
Tea candle
Single edge razor blade
Mini multi tool
Thermometer
Magnifying lens – flat 'credit card' style
These nearly 4 dozen items will fit into a smallish (#10 or smaller) can for near water tight storage. A galvanized can, like the ones used for canned pineapple, are the best.
Download the HAT Super 10 Essentials Kit materials list (3 per page) - in WORD DOC format so you can edit it for your unit!
This page revised February 11, 2007