Gear
What to carry on every trip, before you need any skill at all.
What are the Ten Essentials?
The National Park Service groups them into ten systems: navigation (map, compass, GPS), sun protection, insulation (extra layers), illumination (headlamp or flashlight), first-aid supplies, fire (matches, lighter, fire starter), repair kit and tools, nutrition (extra food), hydration (extra water) and emergency shelter. You may need more for your activity, such as a life jacket or a two-way satellite messenger.
Is my phone enough for navigation?
Not on its own. The Park Service says to know how to use a topographic map, compass or GPS before going out, to bring a physical map as a backup, and to pack an extra battery for your phone.
What should I do before I leave the trailhead?
Tell someone where you are going and when to expect you back, and check the specific park's website so you can plan for its conditions.
What belongs in a home or vehicle emergency kit?
Ready.gov recommends a basic kit with water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, extra batteries, a whistle to signal for help and other supplies for several days, stored where you can grab it quickly.
Water and food
Safe water matters long before food does on a short emergency.
How long should I boil water to make it safe?
Bring clear water to a rolling boil for 1 minute. Above 6,500 feet, boil it for 3 minutes. Boiling is the surest way to kill viruses, bacteria and parasites, but it does not remove chemicals.
Does a portable water filter make water safe?
Not always. The CDC notes that most portable filters do not remove bacteria or viruses. Choose a filter labeled to remove parasites, follow the maker's instructions, and expect filtered water may still need disinfection.
Can I disinfect water with household bleach?
In an emergency, the CDC says to add 8 drops (a little less than 1/8 teaspoon) of 5 to 9 percent unscented household bleach per gallon, or 16 drops for cloudy water, mix well and wait at least 30 minutes before using it.
How much food should I carry?
Pack extra food beyond what you plan to eat; it is one of the Ten Essentials because delays and unplanned nights happen. For home or vehicle kits, Ready.gov recommends several days of non-perishable food.
Should I eat wild plants if I run out of food?
We do not recommend it unless you have been trained to identify that exact plant locally. Carrying extra food is the reliable plan; none of the government sources cited here advise foraging as an emergency strategy.
Shelter, warmth and getting found
Cold and wet are the main threats; staying in one place helps searchers.
Why do survival instructors say shelter comes first?
Because cold kills quickly. Hypothermia can set in during very cold weather or when you are chilled by rain, sweat or cold water, and it affects your ability to think clearly, so a person may not realize it is happening. Search teams teaching lost children say hypothermia, not hunger or thirst, is the danger.
What are the signs of hypothermia?
Early signs include shivering, fatigue, loss of coordination and confusion. Later signs include no shivering, blue skin, dilated pupils, slowed pulse and breathing and loss of consciousness. Seek medical help immediately.
What should I do if I am lost?
Stay put at a fixed landmark, keep warm and dry, and help searchers find you by making noise (a whistle is best) and answering their calls. A person who stays in one place is found faster than one who keeps moving.
How can I stay off the cold ground without a pad?
Parks Canada suggests building a nest of twigs and leaves at the base of your tree to insulate you from the cold ground, and tucking in your shirt and pant legs and zipping your jacket.
Where should I shelter in a thunderstorm?
There is no safe shelter outside; only a vehicle or a substantial enclosed building is safe. If you cannot reach one, get off ridges and peaks, stay away from isolated trees, cliffs, rocky overhangs and water, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder.
First-aid basics
Recognize the common outdoor emergencies, then get trained.
How do I tell heat exhaustion from heat stroke?
Heat exhaustion brings heavy sweating, cold, pale and clammy skin, a fast weak pulse, nausea, cramps and dizziness: move to a cool place, loosen clothes, use cool wet cloths and sip water. Heat stroke brings a body temperature of 103°F or higher, hot red skin, a fast strong pulse and confusion: call 911, it is a medical emergency, and do not give the person anything to drink.
When does heat exhaustion need medical help?
Get medical help right away if the person is vomiting, if symptoms get worse, or if symptoms last longer than one hour.
What should a basic first-aid kit include?
First-aid supplies are one of the Ten Essentials; tailor the kit to your trip and group. Ready.gov lists a first-aid kit as part of every basic emergency supply kit.
Where can I learn first aid properly?
Take a hands-on course. The American Red Cross offers first-aid, CPR and AED classes in person and online. A kit is only as useful as the training of the person carrying it.
This page is general education, not medical advice or a substitute for training. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.