Joel's 4 Essentials
4 essentials 2018
First Aid
Band-aid
come in various sizes for various cuts
less versatile then gauze and tape (Gus)
mole skin
Blister Prevention
if too late, and blister forms, keep it covered
To apply cut a hole in the mole skin the size of the blister then put the mole skin around not on the blister
Not always Reliable JA
Check Tapes for Other Options JA
Use when you get a hot spot on your foot SM
Gauze
Medical Tape
has multiple uses
vet tape sticks to it self but not skin/hair (Gus)
can be used to pix people and gear, mk
Rubber Gloves -SD
Contact with blood can result in disease transferring
Triple antibiotic
Hydrogen Peroxide/ Rubbing Alcohol
Clean open wounds to prevent infections
butterfly bandages good for closing small but deep cuts.
bzk pads/alcohol pads
Tic Pull
Tweezers
Benadryl
Helpful if someone is allergic to bees JW
baby asprin, mk
Treats pain, fever, headache, and inflammation
can also give to someone who may be having heart attack- OD
blood thinner, mk
G.P.S. for med evac if needed, mk
assess if person can walk out first, mk
Kerlix
Triangle Bandage
helpful if someone breaks shoulder or elbow,can make a sling HB
good to pack with splint, mk
Splint
Sam splints
Improvised splints
make sure you have material for a sling to immobilize as well, mk
Butterfly Bandage
Not always necessary to put another bandage over this
Safety pins
Burn Cream
Trauma Shears
Very effective but bulky
in the backcountry do not clothing or gear unless if completely necessary because you might need it before you can get out or help comes (Gus)
Surgical Scissors
can be used for cutting things other than first aid supplies (KD)
removing clothing/straps in emergency situations (AH)
cost effective and rust far slower than other knives, mk
Epinephrine
Glucose
For Diabetics
4 Glucose tablets, some hard candies, sugar or honey. Avoid nuts in case of allergy.
provides quick energy, can be good start when bonking (AH)
Antacid Tablets
CPR Mask
To prevent skin on skin contact and transferring diseases SM
Prescription meds
Sunburn Relief
Aloe
cloth (dampen with cold water to provide relief) (AH)
Electrolyte Tablets
Trioral oral re hydration salts- medical grade tablets -IS
Medique Med-Lyte electrolyte replacer -IS
NUNN -IS
Knife
Cutting clothes off, cutting ropes, etc.
Swiss Army Knife JW
Leathermen Multi tool (KD)
Tourniquet
If applied take down the time applied
Build up of acids in blood of tied off area can kill a person if you take it off and the blood rushes to their heart
Israeli Bandage
Eye Drops
good for cold weather when eyes can become dry, mk
Tampons or pads, can be helpful to stop bleeding when in a pinch.-SD
Sunscreen -IS
click to edit
A sunscreen stick is less messy to apply (KD)
can deteriorate gear if it get on it (PFDs Dry suits) mk
Gold Bond JW
Can be used to stop chaffing JW
can be used to help get dry suit gaskets on
Arnicare/hot and icy SM
good for multi day trips for sore muscles SM
good for hiking SM
Moisturizer for extreme dry skin (KD)
Vaseline (KD)
good to use as chapstick- OD
blisters/sores (AH)
Cranberry pills- OD
Good for UTIs- OD
deodorant- OD
instant pain relief from bug bites/ stings (works great for red ant bites)- OD
extra if someone forgets or runs out- OD
rub between legs to prevent chafing- OD
rash relief- OD
saline- OD
can use to help with dry eye or wash eyes out if something is in them- OD
can be used to clean small cuts- OD
q-tips- OD
Can be used to clean or apply medicine to small area- OD
nobody wants dirty ears- OD
Nail Clippers(bill)
emergen-C to prevent and help will illness (AH)
Tapes JA
LeukoTape JA
A breathable and extremely sticky tape. JA
Commonly used as climbers tape JA
Tape Glove JA
Hand Protection JA
Minimizes friction on skin, best I've seen for non broken skin JA
Works amazing to prevent hotpots from becoming blisters. JA
KT tape JA
Use for open sores after sterilization, tape is very breathable and flexible JA
Great for blisters once they become open sores, minimizes friction on skin JA
Fixing Gear
Multi-tool-SD
Electrical Tape
Waterproof
Durable JW
Light Weight JW
click to edit
bracelets for easy storage.
Duct Tape
wrap around a pencil for storage.
glue, mk
Crazy Glue / AV
Epoxy FC
Nylon Tent Repair Kit / AV
Speedy Stitcher Sewing Awl / AV
Gear patches (sticky) -IS
Tent
Sleeping Pad
Seem reinforcement -IS
Dental Floss FC
Knives/Multitools FC
Petzl Spatha FC
JB Weld -TP
spare shoe laces (AH)
Can also be used as a belt - LC
para cord/ string (chlo)
Navigation
Compass-SD
Thumb Compass FC
Maritime Compass FC
Solid State Compass FC
Quibla Compass FC
Can use string on compass for measure distances on maps or charts
Map-SD
Waterproof, can be used during storms and bad weather, also more resistant to being ripped. -SD
be sure to get well detailed/appropriate map
stick to point (AH)
G.P.S.
In-phone app
AllTrails app (KD)
SPOT device
Delorm unit
Chart
Waterproof, can be used during storms and bad weather, and on the water, more resistant to being ripped. -SD
Fine tipped instrument (Pencil)
Graphite (writes better in wet conditions) / AV
Can be resharpened with a knife JW
Grease pen, Can write on charts or in wet conditions(Bill)
North Star, Polaris, Reading the sky JA
Communication
G.P.S.
Cell Phone
May or May not have service JW
Can run out of battery JW
Not very Waterproof JW
Waterproof case MF
portable charger mf
click to edit
Solar powered charger (KD)
Whistle
can make a s.o.s. pattern with the whistle (Gus)
can communicate in morse code with whistle, or any other loud noise maker (chlo)
Signal Mirror
can be hard to use in a real situation (Gus)
SPOT Device
Delorme In Reach -JF
good for planed communication and up dates (Gus)
Special situations
Fog horn
Walkie talkie
radio is vary important in open water (Gus)
Radios are also popular in backcountry skiing (Gus)
Grease pen for ocean charts -IS
avalanche beacon (Gus) :
Bring extra batteries for communication devices/ know last time of charge -IS
A reflective vest for being seen on the road at night -IS
Bright clothing during hunting season -JF
Smoke Signals -TP
NATO phonetic, helps properly communicate via voice (ie over a radio transmission) without confusion (chlo)
People
Kiegan
Sara
Gus
Tim
Jacob
Oliver Reil
Liam
Sierra
Ella
matt koval
Jared Silverman
Andrew
Indianna
Jake Wilson
Kelsy
Fletcher Codd
Hayden B
Kelly
Jacob Furr
Olivia Danise
Bill
Aaron Huneck
Chlo
Adeline
Joel
Fire starter-SD
Flint and steel
Lighter
Light Weight JW
Durable JW
Corrodes in salt water -JF
Must stay warm and dry -TP
virtually dysfunctional when wet (chlo)
Water doesn't damage it, only temporary JA
Cotton Starters
Cotton Swab with petroleum jelly (will burn when wet and lasts longer than just a cotton swab) / AV
Char Cloth / AV
birch bark, mk
Preferably pick up birch off the ground because peeling it directly from the birch tree, will cause harm to the tree. / AV
If following LNT, peeling birch off the trees damages the environment, don't do this (kd)
creates lots of soot when burned- only use as initial starter (chlo)
Tear into very fine pieces and peel the layers for best effect - LC
Tar Paper
Strike anywhere Matches / AV
Lighter FC
Bic Lighter FC
Zippo Lighter FC
Spark key (KD)
good for lighting stoves because hands are away when the stove lights (Gus)
Pine sap(bill)
Water Purification-SD
Pump filter SM
a bit of a arm workout SM
You don't have to wait SM
gravity filter SM
freezes
sleep with filter in plastic baggy in sleeping bag to prevent freezing at night (AH)
be sure to consistently empty it, to avoid jam ups in the morning (everyone rushing to fill at once)
Takes a long time
Put a water bottle underneath SM
Check filter often SM
Gets clogged with dirt easily SM
bring multiple filters (AH)
detach hose/ keep in its own bag (AH)
do not let interior of bag contaminate anything as it contains tons of germs (AH)
iodine tablets SM
click to edit
Is not fully effective in killing Giardia Lamblia or Cryptosporidium. -IS
Do not use more than a couple weeks -IS
Is banned in many countries for health reasons
Iodine Droppers JW
Could accidentally add more then needed JW
Most wait 30-60 minutes for the Iodine to kill off any bacteria JW
U.S. doesn't manufacture anymore SM
There is a health risk involved (kd)
boiling water, mk
tastes bad SM
Doesn't filter out leaves, dirt ect. SM
Takes a long time SM
Uses up fuel(unless Kelly kettle) SM
can put in your sleeping bag at night to warm up SM
doesnt take as long as G-bag filter, depending on fuel (chlo)
steri light. mk
can be used when filters freeze (Gus)
batteries can die in the cold, mk
Life straw -SD
GEO water filter (sand, charcoal, gravel) / AV
Requires lots of exertion to operate
bulky
Bleach -IS
1/4 teaspoon to 1 gallon -IS
be carefull -IS
Water bottle or bag for collection (extra) -IS
Sawyer Squeeze FC
if chemical, use chlorine dioxide. much safer
vitamin C can help with bad taste (kd)
Headlamp w/ spare batteries
Spare headlamp
BD tactikka (Rechargeable Battery is a plus) / AV
Rechargeable is a plus when can be replaced with triple A's (Gus)
Petzl Actik FC
rechargable battery dies fast, replace with triple A
Black Diamond Storm: different light settings for different uses (KD)
Black Diamond Spot- cheaper option, still has 250 lumens (Chlo)
Pencil/Journal/Eating
Rite in the Rain (Waterproof Journals) / AV
Fisher Space Pen FC
Pencils Entries don't smear in the rain -JF
Fairshare or other bowl -JF
Utensils -JF
Extra Utensils for those who forget theirs -TP
Dont forget something to sharpen or use a mechanical (bring extra lead) (KD)
a knife to sharpen your pencil (AH)
grease pencil is choice for paddling/ wet conditions (chlo)
Extra gear for other people KH
clothes KH
Fleece HB
Gloves HB
Socks HB
Hat HB
Preferably wool - LC
Spare Hat -TP
warm layer (Gus)
spare shell/storm keg (AH)
Buff FC
click to edit
Feminine products (KD)
Extra bags for feet or keeping things dry (KD)
spare rubble bag (AH)
Extra toilet paper (KD)
utensils (AH)
water bottle (AH)
or Spare filtration/purification for water (chlo)
spare wagbag (chlo)
spare synthetic/wool socks (chlo)
Come pick me up button is good for not too serious emergencies JA
Dyneema Cord JA
good for replacing guy lines JA
bear hangs JA
Load bearing JA
Where to Keep 4 essentials JA
Prevent damage JA
Waterproof bag JA
Bag keeps prevents damage
Easy Access
Pack Brain JA
Hip Belt Pocket JA
Multi tool holster JA
Top of pack JA