To ensure you can deal with an emergency and spend an unforeseen night without power, away from your house or in the backcountry, experts advise you to carry the following at all times, either in your vehicle, your house, or even better, both:
- Sun Protection: This is critical in the desert, the mountains and snow. Sunglasses should provide ultraviolet protection; dollar-store cheapies may not be worth a penny in the desert sun or reflecting off snow. Sunscreen should be rated at least SPF 30, but suggest 50+, especially in the desert. And don't forget lip balm!
- Emergency Shelter: If you’re carrying a tent, or even a pop-up pavilion, you’re “covered” in the desert. But in the monsoon season or in mountains/snow, you definitely need a water-proof shelter with a space blanket for each person, in addition to your rain gear. Other options are plastic tube tents or an extra-large plastic trash bag. It’s also worth the extra dollar or two to include space blanket-type-sleeping bags.
- First-Aid Supplies: Not all of us have taken a first-aid course, but it’s a great idea, especially emergency or backpacking oriented first aide. Important note: Most experts advise that many prepackaged first-aid kits are inadequate. In emergencies, small or medium sized bandages just don’t do the job. Check out our Basic, Intermediate and Advanced first aid kit lists in the First Aid section.
- Fire: In addition to the old, reliable waterproof matches in a waterproof container, many have at least two disposable lighters, as well. This category also includes fire starters or strikers, candles, chemical heat tabs, canned heat or resin-soaked chipped wood blocks.
- Hydration: You can live quite a while without food in the desert, but only about three days or less without water; and dehydration can sneak up on you. Always carry at least one (32 oz.) water bottle per person per day, and it’s always a good idea to pack iodine tablets to treat additional water or carry a straw filter.
- Nutrition: Carry at least enough food and water for an extra day and night in the desert or mountains. The food should require no cooking, yet store well; granola bars, cereal bars, jerky, nuts, dried fruit, hard candy or MRE’s.
- Illumination: Traditional flashlights are great, but an LED flashlight is brighter, lasts longer and is more efficient. Every vehicle should have at least two in the glove compartment: one large, one small, as well as spare batteries. Other great options are LED headlamps (freeing up both hands), and solar-powered collapsible floating lanterns – they come in a variety of sizes and weights, plus options such as flashing emergency red lights.
- Clothing: This category doesn’t just mean extra clothing, but includes inner and heavy outer socks, sturdy hiking boots, underwear, pants, etc. All told, your clothing should allow you to survive the worst conditions that can be realistically expected. In winter, that means subfreezing temperatures. In summer, that means extreme heat and blazing sun. Your winter clothes should not be of cotton, which robs you of heat when wet and increases the risk of hypothermia. Instead, use synthetics such as polypropylene and nylon, or blends of the same with wool or silk. In summer, it’s the opposite, with neutral, lightweight 100% cotton shirts and sturdy being the best, and cooler, lightweight pants instead of heavy denim jeans. (Surgical scrub pants are wonderful in pale blue, light tan, etc.) NO SHORTS. Also, include full rain gear – pants and jacket – and don’t skip on their quality. Important Fact: In winter's chill, a hat provides more warmth and protection for its weight than any other piece of clothing. In the hottest sun, a straw-type or lightweight, wide-brimmed hat with string tie is priceless.
- Repair Kit and Tools: This category includes the simple pocketknife, but perhaps better would be a knife in combination with a multi-tool – now available with different tools and weights. Other unbelievably useful items may include safety pins, spare pack clips, cable ties, extra carabiners, cordage, rope, and good-old duct tape. Some hikers wrap a few feet of duct tape around their water bottles. Always remember to tuck in some heavy-duty black and clear polypropylene trash bags of various sizes; it’s amazing how often they come in handy and not just for storing garbage!
- Navigation: Area maps and a good compass are mandatory, along with the knowledge of how to use them (including the difference between true north and magnetic north). The maps need to be topical and stored in a waterproof container. Your cell phone's GPS is wonderful - if it’s working, but not worth betting your life on.