Ten Essentials Input

**tipacanoe** · 12-31-2007, 06:47 PM

If anyone doubts the need for sun glasses, they should watch the Mt Everest program on the Discovery channel. They had to lead a guy down who was snow blind, and it was going to be months before they would know if he got his vision back. I went to Antarctica, in the Navy, had duty driver for a week, and if I didn't have the sunglasses, it would have been terrible. If I don't wear them ice fishing of snowmobiling, I'm going to have a migraine the next day for sure.

**AdventureDoc** · 12-31-2007, 07:27 PM

This is some great info on the water bottle kits! I have been carrying the small brass/aluminium boxes for tobacco, as seen in the Lofty Wiseman book SAS Survival Manual. I have always had an issue with not having a decent water collector, with this system. Problem solved!

I am a huge fan of sunglasses and consider them almost PPE (personal protective eqpt). I had snowblindness as a kid, it hurt really bad for almost a week. Really bad.

As for the lights, totally! I agree that you can get some impressive "night vision" going, especially if the moon co-operates. However, as mentioned above, the rummage through the pack at 03:30 needs a bit of light, so does reading your map. I am a believer in the "two is one, one is none" philosophy. I carry a head lamp (always) and a few light sticks with a sheath to "turn them off". The sheath is very light, small and prevents the glow stick from ruining the "night vision" adaption.

Oh, the myth of your night vision being better if you look at an object sideways, is true. The arrangement of rods and cones in the eye (light sensing and photo receptors) is laid out, partly due to the position of the optic nerve, so your best night vision is your peripheral vision. Don't look directly at an object, at night, if you want to see it clearly. Look a bit to one side and you'll see what I mean.

**Sarge47** · 01-02-2008, 04:12 PM

Here's some more on the"10" that some people might find interesting!

http://www.isu.edu/outdoor/ten.htm

**Proud American** · 01-06-2008, 11:10 PM

Doc-Oh, the myth of your night vision being better if you look at an object sideways, is true. The arrangement of rods and cones in the eye (light sensing and photo receptors) is laid out, partly due to the position of the optic nerve, so your best night vision is your peripheral vision. Don't look directly at an object, at night, if you want to see it clearly. Look a bit to one side and you'll see what I mean.

That is intresting Thanks Doc!

Sarge, that firestarter they weere talking about in your link were talkin about those steele rods that are attached to flint right. You use the rod when you can cause that lastes much longer( not goin to run out of flint for awhile), but they tell you to bring the matches cause lighting fire with a small flame beats lighting a fire with sparks in windy conditions.

**Sarge47** · 01-07-2008, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by Proud American

Sarge, that fire-starter they were talking about in your link were talking about those steel rods that are attached to flint right. You use the rod when you can cause that lasts much longer( not going to run out of flint for awhile), but they tell you to bring the matches cause lighting fire with a small flame beats lighting a fire with sparks in windy conditions.

Which post are you referring to, P.A.?

Did you ever try to light a fire using a match in high wind? Flint has a better chance and should be used 1st to conserve those precious matches.

**RBB** · 01-07-2008, 07:12 AM

Originally Posted by Sarge47

I'm sorry Mitch, but I disagree with you. 1st a flashlight can come in mighty useful in a cave or just trying to find something in the dark or in the bottom of your pack at night. 2nd sunglasses not only help with the glare off of snow, but any time of the year glare is present. Not to mention blocking harmful types "A", "B", & "C" UV rays. Also, if you die, when they find your corpse you still look cool!

3rd, I carry a 1st aid kit much like the one Cody Lundin describes. Bandaids and iodine help prevent infection as well as the iodine helping in purifying water. IBProfuien tablets prevent pain; baking soda can help with heartburn or gas, the latter maybe saving your life if your tent-mates don't care for the smell.

I've had snowblindness. Feels like you have sand in your eyes. I'll stick with sunglasses.

**granite** · 01-07-2008, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Rick

Here's a great story about being snow blind in just a few hours.

http://pweb.jps.net/~prichins/sblind.htm

Mt. Shasta is in northern California.

I've had that experience. When I was 19 I went outside for a snowball fight in Albany, NY. I might have been out there all of an hour, no sunglasses. Was blind for 3 days, very painful. A $5 pair of sunglasses could have prevented it.

**Rick** · 09-10-2008, 09:19 AM

I thought I would bump this thread up. We've had a number of new members join and knowing the 10 Essentials is ... well, essential in not only being comfortable in the wild but maybe even surviving. Go back to post 1 by Proud American and read through what the 10 Essentials comprise.

**Gray Wolf** · 09-10-2008, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by Sarge47

Do you have a link where one might find the cup that fits over the water bottle?

Here Sarge, it's called the Olicamp Space Saver Cup.

Here's one link;

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___25001

**Gray Wolf** · 09-10-2008, 01:42 PM

I also use the Olicamp SS 7" and 9" plates on my Esbit Stoves, I like them they're light and cheap.

**Pict** · 09-11-2008, 07:24 AM

Just a suggestion. I have found it helpful in organizing my own kits and gear to categorize my lists according to function rather than just making a 1 - 10 list or whatever.

FIRE - Includes all fire making devices or supplies

WATER - Includes water carriers or methods of collection and purification

SHELTER - Includes anything you would use to construct or improve a shelter. I include insect repellent and sunscreen in this category. I also list my cordage and any tools that would be used to make a shelter. My needle and thread goes in this category too as clothing is shelter.

SIGNALS - Includes any device that will call attention, must include a light

NAVIGATION - Includes a back-up compass, map copy, pace counter

FOOD - Includes both actual food supplies as well as anything intended to help food gathering/trapping/fishing/hunting

MEDICAL - Includes all things intended to repair me, like duct tape, moleskin, etc.

At some point I want to write up a pre-trip checklist blank form to keep track of exactly what was carried, where, and what was used.

I like to think of my kit by function and organize it on paper that way.

I always carry redundant kit that covers these basics. I view primitive skills as a redundant skills to make up for any of these things that I lack, but I never plan to be without resources that cover these functions. NEVER PLAN TO IMPROVISE. Mac

Edited to add: Any of these categories could potentially be the top priority depending on the situation so they aren't necessarily in order of importance. I view FIRE-WATER-SHELTER as the first order of business as these three usually will be on the short list in terms of urgency and time management. SIGNALS-NAVIGATION-FOOD typically fall into the second order of business once you are set up in a stable camp and have time to sort out a plan beyond getting through the first night. MEDICAL is a wildcard that will either be a priority or not. If a medical condition prevents you from meeting any of your other needs it must be taken care of first.