My "Backup Kit"
by Jim
(Idaho, US)
This is what I consider my universally "essential" backup kit. It sits in my daypack under my desk at work; in my vehicle during commute/travel; inside or attached to whatever camelbak/daypack/backpack, hunting or fishing vest I'm using. Items such as a fixed blade, first aid kit, hydration bladder/water bottles and filter, flashlight, rain gear, food, stove & fuel, bivy/tent, fishing gear, rifle/pistol, etc., will vary according to activity/season.
The items below are a constant, modular, kit to augment activity specific gear. Although I've catagorized items, many of them can be multi-tasked, for example the rescue blanket is a first aid item that can be used for shelter or as a signaling device.
PACK
•The SPEC-OPS Pack Rat is a 12 ounce, 10" x 8" x 2" (approx) pack organizer. Mine has performed very well on a variety of outings (hiking, backpacking, hunting, fishing, & mountain biking). I'm very happy with this organizer and even with all the below items, there is still plenty of room left to allow trip-specific items to be added.
FIRST AID
•Extra Strength Excedrin (250mg Acetaminophen/250mg Aspirin/65mg Caffeine, 10 tabs) - pain/fever relief
•Acetaminophen & Hydrocodone (500mg/5mg, 4 tabs) - pain relief
•Cyclobenzaprine (10mg, 6 tabs) - muscle relaxant
•Loperamide (2mg, 10 tabs) - anti-diarrheal
•Sudafed (30mg, 10 tabs) - decongestant
•Bandages (8 regular & 2 large) - Bandaid brand tough strips seem to adhere best in my experience
•Vaseline petroleum gauze dressing 3" x 9" - in addition to dressing wounds, the Vaseline can be used to help start a fire
•Purell hand sanitizer (0.5oz) - wound cleanser, the alcohol stings but at least you know it's working.
•Coppertone Sport, SPF 30 (1.5oz ) sunscreen
•Ben's 100, 98% DEET (1.25oz) insect repellent
SHELTERING
•Hartwell heavy duty rescue blanket (5' x 7") rescue orange & silver
•50' paracord
•Thermasilk balaclava
SIGNALING
•Nexus rescue whistle
•Starflash signal mirror
•Orion Pocket Rocket pencil flare kit (3 flares)
•Streamlight Stylus LED penlight
•Inova Microlight (white)
•Mini-chemlights (green, 6)
FIRE
•Butane lighter
•Doan Ferocium/Mg block
•Esbit fuel tabs (2)
•cotton balls (8)
WATER
•Potable Aqua tabs
•1 quart Ziplok freezer bags (2,)
•Camelbak elixir tabs
TOOLS
•Columbia River Knife & Tool M16-Ti folding knife
•Brunton Trailbuster compass
•Leatherman Supertool
•Duct tape (2"x4')
•Large safety pins (8)
•Krazy Glue gel pen
•Sewing Kit
•Assorted needles (various sizes, heavy duty for canvas/leather, 4 straight & 2 curved)
•50 yards each of black, tan, and white thread
•11 yards dental floss
•Buttons (6 small, 4 medium, 2 large)
MISCELLANEOUS
•Bandana
•Jolt gum (6 pieces) - sugar and caffeine
•Rite in the Rain 3" x 5" notepad
•Pencil
•Sharpie duel tip CD marker
•50 feet of braided ultracast Spiderwire (20 lb test)
•Trout flies (four size 6 Pistol Petes, various colors)
•Hunting/Fishing/Trapping licenses (this kit is always with me when I'm engaged in any of these activities)
Total weight is 3 lbs, 6 ounces. To me, this is a bit heavy, but a lot of these items get used on a regular basis, they're not just "for emergency use only".
