.............not all those that wander are lost..............

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Be Prepared.....

When you think you've thought of everything you might need in an emergency - think again!

After my accident last week I am finding plenty of time to re-think my own emergency kit that I carry whenever I go walking.

The most surprising thing for me was how much I under-estimated the effect of such a fall as I had.

I found myself down a narrow gully, surrounded by old trees and stones, on quite a steep slope. As I had hurt my arm and shoulder it was too painful to move or stand up without risking further injury. Taking off my rucksack was also impossible. Luckily I had been carrying my map case and it had landed near by. My phone was attached to the chest strap on my rucksack and I could still use my water tube to drink.

After getting to a fairly secure position with my feet against a small tree I had time to assess my situation. Fortunately I had one bar of reception on my phone so I decided to phone for help. I was worried that I might drop the phone so I used my hat to lean into. I also put the map into the hat.

So, although I was carrying a fairly good amount of kit that might have been useful it wasn't possible to use or even reach all of it.

For day walks I am often on my own. I had quickly pointed out on the map to John where I was planning to go - but didn't leave a map with him. I do always try to estimate an ETA and promise to let him know if I'm delayed.

Therefore the first thing to change will be to print out a copy of my route to leave with him, along with a route description.

The Deuter rucksack I use for day walks here in the summer is a 20 litre model.  It has a main sack with an internal bladder holder and drinking tube exit onto a shoulder strap clip, two small mesh side pockets and a zipped top lid pocket. The front chest strap takes a small pouch for my mobile phone.  There are no waist pockets.

There is definitely room for improvement - not necessarily only WHAT but HOW I pack essential items.  So, I've typed up a table/list to help me think again about this.  I'm looking particularly at summer day walks on my own. There might well be different options for walks at different times of the year and with a group.
I'm sharing the chart with you below. I would welcome any comments or suggestions.


Item
Where carried
Re-think
Small first aid kit
Rucksack top  pocket
Rucksack top pocket
Compass
In map case
Chest pouch
Whistle
Rucksack top pocket
Chest pouch
Map
Map case
Attach Front rucksack
Phone
Rucksack front strap pouch
Rucksack front strap pouch

Water (2 litres)
Rucksack in bladder
Rucksack in bladder
Food
Rucksack main
Rucksack main
Spare energy bar
Rucksack main
Chest pouch
Notebook, pencil
Rucksack top pocket
Chest pouch
Wet wipes

Rucksack top pocket
Chest pouch
Waterproofs
Rucksack main
Rucksack main
Large hankie
Rucksack top pocket
Chest pouch
Foil blanket
Rucksack main
Chest pouch
Gloves, hat,
head-torch
Rucksack main
Rucksack main
Monocular
Rucksack side pocket
Rucksack side pocket
Spare clothes
Rucksack main
Rucksack main
Sun-cream
Rucksack side pocket
Rucksack side pocket

{My rather wobbly chart!}

My tiny Montane wind smock should also be on the list. It could be carried in the chest-pouch too. There are sometimes hiking poles included in my essentials as well as a camera.

The items I have decided to do something about after a re-think would be carried in a chest pouch or similar bag.  This will be easily at hand and not tucked away in the rucksack.

The OMM chest pouch is rather large for a small rucksack and as I found on the TGO Challenge this year, not waterproof. It also renders removing my rucksack more difficult.

I was reading (here) a couple of days ago and saw the Osprey Grab Bag which Martin was reviewing. Now this could be just what I need!

Any thoughts.........................?

13 comments:

Laura said...

I shall be the first to comment on my own post - what about a spare phone battery? Yes, I have one ready charged already in my first aid kit - so that will go in the new 'chest pouch' too!

Alan Sloman said...

An interesting post.
:-)
I had lots of time to think about this on my solo LEJOG.

I always carry a packet of very strong painkillers in my chest pocket (either shirt or fleece or jacket).

After my mis-hap with a barbed wire fence, my first aid kit could now cope with a nuclear strike. I am always surprised to see others' kits that have woeful contents...

A good post. It's good to see your adventure hasn't put you off striking out on your own again.

Louise said...

At this rate, your chest pouch is going to be huge and your pack tiny!! Sorry, I'll go away and come back with something more costructive...
Lx

Laura said...

Thanks Al - accessible painkillers are a good idea! I could have used those!
My chest pouch is going to be heavier than my rucksack at this rate!
To be fair - I'm only THINKING about going alone - not DOING it,yet! We'll see!

Laura said...

Our posts crossed there, Louise. Goes to show we do think alike!

Louise said...

Scarey.
Lx

John J said...

As I started reading your post, the Battle of the Barbed Wire
(Result: Barbed Wire 1, Alan: 0) came to mind - along with the in-depth discussions that followed of what a First Aid Kit should contain.
Mine is certainly larger Post Barbed Wire, containing bandages and more dressings.
This year's Challenge exhausted my blister bandage supply so that will be revised for next year. As will the amount of antiseptic cream I carry.
I currently keep my First Aid Kit in the lid of my pack so it's accessible.
Re: A spare phone battery, you'll need to ensure it's charged regularly, they go flat just sitting around - internal leakage and all that sort of stuff.
Certainly concentrates the mind!
I'll watch with great interest how your plans actually come to fruition.
Verb: to 'fruit'? Pr: fru-it.
I'll go now.
JJ

Laura said...

Hi JJ - I did upgrade my irst aid kit after the barbed wire incident - the problem was I couldn't even get to it and anyway it wouldn't have helped me much....

Laura said...

oops! - one handed typing gremlin!- that should read 'first'........

Louise said...

Fancy running out of blister plasters, tsk...

Sir Hugh said...

My Lowestoft to St Bee’s Head walk last summer ended abruptly when I fell coming down Nan Bield Pass. I cut a vein in my shin. Blood was flowing quickly. I applied a large strip of Elastoplast, but the blood flowed straight through it. Fortunately I was carrying a long crepe bandage about two inches wide which when strapped fairly tightly brought things under control, and I was able to walk out to Patterdale, but that was the end of my walk two days from the finish. I can’t say how thankful I was to have that bandage and would venture nowhere now without it being part of my emergency kit. I suppose it’s human nature that only makes us think seriously about these things after the event, but I hope many people read your words and have a re-think - a very worthwhile post. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

John J said...

...that's the trouble with irst aid kits, never enough stuff in them!

:-)

JJ

Laura said...

Thank you Hugh for your contribution - at least I didn't have blood to deal with....