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.........................?