Thread: Minimum pack contents

Originally Posted by Ranger 888

When I was a NZ Mountain Safety Council bushcraft instructor, a weekend course was organised for instructors. It was in May, and during a wet weekend. The course was based in a residential camp. After dinner on Saturday night, we were sitting in front of the fireplace enjoying the warmth, when the course organiser told us to quickly go and return with our survival kits. When we were assembled in the hall clutching our kits, he asked: "How many of you have ever had to use your survival kit? Put you hand up!" I put my hand up, as did another instructor (like me, he was a hunter). "Right", said the organiser, all of you follow me". He strode out into the darkness and rain. We walked into the bush surrounding the camp, then he pointed out spots where 2 people at a time were to spend the night! We were told that the camp would be locked as soon as he returned to it, and told to assemble in the hall at daybreak, when the doors would be unlocked.
Back in the hall, next morning, he asked: "How many of you will now alter the contents of your survival kit? Put your hand up!" Everybody, except we 2 hunters, put a hand up. Most of those people had based their survival kit contents from a list they may have seen in a book.

In order to plan what you should carry in your pack, imagine this: You have had an immobilising accident (very likely for hunters), it is raining (or about to rain), cold, nearly dark, and you haven't eaten since breakfast. You are obviously going to be at that spot at least for the night, and nobody knows where you are. What equipment would you want to have with you?

In NZ, searches of 3-4 days, and sometimes up to 10 days, occur.

So can you list your items I think I have what I need but I've never had to use them yet.

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