- Hey, I'm Katie with REI and today
we're talkin' about the 10 essentials,
10 things you should always have
with you to be prepared in the outdoors.
(upbeat music)
So, the 10 essentials started
with the Seattle Mountaineers in the 1930s
as 10 items you should always bring with you.
Now we like to think of 10 systems
that you should bring with you to cover
all your bases in case you need them.
So the way I remember them is, food,
water, fire, fix it and first aid,
insulation, illumination, sun,
shelter and navigation.
So, we'll start from the top.
First off we have food.
You should always carry more calories
with you than you think you're gonna need.
If you're out on a day hike
that may just be an extra energy bar
or two thrown into your pack.
If you're on a multi day trip
that may be another dehydrated meal
or just another meal packed in case
you're out for more days than you
think you're gonna be.
Next up we have water.
This includes not only the water
you carry with you, but also
water purification to get more.
I like to use iodine tablets,
the iodine for the water purification
and I pair 'em with ascorbic acid tablets
for the color and the taste.
So next up, we have fire.
I carry with me a small lighter,
'cause they're easy, and also waterproof matches
just in case.
I also carry with me a little metal tin of tinder.
And so, what I made is just little cotton balls
soaked in petroleum jelly.
They're easy, they stay in the tin,
don't run around on you, don't make a mess
and they are great for starting a fire
in an emergency.
Next up, we have our fix it category.
So this can be a knife, a multi tool, repair kits
for anything you might need.
Today we have a sleeping pad patch kit
and I like to carry with me a knife
'cause they're so versatile.
You can use them for anything you can imagine.
Next up, our first aid kit.
This one's a little bit special because not only
do you need the kit, the actual gear,
you also need the knowledge of how to use it.
REI partners with NOLS to give a wilderness
first aid class and that's a great place to start.
So, we've so far got food, water, fire, fix it
and first aid.
Next up, we have insulation.
So, you always want a little bit
of extra clothing, just a few more layers
to get you through a sudden weather change
just in case you need it.
After that we have illumination.
So for me, that looks like a headlamp
and always important, extra batteries.
If you have one you have none.
I like to wrap my batteries in a little piece
of painters tape just to keep 'em together,
so they're not runnin' around in my pack.
After that we have sun.
So this can look like a hat, some sunglasses,
maybe even a little sunscreen, anything
to get you outta the elements.
The other component that comes after sun is shelter.
So if you're out on a day hike
that may look like just an emergency blanket
or a bivy.
If you're out on a multi day hike you may
already have this with you.
Your tent or whatever else you usually need.
Our last category here is navigation.
So for me, that looks like a map and compass.
You may also carry a GPS with you,
but this category is special,
just like first aid in that not only
do you need the gear you also need
the knowledge of how to use it.
We have a great map and compass video
you can check out, or if you wanna get
some field experience come out
with our REI Outdoor School Instructors
and we'll show you how it's done.
So those are the 10 essentials.
It looks like a lot, but you're
probably already carrying a lotta these things with you.
One thing to keep in mind is when you need these
you need 'em and if you don't luckily,
they're light weight and they don't
take up too much space.
All of my little items here fit
into this tiny little stuff sack.
One last tip for you, what I like to call
the 11th essential is, this is the gear
you carry with you, but one other thing
to do is always leave an itinerary
of where you're going and when you plan to be back
with someone at home, in your vehicle
and one on your person.
That's all we have for you today.
Thanks for watching.
Check out our other videos if you want more information
and as always, we'll see you next time.