Top 10 Things You Need In Your Rucksack RIGHT NOW!!!

It can be a dilemma no matter if you are new or not to the outdoors on what to take with you. Some items are invaluable and others can just be classed as luxuries.

With this is mind, here is Iventure’s top 10 items.

1 – Map and Compass

These are the items that prevent you from getting lost and or provide you with the skills to make it possible to navigate out of a situation. But it’s important that you know how to use them correctly without relying on technology such as phone or GPS which may lose signal or battery.

2 – Waterproofs

Here in the UK in 2020 there was 46.6% of rain days throughout the year acceding to Statista. This shows that for nearly half of the year it was raining. Which would mean that if you are going outdoors here in the UK it is worth having your waterproofs, close to hand at all times.

There have been many discussions about waterproofs and if you should wear them or just get wet. Our advice would be to have them on as your body temperature will drop as you get colder and if you are dry then you will be able to put extra layers on. But if you are wet putting on dry clothes then yes you will gain some heat but if your still getting wet it will not last as long. This is why waterproofs make it into the top 10.

3 – Water

Keeping hydrated is an important element to being outdoors and if you are miles away from civilisation this can have devastating affects if you are dehydrated. So, it is so important to keep hydrated and have the means to stay hydrated with having enough water in the first place, or knowledge of how to get water.

So how much water should you take with you? Well, this depends on how far you are going, where you are going and how remote the area is. If you are going on a wild camp where there is a water sauce you should be looking at having 2L as a minimum (this can vary from person to person). If you are going somewhere where there is no water, then you would have to look at your environment and if you have the means to gain water. If not, then that would mean you would have to carry more water approximately 3 to 5L.

4 – First Aid kit

You never know when you will need this on, so it is best to always have a first aid kit with you even if you are going on a day’s hike or an expedition more than one day. A first aid kit may also be needed in case you come across someone who needs medical attention. It is something that we hope to never have to use but it is so important to have one.

Top tip always check that your first aid kit is in date!

5 – Emergency Survival bag/Blanket /Bivvey

Technology has vast improved a lot of kit over the years and that is no exception for emergency equipment. Carrying an emergency survival kit even for day adventures is invaluable and they are made to be light. This kit can be used to keep a casualty warm or if you are waiting for help and you are staying in one location. They are worth the investment and provide the support and security you need when going outdoors.

6 – Power Bank

As mentioned above electrical equipment can be unreliable, but it can also be invaluable if you are prepared. A power bank could provide that all important call to the emergency services.

With power banks it’s important so ensure:

· Inside something waterproof

· It has the right cable for the phone you are taking

· Remember that the cold can drain your battery quickly as well as using your phone GPS for navigation. (hence the map and compass)

7 – Layers

Having extra layers is important because if you get cold you are able to put an extra layer on but if you don’t have one then it makes the situation become a lot more dangerous. As you could become hyperthymic very quickly when out in the elements, which in turn can affect your decision-making skills turning a situation in to a crucial situation. The best type of layers would be a down jacket or a fleece, but anything is better than nothing.

8 – Torch

You may think that if you are going out for a day’s hike a touch would be the last thing you would want or think to take. But this can be such an important piece of kit. Just in case you get lost, and the night draws in and you end up having to walk in the dark or that the route took longer than you thought resulting in you needing a torch.

· Prevent you walking in the dark

· Prevent you from falling over and hurting yourself

· Allows you to walk in the dark and see where you are going and the map

9 – Emergency Food

What is emergency food? Well, this is a stash of food that you keep spart from all your other food so that if you should be kept out for a longer period of time, if you got lost and you have to camp another night you still have food to sustain you. Or if a member of your party got injured and the weather has closed in a mountain rescues are unable to get to you. You have that food ready, for such an occasion.

It should be foods that are high in calories such as:

· Ration pack food (contain lots of calories)

· Hot drink facilities

· Sugar foods (More for when you are actually hiking)

· Nuts and dried fruit

10 – Emergency Proceedure

This is not really an item as such, but as a precaution such as telling someone at home a time that they will be contacted for example 6pm and if you haven’t phoned them, they try and contact you at that time 6pm and again every 10mins for 30 mins. If still no response then they are to call the emergency services, with details of your route.

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