Taking along a well-stocked emergency kit while off on a thrilling adventure can mean the difference between a great trip and a tragic one. The movie 127 Hours starring James Franco is a case in point. What moviegoers come away upon viewing this compelling movie is that it is always a wise move to alert friends and family of your plans before heading out into the wilderness.
Whether your thrilling outing includes mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, camping or white water rafting, being prepared makes all the difference in keeping your body and your life intact. If your venture includes a vehicle, either the off-roading type or one that takes you to your destination, pack it with necessities. Also fill your backpack with supplies such as water, a sharp knife, energy bars and other small portable snacks, a cell phone, a flare gun and extra batteries for every gadget that depends on them for operation.
Why water? If you have to ask then maybe you shouldn’t be going out into the wild. A sharp knife for the moments when you might need to gut a fish or cut your way out of trouble. Energy bars are not the best source of vitamins and minerals in a daily diet, but they are great for on-the-run or emergency nutrients. Rationing these in an extreme case can fuel you enough to survive until help arrives or you find your way to safety.
If space allows, you might want to pack a change of clothing. Since weather in the wilderness is so unpredictable, you will need to pack something waterproof and warm. Suppose you are climbing over rough terrain in Utah in your jeep and your engine conks out or you run out of gas? Utah’s weather can be very hot in the day and very cold at night in its deserts. Obviously, your goal is to avoid any hazardous situation, but be prepared for any unplanned event.
Okay, you packed every item you could possibly require. It’s all in your car and you can reach your car, but the battery died. So there you are you, your jeep and the day rapidly turning into night in the middle of nowhere. You’re good for the night, but how about the next day? Now is the time to plan an escape route. Your cell phone has a GPS but the power faded overnight. You will now hope fervently that you remembered to pack the paper maps in the glove compartment and that you remember how to read them after all these years of high tech GPS instruments.
You cannot rely on technology exclusively even in the modern world. Batteries die. Signals get lost. Satellites fail. Just like reading maps, you must know how to read weather patterns if you are considering any remote outdoor adventure. Please also know where local authorities are.
Of course, if have a car care kit in the car then you shouldn’t have to worry about such things because you would have the necessary tools. Extra gas, motor oil, and a fully charged battery charger and first aid kits are high priorities. Wrenches and other tools should be handy, as well.
If you are serious about avoiding life-threatening situations, plan and prepare before you go off on your trip. Map out a route and mark down rest stops and landmarks. Know the terrain you will be covering. Having done all that, stick to your itinerary, the one you gave your friends and family before you left. You can always discover new paths to take if you have the time, but never veer from your appointed route just because time is yours for the taking. It is quite possible that you will find yourself falling into a deep crevasse from which you will never return.
In the event that you appreciated the above article, you could go and check out additional comparable items at Seymour Kushner or this Seymour Kushner Article.