Adventure
Emergency Gear
Our Advice: Don’t pack your fears – focus on the essentials… nothing more, nothing less.
After traveling to some of Asia and Africa’s most remote landscapes, whether by 4WD or trekking, we’ve learned a thing or two about emergency preparedness.
And by all means, a first aid kit is no substitute for vigilance and skills.
But… for the times when all you need is quick fix-me-up, we’ve put together a no-frills list that has kept us safe in a variety of places and climates. From staying with remote tribes in Africa, to trekking in the Himalayas, to riding camels across the Mongolian desert…
| Item | Classification | Purpose | Relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin inReach Mini | Nav & Comms | Reliable satellite communicator; off-the-grid contact for emergency services | Contigent |
| Garmin Instinct Solar | Nav & Comms | ABC and GPS watch; long-lasting battery that's solar rechargeable; highly durable. | Suggested |
| Brunton TruArc 3 | Nav & Comms | Inexpensive and compact compass; performance is reliable and accurate. | Contigent |
| Ibuprofen or Paracetamol | Medication | For pain relief and anti-inflammatory use cases; great for reducing headaches and fever. | Critical |
| Claritin | Medication | Anti-histamine; non-drowsy allergy reduction for acute reactions; generic brands work too. | Critical |
| Immodium | Medication | Anti-diarrheal (loperamide); stops mud butt in its tracks; prevents dehydration. | Critical |
| Laxative | Medication | GI back-up is common while traveling (from new bacterial exposure); Smooth Move works well. | Critical |
| Caffeine | Medication | While coffee works best, these pills are useful for driving "focus" during an emergency. | Suggested |
| Steri-Strips | Injuries | An in-the-moment alternative to stitches for wounds; needs prior practice before use. | Suggested |
| Gauze Pads | Injuries | Forget band-aids, 4x4 sterile gauze pads combined with tape will cover most non-lethal wounds. | Critical |
| Leukotape | Injuries | Use in combination with gauze pads for DIY band-aids or for blister management / prevention. | Critical |
| QuikClot | Injuries | Use for potentially lethal wounds; it'll help slow down or stop blood loss from occurring. | Contigent |
| Neosporin | Injuries | An antibiotic topical cream that help to fight off wound infection; minimizes scarring. | Suggested |
| Spyderco Ladybug 3 Salt | Tools | A teeny-weeny folding knife that'll never rust (even when exposed to water); ultralight. | Suggested |
| Tweezers | Tools | Precision vs cosmetic construction construction; remove ticks, splinters, and needles. | Critical |
| Tenacious Tape | Tools | Patch any holes or abrasion points in your gear - from packs, to tents, to outer worn layers. | Suggested |
For storage, keep most of the below items in a lightweight pouch, such as:
- Nite Ize Runoff Waterproof Small Travel Pouch (for short trips) or
- Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof 3-1-1 Pouch (for long trips)
