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Carrying the "10 Essentials" on any kind of trip, even a bike ride, can be a good habit. It's true that on an ordinary trip you may only need a few of them, but when something goes wrong, you will be grateful to have these items, which are essential for survival. The original list of the 10 Essentials was compiled in 1930 by The Mountaineers, an organization based in Seattle for climbers and nature explorers that helped people prepare for emergencies in the outdoors. At that time, the list included a map, a compass, sunglasses and sunscreen, extra clothing, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, a fire starter, matches, a knife and extra food. Over the years, however, the list has moved away from individual items toward more of a systems approach. Below, we take a look at the items in the new version of the list: 1- Navigation: map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon or satellite messenger 2- Headlamp/flashlight plus extra batteries 3- Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothing and sunscreen 4- First aid: foot-care supplies and insect repellent (if needed) 5- Knife plus a gear repair kit 6- Fire: matches, lighter, firestarter or stove 7- Shelter: carried at all times (for example, an emergency bivouac tent) 8- Extra food: more than the minimum you expect to need 9- Extra water: more than the minimum you expect to need 10- Extra clothing: more than the minimum you expect to need The individual items from each category depend on the trip you are taking. For example, on a short day hike where navigation isn't especially difficult, you might take a compass, a map and a personal locator beacon but leave the altimeter at home. On longer, more complex trips, on the other hand, you might take everything to help you navigate. When deciding what to bring, consider factors such as the weather, the difficulty of the trip, its length and how far you will be from help. If you would like more information about each of the 10 Essentials, stay with us until the end of the article. 1- Navigation Navigation tools for travelling in pristine and remote areas include five items: a map, a compass, an altimeter, a GPS device and a personal locator beacon (PLB). We look at each of them in more detail below: Map: On every trip, except short ones where getting lost is impossible, you should carry a topographic map. Compass: If you get lost in a remote area, a compass combined with map-reading skills is a vital tool for finding the right way. Many mobile phones, GPS devices and smartwatches also include an electronic compass, but it is better to use a standard compass, because its very low weight and the fact that it needs no batteries make it an essential backup device. Note: In an emergency, a compass with a mirror can help you reflect sunlight so that helicopters or rescuers can find you. GPS device: A GPS device lets you find your exact location on a digital map. GPS units designed specifically for remote trips are usually built to be rugged and waterproof. Another popular option is to use a GPS app on your mobile phone, but keep in mind that most phones are fragile and you will need a case or pouch to protect them. In any case, whichever you choose, remember that these devices run on batteries, so you need to manage how much you use them and perhaps carry a few spare batteries. Altimeter watch: Carrying this navigation tool is especially important. It uses a barometric sensor to measure air pressure, or it uses GPS data to make an accurate estimate of your elevation. This information helps you follow the right route and determine your position on the map. Personal locator beacon or satellite messenger: If you need help in a remote area, these devices let you alert emergency personnel. When you activate them in an emergency, they determine your exact location and send a message via commercial or government satellites. If things go badly, carrying a personal locator beacon or satellite messenger can be a great help. They work especially well in remote areas and in places where your mobile phone cannot get a signal. 2- Headlamp/flashlight Being able to find your way along backcountry trails at night is essential, so you should always carry a light source. Headlamps are the best option and are chosen by most backcountry travellers. With a headlamp your hands are free, which makes any activity, from cooking dinner to holding tent poles, much easier. Be sure to always carry a few spare batteries too. 3- Sun protection You should always wear and carry sunglasses, protective clothing and sunscreen. Failing to do so can cause sunburn or short-term snow blindness, and in the long term conditions such as premature skin aging, skin cancer and cataracts. Sunglasses: Wearing high-quality sunglasses is essential to protect your eyes from harmful rays. If you plan to go on a long trip across snow or ice, you will need very dark glasses designed for snowy terrain. All the sunglasses sold in the Dobisell online store block 100 percent of ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB), which is the key feature of quality sunglasses. UVB rays, which can burn your skin, can also cause cataracts. People travelling in a group should carry at least one spare pair of glasses, because someone may lose theirs or may not have brought any at all. Sunscreen: When you spend long hours outdoors, your skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, which can cause damage such as sunburn, premature skin aging and cancer. Using sunscreen is strongly recommended to reduce the effects of UV rays. Health experts advise considering the following when choosing a sunscreen: The formula's sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 15, although for long activities outdoors it should be 30. The formula should block both UVA and UVB rays. Apply sunscreen generously and spread it thoroughly over all skin exposed to the sun. Snow and water can reflect UV rays, so when applying sunscreen, don't forget areas such as under your chin and your nose. Depending on many factors (such as the time of day, sweat and others), you should reapply sunscreen every two hours. Sun-protective clothing: Wearing suitable clothing is a very good way to stop UV rays from reaching your skin without needing sunscreen (don't forget that you still need to apply sunscreen to the parts of your skin exposed to sunlight, such as your face, neck and hands). Many lightweight garments have an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating, which indicates how effective they are against UVB and UVA rays. Wide-brimmed hats are an important item of clothing for protecting your skin from the sun. 4- First aid Carrying first aid supplies and knowing how to use them is vital. Pre-assembled first aid kits make things much easier, although many people customize them to their personal needs. Every kit should include blister treatments, adhesive bandages in various sizes, several gauze pads, adhesive tape, antiseptic ointment, over-the-counter pain relievers, nitrile gloves, and a pen and paper. The length of your trip and the number of people in your group affect what your first aid kit should contain. It is also a good idea to carry a compact guide to using medical supplies in emergencies. 5- Knife A knife is useful for repairing gear, preparing food, first aid, lighting fires and other essential needs, and is one of the most important items for any trip. Every adult in the group should carry a knife. A basic knife may have only a single folding blade, but more advanced knives and multi-tools may include one or two flathead screwdrivers, a bottle opener or folding scissors. The more complex your needs are (for example, if you are heading to a new, unfamiliar place), the more tools you will need on your knife or multi-tool. In addition to a knife, a gear repair kit may also come in handy in remote areas and harsh conditions (the more remote the area you are in, the more you will need these items). Common items include duct tape, cord, fabric adhesive, zip ties, safety pins and repair parts for water filters, buckles, snowshoes and skis. 6- Fire In an emergency, you should have the means to build a fire with you. Many people use a disposable butane lighter for this, but matches are also a very good option as long as they are waterproof or kept in a waterproof container. Note that paper matchbooks are often very thin and fragile and are not suitable for use in the outdoors. A fire starter, as its name suggests, helps you light a fire, and carrying one is essential in wet conditions. An ideal fire starter ignites quickly and keeps burning for more than a few seconds. Your options include dry tinder packed in a plastic bag, candles, putty, heat tabs (shredded wood soaked in resin) and even bits of lint from household dryers. For trips such as travelling in treeless or snowy areas where firewood is not available, a stove is a good idea for providing emergency heat and a source of water. 7- Emergency shelter Always carry some kind of emergency shelter so that, if you get stranded or injured on the trail, you can protect yourself from wind and rain. Your options include an ultralight tarp, a bivy sack, an emergency blanket (which is very small and weighs only a few grams) or even a large garbage bag. Note that your tent counts as an emergency shelter only if you always have it with you (a tent left behind at the campsite is no use). 8- Extra food Always try to carry at least one extra day's worth of food, so that if something extends your trip (such as bad weather or an injury) you won't run into trouble. It is best to bring foods that need no cooking and have a long shelf life. Energy tablets, nuts and dried fruit are all good choices. Note that if you are heading out on a long trip or a winter adventure, you should bring more than one extra day's worth of supplies. 9- Extra water Always remember that carrying enough water for your trip, and having a way to purify water while you are out, is vital. This could be a filter, a purification device or chemical treatment, or a stove for melting snow. When deciding exactly how much water to bring, keep in mind that most people drink about half a litre of water per hour during activity under normal conditions. You may need more depending on factors such as air temperature, altitude, exertion level or emergency situations. As a starting point, always carry at least one bottle or water jug. Then, at the start of your trip, fill your bottle or jug from a source of drinking water. 10- Extra clothing The weather in remote areas can suddenly turn wet, stormy or very cold. You may also be injured during an unplanned detour. For this reason, in addition to the clothing you need for the trip itself, it is essential to carry some extra clothes. When deciding what type of clothing you need, think about what you would need to survive in difficult conditions for a long time without moving. Common options include a base layer (top and bottom), a regular hat or a balaclava (a hat that covers the head and neck, with openings only for the nose and eyes), extra socks, extra gloves, and an insulated vest or jacket. For winter trips, also carry insulating layers to cover your torso and legs.