Ten Essentials

The ten essentials are things every responsible camper should carry. In addition to what you’ll use regularly carry some spares in your First Aid and Contingency Kit. Contingencies are more common than actual emergencies. I recommend a first-aid kit supplemented with a few other items on the ‘ten essentials’ list: a spare flashlight, spare whistle, trail food, matches, and fire starters. To see my specific recommendations for ten essentials check out this page in my Gear Guide....

Some means of signaling help is part of the ten essentials of camping and whistles are an inexpensive, effective choice. What’s the best Scout whistle? The Storm Whistle is the loudest whistle in the world; 75% louder than your average whistle. I haven’t tested the claim that it can be heard fifty feet under water, but I believe it. I used one of these to signal a canoes that were separated from our group a half a mile or more away and out of sight....