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Mathieu Godin
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Mathieu Godin
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Mathieu Godin
Words by Mathieu Godin Instagram: @pathfinder_overland
Being the owner of a 4WD allows us to explore far into the backcountry–away from it all–but what if something goes wrong when we are out there?
The purpose of a grab bag is to ensure you have everything you need to survive an emergency situation.
But the items you need to carry will depend on a few factors:
What weather do you expect during your trip?
Do you have any medical conditions? What about those travelling with you?
Will you exceed your walking distance ability back to civilization if your 4WD breaks down or gets irretrievably stuck?
Are you travelling solo or there will be other 4WD vehicles on your trip?
What is the expected duration of the trip?
I started building my kit around the 10 essentials, as it doesn’t matter if you are going on a hike or an overland adventure, you always need to carry these.
Here are the 10 essentials:
- A headlamp: If you get delayed and it gets dark on your way back from a hike, a headlamp will help light the way, so you can safely return to the trailhead (bring extra batteries). According to the North Shore Rescue team, the lack of light is the single biggest cause of overdue hikers triggering their response. A headlamp is much more practical than a flashlight, but you need a light source and a backup.
- Fire making kit: You want a few options like waterproof matches, a striker and some lighters. In a survival situation, a small fire will not only warm you up and make you feel less miserable; it will help you purify water and cook food.
- Signaling devices: A whistle weights next to nothing and could be a lifesaver. Three blasts are the international distress call. If search and rescue are using an aircraft to locate you, a signal mirror will help reveal your location, so you should bring one as well.
- Extra food and water: Water is more critical to your survival than food as you can generally survive three weeks without food but only three days without water. It is wise to also bring a few high-energy bars just in case. You can keep more food and water in your 4WD since weight is less of a factor here. Consider bringing a water filtration system as well.
- Extra clothing: Bring appropriate clothing to survive a night out even if you are just going on a day trip. Avoid cotton as it absorbs humidity and takes a long time to dry out. Think of the worst weather conditions possible for the season and don’t forget that conditions can change rapidly.
- Navigation: A GPS is great, but as an electronic device it can fail. If you use one, you should also have a map and a compass just in case. I would use a smartphone with a navigation application as a last resort (and only periodically during the hike) to keep the battery charged.
- Communications: Bring your cell phone with a fully charged battery but turn it off during your hike to keep your battery charged in case you need it to place an emergency call–keep in mind that you may not have a signal however. I put mine in a Ziploc bag when I go on a hike. Don’t forget to keep a charging cable in your 4WD at all time. It might be worth considering a satellite-based communication device like the Spot or Garmin InReach if your adventures take you far into the backcountry.
- First aid kit: Have you taken a wilderness first aid course? If not, you definitely should, as it will teach you how to use your kit as well as how to respond during a medical emergency when the first responders are far away.
- Emergency shelter: I always bring an emergency Bivvy with me. A bright tarp or a large orange plastic bag will help keep you warm and dry while making you more visible as well. While your 4WD will provide shelter, you need to plan for the eventuality that you might have to leave it behind and walk away. However, it’s generally preferable to remain with your vehicle as it will make you easier to find by search and rescue. If the colour of your 4WD doesn’t particularly stand out, put that bright tarp over the hood for extra visibility (I prefer a blue tarp as the orange one will be equivalent to a camo tarp during the fall season in Central & Eastern Canada).
- A knife: Those with a fixed blade are best as they are usually more resistant. A multi-tool is practical, but a basic pocketknife will do.
These 10 essentials will make a huge difference if you are ever faced by the unexpected. Sometimes it’s the little things that can make a difference, so I make sure to always keep these items in my bag (except water and my smartphone of course), so I know it’s there whenever I need it. My daypack is my grab bag, so I only have one. I keep it at home as part of my 72 hour emergency kit. When I head out on a hike or an overland adventure, I take it with me. This way, it keeps things simple–one bag!
Here’s what I keep in it:
- A headlamp with extra batteries and a green glow stick as a backup.
- A few lighters, stormproof matches and a striker.
- A water bottle.
- A “straw” water filter.
- A few energy bars.
- Extra clothing.
- A map of the area I’m exploring and a compass.
- A first aid kit.
- A heat reflective Bivvy.
- An orange garbage bag.
- Bug spray and a bug net (summer).
- Bear spray.
- Sunscreen.
- Sanitation items.
- A multi-tool.
- Paracord.
- Hand and foot warmer packets (winter).
- A metal cup (winter).
- A notepad and a pen.
I consider preparedness to be a critical element during any of my trip-planning phases. I know that emergencies usually happen at the most inconvenient times, so I want to make sure I go prepared. I encourage you to do the same.
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