- Cutting Tool: A good knife
- Combustion Device: Sure fire, like a Ferro rod and Wet Fire cube
- Covering: Wool blanket, tarp, etc.
- Container: Canteen & cup, stainless steel Nalgene bottle, or a Nalgene & GSI Glacier cup
- Cargo: Some type of pack, haversack or lumbar pack to carry your kit
- Compass
- Cordage: 100’ of Para cord, tarred Trot line (bankline), rope
- Candle: A light source, flashlight, headlamp, or a candle
- Combination Tool: A Swiss Army Knife, Multi-Tool, or folding saw
- Cloth: A 3’x3’ piece of cotton cloth or bandanna
After watching this video, I could not get away from the thought that it was (in my opinion) missing a few key items. First of all, let me say that I respect and admire Dave Canterbury and feel that he is a true Master at his craft. I have also enjoyed his videos and teachings for many years and have learned a lot from them. With that said lets move on.
With the internet being what it is, I am afraid someone will follow the above list without taking the time to learn how to use the gear listed in the way he intended for it to be used. For example: the 3’x3’ cotton cloth on his list. He has stated at other times that in a first aid scenario he would use strips cut from that cloth (in conjunction with duct tape) as bandages in lieu of carrying a first aid kit and if you follow his Pathfinder training or his videos you will know that these “10 C’s” are part of his training concepts. But for the average person who watched this from the Discovery website or stumbled across the video on Youtube without knowing that it was part of his training program (at one time only taught in face to face training) and was intended as a refinement of a larger kit, they could inadvertently find themselves in a self reliance / survival situation without the items necessary to survive.
The additional items I would add to his kit (for the novice and back country cruiser alike) are: (sorry, mine do not all start with a C)
- Knowledge and Practice: never stop learning new tricks, techniques, and skills to help you in the wild, and practice… practice… practice until those skills become second nature to you.
- First Aid Kit: no one wants something bad to happen while they are enjoying the wild, but at times it does and you need to be prepared for it. If all you are carrying is a cotton bandanna and it has been used to strain debris from a water source before boiling, would you want to use it as a dressing for an open wound?
- Water Treatment: I am a fan of the Aquamira Frontier Pro filter. It is small, light weight, has many options for use, and filters more than enough water for a self reliance situation. It also leaves your container and/or cup for other uses.
- Food: I have always been an advocate of taking some with you. 1-2 Powerbars, some trail mix, a few coffee or tea bags, & some hard candies take up almost no room and add little weight compared to the advantages of having them when you need them, like before you can catch or forage something from the wild. I have also been in favor of including a small fishing kit (hooks, line, weights, & a bobber) as well as leg snares for small game (10-12 in a small container).
- Repair: at a minimum I would include a needle & thread and some duct tape.
- Signaling Device: call me old fashioned but a nice loud whistle can be heard for long distances.
All or most of these I have heard Dave Canterbury talk about carrying with him in the wild, and I am not sure why he has not made a point of expounding on their importance in recent days. Maybe when I have had as much dirt time as he has, or have reached the level of knowledge and skill as he has I will change my mind, but I am too set in my ways and do not think it will happen any time soon.
Get outside and experience the wonder of Gods creation, just do so safely. God Bless.
I would also like to take a moment to express my condolences on the loss of Mr. Ron Hood. The extent of your loss will be felt in the outdoor community for years to come.
Picture from Yahoo Images.
Picture from Yahoo Images.
