Emergency kit is a bit of a grand name for our tupperware box full of things we keep in the campervan. This box contains items we think might be useful when we are out walking or cycling and ’emergency kit’ is what we call it when we are checking what to stuff in the rucksacks or pannier for a walk or bike ride. We have recently reviewed what we carry in this kit. We like to have these small essentials in one place so that we feel ready for almost anything and can head off for the day with some confidence.
We have used items in the ’emergency kit’ [for ourselves and other people] and we have added to it when we have had an ’emergency’ and realised there is something essential missing. One summer we ended up on a path heavy with nettles, I was wearing shorts and emerged unable to see my legs under a tapestry of nettle stings and we spent much of the rest of the day looking for a chemist in Cotswold villages to get antihistamine tablets, now we carry these. We use the tick lasso regularly as we are often in areas where these small insects are numerous [we also keep our tick-borne encephalitis jabs up-to-date]. The plasters get used regularly for small injuries but many of the other items are there for a serious emergency, such as the foil emergency blankets and whistle. We previously carried just one small torch but now keep our two head torches in the ’emergency kit’ as if we are returning in the dusk or dark from a walk or cycle ride these are more useful for getting us home safely.
We think we are prepared for anything but what do you think is missing? Our kit comprises:
- Two head torches and batteries
- Bandages [various]
- Wipes
- Towelettes
- Lifeboat matches
- Plasters, including blister plasters
- Paper and pencil
- Compass
- String and spare lace
- Scissors [fantastic neat folding scissors actually]
- Bite and sting relief cream and bite and sting click-away
- Insect repellent
- Foil emergency blankets
- Medications – antihistamine, ibuprofen, migraine tablets, paracetamol [we change these regularly so they are not out of date]
- Sewing kit [not sure what emergency this is really for]
- Swiss army knife with knife and corkscrew
- Whistle
- Tick lasso (for removing ticks)
In addition we also ensure we carry at least one charged mobile phone as well as a map and water on any walk or bike ride that is further than a trip to the shops.
The mountain safety advice is not to bother but should we carry a distress flare? What do you always carry with you?
Back on the road again 
Only a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw outstanding design and style.
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