# Scout Essentials & Survival Kits Part of the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/wilderness-survival/guide/index.md) *1. Hazards & First Aid* > **1b.** Explain how the Scout Essentials address hazards of survival situations and are basic to a survival kit. The Scout Essentials are 10 pieces of gear that every Scout should carry on every outing, from day hikes to multi-day camps. They're not fancy or expensive—they're the foundation of outdoor safety. Each one addresses a real hazard you might face, and together they dramatically improve your chances of surviving a bad situation. ## The 10 Scout Essentials ### 1. Appropriate Clothing Cold kills faster than hunger or thirst. Hypothermia can strike even in mild weather if you're wet and exposed. Appropriate clothing means layers you can adjust, moisture-wicking fabrics (wool or synthetic, not cotton), and a rain jacket to stay dry. **How it addresses survival:** Keeps your core temperature stable. Protects against heat loss and sun exposure. Gives you options for any weather change. ### 2. Sun Protection Sunburn isn't just uncomfortable—severe sunburn is a medical emergency. Sun exposure also accelerates dehydration. Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses protect your skin and eyes. **How it addresses survival:** Prevents sunburn, skin cancer, and eye damage. Reduces heat stress and dehydration. ### 3. First Aid Kit A personal first aid kit should include bandages, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, antihistamine, hydrocortisone cream, tweezers (for splinters and ticks), and any personal medications. It doesn't need to be huge—a small plastic bag works fine. **How it addresses survival:** Treats cuts, blisters, sprains, insect bites, and other minor injuries. Prevents infection. Provides pain relief and allergy management. ### 4. Knife or Multi-Tool A sharp knife or multi-tool is incredibly useful. You use it for food prep, gear repair, fire-building, shelter-building, and first aid. **How it addresses survival:** Enables you to build shelter, prepare firewood, create tools, repair gear, and manage camp tasks. A knife is one of the most versatile survival tools. ### 5. Light (Flashlight or Headlamp) Darkness falls suddenly in the wilderness. Without light, you can't find your way, treat injuries, or navigate after dark. A headlamp is better than a flashlight because it keeps your hands free. **How it addresses survival:** Lets you navigate in darkness. Makes it possible to treat injuries or build shelter after sunset. Useful for signaling rescuers. ### 6. Fire-Starting Supplies Matches, a lighter, or a fire steel gives you the ability to start a fire. Fire provides warmth, allows you to cook and purify water, and boosts morale. **How it addresses survival:** Enables you to stay warm. Makes water safe to drink. Provides psychological comfort and helps rescuers locate you at night. ### 7. Repair Kit and Tools Duct tape, cord, and a needle and thread let you repair gear in the field. A broken tent, torn backpack, or snapped bootlace can become a major problem if you can't fix it. **How it addresses survival:** Keeps gear functional. Lets you create improvised tools or repairs. Can save a trip from becoming a disaster. ### 8. Nutrition Energy bars, nuts, or jerky give you calories when you need them. Even a day hike can take longer than expected; you need fuel to keep going. **How it addresses survival:** Maintains your energy and mental function. Prevents hunger-related fatigue and poor decision-making. Boosts morale. ### 9. Hydration (Water and Water Treatment) Carrying water and a way to treat water (tablets, filter, or knowledge of boiling) ensures you can stay hydrated and avoid waterborne illness. **How it addresses survival:** Prevents dehydration, which clouds judgment and weakens you. Ensures you can treat water found in the wilderness. ### 10. Navigation (Map and Compass) A map and compass (and knowledge of how to use them) let you navigate if you get lost. GPS is useful but batteries die; map and compass don't. **How it addresses survival:** Prevents getting lost in the first place. Helps you navigate if you do get lost. Allows you to signal your location to rescuers. > **Did You Know?** > > The Scout Essentials are called "essentials" because they're truly essential, not optional. Scouts who carry all 10 are dramatically less likely to face a serious emergency, and far more likely to survive one if it happens. ## Building Your Personal Survival Kit A survival kit goes beyond the Scout Essentials. It's tailored to the environment and the length of your trip. A summer day hike in the mountains needs a different kit than a winter overnight camp. ### Core Items (Every Trip) - Scout Essentials (all 10) - Extra water or water treatment supplies - Extra food (at least 1-2 days beyond planned trip) - Whistle (for signaling) - Emergency shelter (space blanket, emergency bivvy, or plastic sheeting) - Paracord or cord (30-50 feet) ### Cold Weather Addition - Extra insulation (wool hat, gloves, extra socks) - Hand/foot warmers if available - Emergency sleeping bag or thick blanket ### Hot/Dry Environment Addition - Extra water (at least 1-2 liters more than normal) - Sun-protective clothing (long sleeves, wide-brimmed hat) - Extra electrolyte drink mix (to replace salts lost through sweating) ### Wet Environment Addition - Waterproof bag or stuff sack - Extra dry clothes - Quick-dry towel or cloth **Personal Survival Kit Checklist** — Customize for your environment and trip length - [ ] All 10 Scout Essentials - [ ] Extra water and/or water treatment - [ ] Extra food - [ ] Whistle or signaling device - [ ] Emergency shelter (space blanket or emergency bivvy) - [ ] 30-50 feet of paracord - [ ] Mirror for signaling - [ ] Headlamp with extra batteries - [ ] Weatherproof container to keep items dry - [ ] Personal medications or allergies documented - [ ] Emergency contact information - [ ] Any environment-specific items (for cold, hot, or wet conditions) ## Organizing Your Kit Keep your survival kit in a small, waterproof container (a ziplock bag works fine). Distribute it so some items stay in your pack at all times, and other items stay in your camp. If you get separated from your pack, you want survival items on your person—a whistle, a knife, matches, and a space blanket in your pockets can be lifesaving. > **Be Prepared! You Get Separated from Your Pack** > > You're hiking and accidentally leave your pack at camp, or it falls into a stream. You're 5 miles away. > > - **Stop and assess:** You're alive and not injured. You don't need to panic. > - **Signal:** Blow your whistle three times (universal distress signal). Wait and listen. Repeat every 10 minutes. > - **Use what you have:** If you have items on your person (knife, matches, emergency shelter), use them to improve your situation. > - **Stay put:** Don't wander deeper into the wilderness. Rescuers will find your campsite first. > - **Build shelter:** If night is coming, use branches, leaves, or your emergency space blanket to create shelter from wind and cold. > - **Stay warm and dry:** This is more important than finding food or water in the short term. > - **Stay calm:** Most people who survive emergencies do so because they didn't panic and made good decisions. [Scout Essentials](https://scoutlife.org/outdoors/outdoorarticles/6976/scout-outdoor-essentials-checklist/): Official Scout Essentials checklist and detailed information. [Checklist for a Wilderness Survival Kit](https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Merit_Badge_ReqandRes/Requirement%20Resources/Wilderness%20Survival/Checklist%20for%20a%20Wilderness%20Survival%20Kit.pdf): Official Scouting wilderness survival kit checklist (PDF). > **Tip** > > Don't wait until you're in the wilderness to figure out your survival kit. Build it at home, test it, and make sure you know how to use every item. Familiarity breeds confidence and competence. --- - Previous: [Backcountry Injuries & Conditions](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/wilderness-survival/guide/req1a/index.md) - Next: [Trip Planning & Prevention](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/wilderness-survival/guide/req1c/index.md)