Emergency rations

Emergency rations are items of food and drink that a person will be able to rely on for 1 night, or a night and a day. The rations are to help people survive until they have some help. It is advisable to carry these while hill walking or mountaineering, because of the risk of accidents.

Emergency Rations are a popular item with camping enthusists, especially back-pack campers, who are more likely to be a great distance from safety. Emergency foodstuffs are frequently high in caloric content, and occasionally in nutritional content as well. While emergency foodstuffs may be as simple as a candy bar, nutritional bars and energy bars/sports bars are also used. Other options include, but are not limited to, hard bread, dried meat (such as jerky), and dried fruit.

Emergency foodstuffs should generally be kept on one's person, should one become lost or separated from camping gear. Carrying water in a sturdy, re-sealable container is also advisable. It may also be advisable for the emergency food to be appetizing enough to be edible, but not so appetizing that it would be snacked upon. An extreme example of edible but unappetizing emergency food would be dog food.

Typical emergency rations include high sugar foodstuffs, and the makings of hot drinks. Emergency rations are required on Ten Tors, without which a team will not be able to participate.