Five things I wouldn't go on an expedition without

I am a scientist who divides his time between the ivory wall of academic classrooms and the remote locations of our planet to study life developing in extreme places. Over the past 15 years doing this work, first as a student and then as a professor, I have led several expeditions and participated in many others. I have visited the Arctic in the middle of winter, guided and hiked at high altitudes in the Atacama Desert and on Andean volcanoes, and dived into the depths of the mid-ocean ridge in the Pacific Ocean with the submersible Alvin, just to name a few.   

During these experiences I learned a thing or two about fieldwork in extreme environments. Whatever the environment to be faced, whatever the situation, there are certain items that I always rely on.

The following is my personal "list of must-have items" for the hardened explorer without which I never leave the comfort of my academic environment:

A great pair of lightweight but sturdy boots

Wherever your mission is, whatever your goal, you won't get far if you can't walk with confidence. In my work, we are often exposed to treacherous terrain, whether it is a scorching geothermal field filled with boiling acidic water, a steep climb up the sides of a volcanic crater made of razor-sharp lava, or a winter field of snow and ice with temperatures approaching -40°C. Whatever the situation, having the right boots is crucial, and my choice usually falls on water-resistant, quick-drying, lightweight (as much as possible) hiking boots or trail running shoes, depending on the environments. Lately I have been using and testing the Garmont Rambler 2.0 GTX on our expeditions and they are really perfect.

Wide-brimmed hat

One thing you learn on the skin (literally) from exploring extreme environments is that the weather is usually brutal and can be your worst enemy. Freezing rain, scorching sun, blinding glare, blood-sucking bugs. A good wide-brimmed hat can protect you for a long time from changes in the weather and, combined with long sleeves (not only in cold climates, but especially in the desert or tropical forests) and a neck band, will work wonders against sunburn, rain and insects. Combine this with dark polarized (mountain) sunglasses and you'll be ready to go almost anywhere. 

Multipurpose pocket knife

Whenever you find yourself in a remote area far from civilization, you will face situations where you will wish you had a razor-sharp knife. Or a pair of pliers. Or a screwdriver. A good utility knife can help you in each of these situations. Actually, I carry two separate knives with me when I am in the field: a multi-purpose knife and a smaller single-bladed knife. One of the two blades is used for everyday tasks, from bread to ropes to cutting silicone tubing for sample collection. The other blade is razor-sharp and will never be used in everyday life, but reserved for times of emergency, real emergencies, when it will do its job in the blink of an eye.

A GPS watch or other means of navigation

Finding the target and, more importantly, getting home, should always be the priority when in the field. There are countless situations in which GPS and compasses have been critical in reaching sampling sites or getting home safely. Unfortunately, in today's mobile phone-dominated navigation, many people underestimate the importance of knowing how to read a map and use GPS and compass. I know the tricks of the trade after years of competitive sailing and long-distance sailing, and I can assure you that a good GPS and compass (and knowledge of how to use them) make the difference between success and disaster when outdoors. And this applies not only in remote areas, but especially in domestic explorations and treks where risks are often underestimated.

RAFAK

RAFAK stands for Remote Area First Aid Kit. When we travel to remote areas, careful planning is the first and most important safety tool that significantly reduces the risk of injury. Unfortunately, what we do involves some degree of risk, and having a RAFAK is critical to ensure that we can deal with the unpredictable. Our laboratory RAFAK was specially designed by me with the help of some emergency physicians and Red Cross experts. It is light, about 800 grams, small 20×18×12 cm, and contains the right tools to save a life. The RAFAK is not your typical first aid kit that contains small Band-Aids for minor cuts and duct tape. It contains equipment to deal with massive hemorrhage, pneumothorax, anaphylactic shock, serious infections, and other life-threatening injuries and illnesses that may require immediate medical attention. Of course, the kit is completely useless without proper training. My entire team trained through a series of specific courses, which included theory and practice on first aid in remote areas, to be able to handle emergencies related to our work.

This is my personal list. What would you never leave at home to go into the field and explore the unknown?