No one thinks it will ever happen to them. We're all too smart, too touch or too lucky to ever get lost in the woods. Yet somehow, hundreds of people manage to do precisely this every year. Usually it's because the person did not adequately familiarize themselves with where they were going. They took a wrong turn and ended up miles from where they expected to be. Then it got dark, and they found themselves hungry, thirsty, cold and scared in the middle of the forest. No, no one thinks it will ever happen to them, and still it does.

So, knowing that becoming lost while hiking is a very real possibility for everyone, there are a few items that every hiker should always carry with them. Some of these items, such as a compass, will help the individual find his or her way back to civilization. But others will simply help a person survive until they are found. Collectively, these items are referred to as a survival kit. Survival kits are designed to meet basic human survival needs: food, water and shelter. They can be purchased preassembled, but the can also be put together to meet any specific situations anticipated.

When it comes to emergency food, it's sometimes just a matter of deciding what you feel like eating. There is a staggering array of freeze-dried food available, from powdered eggs to blueberry cheesecake. Most come in packets that weigh very little (the major selling point for freeze-dried goods) and require only that water be added. Even more compact are items like energy gel, which is made by manufacturers like Power Bar, GU, Cliff and several others. This substance can be immediately ingested with no preparation, and it contains many of the nutrients needed by the human body. Taking several packets of this with you when hiking is never a bad idea.

As for water, the simplest method is to take as much with you as you can reasonably carry, especially if you're venturing into an arid area, such as a dessert. However, if you're hiking in the mountains, you will also be able to drink the water from streams if you take the proper precautions. The simplest items to add to your emergency kit to ensure drinkable water are iodine tablets. These can simply be added to a water bottle full of stream water, and that water will become safe to drink. It may taste a bit odd, but it won't make you sick.

One of the greatest challenges when lost in the woods, especially at night, is staying warm. It is always a good idea to bring layers, and to use clothes of wool and fleece rather than cotton. However, another good item to add to your emergency kit is a space blanket. These shiny, silver blankets are incredibly lightweight and small, yet they retain about 80% of an individual's body heat; that can save your life under certain conditions.

Finally, it is always a good idea to have some basic first aid supplies with you. Bandages, bandage scissors, tweezers, splints, antibacterial wipes, burn cream, and eye wash bottles are all good items to pack. If you're planning on an extended hike, consider investing in a prepackaged first aid kit designed for mountaineering. Hopefully you won't need it, but if you do, you'll be prepared.