PACKING A

BACKPACK
Chelsea McPharlin and Natasha Meseldzija

1
 LESSON OVERVIEW / OBJECTIVES

● Understand the importance of packing a backpack efficiently

● Recommend which backpack different groups should use
● List the items that you will need to pack for a multi-day bushwalk
● Describe additional items that the leaders would need to pack in their
rucksack
● Identify ways of minimising weight
● Categorize where items should be placed within a rucksack for weight
distribution, carrying capacities, access and waterproofing
● Plan for walking and working with a bag
 TETRIS GAME
◦ Divide students into four groups.
◦ Each group will receive a tetris grid.
◦ One at a time, the students should run to the centre of the gym (where
the tetris shapes will be placed), and collect one shape.
◦ Throughout the game the students will need to fit the pieces together
that they collect on their grid.
◦ Winner - the group with the most pieces that fit together
 TETRIS GAME
This game shows the importance of packing a bag effectively
- you needed to know what shapes to bring back to your
group, and where to place them, just like you need to know
what to pack and where to pack it in your backpack!
 Things to consider when choosing a
backpack:
● Purpose: short walks, long hikes,
other adventures (travel, alpine,
etc.)
TYPES OF ● Size: Day walk (up to 35L), multi-
BACKPACKS day hike (50L and up)
● Features: Adjustability, access,
pockets, ventilation,
waterproofing, built in hydration,
attachment points
● Durability
● Cost 5
WHAT TO PACK
 In your table groups, create a
packing list with all essential
PACKING items you need when going on a
LIST multi-day bushwalk, as well as
any items that may be optional
 THE 10 ESSENTIAL ITEMS
1. Navigation - map, compass, GPS
2. Sun protection - sun cream, hat, sunglasses
3. Insulation - clothing, thermals, waterproof
jacket/pants, windproof, thick woolly socks
Additional items:
4. Illumination - torch
5. First aid supplies - medication, sanitiser, ● Insect repellent
bandaids, bandages, etc. ● Mobile phone
6. Fire - lighter/matches, stove, gas/fuel ● Whistle

7. Repair kit - pocket knife, nylon cord/rope

8. Nutrition - healthy meals and snacks, trangia
9. Hydration - water
10. Shelter - tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, tarp

https://www.adelaidebushwalkers.org/hikes-activities/hiking-tips/gear-list-weekend-walks/#gear-checklist
“
MINIMISING How could you minimise
WEIGHT weight in your backpack?
 Ways to minimise weight:

● The big 3: backpack, tent/shelter, sleeping

system
● Share the load
● Minimise clothing - only what you NEED
● Use smaller containers for toiletries/food
MINIMISING ● Use small/ultralight gear (microfibre towel, etc)
WEIGHT ● Pre-prepare your food and reduce
waste/packaging (dehydrated food)
● Be smart with your packing - check the
weather and only take what you will NEED,
don’t take an actual pillow but take a
pillowcase and stuff it with jumpers/clothes
you are already taking, etc).
Pack no more than 30% of your body weight!
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WHAT
ABOUT In your table groups, list the
PACKING additional items that a leader
AS A would need to pack.
LEADER?
 Additional items that leaders
need to carry:
◦ Maps and compasses
PACKING
◦ First aid kit
AS A
◦ Communication (mobile
LEADER
phone, GPS tracker)
◦ Copy of medical details
◦ Emergency shelter/tarp
◦ Spares - clothing, socks, etc.
HOW TO PACK A
BACKPACK
 Weight distribution

◦ Where should heavy items go?

◦ Where should light items go?

Access

◦ What items do I need easy access to?

THINGS TO ◦ Where should I put these so I can access them
quickly?
CONSIDER Carrying capacity
WHEN ◦ How much should I be carrying?
PACKING ◦ How much can I fit in my pack?
◦ Do I really need these items?

Waterproofing

◦ What items need to be waterproofed?

◦ How am I going to waterproof them?
In your table groups:

Draw a diagram of a backpack.

Label the diagram with where
you would pack each item on
your packing list.
TIP: It might help if you
categorise the items into light,
medium, and heavy items.
Also, consider which items you
will need to access often and
quickly.
YOUR BACKPACK SHOULD
LOOK SOMETHING LIKE
THIS:
 Weight distribution
◦ Heavy items close to your back
◦ Lighter items on outside/top

Access
◦ Items that you access often or need quick access
to in top or in side pockets
◦ These items might include water, medication
(asthma puffer), sunglasses, hat, rain jacket,
HOW TO snacks, sun cream, map, head torch, camera,
pocket knife, phone, etc.
PACK
Carrying capacity
◦ Backpack should not weigh more than 30% of your
bodyweight

Waterproofing
◦ You need to waterproof E V E R Y T H I N G
◦ Waterproof cover for backpack
◦ Garbage bag lining inside of pack
◦ Individually waterproof items in dry bags. plastic
bags, or ziploc bags
 WALKING AND
WORKING WITH A
BAG
 First you need to make sure you have the
correct size pack.
FITTING A
BACKPACK
Shorter than 175cm - S/M

Taller than 175cm - M/L

20
 1. FIND A FRIEND TO HELP YOU PUT THE
PACK ON YOUR BACK

2. Hip belt
FITTING A - Loosen all straps
- Tighten hip belt so it is firm around
BACKPACK top of hips

3. Shoulder straps
- Tighten shoulder straps until they are
firm and moulded over your shoulders
- The more you tighten the shoulder
straps, the more the load is taken off
your hips and onto your shoulders
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 3. Load lifter straps
- Tighten these straps to pull the
backpack closer to your back
- The backpack should align with
the natural curve of your back
- Straps should be at an angle of
FITTING A
roughly 45°
BACKPACK
4. Chest strap
- Sits about 1-2 inches below collarbone
- Tighten to bring shoulder straps closer
together and reduce strain on
shoulders
- Should be comfortable - not super
tight 22
 In pairs/threes, take a backpack
YOUR and practice putting it on and
TURN adjusting all the straps so it fits you
properly.
 Brainstorm 5 helpful tips for
WALKING walking with a backpack.
WITH A
BACKPACK E.G: Have regular breaks
where you take your pack off
 ◦ Regular breaks
◦ Good posture
◦ Bend/twist safely
WALKING
WITH A ◦ No items hanging off
BACKPACK ◦ Be aware of potential extra
height
◦ Continuously making
adjustments
 BEFORE YOU GO...

3 things you found interesting or

enjoyed
2 things you learnt
1 question you still have
THANKS