Printable checklist
The Survival Guide list
These are the Survival Guide's "you must bring" and "you probably should bring" items. We did not add gear. Print this page from your browser. Survival Guide
The email course is on the survival kit page.
You must bring
- Your ticket, or photo ID and a confirmation number for Will Call pickup
- 1.5 gallons of water per person per day
- A reusable water bottle
- Food and beverages
- An extensive first-aid kit
- Sunscreen, sunblock, and sunglasses
- Warm clothing
- A particle or dust mask
- Goggles to protect your eyes in dust storms
- Rope or tie-down straps
- Hand sanitizer (60% or more alcohol)
- Garbage and recycling bags, and tools to clean up your camp
- Duct tape
- Flashlights and spare batteries (a headlamp is useful)
- Lights for your bike and for yourself
- Rain gear and footwear
- A solid camp tent or other shelter, plus warm sleeping bags and bedding
- A portable ashtray if you smoke (a mint tin that closes)
- Prescriptions in their original containers, contact lens supplies, and anything else you need where there are no services
- Fire extinguishers
- A battery-powered AM/FM radio so you can hear BMIR
- Common sense, an open mind, a sense of humor, and a positive attitude
You probably should bring
- Shade: structures, umbrellas, parasols, something to break the midday sun
- A wide-brim hat (a chinstrap helps in the wind)
- A cooking stove if you will heat food or liquid
- A working bicycle (a mountain bike or a cruiser with balloon tires)
- A bike lock, and a tag with your name, playa address, and email or phone
- A bicycle tire repair kit, pump, spare parts, and extra tubes
- A portable shower with a drain that collects gray water
- Lotion, lip balm, and earplugs
- Watertight bags for cameras or electronics
- Costumes, instruments, props, and decorations
- A camp marker (a flag, banner, or something you can see)
- 12-inch tent stakes (rebar and lag bolts work too), marked so you can pull them out
- Plastic bottles or tennis balls to cap dangerous rebar
- An extra set of car keys
- A reusable coffee mug
- Footwear for if the playa gets wet
- An emergency toilet: a five-gallon bucket with a lid and liners
- Whatever else you need to stay safe and healthy
- A fire blanket
- Straps for your phone, keys, camera, and speakers
- Labels for personal gear
Source for both lists: Survival Guide
We did not add gear to the lists above. Shade frames and jug stacks are the bulky pieces. Amazon to Reno is how flyers get those waiting in town. If the shelter is a rig, RV for your first burn.
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