We have been known to be somewhat critical of event organisers who specify emergency gear which must be carried - and then don't enforce it. We believe that by not enforcing, they are trivialising the need for emergency gear. We believe that emergency gear is exactly that - for emergencies. Conceivably we could carry emergency gear all our lives and never use it. But the one time we do need it , it could be life saving.
The reality is however, that it is not in events that carrying emergency gear is most critical - it is outside of events. The advantage of events is that there are usually plenty of people around to assist should a mishap occur. But when we are out in the bush, on our own, there are times when we see very few, if any, other people. Based in South Auckland, a lot of our trail training is done on trails within 30 minutes drive. Even then , often we can run for 2 hours and see only wildlife and the evidence that pigs have passed that way before us. But no people. So if we do twist an ankle , or worse, we really are on our own. Our advice: Always carry enough lightweight equipment to keep yourself warm, should a mishap occur.