Water, shelter, or fire

[mikepond]

Shelter would be my top pick. I would say fire as a close second but it would depend what type of weather I am in to start with and also what might lurk out in the open dark. Tight shelter though for sure.

[outdoorchick]

Fire first since dark is coming. You can make a torch with the fire and scout for deadfall for shelter. I would never be out with water so at least for the first night it wouldn't be a priority.

[IndianaHiker]

If I thinks just over night I would do shelter first, then water. and then fire. If I can have shelter and water I will be more comfortable if the temps are not to bad. If I just expect storms and temps to stay at a decent level I may not even fool with the fire and spend the time and resources on the shelter if I expected a storm.

[Judy Ann]

Originally Posted by IndianaHiker

If I thinks just over night I would do shelter first, then water. and then fire. If I can have shelter and water I will be more comfortable if the temps are not to bad. If I just expect storms and temps to stay at a decent level I may not even fool with the fire and spend the time and resources on the shelter if I expected a storm.

Indiana, you're such a minimalist I can't imagine you without your tarp!

[dinosaur]

I'm going to say water. Dehydration causes all sorts of physical problems. Then Dinosaur get hungry. Dinosaur want food. Dinosaur not herbivore. Kill beast. Build fire. Burn beast and eat. Sleep under Spruce tree. Build shelter tomorrow after hunt.

[Red_Dog]

The rule of 3's comes to mind

You can live:
3 weeks without food
3 days without water
3 hours without shelter
3 minutes without air

Ya, it is grossly oversimplified, but it is easy to remember, and lines up your priorities in the proper order.

[Lamebeaver]

Even on a dayhike, I have a space blanket (shelter) and a lighter (fire). so I'm going to pick water.

[IndianaHiker]

Originally Posted by dinosaur

I'm going to say water. Dehydration causes all sorts of physical problems. Then Dinosaur get hungry. Dinosaur want food. Dinosaur not herbivore. Kill beast. Build fire. Burn beast and eat. Sleep under Spruce tree. Build shelter tomorrow after hunt.

Dehydration does cause all kinds of problems. It can also cause hypothermia. The body when dehydrated can't maintain core temps.

[ChadTower]

Not enough details for me to make my decision. Does "large temp drop" mean from 95 to 55 or 55 to 15? Am I in a forest or a desert? How lost am I? What's in my pack? Do I have my pack?

All I can really say in a purely hypothetical is that I do not choose my priorities - the situation and resources on hand dictate them to me.