RULE # 0: There is no set of rules that makes camping failsafe!

Expect and plan for the worst, hope for the best. "Learn how to laugh when things get  tough; especially at yourself."  Above all, THINK! As soon as you stop thinking, something will happen. I've found that even if you do think...stuff happens! Murphy's Law will be in effect at all times. 
Be willing to take advice from other seasoned paddlers. Don't let pride get in your way. You never know it all and you may have forgotten some of the things you once understood.

PERSONAL SAFETY
1- Always use your personal flotation device.
2- Treat being tired, wet and cold (Hypothermia) as the greatest deadly sin.
3- Know your limits. Do not attempt to travel beyond your capabilities, too far, too
rugged, too long. 
4- Never let itinerary or time constraints drive your decision making when faced with an
issue dealing with weather.  Getting there late is far better than not getting there.
5- When whittling wood....ALWAYS cut AWAY from your body parts!
6-Carry a small survival kit on your person, compass, knife, signal device, food, fire,
and shelter.
7-RESIST the urge... "i can hop/jump to that next rock, i know i can" ... ankles aren’t as
sturdy as you think.
8- Do not get too close to animals larger than you…cow moose with calves, bears with
cubs, bull moose in the fall.
9- Don't dive from shore or swim in the rapids.  Tree snags hidden under water could
entangled you.  Think about what's below the surface when diving or jumping.
10- Don't eat wild food items unless you are sure they are safe...there are several with
look-alike counterparts which are deadly.
11 - Tread extremely carefully when crossing wet rocks or logs; they are very slippery.

GENERAL CREATURE COMFORTS

55- Maintain a "positive attitude" and practice “patience”.
56- Pack for all kinds of weather (hot, cold, wet, windy).
57- Make camp before supper time (4:30-5:00 pm).
58- Pack two flashlights, in case one is lost or quits; and extra batteries.
59- Bring more plastic bags than you can possibly use.
60- Repair kit to include duct tape, goop( or waterproof cement), thread, thin wire.
61- Don't skimp on the quality of paddles (and that means the plastic ones outfitters
supply).
62- Shoes are a good idea when swimming.
63- If you camp on an island, poop on the mainland. (Q)
64- Learn how to laugh when things get tough. Especially at yourself.
65 - The stern paddler always (generally) exits the canoe first.
66- If it is safer, (due to weight or difficulty) double or triple portage. There is absolutely
     nothing to be gained by hurting ones self.
67- No cotton socks.  At least one pair of wool socks.
68- It's better to pack 3 partial rolls of TP rather than one large one.  They should be
packed waterproof and in different packs.  Bark, leaves, and pine needles are not good substitutes. 
69- Traveling in the rain?  Put two or three 2-inch diameter beaver sticks on bottom of
     canoe under your packs to keep them dryer.
70- Last thing you do when leaving a campsite: do a walk around. Police the area.
71- Double check at portages, that you have not left anything at beginning or end.
72- A small, closed cell foam pad can be strapped to the canoe seat for duration of trip.
73- Bring "Quality" (non-cheap) Rain gear
74- Always maintain a DRY set of clothes in reserve.
75- Fly swatter...worth its weight in gold during ankle-biter season.
76- On my trip last year, guys laughed at my night-time bottle. But when the mosquitoes
were bad they had to leave the tent at night when nature called.
77- To help stay warm in cold weather, always change your socks and other clothes at
night.
78- No whining.  If nothing can be done to correct the situation there is no point to
complain.  Whiners are generally drowned on the spot and those that survive are not invited back.
79- PRATICE before you go!  This means with new gear, new techniques (setups with
that tarp), new recipes, and to get physically into condition.
80- Bandanas; truly one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you could carry. They
can be used to shade your neck, your ears, wetted tie around your head or your neck for a cooling effect, as a wash cloth, dish rag, dish towel, pot grabber by folding it wrapping it around the pot and twisting the bitter ends together, a hot pad, a filter to remove sediment from water, a tourniquet, a sling, put a rock in it and toss the bear bagging rope over a tree limb, wipe sweet from the brow, use it to remove dew from your tent fly, blow your nose in it (off course after you've filtered your water).
81- Think about where you put your raingear, BEFORE you start paddling.
82- Think about putting footwear on when making a night time nature call.

FISHING

83-Bring along needle nose pliers for hook removal.  Tie on a lanyard with
carabineer on the loose end to clip onto a thwart.  A pliers with wire cutting option could also be used to cut the barb if buried in human flesh instead of fish.
84- If landing a very large fish, paddle to shore before bringing it in.
85- You can filet your fish on the bottom of your overturned canoe, or on a paddle blade.
86- Don't dispose of fish guts in or near camp. 
87- Think about the guy in the stern when casting from the bow
88- Be aware that snapping turtles, big pike, otters and mink WILL take advantage of
your fish on the stringer.

AFTERTHOUGHTS

89-  Always have your jug in sight or on your person. 
90-  Always make sure your jug has an air gap.  Brandy is denser than water.
91- Do not hide your jug too well at bedtime or it may be forgotten when breaking camp.
92- Never, ever drop your bag of weed on the portage trail,...someone else is likely to
smoke it for you..

**Carry more than one Compass. Compasses do break, get miss placed / forgotten / dropped along the portage trail.  Do not rely on a GPS as your only source or type of navigation tool.

IC,
What a wonderful service you've just provided to everyone. If ever we should meet up in some Ely emporium, the first frosty is on me.
Well done.
WiF

IC - I was about to answer your PM but I checked the board and noticed you did exactly what I was going to suggest.

All - IC started this thread and even went so far as to compile a complete list so as far as I'm concerned, she gets final say on revisions. I only skimmed sa few and while I'd personally quibble with #67 - my suggestion for the last one would be to read and understand all the rules before you decide to ignore them. After all, don't things become rules because someone with a lapse in common sense (or conventional wisdom) learned some lesson?

IF, there was a 10 COMMANDMENTS of tripping, # 78 would be in the top 3