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Survival Kit Suggestions?
- Thread starter LightFlight
- Start date
aktango58
FRIEND
18AA
That is a good tool, but when I am in the woods wanting a fire, I seem to be wet, cold, tired and hungry. Forget my ego I like these: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...38688&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15212
Put under the rear seat until you want it.
Put under the rear seat until you want it.
Perhaps you should consider Arizona,
NunavutPA-12
FRIEND
67.8N,115.1W CYCO Canada
Some years ago I had an incident in which my aircraft was damaged just enough that it was un-safe to fly and couldn't be fixed in the field with baling wire and duct tape. I had a sat-phone and (of course) a GPS. I was picked up four hours after I called for help. I had camping gear and food and would have been comfortable for a week or more.
The service was speedy because SAR knew the nature of the problem and they knew my exact location. If I had not had a functioning GPS and sat-phone, then the search would have involved flying my flight planned track, and it might have taken a day or two to locate me.
The weather was marginal VFR but SAR tasked a private helicopter located about fifty miles away at an exploration camp to come pick me up. That company (Canadian Helicopters) never billed the tax-payer for my "rescue", and my insurance covered the salvage a few days later.
Canadian Helicopters gets to use my hangar whenever they feel like it!
I was pretty impressed, but that's the kind of scenario you can expect nowadays if you carry the right tools and follow proper wilderness flying procedures. You probably won't even have time to get the muchies.
But.... it doesn't hurt to be prepared for the worst.
It's pretty rare today that a properly equipped pilot gets into a survival situation (i.e. - still alive) and has to wait more than 48-hours for rescue. Mind you, 48-hours can be a long time in mid-winter but I think the intent of the original poster was to equip himself for summer operations, flying from southern Canada to the sub-arctic, probably on floats.
North of the tree-line in Canada you can drink out of any body of water in complete safety (no trees - no beavers). Water is one thing we never worry about at any season, but I realize that other parts of north america may not be so lucky, either with water or with search and rescue response.
The service was speedy because SAR knew the nature of the problem and they knew my exact location. If I had not had a functioning GPS and sat-phone, then the search would have involved flying my flight planned track, and it might have taken a day or two to locate me.
The weather was marginal VFR but SAR tasked a private helicopter located about fifty miles away at an exploration camp to come pick me up. That company (Canadian Helicopters) never billed the tax-payer for my "rescue", and my insurance covered the salvage a few days later.
Canadian Helicopters gets to use my hangar whenever they feel like it!
I was pretty impressed, but that's the kind of scenario you can expect nowadays if you carry the right tools and follow proper wilderness flying procedures. You probably won't even have time to get the muchies.
But.... it doesn't hurt to be prepared for the worst.
It's pretty rare today that a properly equipped pilot gets into a survival situation (i.e. - still alive) and has to wait more than 48-hours for rescue. Mind you, 48-hours can be a long time in mid-winter but I think the intent of the original poster was to equip himself for summer operations, flying from southern Canada to the sub-arctic, probably on floats.
North of the tree-line in Canada you can drink out of any body of water in complete safety (no trees - no beavers). Water is one thing we never worry about at any season, but I realize that other parts of north america may not be so lucky, either with water or with search and rescue response.
Technology is a wonderful thing...especially if you have it with you.
Many many trees where I fly and lots of critters who poop in the streams. Once upon a time I drank from what looked like a clean high mountain stream North of Lake Clark in AK and within 8 hours I had lost 10+ pounds and was hoping for a quick trip to St Peter. All water gets treated by me now...no exceptions!! YMMV.
Many many trees where I fly and lots of critters who poop in the streams. Once upon a time I drank from what looked like a clean high mountain stream North of Lake Clark in AK and within 8 hours I had lost 10+ pounds and was hoping for a quick trip to St Peter. All water gets treated by me now...no exceptions!! YMMV.
SC3CM
Registered User
The only thing I don't think I've seen anyone mention is a few of those chemical light sticks. High quality green ones. They might come in handy, weigh almost nothing and take very little space.
Much of my stuff is in a nalgene type bottle in a small pack clipped to the seat. It keeps it water tight and is also my water container if needed. I've also got work gloves. I can grab that bag on my way out the door because its buckled around the seat with the clip right on the door side. The one time I've seen someone put themselves in a situation where spending the night in the woods unexpectedly might have really happened, stuff in the storage area might not have been much help and certainly was soaking wet! Anything electronic unless sealed or waterproof would have been useless.
The vest you always wear is probably even better yet for the real emergency stuff.
Rene
Much of my stuff is in a nalgene type bottle in a small pack clipped to the seat. It keeps it water tight and is also my water container if needed. I've also got work gloves. I can grab that bag on my way out the door because its buckled around the seat with the clip right on the door side. The one time I've seen someone put themselves in a situation where spending the night in the woods unexpectedly might have really happened, stuff in the storage area might not have been much help and certainly was soaking wet! Anything electronic unless sealed or waterproof would have been useless.
The vest you always wear is probably even better yet for the real emergency stuff.
Rene
Good point Rene!
I used to have a "pull the cord" life vest that I carried a bare minimum of "survival" items in for years until it fell apart one day from use. I am going to get another vest, maybe even better than the last one and I can use it for canoe and kayak trips too....glad you reminded me of that!!
I used to have a "pull the cord" life vest that I carried a bare minimum of "survival" items in for years until it fell apart one day from use. I am going to get another vest, maybe even better than the last one and I can use it for canoe and kayak trips too....glad you reminded me of that!!
NunavutPA-12
FRIEND
67.8N,115.1W CYCO Canada
Certainly, when flying floats, electronic devices can be problematic. My sat-phone, PLB, hand-held radio and GPS are in zip-lock bags inside a larger zip-lock bag, inside a red nylon "bail-out" bag that I keep beside my seat. There's enough air inside those bags to keep them all afloat. The SPOT is in a small zip-lock bag in a pocket of my life-vest, along with a pocket knife, mirror, string and parachute cord, matches and a little fishing kit.
If the incident involved the aircraft overturning and/or sinking, then we would most likely be without all the "comfort" items (tent, sleeping bags and pads, cooking pots, food, etc.). Trying to dive for those items in very cold water might be more dangerous than doing without. That's why the sat-phone and PLB are so essential and I'd do everything possible to rescue those items. Worst case, I'd still have the SPOT.
Starting this coming summer I will be carrying the tent, food and first aid kit in a float compartment so they may still be safely accessible in the event of an upset.
The PLB is waterproof. The SPOT is supposed to be. The sat-phone and hand-held VHF would probably be toast if they got drenched.
It would be a rough day or two, but barring major injuries, we'd survive.
On the other hand, if the airplane didn't sink or it ended up in the bush or on the tundra, everything in the baggage compartment would be available and we'd be a lot more comfortable.
But my wife would some pissed!! I might wish I had a gun just so I could shoot myself!
If the incident involved the aircraft overturning and/or sinking, then we would most likely be without all the "comfort" items (tent, sleeping bags and pads, cooking pots, food, etc.). Trying to dive for those items in very cold water might be more dangerous than doing without. That's why the sat-phone and PLB are so essential and I'd do everything possible to rescue those items. Worst case, I'd still have the SPOT.
Starting this coming summer I will be carrying the tent, food and first aid kit in a float compartment so they may still be safely accessible in the event of an upset.
The PLB is waterproof. The SPOT is supposed to be. The sat-phone and hand-held VHF would probably be toast if they got drenched.
It would be a rough day or two, but barring major injuries, we'd survive.
On the other hand, if the airplane didn't sink or it ended up in the bush or on the tundra, everything in the baggage compartment would be available and we'd be a lot more comfortable.
But my wife would some pissed!! I might wish I had a gun just so I could shoot myself!
NimpoCub
Registered User
Nimpo Lake, BC . . . AKA "the Floatplane Capital o
George, I've thought about carrying one of those butane torches, but worried about it flashing off on it's own (somehow).
Are they safe to carry in the plane??
aktango58
FRIEND
18AA
Compared to what?
20 gal. of avgas, flares, firearms, waterproof matches, propane...
Like everything, pack it so igniter is protected from being pushed. Had one for years without a problem. I now usually have a propane push button torch, then my bottle will fit the lantern, torch, stove and preheater...
You can make toast with them quickly also!
spinner2
MEMBER
Montana
So I'm curious; why don't you use the SPOT as a tracker? This makes it sound like you use it like a PLB. I have a SPOT and my wife likes to follow me on her iPad. I also carry a PLB and have a 406 ELT. The address for the SPOT is in the remarks section of my 406 online registration too. Having more than one way to communicate by satellite could be important. George, didn't you have a problem with your SPOT messages for help go to your wife's junk e-mail or something like that?
You're right, with modern satellite electronics we'll be found sooner rather than later. Getting picked up In a timely manner is going to depend on the weather or our innovation. Being prepared to wait is the other half of the equation.
NunavutPA-12
FRIEND
67.8N,115.1W CYCO Canada
My experience using the SPOT as a tracker has been disappointing. I'm pretty sure that's due to my latitude. I feel better with it in my pocket rather than on top of the glare shield in case of a hasty exit from the airplane. And yes, I use it as a back-up to the PLB, which would NOT be in my pocket.
aktango58
FRIEND
18AA
Yup. sent all the help messages to Junk; once the rescue center called her she looked and found them, so was able to tell them I was alive and seemed to be ok for many ours before.
AS far as tracking, the spot should be in the skylight. Lyn tracked me north of the arctic circle and back.
spinner2
MEMBER
Montana
A Montana friend flew from here to Kotzebue in his PA18 and his Spot missed just a couple of hits the entire trip. It was on the glare shield. I enjoyed following him and he called a couple of times using my borrowed sat phone. One call was from a gravel bar in a BC river while he waited out weather. I could see on Google Earth where he was.
I keep my PLB in a pocket or a pouch strapped around me.
cubflier
MEMBER
Palmer, AK
Think about memorizing how to properly activate your PLB. Even though it may seem like a no-brainer sitting in the comfort of your home, in the midst of a serious accident you may find that other challenges may interfere with your thought process and simple may become quite difficult at a time when time cannot be waisted.
Jerry
Jerry
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spinner2
MEMBER
Montana
Good point George and the very reason I put the manual activation switch for the 406 ELT in the wing root on the door side about even with the back of the front seat in both Cubs I've owned. Up there it is as easy for a backseater to turn on as it is for the pilot and also right there on the way out the door.
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55-PA18A
SPONSOR
Dillingham, Alaska
Make your own kit to keep in the plane, but also get a multi-pocketed vest and WEAR IT !!! I use a inflatable vest when on floats, but have another (orange cotton duck) for other times of the year. Either has pockets to keep my PLB and SPOT. Does your passenger also have a vest?
The Sat Phone goes in a bright orange Pelican case.
Someone mentioned a good stocking hat. Consider getting it in Blaze or Hunter Orange. It's a lot more noticable than that neat camo job you use for hunting. Also, in that color, you'll be a lot less likely to use it at other times and it will stay with your kit. A light, flimsy hunter orange vest could also be in the kit. A 2 ft x 2 ft. piece of fabric in Hunter Orange could be used for lots of things, plus a good signal flag. Dark clothes are very hard to see from the air at a distance.
Someone else mentioned light sticks. A nifty trick a former Army Ranger told me was to attached a cord/string, then whirl it either horizontally or vertically (or alternate both). An immobile light stick isn't near as noticable during a night-time search as a giant red or green circle.
Blast Match?? Handy to keep in your pocket, and it puts out a lot of really hot sparks. You can use it one-handed. One in your pants pocket, one in your vest. I'm not a smoker, but I don't go anywhere without a lighter.
A water-proof list of phone numbers. One with the sat phone. One in your vest.
A water-proof copy of PLB, SPOT, and Sat Phone instructions.
Toilet paper is NOT a 'luxury' !!!,...but paper towels have a lot more uses. (note: wet toilet paper has very few uses).
Extra glasses or 'cheaters'.
Bug hat. Bug dope will not only make life bearable when the insects are bad, but it makes a pretty good fire starter. The little squeeze bottles fit in vest pockets nicely. But be careful as some will melt plastics.
Jim W
The Sat Phone goes in a bright orange Pelican case.
Someone mentioned a good stocking hat. Consider getting it in Blaze or Hunter Orange. It's a lot more noticable than that neat camo job you use for hunting. Also, in that color, you'll be a lot less likely to use it at other times and it will stay with your kit. A light, flimsy hunter orange vest could also be in the kit. A 2 ft x 2 ft. piece of fabric in Hunter Orange could be used for lots of things, plus a good signal flag. Dark clothes are very hard to see from the air at a distance.
Someone else mentioned light sticks. A nifty trick a former Army Ranger told me was to attached a cord/string, then whirl it either horizontally or vertically (or alternate both). An immobile light stick isn't near as noticable during a night-time search as a giant red or green circle.
Blast Match?? Handy to keep in your pocket, and it puts out a lot of really hot sparks. You can use it one-handed. One in your pants pocket, one in your vest. I'm not a smoker, but I don't go anywhere without a lighter.
A water-proof list of phone numbers. One with the sat phone. One in your vest.
A water-proof copy of PLB, SPOT, and Sat Phone instructions.
Toilet paper is NOT a 'luxury' !!!,...but paper towels have a lot more uses. (note: wet toilet paper has very few uses).
Extra glasses or 'cheaters'.
Bug hat. Bug dope will not only make life bearable when the insects are bad, but it makes a pretty good fire starter. The little squeeze bottles fit in vest pockets nicely. But be careful as some will melt plastics.
Jim W
Good stuff Jim...I'm shopping for a new vest now!~!
A word of caution with "strike anywhere" matches...pack them in a match tube or metal candy container with some char cloth or cotton balls (not synthetic balls) with the vasoline packets or something that will keep them from rubbing on each other because they will ignite on each other if bounced around loose. Petro jelly is great to have for chapped lips/skin, burns, fire starters and so on. Mix it all up in the mentos box so the match heads don't touch each other or can't move and wrap it with some duct tape to seal it and you can use that as a fire starter too. The old alum slip on lid soap boxes work too and will take couple tea candles along with matches, metal match and even a zippo with extra flints. Zippos work with 100LL just fine. Anyone seen a screw-on top alum film containers lately?...not may around anymore.
A word of caution with "strike anywhere" matches...pack them in a match tube or metal candy container with some char cloth or cotton balls (not synthetic balls) with the vasoline packets or something that will keep them from rubbing on each other because they will ignite on each other if bounced around loose. Petro jelly is great to have for chapped lips/skin, burns, fire starters and so on. Mix it all up in the mentos box so the match heads don't touch each other or can't move and wrap it with some duct tape to seal it and you can use that as a fire starter too. The old alum slip on lid soap boxes work too and will take couple tea candles along with matches, metal match and even a zippo with extra flints. Zippos work with 100LL just fine. Anyone seen a screw-on top alum film containers lately?...not may around anymore.
slowmover
FRIEND
Little Rock, AR
Here's mine
Here's what I keep in my kit. This works OK for me in the midwest but I'd augment it with more robust camping gear if I was headed somewhere far off the beaten path. In addition I have a 406 MHZ ELT, cell phone, VHF radio, tiedown ropes, and I always dress for the conditions. But as we know ELTs don't always survive the crash, so plan B is a flight plan, flight following, or a spot/PLB if I was off the beaten path. At least with the ELT I can turn it on in flight... if I have time, if I remember, and if I'm high enough for it to do anything before I land.
The rule I was taught is you can survive 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food. So being able to stay warm, dry, and out of the elements is key. I am also big on signaling. Someone mentioned lightsticks -- tie one of those to a 3' rope and swing it over your head and it is very easy to see at night. That's also what I'd use the magnetic compass/VHF radio for: if someone is looking for you and you see or hear them you point the compass at them, take the reciprocal, and give it to them as the heading to fly to you.
This all stays in an old pack in the back of the plane and I got through it a few times a year to make sure it's all OK. Putting it in a vest is a great idea too.
Here's what I keep in my kit. This works OK for me in the midwest but I'd augment it with more robust camping gear if I was headed somewhere far off the beaten path. In addition I have a 406 MHZ ELT, cell phone, VHF radio, tiedown ropes, and I always dress for the conditions. But as we know ELTs don't always survive the crash, so plan B is a flight plan, flight following, or a spot/PLB if I was off the beaten path. At least with the ELT I can turn it on in flight... if I have time, if I remember, and if I'm high enough for it to do anything before I land.
The rule I was taught is you can survive 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food. So being able to stay warm, dry, and out of the elements is key. I am also big on signaling. Someone mentioned lightsticks -- tie one of those to a 3' rope and swing it over your head and it is very easy to see at night. That's also what I'd use the magnetic compass/VHF radio for: if someone is looking for you and you see or hear them you point the compass at them, take the reciprocal, and give it to them as the heading to fly to you.
This all stays in an old pack in the back of the plane and I got through it a few times a year to make sure it's all OK. Putting it in a vest is a great idea too.
| 1 | Tan fleece hat |
| 1 | Black knit hat |
| 1 | Black mittens |
| 1 | Green fleece gloves |
| Plastic sheeting | |
| Gerber folding saw | |
| 2 | Power bars |
| 2 | Long underwear shirts |
| 1 | bottle of water |
| 1 | REI Backpacker first aid kit |
| 1 | Poncho |
| 2 | space blankets |
| 3 | cyalume light sticks |
| 1 | small bottle of OFF |
| assorted cord | |
| 1 | piece of tin foil |
| 1 | AAA flashlight |
| 1 | spare AAA battery |
| 1 | bottle of potable aqua |
| 3 | packs of water purifying pills |
| 1 | tube SPF 15 suntan lotion |
| 1 | Silva magnetic compass |
| 1 | signal mirror |
| 2 | fire starting cube |
| 1 | whistle |
| 2 | Bic lighters |
| 3 | citronella candles |
LightFlight
Registered User
Hi Larry!
Thanks very much! Your posts are certainly helpful.
I'm going to have a 100 hour inspection done on the plane with an AME friend that I have no problem trusting with my life.
I will definitely be filing flight plans for every leg, and am hoping to have at least 1 other aircraft flying with us.
I need to check, but I am pretty sure my ELT is a 121.5mhz. I may need to upgrade this before the trip, or atleast get a SPOT or some other PLB. One of those has been on my research list for sometime, but I wasn't impressed with a friends first gen SPOT and stopped being interested. I know they have bluetooth ones for smart phones and such now, and I'll start looking into them again.
I am on wheels and didn't know about the fly-in, but I'll look into that as well. I've been to Whitehorse (years ago before I owned the plane) and loved it, and I'd like to see more of Northern Canada. This seemed like a good way.
Yes, the firearm on board will be for bear protection. This means no 22LR. I highly doubt it is needed, but better safe than sorry.
I hadn't thought of my 45-70! I have a Marlin 1895G. This may fit in the back of the plane, but seems a bit heavy.
We will be doing some camping, and will have some food, but I was hoping to purchase most of it along the way. I can't carry much weight with full fuel and the two of us. This is why I would like something like the Mare's leg, only 4lbs.
I have a TerraGear mini stove with a 4 season butane mixture that will be coming along. It's quite small and compact, and works great. That one looks pretty nifty too.
This is great!
I agree a handheld compass is needed. Yes, there is one in the plane, but I don't see myself ripping it out to go find food or water if I had to.
Thanks!
I really would like to find some Mountain house and Power bar like products to stow away... not as camping food but as just-in-case food.
http://www.rangerjoes.com/Streamlight-Flashlight-SIDEWINDER-IR-LED-P3104.aspx
Don't forget the snake.
Don't forget the snake.
LightFlight
Registered User
http://verticalmag.com/news/articles/winter-survival.html
I'm not planning this trip for winter for obvious reasons, but here is another good link.
I'm not planning this trip for winter for obvious reasons, but here is another good link.
That way you can be arrested upon rescue and not have to worry about providing for yourself for a potentially considerable amount of time...AKA "the SteveE Retirment Plan"
Wannabe Cubdriver
Registered User
Winnipeg, MB
Yup! I bet it would be a mule with a stout buckshot load or a slug!
https://www.dlaskarms.com//product_info.php?cPath=94_24&products_id=15&osCsid=5a3fea68623953b9c993d88cf95496de
