Survival Vest Challenge

[daves123]

Hey Everyone,

Survival Vest Challenge: New guy here... There has been tons of great survival information on this site and others. I'm planning on flying this weekend over some remote areas in the northeast with -10 deg temps so I thought it might be a good time to finally assemble my survival vest. It will evolve over time, but at least I feel better that I'll be a bit more prepared. Let's see pics of your vests so we can learn from each other. If you don't have one yet, the challenge is: DO IT! Your stuff in the back of the Cub is camping gear, not survival gear. Any unique stuff that you carry in your vest? I have a lot to learn from you guys, especially you AK dudes. -Dave

Edit: I know there are different thoughts of what 'remote' means for a lot of you guys

 

[cubdriver2]

Dave where do you call home and where are you going?

Glenn

 

[daves123]

Hey Glenn. Home is Nashua (KASH) and might fly up to Burlington VT this weekend.

 

[billjesstaylor]

Nice set up! As a police officer I do not wake up and go to work everyday expecting to get shot, but I still carry a tourniquet on my duty belt, combat gauze, Israeli bandage, and Halo seals in my cargo pockets; for me or a fellow officer. Just like most pilots do not wake up, go flying, and expect to crash. Like you say, "it will evolve over time." Regardless of what's on the vest, at least you're thinking "what if."

P.S. Flight vests are nice cause they are usually not too stiff, but, "SWAT" or tactical style vests with mollee allow you to select various size pouches and move them around the vest for best comfort and accessibility. Most of the vests are very durable and break in over time and becomes comfortable...kinda like a nice Carhartt work jacket!

Bill
Wausau, WI
Semper Fi

 

[Chicken Hawk]

If memory serves me well, the "AK dudes" will tell you to get an Uber App & Starbucks card.......they're probably right.
Its going to be cold this weekend & windy (-40 wind chill), a vest won't be comfortable over the layers you will be wearing to stay warm in the cub. Have a safe flight!

 

[OLDCROWE]

Nice set up like your thinking. About the only things I carry different in my base setup are unsalted foods (salt makes thirst), pair of cheater glasses, a hat and gloves and a multi-tool instead of a big knife and few paper towels and EPIRB.

Hint you can cut the core out of that roll of duct tape or put it in a vice and crush it flat. Better yet is Eaton's method... Full roll on the floor makes a great drink holder for a large Yeti cup!

For me, I avoid big things hanging on the front gear loops as they interfere with my shoulder harnesses and in a bad situation could cause significant damage to me during deceleration.

Im a bit of a vest collector, tried several. Really liked the Ogio Flight Vest (off-road wheeler vest) at first, it's stiff ballistic cloth like a Tac. vest, and would give some impact protection, has smoothish pockets even has a hydration pack in the back but it is HOT and too restrictive for easy entry and egress and not all that comfortable for long distances so I went to a multi pocket fishing vest like shown. Then a few years ago after having to evacuate my cub with 100LL pouring out if the right wing (after I parked it improperly, without my vest on) I found that just getting out was a challenge so I changed to a totally smooth pocket styled fishing vest (Fish Pod) to reduce the bulk and snag potential should exit stage right ever become necessary (again) and while it took a bit of effort to reduce things, I like it and wear it more than all the others I've used combined.

 

[stewartb]

For winter temps your priority should be to wear clothing that'll keep you warm in case you have to walk out or sit and wait for help for a few hours or overnight. I'd want a 406 ELT in the plane and a sat phone in my pocket along with enough calories to keep the internal heat on. You should have an engine cover in those temps so there's your insulated blanket. My standard comfort gear fills a backpack. My supplemental winter gear is in a separate duffel.

Treat injury, stay warm, stay dry. If you become hypothermic you're in serious trouble.

 

[daves123]

Nice set up like your thinking. About the only things I carry different in my base setup are unsalted foods (salt makes thirst), pair of cheater glasses, a hat and gloves and a multi-tool instead of a big knife and few paper towels and EPIRB.

Hint you can cut the core out of that roll of duct tape or put it in a vice and crush it flat. Better yet is Eaton's method... Full roll on the floor makes a great drink holder for a large Yeti cup!

For me, I avoid big things hanging on the front gear loops as they interfere with my shoulder harnesses and in a bad situation could cause significant damage to me during deceleration.

Good ideas regarding the duct tape (would like to see a pic of the cup holder) and also hanging stuff on the outside of the vest. I'll probably get a smaller folding knife that will fit in the pocket.

 

[daves123]

Yep, the insulated engine cover will be in the back along with some camping gear. I don't own a PLB or sat phone yet, but that's next on my list.

 

[Crash]

Hey Everyone,

Survival Vest Challenge: New guy here... There has been tons of great survival information on this site and others. I'm planning on flying this weekend over some remote areas in the northeast with -10 deg temps so I thought it might be a good time to finally assemble my survival vest. It will evolve over time, but at least I feel better that I'll be a bit more prepared. Let's see pics of your vests so we can learn from each other. If you don't have one yet, the challenge is: DO IT! Your stuff in the back of the Cub is camping gear, not survival gear. Any unique stuff that you carry in your vest? I have a lot to learn from you guys, especially you AK dudes. -Dave

Edit: I know there are different thoughts of what 'remote' means for a lot of you guys


View attachment 24207View attachment 24206

I wear an old Carhart shirt with a few holes burnt in it, nothing in the pockets.

Crash

 

[spinner2]

Then a few years ago after having to evacuate my cub with 100LL pouring out if the right wing (after I parked it improperly, without my vest on) I found that just getting out was a challenge so I changed to a totally smooth pocket styled fishing vest (Fish Pod) to reduce the bulk and snag potential should exit stage right ever become necessary (again) and while it took a bit of effort to reduce things, I like it and wear it more than all the others I've used combined.

This brings up a similar question I've wondered about since I started wearing a helmet in the Cub. With a headset on and the helmet over that, it becomes problematic to be able to make a quick exit without first releasing the helmet and pitching it aside and then ripping off the headset. The problem being those headset cords with a loop around the overhead tubing and then plugged into the wing root.

A wireless headset or helmet would be nice.

Any good solutions from those who have thought it through or been in an actual situation where this was a problem? Having been in an upside down Cessna once I know it is disorienting and quick egress is important when gas is dripping.

As far as on-my-person gear, I wear a simple small fanny pack rotated to the side with a 406 PLB and a few other items in it including signal mirror, matches and an HD trash bag.

 

[Ruffair]

Good ideas regarding the duct tape (would like to see a pic of the cup holder) and also hanging stuff on the outside of the vest. I'll probably get a smaller folding knife that will fit in the pocket.

here is a photo of the quality beverage holder / duct tape dispenser.

 

[cubflier]

I really don't know anyone that wears a survival vest up here. I'm sure there are some though.

To me the single most important thing in your survival bag is actually in your head. People vary in what they carry up stairs and no vest is large enough protect a weak mental attitude in a winter survival situation. Cold comes at you fast and unless you roll in it a lot it's hard to know where you really stand. A good exercise you might try is to spend the day out in the -10 temps (preferably colder) you are going to fly in and make sure all your stuff really works. Light your stoves when your lighters, stoves, and fingers are real cold and see how they work. Get out in a bunch of wind and blowing snow and again try to light your stoves. Ask yourself at the end of that day if you think you would have made it through the night.


Good luck and have fun

Jerry

 

[SC3CM]

Dave where do you call home and where are you going?

Glenn

Glenn,
Dave let me fly with him a few weeks back. Good pilot, should show up to more north east stuff now that he's plugged in.

Dave,
Here's my basic year round stuff.
For winter add cowl cover, sleeping bag, tent, snowshoes, shovel, 100' of climbing rope and several extra layers of clothing.
Not shown is an axe which lives in the plane.

 

[Ralf]

I thought I was the first one to realize that a roll of duct tape made a great drink holder in my Willys Jeep.

 

[logjam]

Losing the use of your hands because of Cold temps, or post crash fire, can be the start of a slide down the tube due to inability to take care of simple tasks to keep yourself alive. Chemical hand warmers in your pocket or vest can reverse the process and combined with thin flight gloves (Nomex or leather might keep you from burning) can reduce the chances of chilling yourself while trying to accomplish survival tasks. Chem hand warmers inside of beaver mitts for rewarming between tasks will help cold wx survival efficiency.

 

[Oliver]

Your kit should include a pressure bandage or "Israeli bandage" for field dressing and controlling blood loss.
splinting etc. avail in sterile vacuum sealed packs.

 

[mvivion]

This brings up a similar question I've wondered about since I started wearing a helmet in the Cub. With a headset on and the helmet over that, it becomes problematic to be able to make a quick exit without first releasing the helmet and pitching it aside and then ripping off the headset. The problem being those headset cords with a loop around the overhead tubing and then plugged into the wing root.

A wireless headset or helmet would be nice.

Any good solutions from those who have thought it through or been in an actual situation where this was a problem? Having been in an upside down Cessna once I know it is disorienting and quick egress is important when gas is dripping.

As far as on-my-person gear, I wear a simple small fanny pack rotated to the side with a 406 PLB and a few other items in it including signal mirror, matches and an HD trash bag.

Dan,

Getting rid of a headset or helmet is indeed somewhat problematic in an emergency. Practice, however, is the best approach. We put on emergency underwater egress classes, with pilots submerged upside down in a simulated cockpit. The pilot was equipped with a helmet prior to being submerged. I found that pulling the cords out of their plugs and egressing was easier than trying to get rid of the helmet. Most others did as well. Practice this a bit and it becomes pretty easy, even under stress.

MTV

 

[stewartb]

In my case my plug-ins were in the upper front corner of the right door so exiting with the helmet would be stopped abruptly when the cord slack was taken up. The solution was to add a short extension cord that allowed the helmet's plugs to hang below the door header. If I got out of the plane without unplugging the helmet cord released very easily as the extension cord ends were pulled around and outside the door header.

 

[Scouter]

Hey Glenn. Home is Nashua (KASH) and might fly up to Burlington VT this weekend.

If you fly much around the Northeast you wont need a vest. Just sit tight and Glenn will be by in a little bit, he is everywhere all the time.

jim

 

[skukum12]

I carry a DeLorme Inreach sattelite communicator. Relatively inexpensive, small, light. It does two way texting as well as having an sos button which alerts authorities and sends coordinates. The subscriptions are as low as ~ $12 a month and can also have a pay as you go option. DeLorme also have a gadget that makes your cell a sattelite phone. I havent studied it yet so cannot give details.

 

[aviationinfo]

Thx for the OP for starting this thread, but I have to ask: Is that a can of Altoids?

 

[OLDCROWE]

Thx for the OP for starting this thread, but I have to ask: Is that a can of Altoids?

Required in order to keep one "minty fresh" for when you kiss your rescuer :lol:

 

[King Brown]

I've seen lots of guys with all the survival gear---and inadequate footwear.

 

[daves123]

Thx for the OP for starting this thread, but I have to ask: Is that a can of Altoids?

haha, yes. I like oldcrow's thinking, but was thinking about more along the lines of this. Can fit lots of stuff in that tin...

http://www.fieldandstream.com/photo...ds-tin-and-two-more-life-saving-diy-/?image=0

 

[daves123]

Good stuff guys. Thanks for the replies. It will be cold as hell tomorrow, but otherwise good wx for the next couple days in the northeast. If my truck will start, and if the fuel truck guy will be willing to gas me up, and if the cub will fire up... then I'll be flying up to KBTV as prepared as I can be.

 

[daves123]

Glenn,
Dave let me fly with him a few weeks back. Good pilot, should show up to more north east stuff now that he's plugged in.

Dave,
Here's my basic year round stuff.
For winter add cowl cover, sleeping bag, tent, snowshoes, shovel, 100' of climbing rope and several extra layers of clothing.
Not shown is an axe which lives in the plane.
View attachment 24223
View attachment 24224
View attachment 24225
View attachment 24226

Thanks Rene, but you got things all wrong. You let me fly with you. I appreciated the tour!

 

[nanook]

I wonder what that DeLorme will look like coming out of the South-end of a bear? Where are the pistol holsters that are supposed to be part of that survival vest?

 

[skywagon8a]

nanook, are you referring to the ones which hold the pistols with the sights removed so that they don't hurt as much when the bear shoves it up your ---?

 

[nanook]

nanook, are you referring to the ones which hold the pistols with the sights removed so that they don't hurt as much when the bear shoves it up your ---?

No that is the sissy lower 48 pistol. You need a real bear gun in the North. You have just entered the food chain. Be a shame to survive the crash just to end up as bear scat...