After reading a post on the general message board I have become interested in something I have never thought about, a Ditch Kit. I have never heard of it/these, what do you keep in your vest or kit, what type of situation do you "plan for" or pack for. I think it is a great idea for a bad situation, what are your thoughts and recommendations. I think I would want a source for starting fire, a temporary way to stay dry, and something to navigate with. Again, I've never heard of this so please excuse my lack of info.
Thanks
Pat and Aspen

This is a very good question and I am sure you will get some great responses. I (now) ALWAYS carry a very loud whistle, a good compass, and a Sweedish Firesteel in my life jacket which is always on me if I am on the water. I also have a leatherman and a waterproof flashlight on me whenever I am camping. I am sure that some have some pretty neat kits including a Rambo knife and fish hooks, but these 5 things can get me out of trouble in most situations. The most important thing to include in your ditch kit is a clear head and a logical thought process. Trust me.

Helpful link.

quote Wables: " I (now) ALWAYS carry a very loud whistle, a good compass, and a Sweedish Firesteel in my life jacket which is always on me if I am on the water. I also have a leatherman and a waterproof flashlight on me whenever I am camping. I am sure that some have some pretty neat kits including a Rambo knife and fish hooks, but these 5 things can get me out of trouble in most situations. The most important thing to include in your ditch kit is a clear head and a logical thought process. Trust me."

+2

I also have a lighter, food bar and a fire starter either in my pfd or in my pockets.

I know I have posted this before, but I take a Sardine can survival kit . It fits in my pfd pocket. Also in my pfd pocket is a Gerber folder knife, a whistle, and a garbage bag. I always wear my pfd, so if I go over and get separated from my canoe & outfit I still have those items.

Along the same line as the sardine can is the Altoid Tin Survival Kit that you make yourself. There are several videos and instructions for them but I like the the Field and Stream Article- about them.

Left vest pocket: Mini-Bic lighter, matches, water purification tablets, GPS unit.

Right vest pocket: 1 oz Deet pen, first aid kit.

I also zip/cable tied a Sea Line map case to the back of my vest which conatins: extra map, some loose leaf paper, pen, and a large heavy duty construction grade trash bag. The trash bag is an extra liner for my pack but would probably serve as an emergency rain poncho in a survival situation.

I also carry Multi tool and large fixed blade knife on my belt. Compass on lanyard around neck.

It seems like a lot of crap, but I don't really notice it at all. O.K. the compass is a little anooying but not too bad.

Ditch/first aid gear on my PFD. Separate (more comprehensive) first aid kit in pack.

butthead

I carry a lot of the aforementioned items in a small waterproof backpack that I keep attached to the canoe. It has a survival blanket, fire starter, knife, first aid kit, fishing kit, cable saw, et. al. some dry cloths. My first concern is getting warm and dry as quickly as possible.

I keep my ditch kit in my pants pocket instead of my PFD. There are times when I am separated from my PFD. I keep a first aid kit, whistle, compass, small knife, space blanket, 2 lighters, TP, and my map on me almost all the time.

I carry a knife that has a serrated edge for cutting rope, Compass, whistle and waterproof matches.

a ditch kit is worthess unless you have it on your person.

Agreed, if you never lost your canoe you should never need a ditch kit. Unless it is on you your kit is worthless no matter how well stocked it is.

quote kanoes: "a ditch kit is worthess unless you have it on your person."

+1 on that, Jan. if you don't have it on you, you can't use it. As far as I am concerned, it's as important as your PFD. I've got the 'sardine' ditch kit plus other items I always have on my person!

This is why I love this site. Someone had mentioned a ditch kit in a post a while back and I kept meaning to look up what it meant. Thanks to PatnAspen for asking and all the rest of you for answering! I learn something new everyday on this site.

Here's Mine. (Thinking of additional items I forgot as I'm posting)

Found the small "Sea to Summit" Dry bags at Copia this year. They fit in the pockets perfectly. There is also plenty more room to jamb other stuff too. (No need to carry a 2nd first aid kit either.)

All Packed Up.







Emergency Blanket, Storm Whistle & Compass.