The safety thread caused me to wonder what each of us carries as a survival kit.

I have;

space blanket
two chemical handwarmers
Waterproof matches with a striker in a 35MM film canister
Whistle
8' strip of the bright safety pink contractor's plastic ribbon

Above is vaccuum sealed in a small packet which is carried in my guidepack.

This does not include my first aid kit, which is a separate topic.

is the ribbon for marking a trail or something?

Link to a related thread.

this is my PFD Ditch Vest..

this the "food side..a Swiss Army canteen which by shear luck
fit in the PFD pocket-on top for quick access are the fire starting items in a zip lock bag
all the items are wrapped in heavy duty foil..at the end of the
canoeing season i took the kit apart for these photos and to
re-pack and re-fresh some of them..
i have --5 pea soup tabs...a fruit-nut bar..tea and sugar.coffee
and sugar..5 tomato bouillion cubes..salt..instant tea with sugar..odds and ends that went to to take up space are..razor blade..spoon..fire tab..candles..back pain meds..





the left hand pocket is the "shelter side"..and has a mirror..
fishing gear..small first aid items..foil blanket..foil bag..
duct tape..nylon lashing cord..lifeboat matches--led light..
this was put together with the idea that the worse thing that
could happen would be overboard and lose the canoe--however--
the gear would allow me to make a fire and shelter..have a foil
bag to help keep warm and enought food for several days..i would
expect in the BWCA or Quetico someone would be along in a few
days or a week at most
the packed vest with a flasher and whistle attached to the
outside..

i posted this on the "equipped to survive" site a few weeks ago
and got some good feedback..when i re-pack for next year i'll
use a Heatsheet and not the foil bag--a better LED light and
a razor type blade that folds into a plastic handle..
i would welcome feedback from any of you also

in the related thread a personal beacon was mentioned. i purchased one a few years ago. every year they send me paperwork to update and change my 'member' number. not sure if thats what they call it. i test it before every trip to make sure it still works. so far i havent needed it and hopefully i wont ever! it did cost me $500 from northwest outlet but if it can save my life, its worth the cost.

Jan - The ribbon is for visibility. When I borrowed and read the 'Lost in the Wild' book one common aspect was that the lost individuals could not be seen from the air. I figure that between the space blanket and the day glo pink tape I'd be seen.

This seems especially important since except for my yellow RFD, my clothing is uniformally in earth tones.

Not saying that this is the ideal survival kit for everyone, but I carry a knife, compass, and matches.

Hmm. Forgot to mention the knife/leatherman - that's always with me. Duh. I'll also add a small compass to my kit.

These are all good suggestions. In addition, if you are in survival mode hypothermia is a killer. If you've swamped your canoe and everything is drenched, building a fire is one of the priorities. I think of Jack London's story "To build a fire." We always bring a small axe and a saw. I always bring wax fire starters. In addition I bring a flint starter because matches seen to decompose in cold wet rainy weather.

Dehydration is an issue even though you don't realize it. Snakecharmers list includes a water container.

In addition, If someone is injured we have a full first aid kit and pharmacy. And finally a signal mirror or signal flares.



starwatcher

Signal mirror is in my first aid kit. Probably ought to add a small disposable lighter to the matches - kind of a suspenders and belt thing.

Problem is that this survival kit resides in my guide pack, and if I were to get lost and disoriented like the guy in Lost in the Wild in Quetico as I occasionally confuse portages with game trails I wouldn't have that with me.

Hmmmmm.

Two fire building kits, stored separately from each other, both containing matches, a disposable lighter, and a hunk of that fireplace fire starter stuff.

Signal Flares

An FRS radio - I know that a lot of groups use them, off-hand chance that I can find somebody in range.

A cell phone - who knows, it just might work. Last year during a huge blow I was able to get text messages off to my wife even though I couldn't get a signal to actually make a call.

A first aid kit. Need to upgrade that to include a SAM splint.

Duct Tape And of course a leatherman

The December/January issue of Field and Stream has an article that reviews 5 different pocket survival kits. The article is probably on their website if anyone wants to take a look.

Always on my person: Multi-tool, 2 folding knives, compass, magnesium fire starter, Bic lighter still in package, 30 vacuum sealed kitchen matches, 50' 4mm cord, cell phone.

In day pack: 1-2 MRE's, GPS, AA batts, area map(s), spare compass, fixed blade knife, signal mirror, 100' 550 cord, .22 & ammo, small flashlight, 1st aid kit, small fishing kit.

Cell phone? Always on your person?

Why? I can't even get a signal much past the Moose Lake EP, a bit on Fall.... but that's about it.

we carry a day pack whenever out of camp:
contents include-first aid/survival kit (i believe i posted its contents here before), length of rope, collapsible saw, water filter, nalgenes, lunch plus snacks, raingear, bug dope and sunscreen, flashlight/headlamp, map, compass.

i need to put together a small "ditch" pack for my PFD. Currently my vest is equipped with a whistle.

tg

Beemer

Unfortunately, part of the job.

Here is a link to the Field and Stream article that I believe jdevries was referring to in his post. 19 slides, just keep clicking "next" to progress through them. Great article! I especially like the Altoids tin survival kit.

Field and Stream's article is outstanding - excellent weekend project for many of us!

Here's what I've packed in mine.
A space blanket, two chemical handwarmers, a 99 cent rainpocho, a magnesium flint stick, a gerber micro tool (which has a knife for the flint stick), a couple of vaseline soaked cotton balls and about 10 feet of nylon cord. I wedged it all into a ziploc, then fit it all into an old nylon camera case that has a belt loop on it.

In the BWCA I'm not too worried about food, since you're bound to see someone within a few days. I figure if I can stay warm and make a shelter (either out of the space blanket or the poncho) I can last long enough to get some help.

I always include something to write with and on... a small pad of paper, one pen, one pencil, and one WIDE black marker. All in a zip-lock of course.

This was posted to another thread but this seems like a better spot:

I keep a survival kit in a Nalgene bottle. (I think I got the Nalgene bottle idea from BWCA.com). There is one bottle for each canoe. The goal of the bottle is to allow someone to spend the night out safely.

Here are the contents:
- matches in waterproof container
- lighter
- firestarter (Square chunks of sawdust and wax I think)
- small pocket knife
- 25 feet of light cordage
- headlamp
- water purification tables (would work great with the Nalgene bottle)
- 2 candy bars
- compass
- whistle
- space blanket

- ziploc first aid kit
- bandaids
- neosporin
- iboprofin
- immodium

After this summer's trip, I need to add a small bottle of DEET.

This is an interesting thread. Where do you keep your survival kit? Do you keep it on your person at all times? Assuming you will need it if you dump, or get separated from the group? If it's in your pack what happens if you get separated? If it's in your pack how is it distinct from the rest of your gear? After all if you have a pack full of supplies who needs a kit? Do you just use it in a day pack for day trips off of a base camp? If it's on your person how much can you really carry? Ican't see carrying an extra survival nalgene at all times.

I keep mine attached to the canoe(s) using Bungee Dealee Bobs.

I assume the most likely scenario is getting blown across a lake, losing a paddle, swamping the canoe, etc. That way, when I get washed to the far shore I have my canoe and my Nalgene survival kit...

What happens if you get separated from your canoe?

PIRATE--see my Ditch Vest above..i put it together for just that
unlikely event..shelter and food for several days.that should
be enought to hold me untill a scout troop or pack of fisherman
come by..

Pirate: good question.

For that, I try to keep a pocketknife and lighter with me at all times. I could make due for at least a while with just that.

I was trying to plan for what I envisioned as the most likely scenario. I figured that scenario is going out fishing/canoeing and running into wind or other trouble.

wetcanoe: I like the vest and think it contains quite a survival kit.

If you swamp a canoe and then get separated from the canoe, the vest would work much better than my Nalgene kit.

But neither would do any good if you went hiking and got lost. I guess you could wear your vest or I could toss my Nalgene bottle in a daypack.

In fact, I plan on putting the Nalgene bottle in my hunting backpack/blind bag. Hopefully, I'll never need it.

MAD-- a few times i have landed the canoe and headed off in the
woods for a look around..not a real hike in that i took a pack
but i did have the "fall on the portage" stuff in my pockets..
foil blanket--Bic lighter-candy bar and whistle..i quickly found
out why the BWCA is canoe country..the brush is thick..the bogs
pop out of nowhere and the ground is so broken with rock and dead
trees that unless you luck on some bedrock or red pine stands the
going is impossible..

wetcanoedog - I like your Ditch vest. I'm going to try and copy it. I have a Turkey vest with a ton of pockets that is great for hiking. I need a cross between that and a PFD. Well if I can't GO to the BWCA this weekend at least I can shop for it.

In my pfd are a folding rescue knife, whistle, plastic garbage bag, and a sardine can survival kit. It looks weird, but it fits in a pfd pocket and is always there.

VOYAGEUR--fishing PFD's are made with lots of gear pockets..looking
back i wish i had bought one of those but i had some $10 coupons
from LL Bean and got one of their's..just don't overload the pockets or get them to bulky--

http://m4040.com/Survival/Survival%20Kit.htm

My kit is based off of this list. I leave out the slingshot band. When canoing I have it strapped under the seat (with an extra map of the area). If I am hiking it fits on a KA-Bar sheath.

Warning - many may find the above website a little offensive. I don't endorse all his opinions, but he does know survival.

neu,

Your link does go to a nice survival kit.

I don't find any of his stuff offensive. Survival is serious business...

Many years ago, I read the Tom Brown survival manuals/books:
Tom Brown school

He is also very opinionated but I learned a tremendous amount from his books.

The most important thing that nearly all surivial instructors teach is attitude. If you don't panic, think you will survive, and start taking steps to make your situation better, your odd of suvival are pretty good. If you give up and think you'll die, you probably will...

the best "real life" survival site i have run across is
Equipped to Survive at www equipped.com..lots of gear reviews..
Spot and other PLB's --kits--knives--lights..the guy who runs the
site states right off that its not a "survivalist" site and dumps
posts that get political or "end of the world" rants..for canoe
trippers who need just enought to keep it together untill the
Beaver comes to fly them out and not wild knives with teeth then
i think this is a good site to check out--

Great thread with great ideas! I used to pack the magnesium striker in my survival kit but about a year ago I found the striker rod had fallen off and I can't find it anywhere in my kit. I now carry a few OOOO steel wool pads and a 9 volt battery. Just pull a bit off of the steel wool pad, fluff it up, and rub it against the prongs on the battery. It burns pretty hot and you don't have to worry too much about finger dexterity if your hands are really cold.

Pack Rat

Thats an awesome idea pack rat.

My warning may have been a little strong in the previous post...

bumping back to the top. Important info...

Field & Stream did a nice article on an "Altoid" Survival Kit.

I am in the process of making one but have bumped the kit size up to a "Cabelas" Gift Card Tin (I got one for Christmas) Emergency Kit.

Here is the link for F & S. I will post mine when complete.

Altoid Survival Kit-?#

Thanks everyone for all their posts...some really great ideas to incorporate.

Mad Angler and wetcanoedog's posts were only ones I saw that included a head lamp or led. A must in my opinion.

When it comes to where do you keep your kit, my practice is to carry some of it in various places. I keep some stuff in my first responder bag that stays in my pu truck. I keep some stuff on my PFD. I keep some stuff in my personal 1st aid kit in my backpack. I keep some stuff in my SAR daypack. I keep some stuff on my bass boat. I keep some stuff... you get the idea.

Any mode of transportation (vehicle, boat, canoe, hiking, etc.) that may take you any distance away from immediate assistance should have a minimal amount of gear to make your quest to survive the unanticipated (whether by your own mistake or that of another, or fate) in a manner that increases your chances of returning to live another day.

If you don't have it on you or with you, what good is it? At a minimum, I should always have immediate access to:

pocket knife
lighter
whistle
LED

Here's a neat little quiz:

Survival Quiz

Anyone used the SPOT Satelite messenger in the BW? Both Campmor and Cabellas are carrying it. Endorsed by Les Stroud, AKA Survivorman. It's a neat looking device, but from what I have read about it and customer reviews, you might not be able to get a signal in a woodsy area. If you are solo, and break a leg or have a heart attack or something, that wouldn't help much. If you are not alone it would seem to me a companion could easily get to an open area or out on a lake to get a signal anywhere you might be. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this device?

Do not have a SPOT. Have read reviews of it. Does not seem to be the best available technology. Must have clear line of sight.

We used SPOT all of last summer. My son does a couple to 2 week solo trips in the BW and then meets the Grandmas to help us over portages for another week. I followed him as he went from Lake One to Snowbank, all over Insula, Thomas, Fraser, up to the border and more. It had a couple of blank - no send - spots but mostly was dependable. I got a new posting usually about every 20 to 60 minutes. I have also used it when 4 of the Grandma group traveled across country on a train trip to San Francisco. A friend call to say she could see our signal in the Bay as we crossed to lunch at Tiburon. We love it.

Here is an interesting book that came out in 2005 on this subject. Build The Perfect Survival Kit

tony

For the non-solo, not going deep into the BWCA person, how necessary do you think a survival kit is? Seems like if I have my whistle, some other canoeist would find me pretty quick...

Read the referenced book "Lost in the Wild". People can get totally and deeply lost in the BWCA. Quetico is obviously worse - or better - from that standpoint.

Reading through the thread. I like the supplies carried in the PFD the best. A "worst case" situation could find me separated from the canoe and all gear. I need to go through my PFD kit and do-over (the kit is a victim of my complacency)

Beemer...just put a hold on the book at the library. It's by Cary Griffith, if anyone else is looking for it. ;-)

I can't remember whether my PFD has pockets. I like the idea of the PFD kit.

I agree the pfd kit is a good one. I learned it from this site a month or so back. i had always kept my stuff in my tackle box, and hooked to the boat or canoe. better on me than on the bottom.

The yellow thing on the middle of my back is this#
Added to the pouch is a space blanket, lighter, 75 ft. of 80 lb. test nylon string, and a razor-knife blade.
Also on the PFD is my 'Gerber' multi-tool, match-safe, signal whistle, and mirror.

butthead

I have posted this before somewhere but it is probably worth repeating.

A survival kit is only good if you have it with you. Some people have bigger kits that stay in the canoe/pack/car. Those are fine but I assume the worst (just ask my wife) so I limit mine to what I can carry on me at all times.

Sheath knife (on belt)
Signal mirror (also on belt)
In pocket on PFD: 50 feet of rope, a survival blanket, lighter and fire starter (in plastic bag) and matches (in match safe.)

Zipper pull on PFD has a whistle (the big orange one that is really, really loud.)
Pinned to the PFD is a compass and several safety pins.
My other pocket on the PFD usually has sunflower seeds.

It isn’t enough to keep me comfortable or well fed but it is enough to get me through a jam if it is all I have.

tb