Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Survival kit
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Mongo65 |
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-?# |
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troutbreath |
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 |
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rlhedlund |
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nojobro |
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HighPlainsDrifter |
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) |
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butthead |
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 |
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Beemer01 |
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Big Ying |
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Pirate |
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. |
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snakecharmer |
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Beemer01 |
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mwd1976 |
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. |
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bloomingtonsteve |
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Mad_Angler |
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Mad_Angler |
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. |
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Mad_Angler |
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... |
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Pirate |
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wetcanoedog |
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-- |
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wetcanoedog |
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.. |
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wetcanoedog |
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.. |
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Voyageur |
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Grandma L |
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Mad_Angler |
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. |
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Bannock |
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neufox47 |
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. |
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Mad_Angler |
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. |
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Mad_Angler |
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... |
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wetcanoedog |
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-- |
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Voyageur |
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kanoes |
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snakecharmer |
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Beemer01 |
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. |
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wetcanoedog |
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 |
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greenydd |
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Beemer01 |
This seems especially important since except for my yellow RFD, my clothing is uniformally in earth tones. |
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marsonite |
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Beemer01 |
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. |
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starwatcher |
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 |
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Beemer01 |
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jdevries |
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 |
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jdevries |
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tg |
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 |
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Pirate |
Unfortunately, part of the job. |
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Beemer01 |
Why? I can't even get a signal much past the Moose Lake EP, a bit on Fall.... but that's about it. |
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pack rat |
Pack Rat |
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neufox47 |
My warning may have been a little strong in the previous post... |
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tony |
tony |
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nojobro |
I can't remember whether my PFD has pockets. I like the idea of the PFD kit. |
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rlhedlund |
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RoJoYo |
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rlhedlund |
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 |