Backcountry Pilot

[Alex offline]

I'm reviewing and re-thinking my survival stuff. Like others, I think I need to keep the good stuff on my body. I have collected a bunch of items over time but, since I'm starting fresh, I wanted to ask: What what do you consider your top five items, in order of importance?

Thanks,

[Durango Skywagon offline]

I'm always working on this too-

Here's what I think:

Lighter, I like a bic or two, Blast match is also a nice option
water
Small container of betadine, purifies water, dilute to clean wounds, I also have a steripen which is handy
Emergency sleeping bag, mines a teeny thing in a sealed pack, never tried it
Jet-boil, or a small pot, w/fuel
Medical kit- Major Trauma, Minor Trauma, Medications
Headlamp
2 Tarps
Cordage
Ski Hat
Down vest
SPOT
Freeze Dried Food 2 meals
Leatherman
Hand held radio

Thats all thats jumping to mind, some times of year I'd carry a snow shovel, and some extra warm gear.

What am I forgetting?

[Kenny offline]

Durango Skywagon has a good list. In addition;

Sleeping bag, but also fleece and space blankets.
no stove. With a lighter and some avgas I can make fire from just about anything. I live and fly in forest country. Might be different for Saudi Arabia.
1 tarp, plus four space blankets.
PLB (I'm no SPOT fan) and 406 ELT
A few MRE's and many Cliff bars.
Two long lengths of 6" wide orange warning tape.
otherwise the same

[Durango Skywagon offline]

nice additions, and I go back and forth on the Stove, I do really like my jet boil though, and I carry a 406 too , but I am a spot fan.

[Alex offline]

Those items sound good. But, I bought a new vest so I'm looking for the top five to have ON MY BODY. Ideas?

Thanks

[hotrod180 offline]

Top 5 (no particular order):
toilet paper
drinking water
pistol
condoms
candy bar

[Zzz]

Top 5 (no particular order):
toilet paper
drinking water
pistol
condoms
candy bar

I like Eric's version of a survival situation.

[mtv offline]

Alex,

A GOOD knife. No junk--a big folder with a good blade and locking blade. Opens with one hand, in the event that's all that's working.
A 406 mHz PLB
Blastmatch or other "flint and steel" fire starter
40 to 50 feet of parachute cord
PUR water purification tablets

All that goes in ONE pocket of a vest, though. I would add a FEW items, though it is really easy to get carried away and build a survival vest that is therefore miserable to wear....here are a couple others:

A folding water container of some kind.
A small Space Survival blanket.
A good match safe, with lifeboat matches.
Some good fire tinder materials--doesn't have to be much, there are some really good small "wicks" out there that are tiny and work well.
Signal mirror (Probably should be on the first short list--but I'm assuming a broken airplane, and there'll be parts I could use as a signal mirror. Nevertheless, the little mirrors are cheap and tiny. LEARN TO USE THEM, THOUGH.
A Multi tool. If it doesn't have a LOCKING knife blade, break the knife blade off. Use a proper knife. Better yet, buy a good multi tool that HAS a locking mechanism.
Some first aid items...Blood stopper powder/pressure bandage/as well as some Advil or other Ibuprofen.

That'll cover the major stuff. There are all sorts of ideas out there, and everyone is a little different, and flying over different country. But these basics will help you stay alive. You need shelter, water, warmth (maybe, but a fire also is a great signal), first aid and water. Did I mention water? Food is pretty much irrelevant, and I wouldn't bog down my personal survival kit with food items, unless you just like carrying more weight and bulk.

Be advised, however, that this stuff tends to be a very personal subject. What works for one may not be best for everyone.

MTV

[M6RV6 offline]

I would add 2 big ol black garbage bags to that vest to MTV's list, keeps the rain off,wind proof, can carry water,can collect water,takes up no room.
like MTV said best damn knife you can get.
my $.02 GT

[hotrod180 offline]

Seems like if you carried everything you might need, you wouldn't have any room or payload left for people or fuel. Then if you did have an emergency, murphy's law dictates that what you really turned out to need would be exactly what you left out anyway. I'm sticking with my top 5 choices.

Eric

[kevbert offline]

Those items sound good. But, I bought a new vest so I'm looking for the top five to have ON MY BODY. Ideas?

Thanks

I've been thinking about getting a vest for myself. What kind did you get?

[hotrod180 offline]

I noticed nobody listed a whistle. More audible than yelling for help if people are searching the woods for you. Esp if you're weak from lack of food & water, too much sex, or whatever.
I just had a brainstorm, I might have to add an inflatable companion to my list.

Eric

[Savannah-Tom offline]

I just had a brainstorm, I might have to add an inflatable companion to my list.

Eric

Why hell yes!!! You could live on love alone!

tom

[AKGrouch offline]

MTV and Gt have the right idea and include many of the things in my gear. As for a survival knife I chose the Gerber Hinderer....check it out....tough as nails and sharp. also has a built in seat belt cutter. I also carry a .22 mag wheel gun in my vest. The .45-70 is under the back seat with the rest of my survival gear in baggage. But I can survive for quite a bit just on the vest I use.

[ASW offline]

Whatever you end up getting for survival gear, remember to try it out and know how to use it before you leave home. When you need it most isn't the best time to figure out how it works.

ASW.

[hotrod180 offline]

I just had a brainstorm, I might have to add an inflatable companion to my list.

Eric

Why hell yes!!! You could live on love alone!

tom

Wouldn't need them condoms either.

[hotrod180 offline]

It's been said before that you oughta stay with the downed airplane, to make finding you easier. But that's not always the best idea. I notice nobody listed a compass- like a whistle & a signalling mirror, it doesn't take up much room & could come in real handy.

Eric

[Oregon180 offline]

Always a fun topic!

I'm no Les Stroud, but I've watched him on TV!

I always carry one of Doug Ritter's Pocket Survival Paks:


With that, you get a compass, whistle, signalling mirror, fire lighting kit, and a whole bunch of other useful stuff in a small enough package that it easily fits in your pocket.

I wear my PLB around my neck inside my jacket.

Not to sound like an ad for Mr. Ritter, I also always carry one of his folding RSK knives.

In addition, I stuff the following in my pockets:

2 Bic Lighters
1 Fire steel
1 zip loc bag with Vaseline-soaked cotton balls for fire starting (If I can't make a fire with all that...)
1 Heet Sheet survival blanket per person (Works against rain, sun or cold. Also makes a decent signaling device)

I carry a bunch of other stuff (strobe light, backup hand held GPS, sleeping bag, water filter etc.) but obviously not on my person.

I'd like to wear some sort of vest with all this stuff in it, rather than stuffing my pockets, but haven't found the right one yet...

[gbflyer offline]

I have this vest. Works well, comfortable, and room for lots of stuff.



http://www.westpacmarine.com/dbDisplay/ ... =STE1249.S

gb

[58Skylane offline]

This is a great thread!! But isn't there another semilar thread that already has alot of useful information?

I think I found it:

http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1568&hilit=+survival+vest

Here's a good place to look for some items: http://www.preparedpilot.com/