After watching a show where an experienced boater died because he wasn't wearing his life jacket, I promptly went out and bought a decent one that fits me and is comfortable. I keep the required amount in my boat, but never used to wear them because they were uncomfortable. My new lifejacket has 2 pockets in it, approx. 6"x6"x2" I keep a map of the area I am in in my right pocket, but I would like to outfit it with some sort of bailout/emergency supplies. I have a bailout dry bag in the boat with a fairly comprehensive first aid kit, several methods of fire starting, and a few survival supplies in case the boat becomes disabled somehow but I am still able to safely land it, what I want is recommendations for a small survival kit for a worse case scenario. I am smack in the middle of the country with no USCG around, and no one uses VHF radios, so carrying a handheld is out and an EPIRB is too big. Most swimming distance is minimal - less than 1/2 mile at most, most of the time it is on bodies of water 200 yards wide or narrower.
The perimeters:
-Must be light weight.- I dont want to wear a lifejacket with 20lb of gear hanging off of it.
-Must be able to provide shelter, fire, and potable water for 2 for 48 hours with items in the kit
-Must have BASIC first aid items for trauma and hypothermia
What I have so far:
-Attached to the left front shoulder I have a stick knife for emergency line cutting.
In the pockets
Survival:
-Leatherman Multi-Tool
-Matches in waterproof container with whistle
-50' of paracord
-Small bundle of lint for starting fires
-Magnesium fire starting block
First Aid
-Tourniquet
-Gauze
-Aluminum "Space Blanket" for hypothermia treatment
-Superglue for minor abrasions
-Alcohol swabs for treating minor abrasions
What am I missing? Again, I have a full first aid kit, and survival supplies in a dry bag in the boat for most emergencies. This is the bare bones kit. Are there any more effective methods for starting fires that are as compact as dryer lint? I have been caught in a downpour where we had to take shelter in a cave and start a small fire for warmth. We had a heck of a time doing this with wet wood.
The perimeters:
-Must be light weight.- I dont want to wear a lifejacket with 20lb of gear hanging off of it.
-Must be able to provide shelter, fire, and potable water for 2 for 48 hours with items in the kit
-Must have BASIC first aid items for trauma and hypothermia
What I have so far:
-Attached to the left front shoulder I have a stick knife for emergency line cutting.
In the pockets
Survival:
-Leatherman Multi-Tool
-Matches in waterproof container with whistle
-50' of paracord
-Small bundle of lint for starting fires
-Magnesium fire starting block
First Aid
-Tourniquet
-Gauze
-Aluminum "Space Blanket" for hypothermia treatment
-Superglue for minor abrasions
-Alcohol swabs for treating minor abrasions
What am I missing? Again, I have a full first aid kit, and survival supplies in a dry bag in the boat for most emergencies. This is the bare bones kit. Are there any more effective methods for starting fires that are as compact as dryer lint? I have been caught in a downpour where we had to take shelter in a cave and start a small fire for warmth. We had a heck of a time doing this with wet wood.