Survival Gear

As long as we are on the topics of putting lists together, Survival
Gear is another topic we haven't covered.

I have three "kits". One that wear, another is a daypack, the third is
a dedicated first aid kit in a lumbar pack.

The one I wear is a fishing vest with immediate essentials stuffed in
the interior and exterior pockets. "If it isn't on you, it's not going
out the door with you." (handheld strobe, foil juice pouches, fire
starter kit, dried fruit, LED flashlight, pen and paper,
wind/waterproof jacket/pants, spaceblanket, bandana, sunglasses,
handheld GPS, pocket first aid kit, chemical light sticks)

The daypack (2600 cu in) contains more long-term survival items.
(water purifier, 5 liter hydration pouch, two 1 liter water bottles,
liquid fuel stove, plates/cups/utensils, lightweight shelter, LED
headlamp, handheld strobe, first aid kit, Swiss Army knife, multi-tool,
all-weather lighter, micro-fleece blanket, space blanket, bandana)

The first aid kit is made up of items found in an AvWeb article. It
transfers between the van and the airplane. Also, I would urge all of
you to take Red Cross First Aid class(es).

I have a backpack in the baggage compartment containing a survival kit,
including space blankets, waterproof matches, light sticks, hunting knife,
small hand shovel, first aid kit, snake bite kit, water purification tablets,
mirrors, dried rations, rope and cord, Leatherman Delux tool, flares, insect
repellant, lots of other things I can't recall at this instant. It weighs
about 30 lbs.


www.Rosspilot.com

Hi Ross

Why not wear the leatherman on your belt?
That way if you are ever unlucky enough to find yourself and passengers
handing upside down you can cut seatbelts and even break windows with it.
Also it is great for emergency inflight repairs (as are clamps - try
losing the throttle knob to see how great clamps are) and also, if you
ever have to exit the aircraft without time to collect your survival
kit, you'll have the leatherman, and hopefully snare wire and waterproof
matches on your person - you can survive pretty well with those 3 items
if you know survival techniques.


Tony


--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Almost Instrument
Cessna 172H C-GICE



I have a backpack in the baggage compartment containing a survival kit,
including space blankets, waterproof matches, light sticks, hunting knife,
small hand shovel, first aid kit, snake bite kit, water purification tablets,
mirrors, dried rations, rope and cord, Leatherman Delux tool, flares, insect
repellant, lots of other things I can't recall at this instant. It weighs
about 30 lbs.


www.Rosspilot.com

Why not wear the leatherman on your belt?
That way if you are ever unlucky enough to find yourself and passengers
handing upside down you can cut seatbelts and even break windows with it.
Also it is great for emergency inflight repairs (as are clamps - try
losing the throttle knob to see how great clamps are) and also, if you
ever have to exit the aircraft without time to collect your survival
kit, you'll have the leatherman, and hopefully snare wire and waterproof
matches on your person - you can survive pretty well with those 3 items
if you know survival techniques.


Good idea, Tony . . . I actually have 2 Leatherman Tools. I have been keeping
one in my flight bag--but you're quite right. On the belt makes more sense.

As far as survival techniques, I am an ex Army Ranger, and have been through
SERE (survival, escape, resistance, evasion) training--standard for military
pilots. PLUS, I watch "Survivor" religiously G.

www.Rosspilot.com

As far as survival techniques, I am an ex Army Ranger, and have been through
SERE

And I'm telling you about survival? You could sure teach me more
than a few things.


PLUS, I watch "Survivor" religiously G.

OK - That clinches it

Tony


--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Almost Instrument
Cessna 172H C-GICE

What is the best metal/guage/length of wire to carry for snares?

..... you can cut seatbelts

Isn't it easier just to unfasten them?

vince norris

In article ,
vincent p. norris wrote:

..... you can cut seatbelts

Isn't it easier just to unfasten them?


Yes, assuming you can get to the release. After a crash you may have
shift enough that you won't be able to release the seatbelt.

I know of one case where a floatplane flipped upside down in shallow
water. The pilot was still strapped in and couldn't release due to the
new upholstery being thicker than the original and the buckle being
outboard so that it was jammed against the armrest by the pilots weight.
Rescuers were attempting to get him out and handed him a knife, after a
moment he handed the knife back. The airplane sank and he died.

--
Dale L. Falk

There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing
as simply messing around with airplanes.

http://home.gci.net/~sncdfalk/flying.html

..... you can cut seatbelts

Isn't it easier just to unfasten them?

Yes it is -
Unless you are hanging upside down, disoriented, unable to see . . .
Also, it isn't just for you - it's for your passengers too - if they are
hanging in the belt unconscious cutting the belt may be the only option,
particularly if fire/sinking/whatever make it time critical.

Tony

--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Almost Instrument
Cessna 172H C-GICE

Isn't it easier just to unfasten them?

Yes it is -
Unless you are hanging upside down, disoriented, unable to see . . .

Sorry, Tony, I just don't find that persuasive. If you're "hanging
upside down, disoriented, unable to see," you're going to have a lot
more trouble finding your tool, unhooking it from your belt, etc.,
than opening a seat belt buckle you've done hundreds of times before.

vince norris