I am in the process of modifying and expanding my emergency kit for my touring boat. So far, here’s the inventory:
Nalgene lexan 1 qt wide-mouth (for contents & water collection)
Cup to fit over bottom of bottle (boiling water)
Duct tape
Cord, 1/8 in x 50ft
Rudder cable
Cable clamps
Asst. nuts & bolts
Space blanket
Trash bag (giant size)
Flashlight
Glow sticks
Rubber bands
Pliers (small)
SAK (w/screwdriver, awl, blade etc)
Boullion cubes
Compass
Signal mirror
Waterproof matches
Fire starter paraffin wads
Small coil of wire
Waxed poly whipping twine
Needle & thread
Misc Fastex hardware
Wire-ties
Velcro lash straps
Stuff sack to protect the bottle
Some of my paddling buds kid me about how much junk I carry on daytrips (I have not mentioned my first-aid kit or signal kit yet!). Anyone else out there as anal as I in this department?
Jim A
As Frank Lehrer wrote and sang,
Be Prepared,
Thats the Boy Scout’s marching song,
Be prepared, as through life you march along
Be prepared to hold your likker pretty well,
Don’t write naughty words on walls if you can’t spell…
Correction
That was TOM Lehrer. Had a senior moment there.
Jim
Kits & Lists
I’m probably less prepared than I should be in the repair department…and over do it in the first aid area. I won’t list all the stuff, but when I’m packed for a wilderness trip, I’ve got you covered in the event of a burn, bruise, blister, broken bone, dehydration, loss of dental filling, eye injury, intestinal cramping, throat obstruction, bee sting (with accompanying shock), frostbite, snake bite, bug bite, animal bite, gunshot wound, ax wound and childbirth.
First aid is great if you expect the ambulance to arrive in the Golden Hour. If it’s going to take longer than that…well, some extreme measures may be in order.
I hate it when things go wrong. I’m hoping there is an inverse relationship at work: the more I’m prepared, the less likely it is to happen.
First Aid kit
Mine is basically the same as yours with the addition of a small water-tight first aid kit that has all the essentials. I have it all in a small red dry bag that has a shoulder strap and a lanyard.
One item no one’s mentioned
is toilet paper. To me, its an emergency if you don't have it!!
I thought I was doing good, but my kit is nowhere as comprehensive as yours:
Toilet tissue
leatherman tool
space blanket
waterproof matches
signal mirror
headlamp
4 AA batteries
small first aid kit
small roll of duct tape
emergency strobe light
small bottle of 100% DEET bug repellent
Water purification tablets and some kind of fine wire are a couple of things I've been meaning to add.
**Edited to add this is what I take for an afternoon or day paddle! Overnighters call for a totally different list that's loooonnng!
TrippS
TP
Wow, we really could decend into a debate over exactly where to store your TP. Mine goes into the First Aid Kit drybag with the heavy=duty reflective bivvy sack. The “EMERGENCY” kit I am assembling will live in the kayak all of the time, secured to thh front bulkhead in the fromt compartment. As they say at the University of Sea Kayaking, “What works for you…”.
Jim
I also carry epoxy putty
Just tear off a chunk and knead it till colors uniform. You can patch or glue with it. It fits right intoan M&M minis tube for storage. I also carry a magnesium fire starter.
Randy
EGear
I keep a box “handy” but only pack out of it for the environment for which I’m paddling’ going on the assumption (we all know what “assume” means) I won’t need the snake-bit kit this winter. There is such a thing as packing so much “stuff” that you no longer have room for items ssential for your particular trip.
Stay safe on the water,