LindenTree’s comment in our thread on the contents of our PFDs got my mental gears turning, squeaky and rusty though they may be…

LT mentioned carrying a ditch kit. I think that is brilliant.

For me, the ditch kit is more dispersed, but that is still exactly what it is.

My way of thinking is that there is always a chance that I could, at most any time, find myself getting unplanned aquatic exercise. Hopefully that is relatively uneventful…but what is a capsize does not go swimmingly? What if the boat stays upright, is blown away and I am separated from it?

The answer is the ditch kit. I view my ditch kit as the sum of the contents of the pockets of my PFD, pants and shirt. What I am wearing at the time of immersion and nothing else. Now, I hope I might be able to grab something - that would be helpful - but if there is not an opportunity, my ditch kit is only what is on my person.

That’s all a long way of saying that I would like to expand on that 'PFD contents’ post:

So, minimalist & lightweight trippers, what’s on your person? All pockets, combined? If you and your canoe part ways suddenly, what do you have on you?

Here’s me:

PFD:
Tethered phone
Tethered forceps
Tethered whistle
Compass
Nail clippers/Line nippers
Sunscreen
Fish stringer
InReach Mini

In shoulder season, I add:
Waterproof matches/firestarter
Mylar Emergency Blanket

Pants:
Bug net
Neck Buff
Paddle Gloves
Passport, RABC and once-page spare map in a ziplock.
Lighters (one minibic and the mini torch)
Small folding knife
Wallet (CC, DL & a little cash bound by a rubber band)
Bandana

Shirt:
Reading glasses

Writing this out makes me think about possibly adding a soft-sided water container...and also how my little first aid kit might find a home in a pocket rather than in my pack.

Regardless, curious to hear about what other weight-conscious trippers carry for these water-aerobics situations.

Cheers, and remember folks: Nothing weighs nothing.

Knife, compass, tiny first aid kit (bandaid, gauze, neosporin), bug juice and flagging tape. InReach rarely, only in whitewater or long crossings (since it self-activated some years ago for no apparent reason and I got an interview with the police in the depths of Algonquin park, I prefer to keep it away).

I got the idea of a ditch kit from this website, here is an old thread on them. This was before I was a member.
I have water purification tablets, never know about the water and they are light. I may take a look at my ditch kit, I am sure I couple pare it back a little. I am not a light weight tripper but I can spend a week out there with an under 40 pound pack.

Here is an old thread about ditch kit.

A better discussion about Ditch Kits

LindenTree: "
Here is an old thread about ditch kit. "

That’s a heck of a thread! From First Aid to Flashlights to Firearms over 7 years.

Best quote is from kanoes (golly it’s been a while):
“ when youre paddling, a ditch kit is something you should be wearing, not something you would need to grab. my kit is in my PFD pocket.”

Edit to add, LT's second link is also enjoyable reading, but I found the link in the second thread to a third thread - from 2007 (19 years ago & it spanned 14 years!) - even more entertaining.

Survival/ditch thread from 2007

I sure do miss that guy. Paddled by him a few September’s ago. Will paddle on by him again this September.

sns: "

LindenTree: "
Here is an old thread about ditch kit. "

That’s a heck of a thread! From First Aid to Flashlights to Firearms over 7 years.


Best quote is from kanoes (golly it’s been a while):
“ when youre paddling, a ditch kit is something you should be wearing, not something you would need to grab. my kit is in my PFD pocket.”

Edit to add, LT's second link is also enjoyable reading, but I found the link in the second thread to a third thread - from 2007 (19 years ago & it spanned 14 years!) - even more entertaining.

Survival/ditch thread from 2007 "

I don't carry much in my pants pockets...just a Kula cloth.
However, my PFD has the following:

knife
mylar emergency blanket
compass
whistle
small stick sunscreen
head net
small lighter/fire starter
water purification tabs
signal mirror
SPOT tracker
permit/license/credit card

I just added a small water container recently when I realized the purification tabs wouldn't do me much good otherwise...one of those DUH moments. I had a Pa'lante collapsible water bottle sitting around unused and it fit nicely (not bulky at all).

Pa'lante water bottle

Djeep lighter, bandana, small pump bottle of Ben's if its high bug season.