I'm taking my first solo trip in 10 days and was wondering what you guys put in your ditch bag and where you position it. I've hear some just keep it close, under their feet and some like to attach it to their PFD. I suppose the water conditions might impact how close you keep it as well.

I'm also curious of some good ways to attach an extra paddle to the canoe. I was thinking just a couple little bungee's on the thwart and yoke. What do you do? Thanks!

i've never heard of a ditch bag until i saw it mentioned on this site. i always carry matches in my pocket, in a plastic bag. i also always have a compass on me. i suppose it is similar to the bear attack thing, some people like to be super over prepared. in 40+ years of canoeing, and thousands of miles of fast rivers and rapids i have never been separated from my gear. i attach a spare paddle with velcro straps, it needs to be accessible, sometimes stupid things happen and you drop your paddle, it's nice to have a backup handy.

bungee dealee bobs for the paddle. Ditch kit for me goes in waterproof duffel bag with other items I want easy access too such as camera and that is just in front of my feet. somewhere kanoes has a great photo of how he has drilled holes in the thwarts to attach the dealee bobs for his paddle.
I am practicing loading the canoe with gear I will take and figuring out a balance so some of the lighter things like extra paddle and fishing pole can be left in the canoe during portage.

I like the idea of getting the paddle and fishing poles under the thwart and attached so there's not any extra fiddling on the portages. Now to get some bungee thingy m'bobs...

im kinda over prepared.

my pfd has one pocket, inside it...

-whistle/compass
-space blanket
-petroleum jellied cotton balls
-fire steel
-lighter
-length of very thin/strong cord
-LED flashlight
-tiny insect repellent spray bottle
-2 one qt glad freezer bags


i wear a PLB on my belt

so, my ditch kit is something i wear, not something i would need to grab for if i capsized.

I like to over prepare as well. The preparation is half the fun. Well maybe not quite half.

Can I ask what the bags are for. One for the gear and the other in case it's ripped?

in case i need to carry water.

to be honest, for the most part a ditch kit is huge overkill for normal bw/q trips. the exceptions are really early or really late season trips.

Of course! Thanks much for the info.

I carry all of my "ditch kit" items (matches, emergency blanket, etc.) in my pfd pockets. A first aid kit is in a red dry bag buckled to the deck.

Like others, I just have things in my pockets. I specifically bought a PFD with a lot of pockets.

I carry a small compass, whistle, knife, fire starter and small signal mirror in a pocket on my PFD is all.
As to securing a paddle I use Bungee Dealee Bobs.

In reasonable weather, I just have a knife, whistle, and waterproof lighter in my pocket. I'm also always keenly aware of which bag has the whiskey in it, in case I have to try to save something important.

quote Jaywalker: "In reasonable weather, I just have a knife, whistle, and waterproof lighter in my pocket. I'm also always keenly aware of which bag has the whiskey in it, in case I have to try to save something important. "

Gotta have priorities. Gotta have whiskey.

quote kanoes: "to be honest, for the most part a ditch kit is huge overkill for normal bw/q trips. the exceptions are really early or really late season trips."

My thoughts exactly. But in cold water season "wearing" a ditch kit is a great idea. I always figure if it is very cold water and I dump I might make it to shore and if I do I want just the few things Kanoes mentioned to keep me alive if I get there.

quote kanoes: "im kinda over prepared.


my pfd has one pocket, inside it...


-whistle/compass
-space blanket
-petroleum jellied cotton balls
-fire steel
-lighter
-length of very thin/strong cord
-LED flashlight
-tiny insect repellent spray bottle
-2 one qt glad freezer bags



i wear a PLB on my belt


so, my ditch kit is something i wear, not something i would need to grab for if i capsized."

Mine is similar to Jans

quote mooseplums: "

quote kanoes: "im kinda over prepared.



my pfd has one pocket, inside it...



-whistle/compass
-space blanket
-petroleum jellied cotton balls
-fire steel
-lighter
-length of very thin/strong cord
-LED flashlight
-tiny insect repellent spray bottle
-2 one qt glad freezer bags



i wear a PLB on my belt



so, my ditch kit is something i wear, not something i would need to grab for if i capsized."

Mine is similar to Jans"

Same here. Two pockets on my PFD with all my stuff.

Space blanket, water-proof matches and knife in pfd pockets

Same basics as others previously listed are on my PFD.

My ditch kit is a fanny pack. Inside is a heavy plastic poncho. There is a dry bag containing a first aid kit, emergency blanket, several ways to start a fire, another compass, a printed map overview of the area I'm in, cordage, snares, etc. if I carry a gun that also goes in the fanny pack. I over inflate the dry bag so it just fits in the fanny pack and the whole system floats easily.

I have a Sardine Can Survival Kit in my PFD pocket. In my other PFD pocket is my whistel and escape knife (thumb opening folder).



Similar to the Sardine Can Survival Kit is a DIY Altoid Survival Kit- These look fun to do and is customized.

The big thing is to have it in a PFD pocket. That's where you need it. Oh, and wear your PFD!!

As far as spare paddle, I'll bungee it for portaging. But for travel it is just loose so I can grab it quickly.

I wear a kokatat pfd with back poket. I keep whistle, gps, compass, spot messenger in front pockets. marine raio in special front pokt made for it, and waterproof tactical light in inside sleeve on front. in back mini pack I carry a first aid kit in waterproof bag, a lifestraw for filtration, magneium matches, para cord, mini air Horn and small flare gun. this is on my pfd whenever I am on overnigh trips. if in areas where bears are an issue a special holster for a 45 auto fits on side of pfd

The fanney pack sown to the back of my PFD has my ditch kit in it.

Excellent feedback. Thank you everyone. I'm heading up today and I've got a great ditchkit and extra minibungee's. Yippee!