Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: What's in Your Ditch Bag
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markaroberts |
Blackhawk PFD |
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jwartman59 |
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Savage Voyageur |
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LaVirginienne |
Watch with mini compass and hinged magnifying glass Rescue knife Whistle Carabiner and dyneema double sling (for catching, securing or anchoring gear bags) SPOT PLB Petzl E-lite, fresh batteries every trip no exceptions NOW I will carry one hand warmer pack Fire starter Big honking powerful lighter, fluid topped up every trip Car keys securely attached Mini SOG tool securely attached iPhone Sunscreen/lip balm Small tube Ibuprofin 0.9 oz tube of Picaridin Spare carabiner clips for my gear bags (2) Day bag (with grab handle, stiffy frame means I can sit on it), 15L: GRAYL water filter bottle and NSR map case clipped in with a single dyneema sling (this can also clip to me and/or gear bags) Storm tarp (Eno HouseFly) Space blanket (in shoulder season) Epi pens (2) Binoculars Compass with mirror Mini marine air horn Small qwick-dry towel Energy gels snacks maybe even lunch etc Pee kit with wet wipes, hand sanitizer Sunglasses (Rx) in crush proof case Extra layer of clothing as needed, v light and packable —this comes from the alpine disciple that was drilled into me, on rest stops always put on 1 layer. In summer, it’s wind/bug protection. In shoulder seasons, it’s tights and/or rain pants. Plus an insulator with hood or a hat. Thermos filled with hot tea before I put in The only thing that doesn’t always fit is my med kit, and I will now make more of an effort to fit the med kit in—or jigger a second one. I usually have it in a camp bag which is usually at the bow or the stern. |
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KevinL |
I also carry a small Sea to Summit ultra-dry sack in my cargo pocket of my pants that I carry my ID, a few Tylenol, spare matches/mini Bic, ferro rod and fire starter, and maybe a can of Copenhagen. On my belt I carry a Leatherman Wave. Around my neck I have my compass and whistle. On my suspenders, (got to keep the pants up while portaging) I have my Delorme InReach SE with it's built in carabineer. |
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wetcanoedog |
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markaroberts |
Seriously? Only in whitewater? What about when a distance from shore or colder temps? |
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KevinL |
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SaganagaJoe |
Two Clif bars double-sealed in plastic knife container of waterproof matches with whistle (one unit) spare compass bug bite stuff I think that might be it. It's in a fanny pack which is always around my waist when I'm on the water. |
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kanoes |
quote Kiporby: "Gotta have a flint / steel with cotton balls soaked in vaseline. agree. they always start. |
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zooshooter |
quote markaroberts: "With the exception of the rifle, all the stuff on that list is in very small packages. The entire list fits in a small day pack style backpack. I don't take the AR7 rifle to the BWCA. However it is in the pack for trips in KY. I'm curious now. What do you run into in KY that would warrant a rifle? and why the sidearms in the BW? |
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Kiporby |
I'd rather have that than matches. |
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2old4U |
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markaroberts |
all the long stay gear has been left out and now i just have a good foil bag and blanket,flash light and a fire making kit plus some life boat ration bars." Hadn't considered this point. Need to re think things. |
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markaroberts |
As others have pointed out, some of the stuff is standard for a BWCA trip. As such, I don't bring extras if the items is in the pack. The point of the PFD with the "ditch" gear is that it is always with you. The point of the pack is that I keep it in the trunk of the car which is either with me or in the garage. When paddling it goes in the canoe. I never have to guess if I have emergency gear I need. But as above, if in BWCA the 22 AR7 does not accomplish much. That is why most in our group (17 men last year in 3 groups) bring side arms. Mine is a .45 in a special shoulder harness that integrates with the PFD> |
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OldFingers57 |
Mine is on my PFD: Knife Whistle Small fire starting kit- PJ balls, lighter, fire steel A couple of Ziploc baggies A couple of water treatment tablets A couple of band aids and some gauze pads a small compass |
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keth0601 |
quote markaroberts: "Over the last two years I have been refining what I keep in a "ditch" bag. . .small backpack I keep at home or in car, and thrown in the canoe or kayak when out. The threads on survival trips got me thinking about it again. Here is what is in mine. Any suggestions? You're missing: 1) A map &/ GPS 2) The kitchen sink. |
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markaroberts |
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jwartman59 |
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butthead |
quote wetcanoedog: "i'm with you jw..matches and a Bic lighter as a back up are all that you need.the sparkers are just something campers use to as a fun way to light a fire and why folks would fool around greasy cotton balls is beyond me. Made me start counting, 2 Uco Stormproof match cases, 2 Coghlan cases filled with strike anywhere matches, 3 ferro rods with strikers, and assorted butane lighters sprinkled thru my gear. Guess I could get a fire going! Contents of my PFD first aid, ditch kit. I'm in the process of retiring this PFD and moved the gear to a new REI zip pouch again attached to the new PFD. butthead |
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markaroberts |
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wetcanoedog |
i have a tube of fire paste that has made many trip and a dab of that on a damp wood will get something going. Bill Mason of canoe fame had the right idea when he said he had matches everywhere,in his spare clothes,cook kit,pockets,just everyplace and could get one fast. |
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ockycamper |
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LaVirginienne |
It’s about the temperature of the water you might capsize into, not the weather forecast. When you are hypothermic, the first thing you need after getting safely to shore is HOT DRINKS to raise your core temperature. You should have these in your Thermos. Drink as much as you can. Then build a fire. When I paddle in shoulder season, my stove is accessible for brew-ups at portages. I keep it at the top of my food bag along with tea bags and honey. In September or October, I usually go through two bottles of hot tea every day before making camp. I’ve never been to BWCA in May. The days are longer, so it might mean three brew-ups a day. That’s how it is for me in the mountains in May…. |
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jcavenagh |
To me a ditch bag is really a ditch kit that stays in the pocket of either my PFD on the water, or fanny pack on hikes. My ditch kit has the essentials, fire, fishing, first aid, blade, rescue signal(mirror& whistle), compass, space blanket, water purifier tablets, and some extra cord. |
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wetcanoedog |
all the long stay gear has been left out and now i just have a good foil bag and blanket,flash light and a fire making kit plus some life boat ration bars. |
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markaroberts |
EMG RAIN PONCHO SIGNAL MIRROR MED KIT SPOT PLB FLARES EMG TARP EMERGENCY BIVY ENERGY BARS DRIED FOOD WATER PURIFICATION MECIAL RECORDS PERSONAL ID HAND WARMERS TOILETTIRES HYGIENE ITEMS SLEEVE STYLE HAMMOCK EMERGENCY SHELTER/TARP MULTI TOOL ESBIT STOVE AND FUEL FLASHLIGHT SURVIVAL CANDLE BATTERIES BOWL, PLATE, SPORK, CUP RADIO EMERGENCY BLANKET WIPES BAR SOAP TOOTHBRUSH TOOTHPAST COMB TUBE COMPRESSED TOWELS SURVIVAL WHISTLE SEWING KIT LETHER GLOVES DUCT TAPE MONEY PORTALE FISH KIT SURVIVAL RIFLE TRASH BAGS COMPASS PARACHUTE CORD ZIP LOCK BAGS FIXED BLADE KNIFE SOLAR CHARGER |
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kanoes |
2 space blankets pj cotton balls fire steel flashlight and replacement battery lighter folding knife strong, small diameter cordage bug dope (tiny pump bottle) compass/whistle combo glad freezer bags (water containers) head net PLB on my belt |
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markaroberts |
I have a Kokateck PDF with a pack on the back that is made for it. In the pack is: First aid kit, parachute cord, life straw, flare gun and flares, small air horn. In the front pockets: signal mirror, orienteering compass, Spot, tactical light, knife, marine/weather radio. The PDF is always on when paddling. The pack is for home/car/camping use when not in the boat. |
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Rustycards |
My brother-in-law has a fire starting kit with flint, matches, lighter, cotton balls, and also several small sticks for kindling as this can be hard to find if raining. All fits in a small ziplock to keep dry. |
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Jackfish |
Many of the items on your list are standard gear. Are you saying you pack all this stuff in addition to the gear you use on the trip? |
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NotLight |
I got an Eagle Creek Quick Trip Toiletry Bag to keep most of those "ditch kit" kinds of things in. Because it's small, I carry it around much more often. For a trail run, I'll carry it in a hydration pack. For a winter day hike, I might carry a daypack with the "ditch bag", a small tarp and a 40 degree down bag if I'm going our far. For canoeing, I just toss it in the boat bag. |
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OldFingers57 |
quote Rustycards: "This may be dumb question but what is PLB? A PLB is a Personal Locater Beacon. |
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mooseplums |
firesteel cotton balls small lighter whistle space blanket cheap plastic poncho small sewing kit super glue small folding knife band aids |
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Squid |
Me: "Not enough!" |
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jcavenagh |
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BeaV |
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wetcanoedog |
in the next couple weeks i'll make another one,part three,about the changes in the kit with the rescue beacon and not as much stuff in the PFD pockets. my youtube ditch kit |
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drnatus |
mark, if you want a thread on bug out bags, start a new thread. But I will say that I really don't carry a bug out or get home bag on a daily basis. I work 2.3 miles from my house....I figure I can walk that! |
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tpember |
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markaroberts |
The AR7 is a collapsible 22LR. We have it on hand for squirrels when in season (eat right over the fire). I typically carry a special stainless 20 gauge for most of the trips in KY, not the AR7. Can be used for snakes, or has rifled slugs if needed. In the BWCA we typically have one pistol per camp. Usually a 45 auto or 357. |
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adam |
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Banksiana |
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