meloosifah
Well Known Member
I didn?t read every response so if this was covered - sorry.
Space blankets are tiny, light weight and WORK! Have 3 means of making fire. Wear a paracord bracelet - gives you means of tying things. Have a good knife. Water purification or filtration and something to hold the water. LifeStraws work reasonably well and are small/light. A compass, whistle and mirror take up little room. This is not comprehensive - just some thoughts.
Now, dose of reality. I grew up homesteading in AK. I can survive with a toothpick and fishing line (joking). But how many non-military (or even military) pilots would have a clue what to do with a signal mirror, compass, spool of fishing line and a hook? Be real. Most of my pilot friends would snag their eyeball while tripping over a tangled mess of fishing line. They would walk in giant circles while holding their compass, never understanding why they seem to be going east but keep coming back to the same spot. A compass in your hand in the woods is NOT the same as a compass mounted to your panel while flying through unobstructed air.
Bottom line is to carry gear that you know how to use. For some, it?s a spool of fishing line, bare hooks, flint and steel, signal mirror, etc. for others it?s a candy bar, cell phone and a tiger-print snuggy. Maybe a lighter and couple of cigars for smoke signals. I know guys that carry 35 lbs of gear everywhere they fly and wouldn?t have the first clue on how to use it. On the other hand, I believe I could survive most situations with the equipment that is in my pockets when I fly.
Last thought. Someone wrote that survival equipment is area specific - YES!! Arid, tropical, arctic...what are the risks and hazards? Tailor your gear to the specific flight. Are you over water, desert,etc.? Winter or summer?
Great conversations to have with your local EAA chapter.
Space blankets are tiny, light weight and WORK! Have 3 means of making fire. Wear a paracord bracelet - gives you means of tying things. Have a good knife. Water purification or filtration and something to hold the water. LifeStraws work reasonably well and are small/light. A compass, whistle and mirror take up little room. This is not comprehensive - just some thoughts.
Now, dose of reality. I grew up homesteading in AK. I can survive with a toothpick and fishing line (joking). But how many non-military (or even military) pilots would have a clue what to do with a signal mirror, compass, spool of fishing line and a hook? Be real. Most of my pilot friends would snag their eyeball while tripping over a tangled mess of fishing line. They would walk in giant circles while holding their compass, never understanding why they seem to be going east but keep coming back to the same spot. A compass in your hand in the woods is NOT the same as a compass mounted to your panel while flying through unobstructed air.
Bottom line is to carry gear that you know how to use. For some, it?s a spool of fishing line, bare hooks, flint and steel, signal mirror, etc. for others it?s a candy bar, cell phone and a tiger-print snuggy. Maybe a lighter and couple of cigars for smoke signals. I know guys that carry 35 lbs of gear everywhere they fly and wouldn?t have the first clue on how to use it. On the other hand, I believe I could survive most situations with the equipment that is in my pockets when I fly.
Last thought. Someone wrote that survival equipment is area specific - YES!! Arid, tropical, arctic...what are the risks and hazards? Tailor your gear to the specific flight. Are you over water, desert,etc.? Winter or summer?
Great conversations to have with your local EAA chapter.