Survival & Medical Gear

In addition to the camping gear, I have been collecting, revising and repacking my survival equipment. I’ve added a survival vest, which is really just a mesh fly-fishing vest from Cabelas.
This vest contains the items that would be most helpful in the event that I had a crash that prevented me from reaching the camping and survival gear in the airplane baggage area. There is a tenant in survival preparation that says “if it isn’t on you when you crash, it is camping gear, not survival gear.” So, the vest contains basic first aid supplies, emergency shelter, rain poncho, mosquito net, water purification, signaling equipment and fire starting materials. I also carry a multi-tool on my belt. My cell phone and emergency beacon will be in the vest as well. (I will discuss the emergency beacon in a little while)

This is in addition to my larger survival bag and medical/first aid bag which is carried in the baggage area of the airplane. The survival bag contains a water filter, fire starting materials, Gerber saw, flashlight, signaling devices, duct tape, fixed blade knife, para-cord, tarp, emergency survival book, etc. that will allow a greater comfort and capability while waiting for rescue. The Medical bag contains an assortment of over the counter medications, bandages, splints, antibiotics, blood clotting agent, etc that would allow the treatment of more severe injuries. I also included a book on wilderness first aid. A great source for survival and medical gear is a company named BestGlide. Hopefully, none of this will be needed, but since we will be a long way from help during portions of the trip, I feel better having it along. For a compelling story about a couple who survived for 49 days after crashing on the way to Alaska, read this.

The first consideration if we have a serious problem, is to let Search & Rescue know we need assistance. When Curt Dimmick and I flew to Haiti in 2010 after the earthquake, we carried along a SPOT messenger device. The SPOT communicates with an array of satellites and allows us to alert Search & Rescue that we need immediate assistance. We can also send an “I’m Okay” message to selected recipients. Additionally, the SPOT transmits its position every 10 minutes or so and anyone with the web address can see our track overlaid on a map. On the Haiti trip, many of our friends, donors and supporters followed along each day to keep up with our progress.

Now there is a new device with improved capabilities. The Delorme “InReach” connects to a Smartphone to allow text messaging along with the other emergency and tracking functions. Now we will be able to send specific information on our status and any assistance required. Once we have this set up, you will be able to check in and see where we are and where we have been. You will also be able to send along text messages if desired.