Survival Gear

[201er]

I would recommend everyone to watch this video and think about how prepared you would be for this kind of situation:

 

It would be good to discuss and compare survival kits and strategies. This video really illustrates how unprepared we might be in a survivable crash in a remote location. Say you ran out of gas (or even it just leaked out) or had some kind of emergency that forced you to put it down in trees in a remote area. You (and your passengers if any) survive but have injuries that prohibit you from leaving your seat. Do you have the bare minimums you need within arm's reach?

As discussed in a different topic, I have a raft with survival kit packed with it. However, it is not always within easy reach (especially when I'm flying over land). I have an emergency aid kit, emergency blankets, and some other items like this but again they are in the back of the plane on the hat rack. These can easily be reached during a "walk away" kind of crash in a remote place. But if the plane is dangling from a tree and I can only use what's within arm's reach, I realized that I am SOL. This is why I am working on getting at least a few critical items into the seat pocket or special location. The prospect of having rescue choppers flying around but unable to locate you is a terrifyingly helpless situation! At least having some items to help you get attention during a life critical rescue is important!

So what survival gear do you have in your plane and more specifically what is within arm's reach?

[MB65E]

Awesome Mike! This topic came up last week in the hangar. I will be re-considering what I carry.

Nice  Bahama videos too. 

Best,

-Matt

[flyboy0681]

What a story. I'm very relieved it worked out for everyone, but shame on the pilot for pressing on when he knew better. It was only through a stroke of luck that they were on the fringes of civilization and were able to get a signal. From my perspective, he did everything wrong, was very complacent and overly confident.

Imagine how he would feel if he was the sole survivor.

 

Edited April 4, 2016 by flyboy0681

[201er]

Just now, flyboy0681 said:

What a story. I'm very relieved it worked out for everyone, but shame on the pilot for pressing on when he knew better. It was only through a stroke of luck that they were on the fringes of civilization and were able to get a signal. From my perspective, he did everything wrong and seemed very complacent and overly confident.

Imagine how he would feel if he was the sole survivor.

 

You're right. There's really two stories here. One is about VFR into IMC and all the poor judgement that goes with it but the second is about once you're in a crash, what to do? And some of that what to do is too late if you don't prepare now. Having essential gear and having it somewhere you can reach is what we need to think through. Obviously you can't bring the whole kitchen sink so you must plan wisely. What exactly to have and how close is what we need to think about.

[Marauder]

I would recommend everyone to watch this video and think about how prepared you would be for this kind of situation:

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It would be good to discuss and compare survival kits and strategies. This video really illustrates how unprepared we might be in a survivable crash in a remote location. Say you ran out of gas (or even it just leaked out) or had some kind of emergency that forced you to put it down in trees in a remote area. You (and your passengers if any) survive but have injuries that prohibit you from leaving your seat. Do you have the bare minimums you need within arm's reach?

As discussed in a different topic, I have a raft with survival kit packed with it. However, it is not always within easy reach (especially when I'm flying over land). I have an emergency aid kit, emergency blankets, and some other items like this but again they are in the back of the plane on the hat rack. These can easily be reached during a "walk away" kind of crash in a remote place. But if the plane is dangling from a tree and I can only use what's within arm's reach, I realized that I am SOL. This is why I am working on getting at least a few critical items into the seat pocket or special location. The prospect of having rescue choppers flying around but unable to locate you is a terrifyingly helpless situation! At least having some items to help you get attention during a life critical rescue is important!

So what survival gear do you have in your plane and more specifically what is within arm's reach?

I have a backpack that I store my survival stuff in. It is mounted to my seat back when I carry it.

I changed the contents depending on whether it is winter or summer. Weighs in a 19.2 pounds and a little lighter in the summer. This includes survival tools (axe, shovel, saw and knives), essentials (water purifier, waterproof matches, fire starter materials (steel wool, cotton with Vaseline on it), survival tent, signal mirror, signal strobe, PLB and various energy gels and bars) and the nice to haves (portable stove, cooking utensils).

Also took a survival course. Never hope to need it as survival bag, but it can be used as a "bug out" bag in case the zombies apocalypse occurs.

[Bob]

Thanks for sharing the video 201er!

Just want to add one very, very small survival item that many don't think about.  A FREE BACKUP ELT BATTERY! 

I constantly hear about how guys have found a very creative way to use their old ELT batteries so they don't end up in the garbage.  My creative way is to always take my old battery and just keep it in the plane with other small spares and Philips screwdiver.  I have heard about many crashes where the search team runs out of time to benefit from the ELT signal due to battery discharge.  Almost double ELT life at no extra cost, how can I pass that up?

[201er]

32 minutes ago, Bob said:

Thanks for sharing the video 201er!

Just want to add one very, very small survival item that many don't think about.  A FREE BACKUP ELT BATTERY! 

I constantly hear about how guys have found a very creative way to use their old ELT batteries so they don't end up in the garbage.  My creative way is to always take my old battery and just keep it in the plane with other small spares and Philips screwdiver.  I have heard about many crashes where the search team runs out of time to benefit from the ELT signal due to battery discharge.  Almost double ELT life at no extra cost, how can I pass that up?

Interesting. Question about 406ELT. Since they are GPS/Sat based, if they get only a short duration, will the emergency satellite that picks it up remember the location after the signal disappears?

[blaine beaven]

I have a survival kit in a backpack behind the back seat, sitting next to my axe and sleeping bag.

In the winter I have blankets on the backseat.

The number one thing I don't leave without - InReach satellite messenger which is clipped to the passenger side hand grip near the door. Easy to reach and hit 'SOS' and has good signal there. Clip is very tight and requires two hands to remove.

If I had an emergency where I knew I was going in, I would reach over and hit the SOS before I flicked the ELT switch. I don't have a 406 yet.

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[chrisk]

I have a basic survival kit I carry when flying in rough country:  basic first aid kit, Quick Clot bandages, decent knife, lighters, signaling device (laser and mirror), compass, water filter,  pistol, and maybe an energy bar.  It's all stuffed in a camel back.  It's less than 10 lbs.  I have a PLB that I keep handy in the plane.    Water and Jackets are packed separately. 

[Yetti]

Is lighting the forest on fire so the forest service satellite will see it and dispatch a fire crew an acceptable response?

Sorry Smokey.

[Mooneymite]

II almost always carry my cabin cover with me whenever we go somewhere, and I've always wondered why the folks who make custom covers for planes do not add simple modifications that would allow it to be used as a tent, or shelter in a survival situation.  Seems like a tent pole and some tent spikes might make a very comfy tent out of a cabin cover.  

[garlint]

Saw the video a while back, excellent example of pushing through when we know we shouldn't. I fly over the mountains from Montana to Utah frequently. Even in the middle of the summer I always carry:

lightweight down sleeping bag

gortex bivy sack

small 1 lb solar panel and charger

Small First Aid kit/survival kit with signaling mirror and all the usual stuff.

Water

Power Bar

Keep in mind you will usually have enough fuel to start a fire. And if you are flying without a cell phone you really should reconsider.

[Cyril Gibb]

23 hours ago, blaine beaven said:

If I had an emergency where I knew I was going in, I would reach over and hit the SOS before I flicked the ELT switch. I don't have a 406 yet.

This brings up an interesting question.  I have an Inreach satellite unit and a 406 ELT.  Good idea to hit SOS and set ELT on if you're going to have an "inadvertent landing".  (travel insurance wording)

Do they use the same frequency or something else that might cause interference with each other?

[kortopates]

I still can't get over the fact that they took off without shoulder harnesses! So unbelievable that in this age people don't think their lives are worth the cost of shoulder harnesses - or that it could never happen to them.

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[Jerry 5TJ]

On April 5, 2016 at 10:36 AM, 201er said:

Interesting. Question about 406ELT. Since they are GPS/Sat based, if they get only a short duration, will the emergency satellite that picks it up remember the location after the signal disappears?

Yes

Your identification and GPS position are sent down from the satellite and routed to the response center.  

Their first action is to call the phone number you registered. If you don't answer they start the search & rescue sequence. 

 

[rainman]

A PLB is for me the single most important item. I keep it in the pocket next to the door. It's part of my passenger briefing. Being prepared for water, weather, medical issues are important, but I also want help on the way ASAP. PLBs are not that expensive, and once you register with NOAA you're good to go for years on the battery.  

[M20F]

35 minutes ago, rainman said:

A PLB is for me the single most important item. I keep it in the pocket next to the door. It's part of my passenger briefing. Being prepared for water, weather, medical issues are important, but I also want help on the way ASAP. PLBs are not that expensive, and once you register with NOAA you're good to go for years on the battery.  

 

35 minutes ago, rainman said:

A PLB is for me the single most important item. I keep it in the pocket next to the door. It's part of my passenger briefing. Being prepared for water, weather, medical issues are important, but I also want help on the way ASAP. PLBs are not that expensive, and once you register with NOAA you're good to go for years on the battery.  

Every survival kit should start with a PLB.  

[bradp]

On April 5, 2016 at 9:59 AM, Bob said:

Thanks for sharing the video 201er!

Just want to add one very, very small survival item that many don't think about.  A FREE BACKUP ELT BATTERY! 

I constantly hear about how guys have found a very creative way to use their old ELT batteries so they don't end up in the garbage.  My creative way is to always take my old battery and just keep it in the plane with other small spares and Philips screwdiver.  I have heard about many crashes where the search team runs out of time to benefit from the ELT signal due to battery discharge.  Almost double ELT life at no extra cost, how can I pass that up?

I just stuck my old ELT battery in my "green bag" that I keep in the back.