Dang, I knew I forgot something. THe snow shoes!!!!! What does all this stuff fit into? Some kind of duffle bag I immagine. I figure a small back pack tent, most of the survival gear mentioned and a few dehydrated meals and the trusty .40 Cal sig sauer, in a throw out the door bag would be about right here in the tropics. I can definitely see the snow shoes for guys like Yellow Maule. This is a great thread for some not thought of ideas.

Hi Hawker, Thanks for the reminder on the fire piston, I made one for a science fair once, and coincidently our youngest fellow was just starting to look for a science project. We made a really cool one this afternoon. Quick and easy science project





It works great, but I always pack 2 bics and a pack of matches on me. I can't imagine piling it up anywhere in the word and needing more than this (fire starting wise) till help arrives...

Take care, Rob

mr scout wrote:Blast-Match was the hot ticket, they haven't been available for quite some time. If someone knows a supplier give it up.

I will have them soon!!!

Wup,

Let me know when you got some. I'm down to one right now. Others walked from my survival vests . One of these days, I'll catch someone "shopping" and give them reason to utilize some of the first aid gear in there.

MTV

I should have them by the end of the week I think I will keep you all posted!!

Retail is $19.95

Hey Wup, its Chip from Galveston. Tried out the 29 inch bushwheels this weekend in a cow pasture at my families ranch, they work great and I couldent be happier. I will definately want one of thoes blast matches when you get them in, maby a Tshirt too . Let us know when you get them in.

Wup,
Count me in for two. And thanks for taking the time to find them.

Renegade,

Watch them big tires in the cow pastures, lest cleaning bugs off the leading edges becomes a much more pleasant task than the alternative.....

MTV

At work we carry a couple small size road flares. They burn so hot you could light just about anything on fire. They shorter than normal, and are designed to be carried on a motorcycle. They are small and cheap, just remember to keep the top on, so the strike pad doesn't wear down or start accidently.

jeff

Besides a 12-pack of lighters, I carry a backpacking camp stove, fuel bottles, cook pot, and backpacking dehydrated food bags. Plus all the usual survival gear.
If nothin'else, 'least I'll be eating!
Enjoy, Berk

mtv wrote:Renegade,

Watch them big tires in the cow pastures, lest cleaning bugs off the leading edges becomes a much more pleasant task than the alternative.....

MTV

Haven't had that problem yet luckily. All of the um... cow by-product was dried to a crisp and was not flung all over the underside of my wings. Thanks for making me think about that, maybe ill land with the window closed from now on, just in case

RockyTFS wrote:
Preparedpilot.com has some really thorough survival kit recommendations.

Rocky, thanks for the plug.

I've done lots of testing on various saws and fire starting aids.

Here are a few things I've learned:

The REI brand Storm Proof matches are by far the best matches for a survival kit. They burn longer and hotter than any other match. They burn so ferociously that you can not blow it out and most of the time submerging it in water will not put it out either. The other great thing about these matches it that they come with four strikers per box. Two are on the box and two are wrapped in plastic. With most matches you run out of strikers before matches. This prevents that problem. REI is the only place to get them. I have to purchase them at retail to put in my survival kits.

I agree that the matchblast is a good product. It can be used one handed, can be used to light thousands of fires, can be used when wet, and makes a good sized spark. Still, it is harder to light something on fire with a matchblast than it is with matches or a lighter. You have to have pretty good tinder. You will not be able to light a pile of small twigs with it and even lighting a piece of paper can be tricky. If I was going to be stranded somewhere for months a matchblast would be my first choice fire starter.

In a survival situation I want it to be as easy as possible to light a fire since I may be wet, cold, confused and injured. It is not a time to be making bowdrills or making little sparks with flint and steel. Since I always carry a PLB when flying and expect to be rescued with in a few days I'm sticking with the matches, windproof lighter and tinder that I put in my survival kit.

All butane lighters quit working when they get cold. To overcome this they need to be kept warm in a pocket until you are ready to light your fire. When traveling in areas with very different elevations you need a lighter with an adjustable flame level.

The wire "survival" saws are virtually worthless in my opinion. I tried several different brands and found that if the stick was very small the saw could handle it but it is easier to just break the sick with my hands. If the stick was too big to easily break it was also to big for the saw. The pocket chain saws like the kind mentioned that come in a can are great. I can see how it would be tiring and painful to put your fingers through the rings but with a handle they work great. I have used mine quite a bit and find it works as well or better than any hand saw I have ever used. I sell the military pocket chainsaw which has parachute cord handles that go around your wrists so you can easily pull hard. The saw only weighs 3 ounces and rolls up into a tiny three inch square envelope. Here is a link to a video of the saw in action.

I like the fact that the magnesium block fire starters are compact, waterproof, cheap and durable but unfortunately they have never worked well for me in real life conditions. They work great on a calm sunny day in the back yard but when it is cold and windy, like it usually is when you really need a fire, the small shavings blow away leaving you with a sparker that is less effective than the matchblast and harder to light a fire with.

Here is a link for anyone that is interested in seeing the list of items I put in my survival kit.

Rob Hunter

Prepared Pilot wrote:

RockyTFS wrote:
Preparedpilot.com has some really thorough survival kit recommendations.

when flying and expect to be rescued with in a few days I'm sticking with the matches, windproof lighter and tinder that I put in my survival kit.

Rob Hunter

Way I was taught, and actually had to use for real many. many years ago stuck out with a broke airplane (mechanical) and crap weather keeping anyone from coming out to get me, is to go fly out, park, and live off just your survival gear for a few days. Always interesting to see what you end up using/not using, and it's quite sobering to see what a fix you'd be in if you were hurt bad and the weather was deadly cold.

Because of that, for all the years I flew the Arctic, I always wore my survival vest, and dressed for hitting the ground running as my airplane burned. A lot of the turbine guys poked fun at me, bleed-air keeping them warm as long as the kerosene was burning, but I always knew I'd be found warm and dry when they came to get me.

THE BLAST MATCH IS IN!!



Prepared Pilot, that is pretty nice set up!!![/img]

Hottshot wrote:THE BLAST MATCH IS IN!!Prepared Pilot, that is pretty nice set up!!!

Thanks. I'm glad you like it.

I like your BlastMatch. I've never seen an orange one before.

hello

When I saw the thumbnail in the Recent Photos on the homepage, I thought a spammer had uploaded a photo of some sort of sex toy.

Too funny Zane!

I always wore my survival vest, and dressed for hitting the ground running as my airplane burned.

Does anyone make a nice comfortable nomex survival vest WITHOUT the inflation for those of us which most likely won't have to ditch in water? Ralph