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I updated some batteries, flares, InReach firmware today...

I just ordered my delorme and a handheld radio today for my trip in three weeks (or less). I think I'm going to order one of the revere life jackets. I'll be spending some time over the water when I'm headed to Kodak, and I think it will make me feel a little more comfortable.

InReach by Delorme, in my opinion, is the most amazing device for World travel since the magnetic compass!

The company is on steroids or something. The features are endless and easy to use.

Even the most minimalist vest should have means of making fire, though I understand that isn't really a priority on a boat;-)

Some form of water or means of acquiring it would be my next priority.

If a guy can make sure he isn't going to freeze to death or die of dehydration, he's got a fair while to sort everything else out, especially if a DeLorme has help on the way.

albravo wrote:Even the most minimalist vest should have means of making fire, though I understand that isn't really a priority on a boat;-)

Some form of water or means of acquiring it would be my next priority.

If a guy can make sure he isn't going to freeze to death or die of dehydration, he's got a fair while to sort everything else out, especially if a DeLorme has help on the way.

Fresh drinking water is great to have. Hat and sunscreen too in the tropics should also be considered.

I knew a guy who went overboard and floated 35NM with nothing from Molokai to Oahu. He spent the night in the hospital after being pulled from the water. Next day he was fine. Hawaiian, nuff said.

Cold water is terrifying. I surf in Oregon in the Winter and known how easy it is to get in trouble. Protection such as dry suits and even wet suits should be considered. Training and good health is paramount too.

Every journey has its caveats, which may require mitigation, I certainly take my time, $ and patience to develop a plan "B", etc...

Thank you for the input.

I also carry a life straw in my vest, Pretty inexpensive tool to reduce the risk of getting sick from drinking dirty water in an emergency situation.

Bdiazair wrote:I also carry a life straw in my vest, Pretty inexpensive tool to reduce the risk of getting sick from drinking dirty water in an emergency situation.

Never seen one... but after reading the wiki, Cool! I want one too! Thank you for the guidance!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LifeStraw

Wikipedia wrote:...designed by the Swiss-based Vestergaard Frandsen. While originally developed for people living in developing nations and for distribution in humanitarian crisis, the LifeStraw has gained popularity as a consumer product. The LifeStraw is now used as a tool for survivalists and packed in emergency preparedness kits in addition to being used to help combat clean water scarcity worldwide. LifeStraw personal filters can provide clean water for up to a year, and the LifeStraw Family filters a maximum of 18,000 litres of water, providing safe drinking water for a family of five for up to three years....

Bdiazair wrote:I also carry a life straw in my vest, Pretty inexpensive tool to reduce the risk of getting sick from drinking dirty water in an emergency situation.

+1

Me too. Pretty inexpensive little lifesaver.

The Lifestraw reminds me of a joke I heard.....
A widow told everyone that her husband died from gonorrhea, when in reality he died from dysentery.
She decided she'd rather people remembered him as a sport and not a shitass.

hotrod180 wrote:The Lifestraw reminds me of a joke I heard.....
A widow told everyone that her husband died from gonorrhea, when in reality he died from dysentery.
She decided she'd rather people remembered him as a sport and not a shitass.

Sounds like Hollywood.

Having something to purify water is a good idea, but you MUST have water--summer, winter, tropics, high Arctic--makes no difference. So if all you have available is swamp water, drink it. 99% of ugly bugs don't kick in for a week or so, by which time, assuming you had your shit together, you'll be sipping whiskey at home, and a Doc can get you treated for the bug. Alternatively by that time without water, you'll be toast anyway.

Water is critical, like REALLY critical.

I will also suggest that you keep your vest to minimum essentials.....otherwise, it'll be very uncomfortable, and you're likely not to wear it.

MTV

Bdiazair wrote:I also carry a life straw in my vest, Pretty inexpensive tool to reduce the risk of getting sick from drinking dirty water in an emergency situation.

Do you have the steel version of the Lifestraw, or the plastic? If I really need one it'll most likely be after an off airport landing so crash worthiness seems like it would be important. The thing looks like it's too bulky to carry in my survival vest. I don't want the vest to be so heavy that I either leave the vest at home (really helpful!) or toss it in the back seat on the flight where I really need it and it burns up in a post fire crash. Some very well respected pilots have done that. Sparky Imeson spoke at a safety stand down the year before he died. I recall how he regretted bitterly that he left his vest behind a few years ago prior to a June 3rd instructional crash in the mountains of Montana .

mtv wrote:Having something to purify water is a good idea, but you MUST have water--summer, winter, tropics, high Arctic--makes no difference. So if all you have available is swamp water, drink it. 99% of ugly bugs don't kick in for a week or so, by which time, assuming you had your shit together, you'll be sipping whiskey at home, and a Doc can get you treated for the bug. Alternatively by that time without water, you'll be toast anyway.

Water is critical, like REALLY critical.

I will also suggest that you keep your vest to minimum essentials.....otherwise, it'll be very uncomfortable, and you're likely not to wear it.

MTV

Agreed. Water in Arctic and Alpine conditions is sometimes overlooked due to the counter intuitive nature of being cold. Mountain climbers generally learn the hard way and become dehydrated and get all kinds of nasty side effects.

Getting found fast and rescued is the game. Agreed, not how much we can stuff in a vest.

Thank you for the input. Good points.

Here's what's in my vest right now:
Knife, fire starter, headlamp w/ red lens, rescue laser flare, personal locator beacon, 2x mosquito head nets. Stuff gets added or removed depending on the season and the flight. The airplane key is stored clipped to the vest, so I don't go out of the house without bringing both.

-DP

8GCBC wrote:InReach by Delorme, in my opinion, is the most amazing device for World travel since the magnetic compass!

The company is on steroids or something. The features are endless and easy to use.

I'm also impressed with the InReach as a tool (own four for work), but for me the user interface is the biggest shortcoming. Pairing InReach with the Earthmate app makes it a whole lot more functional, and makes it vastly easier to type messages.

denalipilot wrote:

8GCBC wrote:InReach by Delorme, in my opinion, is the most amazing device for World travel since the magnetic compass!

The company is on steroids or something. The features are endless and easy to use.

I'm also impressed with the InReach as a tool (own four for work), but for me the user interface is the biggest shortcoming. Pairing InReach with the Earthmate app makes it a whole lot more functional, and makes it vastly easier to type messages.

I pair my InReach Explorer node with an iPAD (Earthmate App via BlueTooth). It is fabulous. It uses my address book, etc.. Very little effort to send and receive email.

InReach for such a tiny unit, the stark interface is some what doable (with patience). But, yes it is not fun using "up" and "down" keys to write a message.

Thank you for the comments.