For me ..it's the sleeping bag.

I've had many discussions/read dozens of articles etc. on the subject of so-called wilderness survival and the necessary equipment, and yet, rarely if ever is a sleeping bag mentioned. The sleeping bag in many cases seems to have been relegated to "camping gear" only and is not readily considered "survival" gear for what ever reason. I guess using a sleeping bag in a true survival situation is somehow cheating. For me, I'll cheat every chance I get ( .. guess I'm a whimp).

Obviously it's the extra wt. and bulk that people don't want to deal with unless they're camping, but when you consider the wt./ heat retention ratio of a well designed sleeping bag, you can't beat it for saving your ass from slow, hypothermic death.

Developing the skills to build a proper shelter and keep a fire going long enough to be rescued or repeat-ability for a multi day walk out is something we all should strive for, but if you suffer a mechanical injury(crash landing?) whilst in the hinterlands, even with a simple sprained wrist or ankle(let alone broken/ dislocated bones) life gets tough real fast. That shelter and fire might just be out of reach of your present abilities, regardless of your skill sets. And considering some of the country that is flown over in winter, there may not be materials available to build with or burn for heat, regardless of whether you're injured or not.

Having a bag to crawl into and cocoon up for multiple days and still be alive when the S&R guys show up makes for good style as well as brownie points with the family. The trick is to have it with you, and the ability to get it out of the wreckage before potential fire turns it into a plastic ball of goo.

I wear a vest with (theoretically, at least) enough to survive for a night or two. I have a pretty awesome survival bag in the back of the plane but I consider that camping gear. In the event I ball up somewhere I can't imagine going to the back of the plane before exiting and I can't guarantee I'll be able to access the rear door.

I rarely go anywhere without my synthetic Coleman sub-zero sleeping bag. Plain old contractor size garbage bags can be used as shelter and clothing with very little weight. Always wear what you plan to live in for a couple of days. But, most of all be found and rescued quickly, either public i.e USCG or private i.e. Temsco. Depends on where you fly.

Though not acrobatic, the Scout has a completely detachable right door which can be ejected during flight with a finger. The lack of a door gives just a little more room to get some survival gear i.e. sleeping bag(s) out and away from the "Wreckage".

Filing an ICAO flight plan with your Garmin InReach URL is probably the best overall safety device there is for $27.00/month.

A sleeping bag, siloconized tarp, some big garbage bags etc are in the back 365 days a year. Snow shoes about six months when I might overfly that cold white stuff. Lotsa stuff I might use for 'camping' is important for "survival".

I agree that having a way to keep warm is essential to survival. My survival kit varies somewhat, whether I'm on a camping trip or just traveling. If it's just traveling, the kit is more complete, and it includes 3 space blankets (a large one to make a shelter and 2 pocket size) and two survival bivvies, plus food, cooking capability, water, etc. If it's a camping trip, I lighten the kit and limit it to my survival vest, because the camping stuff includes sleeping bags, shelter, food, kitchen stuff, etc. The vest (which I carry either way) has only the very basics, a space blanket, signaling, a PLB, fire starting, etc., in case I'm unable to get the more complete stuff, so I can still survive for a day or so. I have a separate complete first aid kit.

And gosh, I hope I never have to use any of that!

Cary

I have packaged a couple of sleeping bags, tarps, cordage, water filtration, hatchet, pistol, calories, first aid, signaling equipment, fishing tackle and a handful of other "camping gear" items that would make a survival situation manageable in a dry bag in the rear of the plane.

I have a line that I connect to the dry bag in the rear and route it to minimize potential entanglement and attach it to a carabiner that anchors on my cargo net or to the entry strap at the rear door post if the cargo net is not installed.

If I need to evacuate the aircraft rapidly in an emergency, grabbing said line and extracting that dry bag is item number two on the list behind ensuring that any passengers are able to free themselves.

If I am forcede to ditch in water the dry bag will provide a degree of flotation.

In typing this reply, it occurred to me that I could also connect a line to the fire extinguisher in the event that I evacuate and there is a fire.

Ease of extraction of adequate survival equipment is something that I have focused on rather than maximizing what I can carry on my body during flight in remote regions.

Good tip on the 'lines' that can be quickly pulled to bring out necessary items. One to the first aid kit might be a good idea also.
Best,
Tom

TommyN wrote:Good tip on the 'lines' that can be quickly pulled to bring out necessary items. One to the first aid kit might be a good idea also.
Best,
Tom

I keep a pretty comprehensive first aid kit in the dry bag.

I haven't figured out exactly what Id put in my kit as i'm still working on my PPL. but I'll be moving back to Alaska soon. But being a backcountry hiker and very much a gear fanatic, I know I have packed a external frame pack with everyone I need including food, clothes, raingear, tent, sleeping bag, small stove, 550 cord, fire stuff, etc. It would last for 3-4 days out in the backcountry and weighing only 30 lbs.. so I expect a combo of what I had will be loaded into the plane. and I expect it'll all get loaded into a dry bag instead of the pack frame..

A good sleeping bag is essential equipment for every airplane, whether you're flying in Alaska or the wilds of Ohio. Never know when you'll divert to a rural airport with no services or car, and need to spend the night.

That said, it's even more important to wear appropriate clothing while flying. One of the few times I wore shorts while flying, the crankshaft broke, and I landed in a bug infested part of the world, forty miles from the nearest road.

Turned out to be no big deal, but was a good reminder to dress appropriately for the country you're flying over.

And, understand that the sleeping bag, even though tied to a rope (a VERY good idea, by the way) may not survive the "arrival".

But, yes a good sleeping bag is always my flying companion.

MTV

Single piece of gear I will never be without is a bic lighter. If its summer and I'm flying in the southwest 2nd choice is a jug of water.

I can survive for at least a few days with water and heat. And when I light a tree on fire someone will find me.....

Bic lighters are great until your hands are too cold to get the thing to work. Traded mine in for a water proof Storm butane lighter years ago. Just push the button. Actually, I carry a Storm lighter, Bic lighter, strike anywhere matches in a waterproof container and two types of fire starter. Total weight is a few ounces. That combo has never failed me for over 30 years of guiding trips and being out on my own in a variety of nasty weather days.

Pete

For me its the Leatherman. I use it about 10-20 times a day!
I started out years ago with an original Leatherman my brother gave me for Christmas. I lost it in the wood pile so I had to buy a replacement, that was about the time the Wave came out. I have had the Wave since!
I also have a Charge but for some reason I like the old Wave better even though they have essentially the same tools.

Also I found my original about 6 months later still have it in a drawer.

I guess I'd say my Tilley hat. Nothing special about the brand, but they're pretty indestructible, unlike the fine felt cowboy hat I'd like to have but know I won't care for. I can't think of a single piece of kit that provides more comfort and utility while living outside.

pburns wrote:.... a Storm lighter, Bic lighter, strike anywhere matches in a waterproof container and two types of fire starter...

Curious what type of "fire starter" you carry.
I'm one of those guys who can't hardly light a fire with dry wood.
Wet wood in an emergency? Fuggetaboutit.
I've seen little roundish fire starter tablets sold commercially (think Walmart).
"Fatwood" (pitch) works as well as anything but PITA to pack along.

I've read about cotton balls soaked in Vaseline, those work pretty good?
Seems like they'd be pretty easy to pack along.

hotrod180 wrote:

pburns wrote:.... a Storm lighter, Bic lighter, strike anywhere matches in a waterproof container and two types of fire starter...

Curious what type of "fire starter" you carry.
I'm one of those guys who can't hardly light a fire with dry wood.
Wet wood in an emergency? Fuggetaboutit.
I've seen little roundish fire starter tablets sold commercially (think Walmart).
"Fatwood" (pitch) works as well as anything but PITA to pack along.

I've read about cotton balls soaked in Vaseline, those work pretty good?
Seems like they'd be pretty easy to pack along.

There is simply no fire starter that will compensate for a poorly laid tinder/kindling/fuel supply. A traffic flare won't work if the fuel isn't arranged properly. Read the knowledge base article on fires if you want to learn more.

Hammer wrote:

hotrod180 wrote:

pburns wrote:.... a Storm lighter, Bic lighter, strike anywhere matches in a waterproof container and two types of fire starter...

Curious what type of "fire starter" you carry.
I'm one of those guys who can't hardly light a fire with dry wood.
Wet wood in an emergency? Fuggetaboutit.
I've seen little roundish fire starter tablets sold commercially (think Walmart).
"Fatwood" (pitch) works as well as anything but PITA to pack along.

I've read about cotton balls soaked in Vaseline, those work pretty good?
Seems like they'd be pretty easy to pack along.

There is simply no fire starter that will compensate for a poorly laid tinder/kindling/fuel supply. A traffic flare won't work if the fuel isn't arranged properly. Read the knowledge base article on fires if you want to learn more.

Or get my Wife 1 to blow on your fire. That woman could make any small spark into a roaring conflagration in seconds. And that's not disrespectful of her or mean spirited, simply the truth. Back when we lived in Alaska in the early 70s and belonged to a camping club, the community fires were often lit with a RR flare, and then someone would shout, "Nancy, get over here and get this fire going!"

Cary

Bella Bella, BC the airport manager Josh is really nice. He gave me some shipping palettes and a fire ring. He said always check with him first because of possible fire restrictions in the area. I carry "Storm Matches" (made in India) and a few Bic lighters.

JUN-2017:

I had hoped this thread would expand on the sleeping bag topic originally posted. I'm in the market for a new sleeping bag. Needs to be good down to about the freezing point or a little below. Can't be a mummy. Don't care about bulk. Just want to know which manufacturers offer the best product.

I look for value, not price. Not always the most expensive, just bang for the buck.

What materials these days? Is down still a good idea, or has it been surpassed by synthetics? I like lots to pull up over my head and shoulders, so I look for a long size.

Woods brand is popular around here.

Pinecone wrote:I had hoped this thread would expand on the sleeping bag topic originally posted. I'm in the market for a new sleeping bag. Needs to be good down to about the freezing point or a little below. Can't be a mummy. Don't care about bulk. Just want to know which manufacturers offer the best product.

I look for value, not price. Not always the most expensive, just bang for the buck.

What materials these days? Is down still a good idea, or has it been surpassed by synthetics? I like lots to pull up over my head and shoulders, so I look for a long size.

Woods brand is popular around here.

I have 2. One is an Alps Mountaineering, one is a Big Agnes. I really like both. I can't do mummy bags, and they can both come in long size. Good down to 20*F. I've never been cold in either yet.

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