After spending three days on a beach where he got stuck a friend has added a new item for his survival kit. The makings for 'smores. He says that way it is camping instead of surviving.

Corn chips like Fritos make a great fire starter.
If you have never tried it, you'll be surprised by how well they burn.

PLB, 45/70, and credit card. If that won't fix the problem your probably dead.



Good day

Rob- you forgot the illustration of your credit card. Please include both sides, for those of us trying to faithfully follow your survival kit suggestions...

A good pilot who put a lot of hours on floats in SouthEast Alaska told me to throw in "that book you've always intended to read. Or two, if they aren't thick - enough to keep you from getting too bored, antsy, and trying to take off before the weather's improved."

There's a lot of good food you can enjoy with a little forethought, a dehydrator, and a vacuum sealer to turn any 'precautionary landing' into 'camping.' Thanks to the ultralight backpackers, there are even recipe books with nutritional content and in kitchen prep / in field cooking instructions and nutritional information. Or the old standby of competing with a friend to find the most outrageous "rock or something" for the MRE Heater's placement (that's what their directions say, after all). Note: don't sit still too long, or you may find someone tried to use your bum as the "or something". How do I know this? Trust me...

Here is something that I just found out about this week.

Yunnan Baiyao.

Haven't had an opportunity to try it yet, but sounds pretty effective for quickly stopping bleeding. I was made aware of it buy a guy whose mom has been prectising chinese medicine for quite awhile, and as had experience with it, feeling that it is quite effective.

You can google it to read more. They talk about taking it internally, but this fella said that if you have a bad cut, just open the capsule and pour it into the cut. No burning, and stops the bleeding very quickly and the cut will heal in days vs. weeks. Doesn't cost much, weigh much, or take up much space.

There will be some in my work truck and survival bag.

FWIW Gary

shortfielder wrote:Here is something that I just found out about this week.

Yunnan Baiyao.

Haven't had an opportunity to try it yet, but sounds pretty effective for quickly stopping bleeding. I was made aware of it buy a guy whose mom has been prectising chinese medicine for quite awhile, and as had experience with it, feeling that it is quite effective.

You can google it to read more. They talk about taking it internally, but this fella said that if you have a bad cut, just open the capsule and pour it into the cut. No burning, and stops the bleeding very quickly and the cut will heal in days vs. weeks. Doesn't cost much, weigh much, or take up much space.

There will be some in my work truck and survival bag.

FWIW Gary

Thought that was for stiffening.

Tim

No, no, no Tim, that's the little purple pill.

Gary sense when do they make purple go go juice in pill form Nat must be getting rich

Just a note to say that I really like this snow suit for a survival item. It's great for sitting around camp on a cool morning or evening too. I also feel I could survive a pretty damn cold night out, and could get up and throw a log on the fire easier than with a sleeping bag, but can also just lay down in the snow to take a nap. It rolls up pretty darn small to just leave it in the plane year round. (about the size of two loaves of bread) And, I also use it quite often to help keep the engine warm when I'm just hiking or whatever, I just open it up and throw it over the cowling and stuff the legs into the cowl cylinder intakes.

Just thought it was worth posting because it is so handy.

Coyote Ugly wrote:Just thought it was worth posting because it is so handy.

And they are so fashionable! I used to carry a non static one with hollowfill in my arctic bag while on the slope. On Right of Way jobs in the winter you just about live in one. They are very flexible so you can move around easily and if it gets cold (-50) just add a parka. The only downside is potty breaks.

Dot_AK wrote:A good pilot who put a lot of hours on floats in SouthEast Alaska told me to throw in "that book you've always intended to read. Or two, if they aren't thick - enough to keep you from getting too bored, antsy, and trying to take off before the weather's improved."

...

A book can have several other uses as well. Firestarter and T.P. Also the pages can be used to cover a wound in a pinch. Not great but better than exposure to the elements. Rolled around a finger or two and taped, they make a decent splint as well. Make it a book on survival hints and you have a fairly useful addition to the pack. Or maybe that book on contact flying you should have read before you left.

Headoutdaplane wrote:After spending three days on a beach where he got stuck a friend has added a new item for his survival kit. The makings for 'smores. He says that way it is camping instead of surviving.

Flares are a good thing to have as well. Skytruck turned me on to having them. They make a great fire starter, dont weigh much, work in all types of weather and put out enough heat and light that someone flying around looking for you could see you infrared and visually

PLB's and Credit Cards are easy enough to get . . .

The Marlin Guide Gun in 45/70 has been a popular choice for predator protection, and for good reason. But be aware Marlin got bought out by Remington (part of Freedom Group) in late '08 and the factory was shut down and moved to New York state. Quality took a major header and has still not recovered from what I've read on the Marlin forum. The "old Marlin" numbering system was to subtract the year of manufacture from 100 to get the first two digits of the serial number. Thus, when buying a used lever Marlin or Guide Gun, the "good ones" will havse serial numbers beginning with 92 (some), 93 (all) or higher. Post buy out examples are unaffectionately known as Remlins.

Unfortunately, pre-Remington Marlins are getting expensive on the used market. Guns that sold for <$600 new are now $850 or more used . . . if you can find them.

bumper
93XXXX stainless 45/70 guide gun

Where are you guys flying that a 45-70 is needed for survival? Unless it's over "country bear jamboree", I'd think water & shelter would be more important. Coyote's snow suit is a great idea.
A 45-70 is cool, but for grub I'd rather have the equivalent weight in MRE's or freeze-dried camping cuisine. If you gotta take a gun, an accurate 22 with lots of ammo or a 12 gauge with assorted shells (birdshot,buckshot,slugs,& flares) would be more versatile. The plus side of the 22 is plinking for fun when the trip doesn't turn into a survival scenario.

Just picked up a PMR 30, What a kick, 30 rounds 22 mag in the grip, even with extra mag of another 30 rounds it weighs very little. Actually pretty damn accurate also.
First ones out had problems, Keltec stopped production, new ones seem to work OK, Have put about 400 rounds through this one and had no problems.
Mags are a bitch to load after getting about 15 in them though! Can live with that!
Also have there PLR16 pistol in 223, with drum mag, kick in the butt to shoot.

Have fun GT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLl2Qpq4VFs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CTizq4NCto

On waiting list for the KSG shot gun
http://cheaperthandirt.com/blog/?p=13696
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsJH5YMhKmM&feature=related

None are pretty, but I like em!
Mostly plastic so light and not much to rust!

shortfielder wrote:but sounds pretty effective for quickly stopping bleeding.

Epinephrine HCl in an epipen or whatever is great to stop superficial bleeding. It's what the 'cut men' use in te boxing ring for facial cuts. The epipen will come in handy for shock treatment as well.