I read a comment somewhere recently (AOPA Pilot??, EAA Sport Pilot??) saying that what's on your person is survival equipment, what's in the aircraft is camping equipment. That article suggested getting a fishing vest but I've found that a surveyor's vest is cheaper and more practical since it is high-visibility and reflective which is good both on the ramp and if you ever needed rescue. I generally have the pockets filled with a space-blanket, the Sporty's PJ2, a PLB + Garmin InReach, my cell phone, fire starter flint, and a Greatland rescue laser "flare". I always have a good knife and flashlight in my pocket but will sometimes throw an additional very bright focused flashlight in the vest. Note: The PJ2 can be powered by USB-C but USB power does not charge it (even assuming you have a rechargeable pack). The USB-C must provide at least 2.4 amps so be sure to test (while transmitting) in advance with your external battery of choice. I use the rechargeable pack in mine which I've tested is good for a couple days of constant receive and sometimes carry the AA pack as a backup. The lifestraw is a good idea as a lightweight addition. I'll need to pick one up.
Awesome presentation! I have the ResQlink beeper along with whistle and flashlight also signal mirror. And while in any commercial transportation they are in my travel vest on me
#1 = The SPOT (or other) Satellite emergency locator beacon is the most important of all, so get one of those - #2A = MAP of the area you are flying in - #2B = BUG SPRAY - some heavy duty leather gloves - Beenie hat - baseball hat - Signal flares (best) or fireworks that can get to 100+ feet - some snare wire - small signal mirror - wool socks - Rain poncho - Rain/wind shell HH jacket (rolls up into a small pouch) - 50-200' paracord - bic lighters in a double zip loc plastic bag - Matches dipped in wax - small axe - saw wire (make your own frame/handle) - if you can find one on eBay a Popeils pocket fisherman and some hooks/lures/flies and line - a 9mm glock with 100 rounds - I don't fly without a very flexible/multi-use 12Ga semi-auto but i am in grizzly country up in BC Canada in the mountains - sunglasses - dollar store 3x reading glasses - compass - magnifying glass - sturdy buck knife with stone - on and on - backpack works, everything + what you have fits. WINTER: Sleeping bag, tarp, ++
Or even not that rugged. We had a situation a couple years ago where an older couple was out on a walk and slipped into a small ravine. Hope was fading after a week of searching but they were finally found alive having survived on water collected on leaves. Their injuries were relatively minor but they couldn't extricate themselves and had no cell coverage even though they were only a few miles from San Francisco/Marin. It was a good reminder that even in a relatively populated area you can easily find yourself in the cell "no zone layer" and even if your location has been narrowed to a three-mile radius, that's still over 27 square miles or over half the size of San Francisco to search. I can find myself over no-coverage areas within minutes of departing my home airport so throwing on my "survival vest" is part of every flight.
NEVER go flying with flipflops or running shoes...take them in the plane if you want to wear them when you land but if you crash or are forced to land you want hiking boots on your feet.
Yep, agree. The one thing to add is a good first aid fit, and the knowledge how to use it, so would recommend a Wilderness First Aid Course.
I read a comment somewhere recently (AOPA Pilot??, EAA Sport Pilot??) saying that what's on your person is survival equipment, what's in the aircraft is camping equipment. That article suggested getting a fishing vest but I've found that a surveyor's vest is cheaper and more practical since it is high-visibility and reflective which is good both on the ramp and if you ever needed rescue.
I generally have the pockets filled with a space-blanket, the Sporty's PJ2, a PLB + Garmin InReach, my cell phone, fire starter flint, and a Greatland rescue laser "flare". I always have a good knife and flashlight in my pocket but will sometimes throw an additional very bright focused flashlight in the vest.
Note: The PJ2 can be powered by USB-C but USB power does not charge it (even assuming you have a rechargeable pack). The USB-C must provide at least 2.4 amps so be sure to test (while transmitting) in advance with your external battery of choice. I use the rechargeable pack in mine which I've tested is good for a couple days of constant receive and sometimes carry the AA pack as a backup.
The lifestraw is a good idea as a lightweight addition. I'll need to pick one up.
I wish all traveler using commercial transportation think like us
Awesome presentation! I have the ResQlink beeper along with whistle and flashlight also signal mirror. And while in any commercial transportation they are in my travel vest on me
#1 = The SPOT (or other) Satellite emergency locator beacon is the most important of all, so get one of those - #2A = MAP of the area you are flying in - #2B = BUG SPRAY - some heavy duty leather gloves - Beenie hat - baseball hat - Signal flares (best) or fireworks that can get to 100+ feet - some snare wire - small signal mirror - wool socks - Rain poncho - Rain/wind shell HH jacket (rolls up into a small pouch) - 50-200' paracord - bic lighters in a double zip loc plastic bag - Matches dipped in wax - small axe - saw wire (make your own frame/handle) - if you can find one on eBay a Popeils pocket fisherman and some hooks/lures/flies and line - a 9mm glock with 100 rounds - I don't fly without a very flexible/multi-use 12Ga semi-auto but i am in grizzly country up in BC Canada in the mountains - sunglasses - dollar store 3x reading glasses - compass - magnifying glass - sturdy buck knife with stone - on and on - backpack works, everything + what you have fits. WINTER: Sleeping bag, tarp, ++
Thanks David - good reminder to prepare properly before flying over rugged terrain!
Or even not that rugged. We had a situation a couple years ago where an older couple was out on a walk and slipped into a small ravine. Hope was fading after a week of searching but they were finally found alive having survived on water collected on leaves. Their injuries were relatively minor but they couldn't extricate themselves and had no cell coverage even though they were only a few miles from San Francisco/Marin. It was a good reminder that even in a relatively populated area you can easily find yourself in the cell "no zone layer" and even if your location has been narrowed to a three-mile radius, that's still over 27 square miles or over half the size of San Francisco to search.
I can find myself over no-coverage areas within minutes of departing my home airport so throwing on my "survival vest" is part of every flight.
NEVER go flying with flipflops or running shoes...take them in the plane if you want to wear them when you land but if you crash or are forced to land you want hiking boots on your feet.