Got the Raft, Now What?

Thanks to all who made input to the Raft v. Suit conversation. I opted for a 6-person Viking Coastal and now I'm on to the next step, building my "Bailout Bag". Having flown for 50 years, including 20 years in Alaska, where a long list of survival stuff is required by statute, I've dragged out my old "bailout bag" as a starting place and this is turning into kind of a fun exercise, in part because I forgot what was in there. Obviously, a lot of it is oriented to longterm survival in the woods and my requirements are likely to be different.

But a couple questions have arisen along the lines of "Should I really keep this?" Some is obvious, some not so much so feel free to weigh in:

In addition to the 20# dry bag, we wore Stearns inflatable aviator vests, because: "The stuff in the baggage compartment is camping equipment; you are going to survive with what's in your pockets." Should I keep the vests? I have 8 other approved floatation devices on a 5-place boat. 9 if you count the dog's jacket.

I have 50,000 calories of lifeboat bisquit. All seriously out-of-date, but does that crap ever really age? How would you know if it weren't printed on the foil wrap?

I have a dozen seriously outdated mini-flares from the vests. Keep? Toss?

I have four "Solas Compliant Thermal Protective Aids" look like very heavy space-blanket gumby suits. Anyone have experience with these?

Six X Ten foot gill net <?>

I have a 406 MHz PLB which will get a new battery and registration, but I've also got a 121.5 mini-elt. Keep it too?

Knives & stones, Folding saw, folding hatchet <?>

Let me know what you think.

'Prof

The gill nets makes great foundations for tents.
If you find your self in a survival situation then survival gear is always good to have

ACR makes a nice, inexpensive, water activated LED strobe. My PFD has the ACR PLB, strobe, and a whistle. They are all tied to, and stored neatly in the PFD. I place a high priority on getting someone's attention.

Ted

O C Diver said:

ACR makes a nice, inexpensive, water activated LED strobe. My PFD has the ACR PLB, strobe, and a whistle. They are all tied to, and stored neatly in the PFD. I place a high priority on getting someone's attention.

Ted

Click to expand...

Mine too. Also a few flares and an Ocean Signal MOB1 AIS MOB device.

Reminds me to check the expiration date of flares on board.

I just bought one of the Weems & Plath 'electronic flares" that floats or is handheld and flashed SOS brightly. I am keeping my expired flares as I understand they usually last for years. It seems bright, I'm not sure if it will catch the eye as well as a launched flare but I'll have those too. The batteries (3 C cells) must be installed for the CG to count the device in place of flares.

O C Diver said:

ACR makes a nice, inexpensive, water activated LED strobe. My PFD has the ACR PLB, strobe, and a whistle. They are all tied to, and stored neatly in the PFD. I place a high priority on getting someone's attention.

Ted

Click to expand...

What type of pfd do you have? We have inflatable ones from West Marine and we were trying to decide the best way to attach our PLB’s to them. The PLB’s have that velcro strap on them, but that doesn’t seem all that secure.

Steve said:

I just bought one of the Weems & Plath 'electronic flares" that floats or is handheld and flashed SOS brightly. I am keeping my expired flares as I understand they usually last for years. It seems bright, I'm not sure if it will catch the eye as well as a launched flare but I'll have those too. The batteries (3 C cells) must be installed for the CG to count the device in place of flares.

Click to expand...

We have one of those too in addition to flares.

We use a small lanyard about 36” long to attach PLBs to PFD. You want it to be long enough so you can bring the PLB up and activate it.

Star0210 said:

What type of pfd do you have? We have inflatable ones from West Marine and we were trying to decide the best way to attach our PLB’s to them. The PLB’s have that velcro strap on them, but that doesn’t seem all that secure.

Click to expand...

Mine is from Tiffanys (West Marine), it came with the boat. The strobe came with a bracket that attaches to the oral inflation tube and also holds the whistle. I use a piece of braided nylon to secure the PLB to the vest. It is wrapped around the unit twice. I can easily slip off the loop and then it acts as a lanyard to keep the PLB attached to me with enough line to hold it in front of me to activate it.





Ted

AlaskaProf said:

I've got the raft...now what..?

Click to expand...

Well, 'sobvious. Now you find your Hucklberry Finn, and go rafting...

Oh, you mean that kinda raft..?

Regarding flares, the outdated mini flares should be disposed of properly. They could possibly misfire and do damage to your new raft (or do nothing).


I don't know what your local regs are but in open water, we are required to carry a minimum of 2 hand held red flares, 2 hand held smoke flares and 2 distress rocket flares with parachutes. The latter can be seen for 40 km (about 25 miles) at night. They are a cost effective tool for increasing the likelihood of being found quickly.
I'd suggest equipment that will help you to be found is more important that equipment for long term survival in the bush.

Star0210 said:

What type of pfd do you have? We have inflatable ones from West Marine and we were trying to decide the best way to attach our PLB’s to them. The PLB’s have that velcro strap on them, but that doesn’t seem all that secure.

Click to expand...

U


I just bought two of these Mustang hydrostatic pdfs. They have a zipped pocket on the left side that fits a PLB perfectly. I clip a waterproof floating vhf on when on deck in adverse conditions or at night. Manuel pfds require you to be conscious, typical automatic can inflate when splashed. Hydrostatic release due to water pressure so you have to be in the water for release. You don’t want a release inside a sinking boat, can’t get out.