MAKING OF A SURVIVAL KIT
Survival kits are as personal as Fly Fishing gear and styles. This is my take on what could be carried in a personal survival kit while fly fishing. I carry two kits, depending on the season, summer and winter.
There are items that are with me no matter what season. They are my belt knife and bear spray, the SPOT, a Silva compass, map and Wading Staff, I consider my wading staff a piece of survival gear, it has more uses then to help me cross water.
I will start with a disclaimer , as I wrote in the opening line these are personal these survival kits, you can buy them just about any where or make your own, and include just about anything you want in it, limited by what you are willing to carry. They are survival kits not for everyday use. The two I am going to write about here are mine, with me when ever I go out fly fishing which for me is Walk and Wading remote rivers, streams and hike in lakes, and most always alone or with my German Shepherd Fischer and occasionally a fishing buddy.
The basics that are always with me, Belt Knife, I use a buck 470, 12 cm long heavy blade that is very sharp, I like this knife it has a handle that is moulded to the hand and is not slippery when wet, I figure if I need to use it in an emergency, I will be wet, cold and maybe scared. Bear Spray, not just for bears, also for wolves, cougars, and bland dehydrated foods. Wading staff, makes a great tent pole, splint, and dead thing poking stick. I also have a choice of a Leatherman FUSE, and a Gerber issued from the army one or the other is always along for the adventure.
One of my most important always with me items is the SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker, this devise is worthy of its own paragraph later.
My Summer Survival kit that is no bigger then two standard fly boxes and weighs 415g includes in no particular order ; small 1st Aid kit, water purification tabs, vital if you become lost and with out food, or potable water, drinking from unsafe water can make a bad day much, much worse, take a second and visualize it. I carry a one litre bottle full at the start of the day, with Tang or G-Aid. This is a survival kit for Fly Fishers so that indicates that we will be around water, that is why there is a pair of EMS gloves and a one way CPR mask, and the knowledge to use it, I may not be able to use it to save myself but to save you.
The standard matches’, fire starting materials, trail marking tape, paper, pencil, reflective blanket for warmth, the thing about the blankets is that they will make you sweat, so you have to watch that. Head lamp that has the batteries changed at the start of each season, summer and winter. A big orange plastic “call Police” sign this can be used as a SOS sign for helicopters. A reflector mirror to signal aircraft and ground searchers also to clean up for the post rescue photo ops. Whistle and x-zacto knife, Protein power bars round out the summer kit. Protein instead of “energy Bars” or Chocolate bars, the energy you get from the Protein bars lasts longer and does not leave you with a crash later.
The winter kit includes all of the above plus some seasonal items, you will notice a Primus stove, pot and cup, and I consider this vital equipment, even warm water can save your life, if you have taken a dip in the river or through the ice. I carry packets of “Cup o soup” and Beef or Chicken bouillon cubes. The stove is faster and more reliable then trying to find burnable materials on a frozen river bank. I also carry extra poly-pro socks, gloves and toque. A glow stick and extra reflective blanket round out the winter kit, this weights in at about 2lbs or a kg, I also carry a heck of a lot less fly boxes in the winter and move much slower so the extra weight is not a problem.
The SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker, https://www.findmespot.ca/en/index.php devise was given to me two years ago as a Christmas gift, and has been on every fishing, hunting and hiking trip since. It is like my wrist watch and Silva compass, vital! When you get the SPOT you register it on the web site and this costs $100.USD, for a year, that is .29c a day! With the SPOT you can check in with your contacts and let them know that you are safe, have arrived at the destination or are coming home, or need their assistance, locked your keys in the car, or run out of gas etc.
You can also provide the rescue center with vital health and personal information; this is what I provided them for when I push the 911 button.
My Dogs name is Fischer, he is big and black, a German Shepherd, he is very friendly, but loves me...
He may not be with me all the time but..
If you see him tell him it is OK, and ask were is Dad or Ray...
Please rescue him also
I also fly fish with Thor a Golden Retriever; he will be jumpy but very good...
If you see him tell him it is OK, and ask where is Dad or Ray...
Please rescue him also
If you cannot get to me, rescue the dogs...
I have been in the canyons and valleys and on mountain tops in blinding snow and hail pushed the “OK” button and this thing has not failed me yet. But and there is always a but, I will always carry a Silva compass and most times a map.
Bio: My name is Raymond Paul Fairweather. I am originally from Saint John New Brunswick. I joined the Army at 20 years old, and spent 24 years serving Canada; I have taken Winter Warfare and Escape and Evasion training and just good old ARMY TRAINING. I am now the Vice-president of Project Healing Waters Canada https://projecthealingwaters.ca, serving Canada’s true heroes when they need it most.
As in the Army, I have never had a bad day Fly fishing, some damn uncomfortable days but never a bad one! Everyone must believe in something and I believe in Fly Fishing and Fly Tying and believe I will.
A member of the order of the Odonata, Vice-President Project Healing Waters & Fly Fishing Canada https://projecthealingwaters.ca/