PFD based Kits

W

Wapiti

Joined
Sep 25, 1999
Messages
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As we get back into fairer weather here in the Northwest, more folks are thinking about getting back out on the water. I know I am.
I have been thinking about what I carry in/on my PFD, and it is not a whole lot, considering if I go over there is a chance my PFD and what is in it will be all I have. I was curious what other folks carry, and what changes/improvements I could make, within reason. I don’t want so much stuff I can’t move while paddling.

Here is what I currently carry.
SS Spydrco Clipit on lanyard (I would like to upgrade this to something lighter, and possibly with a fixed blade, so am eager to hear what you all recommend or prefer)
Whistle on lanyard
Signal Mirror on lanyard
Chemical light stick
Micro LED light
Lighter and H2O-proof matches in sealed vial
Cotton balls and PJ in sealed vial
Cliff Bar

Not a whole lot, like I said, but I don’t what to have too much in my vest. I do carry a complete kit in my canoe in a dry bag.
I only have one large pocket on the left of my vest, one lash tab and a D-ring on the right, so my space is somewhat limited. I am considering adding a pocket (somehow) to the right side, or replacing the vest with one that has two pockets, at least.

I have considered adding a small fanny pack with additional supplies (my basic mini survival “tin”-actually a plastic container-I carry everywhere), but it just seems like it would get in the way while paddling. I haven’t tried I yet, though, and probably should before I condemn it.

Anyway, what do you think about this topic?
What do you consider the necessities, etc.?
What do you find works and doesn’t?


Here are some other interesting kits and discussions, if you have not seen them.

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/resources/in_media/articles/in-vest.php

http://www.gulfcoastboatingcenter.com/stay_alive_life_jacket_vest.html
(This one seems like a great setup, but more for marine situations, or where you are not moving around a great deal-seems bulky to me.)

http://www.floattech.com/pdfs/SailMagazineProductReview11-04.pdf

Thanks,
Brome
 
FAK items?

Many of my outdoor activities are by way of paddling, so I can relate. I think you have some solid basics, but I would definitely add some first aid items to that kit. If you go over in anything less than summer water temps, being cold and wet will mean getting a fire going fast, and while you have fire-making kit there, hurrying and cold extremities can lead to accidents, and knife nicks and such.
 
I have two Stormy Seas EXP100 Expedition life vests, which I bought for use with my Packrafts (mine are navy, not brown!).

exp100.jpg


Whilst primary reasons for buying this specific vest were the 'Short' length to better clear my spraydeck, light weight, low bulk and CO2 or manual inflation, the array of good sized pockets (including a large one on the back) and D rings were the icing on the cake!

My 'worst case scenario' is to only be able to rely on what I'm wearing, no Packraft, no dry-pack, nothing else. That means having it on me, in those pockets.
 
A little off topic but do you know of any good places around here to get started into paddling? Been thinking about it for a while just haven't really put too much effort into researching it.

On topic I can tell you what my buddy found to be awesome in Moab. He had to treat a girl who was immersed in a river and even though it was middle of summer she was hypothermic. What he did was use a mini MSR pack towel to dry her off. You just use, ring out, and repeat until the person's dry. Then he wrapped her in an AMC heatsheet and he said the combo really did the trick. This combo packs pretty small and it will give you an edge until you can make a fire.

Edit: Another thing you might want to think about is a garbage bag or two. You can use it as a rain poncho or cut it open and use it to water proof a shelter. You could also stuff them with leaves to give yourself an insulated mattress. Really one of those no brainer survival items IMO. Cheap, small, lightweight, and has a thousand uses.
 
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A buddy of mine went over this weekend in a pond that just lost its ice. He described it as like 'being on fire'. If he wasn't with a couple of other dry people in another boat who lit a fire, he's not sure he could have done it. I couldn't imagine trying to light a match while uncontrollably shivering. Maybe some type of flare would be the ticket?...and also multi-use.
 
I use a POS Smith and Wesson Karambit on mine and it works AWESOME. The Karambit's a damn good knife design for water carry, as if you drop it it won't pop your 7,000 dollar Aire raft while going down a class 4 rapid on the Owyhee River, but still has a useable point and the hawkbill blade design does a super job of cutting lines, cables, chords, rope, nylon strapping... etc. This is your biggest concern for a water knife, as if you get tangled on a line underwater you're completely screwed. And being cold isn't an issue if you're well prepared, I ran rivers late october/early november last season in a Kokatat GMER with a wool baselayer on and felt perfectly fine in the 50 degree water-that is after swimming Wild Sheep in Hell's Canyon at 22,000... Other than a good knife and my Eric Nording smoking pipe, the only thing I had stuffed in my PFD was a 16 oz can of beer and a Canon A630 camera.
 
I've got pockets on my PFD, but the only thing in them is a lanyarded Storm whistle. That's actually pretty useless, since I go out on weekdays, and almost never see other people.
Sometimes I'll put the Pelican 1010 case with my camera in the other pocket.
Mine is this:
http://www.stohlquist.com/dyn_prod.php?p=STO5205&k=29467
I really like the Fastex buckles, and high back for clearing the seat. The pockets also have velcro for double security.

The places I go are all warm water so far, and when I do head to cooler water I'll be dressed for submersion(which everyone always should be).
My only real fear is a foot entrapment, and nothing I can put in a PFD is going to help that. A first aid kit with something to wrap a wound with would make sense, though. Could get cut up on rocks, and not be able to keep hold of the boat. Maybe I'll put something together for it.

Could probably use a snakebite kit more than anything for one of the places I'm going back to soon. Last summer I had to get out and walk around and over stuff not ten feet past where I'd stopped to look at a little water moccasin that swam around the back of the boat. Nice.

Not sure about the fanny pack idea. In back you're sitting on it. In front whatever's in it is getting dug into your groin by the PFD. Maybe wear it on a hip if your seat allows for it-don't know if that's doable in a SINK.
 
Check out Eddie Bauer's new canoe anorak, it's got a huge sealed pocket for easy access and storage while on the water. Should give you close to 1,000 cubic inches of space for a good sized survival kit if you're really concerned. I float a Liquid Logic Hoss creek boat and have decent storage space both front and back, so I just use that for storing emergency gear just in case I get seperated from my 20 boat long raft convoy. Having a SPOT GPS locator beacon in my pocket would give me a heck of a lot of peace of mind, and pen flares would be handy too.
 
PayetteRucker said:
Check out Eddie Bauer's new canoe anorak, it's got a huge sealed pocket for easy access and storage while on the water. Should give you close to 1,000 cubic inches of space for a good sized survival kit if you're really concerned. I float a Liquid Logic Hoss creek boat and have decent storage space both front and back, so I just use that for storing emergency gear just in case I get seperated from my 20 boat long raft convoy. Having a SPOT GPS locator beacon in my pocket would give me a heck of a lot of peace of mind, and pen flares would be handy too.
Click to expand...

Wow, nearly $300 for a cotton jacket!
 
I have a 14 ft. solo canoe that I paddle always while on my knees. I've been carrying a medium sized fanny pack. I keep it loose, and it rested on the seat behind me (when I had a seat.) I've since installed a minicell saddle, and now the pack rests on that. It does not affect my paddling, and I totally forget that it's there. If I'm separated from my boat, I'm confident that I can remain comfortable for at least a few days. Incidentally, as someone suggested above, I do carry a road flare so I can get a fire going even if I'm shivering uncontrollably. It's a regular road flare that I sawed off to fit in a little plastic box.

Obviously, most people aren't going to be paddling while only on their knees, so they would be somewhat aware of a fanny pack (at least while seated.) A small belt pack or very small fanny pack could go unnoticed and would add at least a few more items that might help should you need them.

I can't remember who, but one of the PFD manufacturers had a clip-on pack that fit their PFDs. I don't think they are currently available, though. I'm currently in the market for a new PFD. Once the decision is made, I will design, and my wife will sew, something similar for me.
 
Thanks to everyone for their ideas.

ScottFree, I would really like to see that clip on pack if you run across it again. I have been working on a design that would attach to the front of my vest with clips at right waist and shoulder and left waist and a diagonal zipper or clipped flap, but would like to see other designs.
Also thanks for your thoughts on the fanny pack use; I might try it now.

Shotgun, I like your story. I have also found that those pack towels make great fire starters in a pinch, and they take up almost no space for what they can do, good reminder.

Anyone have any experience with the Benchmade BM100SH2O River & Rescue Fixed Blade, Yellow Handle and H1 Blade? It is kind of pricey, and may be overkill, but I have eyed it for years. Love to hear any input.
There is wisdom to buying cheap so no pain when it gets lost, but I tend to want to buy quality and only cry once, and all that…
And I feel I want a fixed blade, not sure why.

Thanks,
Brome
 
I don't own a canoe or PFD of my own but hire one when I go to paddle in Sweden which is only a couple of hours flight away from the UK. So I carry all my kit in a fanny pack, cos the hire PFD's are really basic and don't have any pockets. It's quite a large one made by a company called snugpak it's called a response pack.

In it I carry:-

Gerber Gator II
Small bearing compass
50' of 550 paracord
Heavy duty trash bag
Silver survival blanket
Block of Kendal mint cake (hi energy)
Boiled sweets
Matches in waterproof container
Petrol lighter and extra fuel
Wetfire tinder (excellent stuff always lights)
Ferro rod
cylum light stick
ACME tornado whistle.
Small cuts kit
Buff

I wear it around the back while I'm paddling. I sit on the seat and to be honest forget that the pack is there. It's quite comfortable. The PFD's are short so don't foul on the fanny pack.
 
PayetteRucker said:
it won't pop your 7,000 dollar Aire raft while going down a class 4 rapid on the Owyhee River,.....

I ran rivers late october/early november last season in a Kokatat GMER with a wool baselayer on and felt perfectly fine in the 50 degree water-that is after swimming Wild Sheep in Hell's Canyon at 22,000...

the only thing I had stuffed in my PFD was a 16 oz can of beer and a Canon A630 camera.
Click to expand...

PayetteRucker said:
I float a Liquid Logic Hoss creek boat and have decent storage space both front and back, ........

from my 20 boat long raft convoy.
Click to expand...

Just toooooooo awesome as always...pics or it didn't happen!
 
I'm trying out the C.R.K.T. M.U.K., right now it looks like it is going to be a great PFD/ canoe trip knife!
 
Apparently Kokatat makes a hydration pack for the back of their PFDs. If you remove the bladder, you have small backpack. They also make a mesh bag type of pack. In either case, I assume you need a Kakatat PFD for them to fit.
 
You'd be pretty stupid not to just buy one in the first place, if you spend any ammount of time on the water in early spring or late fall they're worth the thousand bucks. Super durable and they fit like a glove, when I first got in it I thought to myself... oh no, I'd rather get hypothermic on the river than wear this bulky assed michelan man suit down class IV rapids... after I burped all the air out my range of motion was pretty much 100%. They breathe really well too, didn't get overly sweaty or nasty inside after spending days in a time in it.
woops, that's PFD, I was thinkin dry suit, lol...
 
for a on person "kit" you've got most of the basics covered- if you have room a light wool cap and light wool gloves could come in handy- I carry a BUF in addition

I found out the hard way that my fire starting kit wasn't up to snuff when we dumped a canoe in mid December on the Bighorn River (duck hunting)- I also found out that a dry bag w/ dry clothes would have been most welcome- was scary, but some valuable lessons learned

as far as knives go- I've been eyeballing this one:

http://www.agrussell.com/dozier-canoe-knife-with-horizontal-sheath-or-neck-sheath/p/DK-K20BRN/
 
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