you've lost your pack, now what?

[mtwarden]

this thread from a couple of months ago got me thinking- this one was what if your pack got soaked (ie dunked in a river) http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=683730

good discussion on insuring the items that need to stay dry do indeed stay dry

now what if in that river crossing you don't recover your pack (or you don't make it back to camp, etc, etc)- how are you prepared now

I've always had my knife and a match safe separate from pack, but nothing else, this exercise has forced me to change what/where items are carried on my person

I'm an oz/gram counter so I don't want too much repetitiveness in my gear, but I also want some insurance that if the chips are down (which would certainly include getting separated from your pack) I'm going to come out OK.

The knife remains on my person, but I've added some cordage to the sheath, secreted a small fire steel w/ it and added a whistle and photon light to the neck rig- the whistle and light were previously in my pack- the cordage and firesteel are new additions and add an additional 0.8 oz.

The matchsafe (K&M w/ compass, REI matches, firestraws) still remains on my person- in that same pocket I've added a small first aid/repair kit- the two add 1.6 oz to that pocket- these are items that would have previously been in my pack- no additional weight

in the other pocket I've added a small PSK - w/ AMK heatsheet, 1 qt water container, small signal mirror, 10 micropur water tabs, sparklite and 5 tinder tabs, some heavier gauge aluminum foil and ss wire on a bobbin- all in a 4.5 x 7" Alokosak- total 5.5 oz, most of these items (save the water tabs) are new additions (added weight), but 5 oz's of peace of mind

I'm confident that in the unlikely (but possible) event of being separated from my pack, I can build a shelter, start a fire, signal for help, tend to wounds, navigate (albeit rudimentarily) and treat/ carry water

looks like a lot of gear, but packs small w/ very little additional (a little under 6.0 oz) weight penalty

I'll utilize this on person setup whether I'm out for a day hike or a two week trip

 

[Plainsman]

This is why I keep my gear in "layers!" I have my personal EDC which is always on me and in my clothes. Then I have a "belt kit" and a shoulder bag that I typically rely upon. My pack is my last layer and probably the first to get lost or damaged. So the other layers need to give me the priorities. Even many of my firearms have backup kits in the stocks!

 

[hushnel]

Well done. Something we should all think about from time to time. My pocket first aid kit is pretty much single use tubes of superglue.

 

[Shoki]

You mean like this guy?
[youtube]AMlyqZszCyU[/youtube]

I usually fill the 2 zip-off side pockets of my Snugpak Rocket Pak with emergency supplies, extra food, clothes, etc. and take them off once I set up camp. They stay with me in the tent and come along if I leave camp for any reason. I'm planning on getting a PLCE yoke to clip them onto to make them a more viable emergency pack.

I also pull the built-in rain covers over the bag at the first hint of mist or even snow to keep my gear dry.

I do like to have a few essentials on my person at all times including, but not limited to; 2 knives, firesteel, emergency blanket, whistle, at least one trash bag, several feet of paracord, a bandana, and other location-dependent necessities. (I probably forgot a thing or two.)

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Wear cargo pants/BDUs.

"Survival kit" (area dependent) in one thigh pocket, basic first aid kit in the other.

I like to have at least one canteen on a belt, no matter what is with the pack, and a poncho in a SAW pouch with some paracord. My blades are on my infamous baldric rig.

So, at the end of the day, I'd be a little hungry, a little chilly, but I'd live.

 

[DWK2]

I always try to get my hiking buddies to carry a few basics in their pockets for just that sort of situation. I often wear BDU style pants with bellows pockets over the thighs for a little carrying capacity.

When we are doing wilderness raft trips, I try to get everyone to wear a survival belt pack that sits just below their PFD. Even on smooth water it's possible to get separated from your boat and regular gear. In fact, I know of a guy who drowned on a flat section of the MacMillan R. in the Yukon (sweeper got him).

DancesWithKnives

 

[mcjhrobinson]

i always keep redundant essentials when need be. and all my "dont get wet" gear is sealed up....if i know im going into bad weather ill use a trashbagliner....i always keep a pair of dry wool socks in there

 

[Rick Marchand]

I carry 4 levels of gear.

Emergency - pocket items and a neck pouch
Primary - Belt items... knife, firepouch
Secondary - Shoulder bag
Tertiary - Rucksack

Rick

 

[Bushman5]

i got a thread somewhere in here on a BELT KIT, , its my backup if my woods kit (pack/bag ectc) get lost)

 

[CSG]

As I almost never take off my pack when hiking my backup plans are not as complete as they could be. I always have at least a Mini-Grip clipped to my pocket but may have a Farmer inside a pocket instead. I ALWAYS have at least a folder on my person. I almost always have an Altoids kit or Ritter's PSK in a shirt or pants pocket too separate from my pack. In cold weather wearing a jacket, I always have one of those PSK in an inside pocket along with two 45 gallon garbage bags folded into a baggie.

I'm a day hiker who rarely ventures more than a few miles from my rig and as such usually have a waste pack with two 500 ml water bottles and a belt knife. The only time it's off is when I may sit down for awhile. Even then, I usually leave it on as it only weighs a few pounds including the water.

My goal is to always have a knife, a way of making shelter, fire, and collecting water on my person when going more than a few hundred yards from my rig.

 

[EmsRescueGuy]

Like others here I Layer my gear.

Layer 1 on in my pockets

Single blade folder, Multi tool or Sak, Lighter, Whistle, Hotspark, Led light,
Compass, Bandana, Leaf bag, Pocket first aid kit, AMK Pocket pack (modified), 1 quart ziplock. 6 water purification tabs.


on longer trips when I am carrying a large pack, I use my maxpedition waterbottle as a baldric rig with another layer of survival gear, this stays on even when the pack comes off.

 

[ROCK6]

Like others here I Layer my gear.

Layer 1 on in my pockets

Single blade folder, Multi tool or Sak, Lighter, Whistle, Hotspark, Led light,
Compass, Bandana, Leaf bag, Pocket first aid kit, AMK Pocket pack (modified), 1 quart ziplock. 6 water purification tabs.


on longer trips when I am carrying a large pack, I use my maxpedition waterbottle as a baldric rig with another layer of survival gear, this stays on even when the pack comes off.

Another "layered" guy, but I do understand the concern for too much redundancy and increased weight. I'm going to try a couple of the water bottle kits and shoulder sling with a larger pack. For day hikes, my small pack stays on, so it's less of a concern, but I done enough "drown-proofing" (yeah, stupid name) exercises to see the merits of ditching your pack in the event of falling in a river or deep body of water. I don't care if you have drain holes, unless your pack has an internal waterproof bag (or large garbage bag) to provide buoyancy, you butt is going to sink rapidly.

My last deployment, I traveled with a fanny-pack...well, EMDOM calls it a "Recon Waist Pack" and it worked quite well when worn in the front, side or back...under armor or a pack. It's big enough to put a flat space blanket and a few other small essentials and is another option. I also use cargo pocket pants, but you don’t want too much stuff in there as they will chafe you on long hikes. I keep it very simple; 550-cord, chap stick, cravat (bandana) and maybe a space blanket or small PSK…too much weight or too bulky and it sucks over long distance.

It's a good idea to exercise your "Line-One" of gear to make sure the very basics are covered...you won't get them all, but a few of the basic tools will keep you from serious injury due to weather or hypothermia.

ROCK6

 

[Toucan Oasis]

Pockets. Inova XO, Adventure medical ultralight, Gerber multi tool.Tablets, fire steel and cotton ballz in petroleum, in a film canister.My belt carries the phone, compass, machete and a camera.
My digital camera has helped me a few times just by taking a shot of trees, boulders, or a nearby mountain top. It's in a case in a ziplock.

 

[BA_Colt]

One of my hiking buddy had me sew pockets in her gaiters one to carry her altoid tin emergency kit one to hold a space blanket. I just ware cargo paints or shorts.

 

[mtwarden]

good stuff gents glad I'm not the only one who has thought about this- Bushman it was your thread that got me thinking about being separated from my pack

clearly cargo pocket pants/shorts are advantageous w/ this plan of action- my new hiking shorts/pants will have cargo pockets

 

[11x11x]

As a former Army Paratrooper, there have been times where I would be seperated from my gear, and for various reason's. I think the biggest issue for myself personally is the mental factor.

"Oh @#@# I want my gear" "I'm freezing my a$$ off, I wish I had my sleeping bag", etc, etc, etc.

I know I can physically make it through a tough time in the woods. But sometimes my head needs reassurance .

And in times like that, its funny how even the cheapest trinket/item becomes a prized possesion (if it proves useful).

So for myself, I made this simple kit the size of a wallet that I keep on me (in addition to any other gear I have on me).



Since then I changed the brunton to a Suunto clipper compass, and replaced the white 550 w/ 6' of blaze orange 550 cord.

 

[PropThePolecat]

Well it looks like im the only one who carry almost all my gear in my backpack, even my fixed blade is packed away in my packs sidepocket. I usually only carry a small slipjoint on my person, a lighter and map/compass/gps.

Lots of inspiration in this thread though, so im gonna start assembling a small kit soon.

Was on a canoeing trip with my stepson this summer, and at one point i actually managed to tip the canoe when entering it and dropping myself and my pack in the lake. I quickly managed to grab my pack and throw it on the shore. Lost my water-bladder, but not much got wet inside the pack and we laughed about it later, but if the weather had been cold or my pack had drifted away we could have been in alot of trouble. Following that day i started tying both our packs to the canoe when paddling. That experience also taught me to pack everything inside the pack in drybags when canoing/paddling.

 

[mtwarden]

^ I took a "dive" in a canoe on the Yellowstone River in December (duck hunting), temp around 5 above- that was not a fun experience and taught me what I thought was waterproof was not, what I thought would start a fire did not, what I thought was good clothing was not- lots of lessons learned on that one (the hard way)

miraculously a friend who was on a cold water dive team was able to recover my shotgun about a week later- the gun had to be bead blasted and re-finished (thoroughly covered w/ rust), the wood stock swelled and cracked (replaced it w/ plastic bits)- after some thorough cleaning/lubricating- it was good to go

 

[Toucan Oasis]

Well. Basically, when we raft, there are several groups, so tragedy is a remote chance.
HOWEVER, if everything is lost, there is enough to get by and have fun.
In La Amistad, which is a super remote park, shared with Panama, much care should be taken.
To be honest. Most of my " adventures" here are a three or four hour hike and sleep over and 1/2 a day out.
These are folks with a 8 day vacation that want " adventure'.
I rarely do a multi day thing, and when I do, my back tells me all about it.

Us guides do a few nutty trips now and then but I am the old fart of the group, 56.

 

[warrigal]

KMM Not trying to be smart but I didn't think anybody wasn't packing their gear in plastic bags anymore. Particularly if you have enough interest to be at a place like this forum.
This one of the driest continents on Earth ( only Antartica get less rainfall) and I ALWAYS pack my gear in side clear ( so I can see what is in them) plastic bags and a larger bin liner bag as a pack liner I did the wet sleeping bag as a kid on a Scout camp once. Chattering teeth most the night even around the built up fire convinced me the value of sealing in plastic. As a matter of interest my bag got wet because a water jerrycan leaked on my pack while packed in the trailer, so not rain or a dunking.
Carl