Survival Kit
Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 19:26
ThreadID:
47405
Views:
3233
Replies:
10
FollowUps:
9
This Thread has been Archived
kimprado
On a recent post, a member was enquiring about the pros and cons of HF radios vs. Sat phones (presumedly for safety and contacting the outside World).
These things are a marvel of science, but no match for Murphy when he's in a bad mood. This doesn't only apply to the remote locations in the far North or West.
I learnt a lesson (not from 4WDriving) but white
water canoeing many years ago when we became stranded and spent a number of days getting out of our predicament.
In that case we were both suffering badly from exposure. "A lesson learnt is not easy forgot".
Today I travel with a relative small survival kit in the car.
Five heavy duty black plastic bags
Twine
Compass
Water proof matches and magnesium bar
Single woollen army blanket
Snare wire
Knife and pliers combination
Basic
First aid kit (including eye wash)
Light nylon cover.
This may sound lot, but its quite compact and contained within a small canvas pouch. It does'nt cost a great deal, but may make the difference one day.
Regards
Kim
Reply By: Member - bushfix - Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 19:30
Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 19:30
good on you Kim,
have you considered a small signal mirror? would slot in easily and may come in handy....
AnswerID:
250773
Follow Up By: Hairy - Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 11:57
Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 11:57
Small mirror?????
Have you seen the size of the stainless lid on his Latte machine?
He could burn the planes out of the sky, not just signal them! LOL
FollowupID:
512008
Reply By: Member - extfilm (NSW) - Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 19:42
Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 19:42
Good post Kim,
I just had a quick look at the articles and during a very quick search I could not find a related article or lists covering basic through to comprehensive items of
what to take for survival in the outback.....
As I said I did a very quick search and I am sure there is something on this site but I think a page with a list that highlights the minumum equipment to take.
Only for the person who does not have time to go through and read all the articles. Possibly with links to the relevent items to the full articles.
At the end of the day though we can not stop people going out without the minimum but at least we can have a bit of advice here for people to read.
Peter
AnswerID:
250778
Reply By: fujimiester - Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 19:54
Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 19:54
Kimprado,
How about one of the foil blankets instead or maybe two of them. Maybe you could go into business making them up and selling on the exploroz webpage. I would certainly consider buying something similar. Great idea!!!!
fm
AnswerID:
250782
Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 20:08
Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 20:08
fm
It's really up to every individual and their experience. What may work for one, may not work for the other.
What I forgot to mention was some of these survival items need a bit of practise.
keep the kit small and easily accessible.
Regards
Kim
FollowupID:
511930
Reply By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 19:58
Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 19:58
Kim good thought. I've got a similar set-up in my vehicle, but I've got one of those hypothermia blankets that are silver and fold up to the size of a penny dreadful. Also have
water purifying tablets. Here in
Perth they cost about $11 for a pack of 30 tabs.
Many of the Conservation groups eg CALM (DEC), did/do survival courses and I know other groups do likewise.
AnswerID:
250786
Follow Up By: obee - Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 20:14
Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 20:14
from experience of working on boats when I was a smoker, I found that the common cigarette lighter is more reliable than "waterproof matches. I always keep a couple in the boat and in the car.
Otherwise I thought a good basic kit. I think the plastic bags good for putting the clothes in while you cross a river or using as a raincoat or stopping the wind cutting into you. Making
water from vegetation or urine comes to mind. Perhaps there are other uses I just cant think of right now.
Owen
FollowupID:
511934
Reply By: madfisher - Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 20:50
Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 20:50
Wife always includes a whistle when bushwalking, to attract attention if lost, not quite as revelent when 4wheeling but you never know
Cheers Pete
AnswerID:
250810
Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 21:15
Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 21:15
Pete
Might attract some Kites in to show where the
water hole is.
LOL
Regards
Kim
FollowupID:
511947
Reply By: Member - Duncs - Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 21:13
Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007 at 21:13
As Kim mentions himself in a follow up these type of kits vary according to the experience and thought processes of the individual.
Years ago I did a leadership course and as part it we had to list the items we would take with us from a sinking boat.
One of the things I included was a hatch cover. When the points for each item were tallied up I was deemed not to have enough points to have survived. Oh
well.
When I read through the course facilitators notes it turns out that the "survival experts" were divided about the hatch cover. It seems they were pretty
well split 50/50 but the ones who did not want it talked the others into leaving it out.
My survival kit includes a hexamine stove, small billy and Cup-a-soup. As
well as providing a way to heat
water the hexamine stove provides fire lighters which have worked very
well on numerous occasions trying to light a fire in wet conditions.
Duncs
AnswerID:
250817
Reply By: Muzzgit [WA] - Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 01:07
Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 01:07
In thread 33701 I tried the same thing!
AnswerID:
250847
Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 08:22
Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 08:22
Kim
After seeing you mention a Survival Kit, I was hoping you would detail it.
I always include -
- a giant Garbage Bag to use as an emergency shelter
- a Silver Emergency Blanket for visibility by rescuers (you'd be amazed how often rescued people say "the plane flew right over us two days ago but didn't see us")
- bandage for venemous bites
- EPIRB
AnswerID:
250854
Reply By: Hairy - Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 12:07
Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 12:07
Gday Kim,
And dont forget to turn up the thermostat on the Latte machine......
Bellowing steam can be seen for
miles and is visible from both air an ground.
And what about beer?? A mans not a camel you know!
Out here in the harsh Australian desert pepole have been known to perish!
Cheers
AnswerID:
250879
Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 17:43
Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 17:43
Gidday Hairy
My my we're in fine form tonight! As I mentioned in a previous post, the latte machine is gone. It could'nt contain enough wine to settle my medical condition.
In it's placed I've purchased a four poster bed with inner spring mattress. Must admit though, I'm having a bit of trouble getting it into the swag along with the 60L wine cask.
LOL
Regards
Kim
FollowupID:
512068
Reply By: Johan H (NSW) - Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 13:13
Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 13:13
Hey Kim,
I made the HF/Satphone enquiry. Thanks for
the tip on the Codan radio. I made a decison to go HF with rental satphone. I have in the mean time been contacted by a Codan dealer who has a 2nd hand NRT unit at a good price. Installing in a few weeks time.
I was wondering about the survival kit you mentioned - thanks for the details - certainly makes a lot of sense.
Johan.
AnswerID:
250885
Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 18:39
Thursday, Jul 05, 2007 at 18:39
Johan
That's good news. Other members would probably be interested in the quoted price for a second hand NRT.
Regards
Kim
FollowupID:
512073
Follow Up By: Johan H (NSW) - Friday, Jul 06, 2007 at 12:10
Friday, Jul 06, 2007 at 12:10
Hey Kim,
It's a NGT AR Voice with Venturer pack plus 1 year warranty from the dealer. They're doing full training (6 hours) for myself and my wife. Price paid is $ 2,950 plus installation. Made some calls and was advised that it was a good deal. New kit is being quoted at $ 3,500+.
Rgds,
Johan.
FollowupID:
512199
Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Friday, Jul 06, 2007 at 13:18
Friday, Jul 06, 2007 at 13:18
>$2,950 plus installation.
>New kit is being quoted at $3,500+.
That's a lot of cash - must be some good margins in there I reckon.
Mike Harding
FollowupID:
512203
Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Friday, Jul 06, 2007 at 16:34
Friday, Jul 06, 2007 at 16:34
Johan
That appears to be a good deal. I was quoted $4000 including installation and training.
Regards
Kim
FollowupID:
512230