Something to consider for safety and peace of mind

[Watermann]

SInce we've been boating into some areas that leave us miles from the nearest road, houses or cell service we decided to construct a "go bag". It can also be used on road trips as well to toss in for the journey.

I'm sure most of you can think if a bunch of things that you would want have if push comes to shove and you get stranded overnight wearing flip flops, shorts and a t shirt. We've stuffed our go bag with tons of lightweight stuff, everything from meals, shelter, bed rolls, first aid, warm outer wear, ponchos, fire starter and really important is water so we got a couple life straws that filter 1000 liters of water before needing replaced.

This is the bag we got, a once in a lifetime investment. Sea to Summit hydraulic dry bag.

 

[hayko1971]

Excellent idea, I really like that bag!

 

[laurentide]

Yup, depending on your usual circumstances that could be a literal lifesaver.

For those who rarely leave populated areas like myself, I'll add voluntary CG inspection by the auxiliary (or game warden in some states) and towing membership for boat and trailer as a couple of practical measures that will probably make your life easier at some point. Liability insurance is very inexpensive, too, and full coverage for our old tinnies is usually under $300/year.

 

[Watermann]

Looking out for my Starmada budds and sharing an idea that could save one of us down the lake someday. I don't consider myself a "prepper" but when out in some backcountry big water it pays forward to think ahead. I'll take the go bag even if I'm heading to populated waters. Yesterday I went on a cruise in a new to me section of the Columbia that is populated with lake houses and a State Hwy on each side with total cell coverage. An hour drive time to the launch. Total time on the water 6.5 hours of floating, cruising and slow rolling the river to the tune of around 70 miles.

 

[roscoe]

We have similar setup for our trips to Canada, though our bag is not nearly as nice. Perhaps I should look into upgrading.

??? Question, what size is that bag ? in liters, and physical dimensions please.
I would like to know if it will fit in the space I have available.

I carry much more than I would ever need, but you never know.

Multiple ways to start a fire, large distress flag, 8x12 plastic tarp, para cord, knife, sterno, bag of power bars and granola bars, massive first aid kit, cable cutter, life straws, reflector mirror, tin cups, mini led flashlights, etc etc.

We have had to ride out a few big storms in the wilderness, so the tarp and para cord have certainly been used a couple times.

Your bag should float, but depending on how much weight you have in it, it might not.
So strap one of your extra life jackets to the bag.


Also, I keep my fishing marker bouys laying in the splash well.
One of them is loose and will hopefully self deploy if the boat ever goes
down or capsizes, will hopefully mark the location where salvage can start.

 

[astor]

good ideas, I've been thinking about this as well, found a few links with other ideas.
Other things I don't currently have but will be putting on the boat are a backup bilge pump and a tool kit, and I usually keep spare belts and a fuel filter

http://d6.boatingmag.com/boatingsafety/node/1071

 

[Watermann]

Roscoe the bag I have is the 90L model but you can check out the website for Sea to Summit hydraulic bags from 35L up to 120L with all the dimensions. Since I don't pack water in it just about everything inside the bag is lighter than water and will float. It's easy to test at the dock to see if you have a sinker.

Good read on the CG site astor, thanks!

 

[dozerII]

Great idea Rob, you guys that are boating on big water have to be prepared.

 

[BWR1953]

Another safety prep to consider is the USCG Auxiliary "Suddenly in Command" course for the Admiral or others aboard.

 

[classiccat]

Great thread Agua!

I'd add a ship-to-shore radio with an 8' antenna to the list of must-have safety items.

It's not only useful for communicating with other vessels and/or distress calls but also for keeping tabs on weather conditions.

 

[laurentide]

...and if you use a cooler(s), a gallon or two of frozen water keeps things cold and dry and doubles as emergency potable water. The VHF is probably the most useful fishing tool on the boat, too.

(BTW, the new coolers are amazing...they keep stuff cold for literally days)

 

[Watermann]

...The VHF is probably the most useful fishing tool on the boat, too.

Not so much around here, first off there would have to be someone to talk to on it (not too many boats equipped with VHF) and a hand held VHF would be about useless unless you could see them as we have some very large granite mountains surrounding the water. For communications the best bet here although risky would be to scale a mountain and get some spotty cell coverage when in the back country.

I think I still would like to have the tool in my bag though.