No one likes to think about the boat sinking, but if it ever happens, being prepared can make a difference in your chances for survival. Professional traveling crews almost always have a ditch bag within reach when making long crossings. I always put together my own ditch bag because there are certain things that I want to make sure I can access and use to stay alive for extended periods. I’m sure I won’t need to wait a week or more for a rescue, but if I do have to wait, I’m living by the motto: “Don’t just survive — start a colony!”
Here are some must-have items to consider including in your ditch bag, in addition to the obligatory life raft and provisions, in case of emergency:
- ACR high-visibility floating bag
- Water-activated strobe lights
- First aid kit and QuickClot kit
- Hydrogen peroxide
- VHF and hand-held GPS
- Universal solar charger with adaptors
- Hand-crank flashlight
- Waterproof flashlight
- Flare kit
- Cyalume sticks
- Compass
- Signal mirror and whistle
- Dye markers
- Buffs
- Sunglasses
- Sunblock
- Anti-nausea medications
- Waterproof tackle box
- Diamond jigs
- Gulp minnows
- Hooks, line, leader and sinkers
- Blunt-tipped knife
- Leatherman tool
- Super Glue
- Bungee cords
- Rubber bands
- Thermos
- Solar condensation water still
- Imodium
- Potassium pills
- Chamois
- Bug repellent
- Thermal blanket
- Hand pump
- Tarp (white or orange, not blue)
- Folding bucket
- Zip-top bags
- Small cutting board
- Crab trap line
- Cable ties
- Funnel
- Antibacterial soap
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Small swimming goggles
That might seem like a lot of stuff, but when it’s time to hit the water or the beach in some out-of-the-way spot, you’ll be glad you packed away a little extra gear.
