Safety: Emergency Survival Backpack
July-August 1994
This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
Whether it's an afternoon jaunt in the bay or a full-blown west coast tour, be prepared for emergencies before your next paddle trip by assembling the following items and storing them where possible in double zip-lock plastic bags within a strong, weather-resistant knapsack. Mark the backpack with a red cross or some other easily-identifiable first aid symbol. For ease of access, attach it securely in your cockpit or make it the last item you put in a hatch.
Survival Support |
First Aid Kit |
1 Water Bag |
2 Triangular Bandages |
50 Water Purification Tablets |
10 Adhesive Dressings 3/4" x 3" (Bandaids) |
1 VHF or Weather Radio |
3 Fingertip Dressings |
3 Regular Flares |
3 Knuckle Dressings |
2 Parachute Flares |
3 Butterfly Closures |
4 AA Batteries |
1 Water-Jel Burn Dressing (sterile) 2" x 6" |
1 Flashlight |
1 Abdominal Pad (sterile) 10" x 12" |
2 D Batteries |
2 Sanitary Napkins |
2 Rolls Toilet Paper |
1 Pressure Dressing (sterile) Large |
2 Sanitary Napkins |
2 Gauze Sponges (sterile) 4" x 4" |
1 Pocket Knife |
1 Eye Pad (sterile) |
1 Whistle |
1 Bottle Eye Stream (120 ml) |
1 Garbage Bag |
1 Package Cotton Tip Applicators (Q-tips) |
2 Light Sticks (12 hr) |
1 Tongue Depressor |
1 Box Wind/Waterproof Matches |
1 Telfa Pad (sterile) 3" x 4" |
1 Nylon Water Resistant Bag |
1 Roll Gauze 2" x 15' |
1 Emergency Foil Blanket |
1 Roll Hospital Tape 1" x 30' |
9 - 4 oz Packets Purified Drinking Water |
5 Alcohol Wipes |
12 Emergency Food Bars (3600 cal) |
1 Pair Surgical Scissors |
|
1 Pair Tweezers |
|
2 Folding Aluminum Splints |
|
1 Pair Latex Gloves |
|
10 Safety Pins |
|
1 First Aid Manual |
|
1 Pen |
|
1 Pad Paper |
Any marine store should carry the more specialized survival support items; consult the yellow pages under First Aid Equipment and Supplies for the first aid kit.












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