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.