D
DieselTwitch
Well-known member
I wanted to post my plan and kit details to hear what you think about it and any changes I should make. This is also on top of CAIC L2 Course. and a L1 Refresher every year.
When I setup my pack and extras I think about it in three ways.
1. Avoidance. - I carry a snow gauge, GPS, Maps... I also make sure to check the app on my iPhone that pulls directly from the CAIC. The app is Called "Avalanche" Go figure.
2. Avalanche Survival & Rescue - This includes things like shovel, pole and beacon, and soon a Air Bag Backpack. Things I will need in the actually event of an Avalanche. Also the things I need to rescue others.
3. First Aid & Long term survival. This includes survival only food, spot transponder, med kit, fire starter, at least 2 Space blankets and one space blanket sleeping bag. signal mirror, a high power green laser pointer (500mW), flashlight, and a headlight and a hand held HAM radio (hacked to talk on 2way freqs) with two batteries. Plus a 12x of AAA and AA Lithiums for the beacon and transponder. 50' of 550 cord, Good knife, hand tree saw, most all my survival stuff fits into two nalgine bottles minus the electronics. Also I have a metal cup that fits over the bottom of the bottles so i can belt snow over a fire.
One good thing when setup your survival pack to think about is the 5 C's
Cutting
Combustion
Cover
Container
Cordage
Using these will help you get the things you need in your kit to survive.
The med kit is something I want to go into a little bit. I built my med kit to be small but very effective. It wont keep you alive long long term or allow you to fix much more than a gash. In my med kit i carry things like a broad spec anti biotic, 2 epi pens, benadryl, heavy pain killers, some anti-diarrheal meds, a suture kit, bandaids, larger gauze patches, and some mole skin among a few other things. I use this kit year around, hence the reason for the epi pens, benadryl and the antidiarrheal. On top of that I wear a Combat belt. this can be used as a harness, tourniquet, and much more.
The idea behind my med kit is simple. Reduce pain, fix bleeding, stop/slow a reaction and allow for rest. If for example I break my leg so badly that I can not self rescue or my other guys are going for help. I simply pop some of my un-named highly effective pain killers, hit the spot transponder, set up the laser on sos and go to sleep in side the the space blanket and rest till help arrives.
The laser is a highly effective means of locating a person. If i hear some one walking, or riding by. I start waving my laser in their direction. The chance of some on hearing me if they aren't looking for me is slim. with the laser my chance is far greater of getting noticed and that what rescue is all about. noticing the victim.
My food pack includes mostly cliff bars. They are awesome with stuff you need and they taste good. they do tend to be hard to eat if they are cold so I just rotate them inside my coat as I eat them. at 230 Cals each they can keep you alive for some time. They also have a Builders bar that has 270 cals but doesn't taste all that good. According to the US Army Survival Manual you need anywhere from 500-1000 Cals a day to survive. and the less active you are the less you need. I always carry at least 10. Some for eating during the day but mostly for survival. this should keep me alive for roughly 5 days. On top of that you must always have a way to make water.
I also enjoy carrying a way to cook in the back country. I enjoy going back country, stop for lunch and making some oatmeal and hot coco. Same thing with night rides!
A trick with 550 cord that many may not snow is that there are 7 small strands inside. this effectively gives you 8 ropes to use. the outer shell plus the 7 inside cords. they are good for about 50# each. total usable length of around 400'
I highly recommend that you not only learn avalanche avoidance survival but also general cold weather survival.
My kit may be overdone for some but i want to be as effective at survival as rescuing someone.
When I setup my pack and extras I think about it in three ways.
1. Avoidance. - I carry a snow gauge, GPS, Maps... I also make sure to check the app on my iPhone that pulls directly from the CAIC. The app is Called "Avalanche" Go figure.
2. Avalanche Survival & Rescue - This includes things like shovel, pole and beacon, and soon a Air Bag Backpack. Things I will need in the actually event of an Avalanche. Also the things I need to rescue others.
3. First Aid & Long term survival. This includes survival only food, spot transponder, med kit, fire starter, at least 2 Space blankets and one space blanket sleeping bag. signal mirror, a high power green laser pointer (500mW), flashlight, and a headlight and a hand held HAM radio (hacked to talk on 2way freqs) with two batteries. Plus a 12x of AAA and AA Lithiums for the beacon and transponder. 50' of 550 cord, Good knife, hand tree saw, most all my survival stuff fits into two nalgine bottles minus the electronics. Also I have a metal cup that fits over the bottom of the bottles so i can belt snow over a fire.
One good thing when setup your survival pack to think about is the 5 C's
Cutting
Combustion
Cover
Container
Cordage
Using these will help you get the things you need in your kit to survive.
The med kit is something I want to go into a little bit. I built my med kit to be small but very effective. It wont keep you alive long long term or allow you to fix much more than a gash. In my med kit i carry things like a broad spec anti biotic, 2 epi pens, benadryl, heavy pain killers, some anti-diarrheal meds, a suture kit, bandaids, larger gauze patches, and some mole skin among a few other things. I use this kit year around, hence the reason for the epi pens, benadryl and the antidiarrheal. On top of that I wear a Combat belt. this can be used as a harness, tourniquet, and much more.
The idea behind my med kit is simple. Reduce pain, fix bleeding, stop/slow a reaction and allow for rest. If for example I break my leg so badly that I can not self rescue or my other guys are going for help. I simply pop some of my un-named highly effective pain killers, hit the spot transponder, set up the laser on sos and go to sleep in side the the space blanket and rest till help arrives.
The laser is a highly effective means of locating a person. If i hear some one walking, or riding by. I start waving my laser in their direction. The chance of some on hearing me if they aren't looking for me is slim. with the laser my chance is far greater of getting noticed and that what rescue is all about. noticing the victim.
My food pack includes mostly cliff bars. They are awesome with stuff you need and they taste good. they do tend to be hard to eat if they are cold so I just rotate them inside my coat as I eat them. at 230 Cals each they can keep you alive for some time. They also have a Builders bar that has 270 cals but doesn't taste all that good. According to the US Army Survival Manual you need anywhere from 500-1000 Cals a day to survive. and the less active you are the less you need. I always carry at least 10. Some for eating during the day but mostly for survival. this should keep me alive for roughly 5 days. On top of that you must always have a way to make water.
I also enjoy carrying a way to cook in the back country. I enjoy going back country, stop for lunch and making some oatmeal and hot coco. Same thing with night rides!
A trick with 550 cord that many may not snow is that there are 7 small strands inside. this effectively gives you 8 ropes to use. the outer shell plus the 7 inside cords. they are good for about 50# each. total usable length of around 400'
I highly recommend that you not only learn avalanche avoidance survival but also general cold weather survival.
My kit may be overdone for some but i want to be as effective at survival as rescuing someone.
