Survival

Mountain Search Pilot Clinic

In September 2008 I attended the Mountain Pilot Search Clinic in Helena, MT. A lot of good information was given for survival in case your airplane went down. The instructor, Skip, stated at the beginning that "Survival is an ethic, practiced everyday." The information given was extremely informative. Most (if not all) of the information given on this page is from handouts given at the clinic. I feel it's prudent to pass this kind of information along. Please goto Skips website at EmergencyResponseInternational.com for more information. He's the real expert.

The Minimum Survival and Aviation Survival links are for a more printable version of the lists. And click the photos for enlarged images.

Minimum Survival Kit

Shelter
Heavy-Duty Orange Plastic Bag	30' minimum 550 cord

Fire
Metal match or spark producing striker	Waterproof Matches
Cotton balls with Vaseline (waterproof container)

Signaling and Lighting
Signal mirror, glass	Whistle, plastic
Small LED light	Extra batteries

Medical
Duct Tape	Pain Reliever
Safety Pins	Antihistamine
Tweezers	Anti-bacterial ointment
Small bar soap	Anti-diarrhea tablets
Band-Aids	Personal Medications

Water
Purification tablets	Small folding water bag

Tools and Miscellaneous
Sturdy knife	Head Net
Multi-tool	Snare Wire
Compass	Fishhooks
Sewing needle

Aviation Survival Kit

Shelter

  (2)        Bag, Land Shark

  (1)        Tarp, 8' x 10', nylon

  (50')     Line, 550 (Paracord)

Fire

  (1)        Metal Match

  (1 bx) Matches, Stormproof (REI)

  (1)        Zip Loc Bag, cotton balls

  (1)        Tube, Vaseline

  (1)        Case, Match

  (2)        Candle, Lantern

Signaling and Lighting

  (1)        Signal mirror, glass

  (1)        Whistle, plastic

  (1)        Flashlight, small, LET (4AA)

  (6)        Battery, AA, lithium

  (4)        Flare, signal, Skyblazer

  (1)        Strobe, ACR Firefly 3

Water

  (1)        Water purifier, Pre-Mac, Model SWP

  (1)        Water bag, folding, 2-liter

  (1)        Cup, metal

Tools and Miscellaneous

  (1)        Knife, Swedish Mora

  (1)        Saw, folding, Gerber or Buck

  (1)        Multi-tool

  (1)        Compass, baseplate style

  (2)        Duct tape, small roll

  (1)        Soap, antibacterial, liquid, in Nalgene bottle

  (12)      Wet-Wipes, individual pack

  (3)        Sewing needle, assorted sizes, with heavy duty thread

  (1)        Zip Loc bags, assorted

  (1)        Survival Handbook (ERI publication)

  (1)        Case, Pelican, 1450

  (1)        Case, Pelican, 1050

  (2)        Case, Pelican, 1040