What emergency supplies do U carry (follow up to Bad day in mountains post)

[sweeperguy]

I don't carry as much as I did with my 144 straight tunnel sled (which I'm going back to) due to limited storage on XCR. I carry now what I consider Life Saving supplies in case of accidents/stranded. Most areas I ride on XCR shouldn't be stranded too long.

Trauma Bandage and Tourniquet.
First aid scissors
Waterproof matches in waterproof case.
Space blanket (survival blanket) actually 2 of them. 1 for person, other
to reflect heat from fire
Sterno can (Heat Cell)
4 charcoal briquettes
Wad of newspaper
Self adhering tape (bonds to itself even in wet conditions)
Duct tape
Toilet paper
Very heavy and warm face mask
Flexible chain saw type saw with handles on each end (pocket saw)
NOT in pic: Zippo lighter/ cell phone with one of those emergency charge units
FORGOT I do have Hot Hands/ Hot hands foot warmers lives in jacket pocket just found they expire 1 hands in 13 other 2 in 15 feet ones still good Didn't realize they expire but not surprised being air activate chemical reaction.


I carried more on my RMK. Carry in backpack when off trail riding.
Sled snobunge the longer one with hooks, the shorter one with a handle on one end is good too.
A long ratchet strap
Mini block and tackle outfitted with parachord
Sled tow strap setup
Extra socks/ base layer set/ gloves
Water/ Beef jerky/ granola bars/ chocolate bars
Basic Tools (see robgoggins reply) a Leatherman (Gerber suspension NXT)is in tool kit BUT going to move it to XCR carried supplies.



Knowledge on how to build snow cave. Best if you can have pine tree boughs as floor layer.

TIP: HOW TO START FIRE WITH NO MATCHES OR LIGHTER
for anyone who doesn't know this, one of first things my Dad taught me when I started riding without him (he actually taught me this at about age 8 but he reminded me when I got my snowmobile safety certificate at 11 and would go out on my own with friends)

Take some cloth, part of t-shirt or a sock.
Dip into gas tank.
Pull spark plug or attach extra spark plug to spark plug wire. (Pulling plug sled spins over faster when pulling recoil)
Spark from spark plug will ignite fuel soaked cloth.
Shouldn't have to say this have all your tinder/ kindling/ branches etc. Staged and ready to go.

Would love to learn something new from JDer's of something I've not thought of.
From Bad day in Mountains thread. I learned (never thought of) running sled till warm and hug tunnel to help keep warm.

If this thread helps someone out in future I feel karma will help keep me alive/ somewhat comfortable God forbid anything happens to me out in the bush.
May update/ edit if I see I forgot anything.

THANKS FOR ALL REPLIES IN ADVANCE

 

[robgoggins]

Dang, great list and great advice. I bailed on Boy Scouts too early so I'm not as good at this stuff as I would like to be. Frankly, I get a bit nervous when out on remote trails mid-week with little hope of seeing anyone (all day?!) if the stuff were to hit the fan. We have some limited supplies but not nearly as comprehensive as your list. I'm going to copy your list and beef up our supplies this late summer/early fall.

The only thing I might add is that we carry a Leatherman multi-purpose tool which has come in handy for various non-emergency purposes.

 

[Tomg]

As a ski patroller and outdoor emergency care technician I would say it's a pretty good list but would add 3 items to your 1st aid list:

A pocket mask, nu-mask, or barrier film - something to protect yourself it you have to perform CPR
Package of quick clot
SAM splint or malleable metal splint

Of all the items I carry in my patrol pack, mountain bike pack, and snowmobile pack have used the SAM splints the most. Very versatile for the type of trauma injuries we're likely to see.

My $0.02

 

[sweeperguy]

As a ski patroller and outdoor emergency care technician I would say it's a pretty good list but would add 3 items to your 1st aid list:

A pocket mask, nu-mask, or barrier film - something to protect yourself it you have to perform CPR
Package of quick clot
SAM splint or malleable metal splint

Of all the items I carry in my patrol pack, mountain bike pack, and snowmobile pack have used the SAM splints the most. Very versatile for the type of trauma injuries we're likely to see.

My $0.02

Never thought of quick clot. Will be added. As will protection for mouth to mouth/CPR situations.
When I'm back on a straight tunnel design, might be an addition. I didn't specify it (in my original post) but for splints my plan was sticks/branches, the self adhering tape and duct tape is for that purpose in mind.

 

[dfattack]

can you show us how you carry all of this? saddle bags, backpack, etc? pics would be helpful to see how this all packs up

 

[sweeperguy]

can you show us how you carry all of this? saddle bags, backpack, etc? pics would be helpful to see how this all packs up

It all fits in the tiny underseat bag for the Pro-XC suspension setup.
Sterno and charcoal and paper into ziplock then matches and self fuse tape into quart freezer bag with sterno can
Tourniquet and pocket saw on one side Trauma bandage and scissors and TP on other side Then blankets on bottom, bag on top with duct tape
face mask
closed and ready to ride
The other stuff on my RMK has a larger underseat bag and a tunnel bag.

And I still have the dash storage for gloves/ alternative weight balaclava.

 

[dfattack]

you must be a popular riding partner. Very organized and ready for many different scenarios. Good job!

 

[chords]

If your that deep in , compass and paper terrain map.

 

[sweeperguy]

If your that deep in , compass and paper terrain map.

My US Topo maps, and Avenza map apps on my phone have me covered there. And I have PIDD on my sled.
Avenza maps is listed as no cell reception needed, Download maps locate on map with GPS. On my last phone, I had a map for Avenza that showed me private and public land. Basically a plat map. So I could know if we are in legal off trail areas.
I've not been able to find it since I got this new phone. They have SO MANY maps available its mind boggling. My search terms on their site have been only so so for bringing up what I'm looking for.

 

[indy_500]

Ive probably ridden 25 days out west and 75 days in the UP backcountry since starting backcountry riding 5-6 years ago and to be honest i carry nothing but a spare belt, tow strap, and an average tool kit. I always tell myself this is the year I'll get prepared and get too busy wrenching on the sled instead.

 

[russholio]

I make my own firestarter using cardboard egg cartons. Fill each cell with sawdust or dryer lint, fill each cell with melted wax (old candles, old crayons, canning wax, etc). I prefer dryer lint as it's less messy and absorbs the wax better. Tear off a cell, put a lighter to it, and you have fire. They're pretty water resistant, too.

You can use the old D cell battery and fine steel wool trick, too.

 

[snoluver1]

That's a good list sweeperguy! Couple other things I carry:

LED headlamp ( nice to keep your hands free and still have light) also one of those battery-less shake flashlights for back up. If all else fails I also carry a couple glow sticks. Colored vinyl ribbon for marking trees/location, etc

Certain items I have multiples of, and carry in different spots. I have fire starting means on my body, on my sled, and in my backpack. If for some reason I get separated from sled, I still have a way to get a fire going. Also Leatherman on sled and smaller one on person. Big saw on sled, small rope style on person, etc, etc.

I almost spent the night in the mountains this year. We ended up getting out about 9:00 pm, but we were all getting nervous. The best thing I had on me was a military issue MRE. Full three course meal in a small enough pakage to be practical, and no fire needed to warm it up. Surprisingly good too!

 

[wirev]

The MRE's are a great addition. Take them when I go hunting.

 

[old abe]

I make my own firestarter using cardboard egg cartons. Fill each cell with sawdust or dryer lint, fill each cell with melted wax (old candles, old crayons, canning wax, etc). I prefer dryer lint as it's less messy and absorbs the wax better. Tear off a cell, put a lighter to it, and you have fire. They're pretty water resistant, too.

You can use the old D cell battery and fine steel wool trick, too.

Railroad/Emergency flairs, sealed in a food seal/pkg works really well. It's very compact also.

 

[snoluver1]

My US Topo maps, and Avenza map apps on my phone have me covered there. And I have PIDD on my sled.
Avenza maps is listed as no cell reception needed, Download maps locate on map with GPS. On my last phone, I had a map for Avenza that showed me private and public land. Basically a plat map. So I could know if we are in legal off trail areas.
I've not been able to find it since I got this new phone. They have SO MANY maps available its mind boggling. My search terms on their site have been only so so for bringing up what I'm looking for.

Sorry to highjack....but have you found any decent topo maps for Avenza of the UP? I've looked at a bunch but all the topo stuff I've found covers very small quadrants. Avenza limits you to 3 active maps, so it makes it hard to cover a large area your riding in. (I know the trail maps work well, just looking more for topo maps)

 

[sweeperguy]

Sorry to highjack....but have you found any decent topo maps for Avenza of the UP? I've looked at a bunch but all the topo stuff I've found covers very small quadrants. Avenza limits you to 3 active maps, so it makes it hard to cover a large area your riding in. (I know the trail maps work well, just looking more for topo maps)

No I haven't and Avenza can be challenging to search maps

That's why I also have US TOPO MAPS.
Check it out I like it.

 

[snomoman]

Very nice information to read and think about. one other thing that I have with me is a whistle
which is built-in with a compass also

The only other thing that I could suggest for everyone to keep warm would be an inflatable doll (Siamese twin version). this way if the rescue doesn’t go right at least
you got some companionship to keep you warm and help ease away the long hours of
waiting to be rescued LOL

 

[rayds]

quite a comprehensive list, and inclusive. On one of my trips mountain riding out west, a fellow opened his "bag" to get something, and he had a tampon in a ziploc bag. He said, don't laugh, it is part of his emergency kit-- suspend into gas tank and it will make a quick start fire in an emergency. I have not yet had to use the idea, but have included in my pack.