A car kit for summer can fit in an inexpensive backpack and should include flares, lighter and matches, fleece blanket, space blanket, knife, cellphone, jumper cables, two large orange garbage bags, whistle, hand warmers, a small first aid kit, a candle stub for warmth and to lift your spirits, and a water bottle for each person. Include a can of nuts in case you need longer- term sustenance. In winter, add a collapsible snow shovel, toque/ gloves/boots, extra clothes and a sleeping bag – one for every two people. Some survival experts suggest adding a bear banger – a small explosive device on sale at outdoor stores for bear country. It looks a bit like a hollow pen, loaded with a small charge. If a bear drops in for a visit, you fire it into the air, and “BANG!”- the bear takes off. As well, think about a flashlight, folding saw, hiking stove and fuel, a first aid manual, tire chains, latex gloves and a mini-tent. But even a more modest kit will get most of us through the stressful hours until rescue arrives. For cycling and day canoe trips
all my survival gear fits into a small fanny pack: matches, lighter, headache pills, fire starter, whistle, knife, two large rolled plastic bags, stubby candle and water bottle. And if you discover too late
that you don’t have enough gear in a survival situation, it’s time to improvise. You’d be surprised what you’d find in a car or canoe, like that full-body PFD for warmth. A survival kit, even a little one, will
make you feel more confident in the woods. And if things go wrong, you’ll be calmer and better prepared to deal with the unexpected. ~ Allen Macartney is planning a
2,000-kilometre solo canoe trip in the Arctic. He’s been lost in the woods several times.
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
ottawaoutdoors 17
Glebe Trotters The perfect pair. Step in.
Blundstones and
860 Bank St. (613) 231-6331
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50