CHECKOUT 2 9 BINFORD TOOLS. PHOTO: VIRGINIA MARSHALL
WE’LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER A WORD FROM
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3 DIY DITCH KIT
Ditch kit, bailout bag or bug-out bag— whatever you call it, if you’re paddling in undeveloped areas, you should be prepared for that mother of all what-if scenarios: getting separated from your kayak. An effective ditch kit contains the survival essentials in a compact, easy-to- carry package that’s attached to you at all times. You can also store smaller items directly in or on your PFD. Just remember the Coast Guard axiom: “If you don’t have it on you, you won’t have it with you.”
Gerber Outrigger SE [1]
www.gerbergear.com • $49
All you need is a knife. Well, not quite, but the Outrigger’s folding three-inch blade has serrated and fine edges to tackle a wide range of jobs, and its assisted opening is a welcome feature for cold hands. Even better, its compact size and light weight make it simple to stash in the smallest bug-out bag or PFD pocket.
Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel
2.0 and Tinder-on-a-Rope [2]
www.lightmyfire.com • $14.99 and $4.99
Starting a fire can be critical to staying warm, purifying drinking water and
68 | ADVENTURE KAYAK
10 SURVIVAL TOOLS for the worst-case scenario
signaling for help. The indestructible FireSteel uses a magnesium and steel striker to produce a shower of sparks, even when wet. Combine it with a few shavings from the resin- rich fatwood Tinder-on-a-Rope for fast flames in any weather.
Icebreaker Oasis Base Layers [3]
www.icebreaker.com • $99.99 each
After a long swim, swapping soggy layers for dry duds could mean the difference between cozy comfort and hypothermia. Forget fleece, Icebreaker’s lightweight me- rino base layers pack small and wear warm.
Black Diamond Storm [4]
www.blackdiamondequipment.com • $49.95
The new Storm shines a brilliant 160 lumens for up to 70 hours, so you can navigate through the night when every hour counts. Strobe, dimming and red night vision modes add to this headlamp’s versatility. Plus, it’s fully waterproof for paddling after dark, or hiking out in a midnight deluge.
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/
Watertight .3 Medical Kit [5]
www.adventuremedicalkits.com • $9
When your primary first aid kit is lost somewhere in your front hatch, this handy little kit keeps the essentials— butterfly closures, adhesive bandag- es, gauze dressing, tape, antiseptic wipes and more—dry and in reach.
Survive Outdoors Longer Emergency
Bivvy / Escape Bivvy [6]
www.adventuremedicalkits.com • $17 / $50
Shit Outta Luck? We’re glad the mak- ers of SOL bivvies had a different interpretation. Both shelters feature a heat-reflective inner surface paired with a high-visibility orange exterior—the universal color for distress. The classic Emergency Bivvy stuffs smaller than a fist and weighs just 3.8 ounces. If comfort is high on your bug-out priorities, check out the beefier but breathable Escape.
Suunto MCB Compass [7]
www.suunto.com • $29
Keep a copy of your map or chart in your ditch kit, along with a reliable compass for navigation. Suunto’s MCB floats if dropped in the water and features a folding mirror for sighting and signaling, making it the perfect PFD companion.
DeLorme inReach SE [8]
www.delorme.com /
www.inreachcanada.com • $299.95 US / $319 CAD
Enhanced with a color screen for typ- ing and receiving texts, checking GPS
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