Wow, I hope you pack a spare change of underwear in your survival kit, because that's the first thing I would need after punching my snowmobile through the ice.

Sigg explicitly warns against boiling water in their stainless water bottles, but I'm not sure if this is because the direct heat would damage the finish/graphics on the bottle, or if it would compromise the integrity of the bottle itself. It might be worth experimenting with/clarifying with Sigg before you get out into the woods.

Hi Katie,



It is very freaky when it happens but both times I got out of the water very quickly. My employer provides mandatory Ice Safety training/equipment; full floater suits and long ice picks really help in getting out of the water.

Another time the rear of the snowmobile and I went through a beaver pond but the front of the machine stayed up on the thin, mushy ice. Every time we tried to pull on the front of the machine our boots would break through so we cut conifer limbs and built a platform around the 1/2 submerged snowmoblie. It was a very light Ski-doo Elan model and my magnesium snowshoes were tied to the rear handgrip. By squatting down at the rear of the hole and sticking my arms into the water up to my shoulders I was able to get a hold of my snowshoes and lift the rear up to the point where my partner at the front and I could roll the snowmobile sideways to shore. We broke the windshield and cracked the cowling but the snowmobile still ran and I drove it out to the truck. I was almost completely wet and my partner was wet to the waist so we called it a day and headed to town.

This was long before the days of being prepared, I now keep a full change of clothes (including underwear) in the work truck or my personal outdoor vehicle. Usually they end up being used for an unplanned stay at a motel in another town, but I and others have used them after a soaking in the bush.

Later,

Mike

SwampDonkey, the more I hear of your hands-on exploits, the more I think you should be instructing US -- instead of us pretending to advise you. :-)

Thanks for the vote of confidence dougwalkabout.

The reality is that I am just a lucky klutz that has had the opportunity to work in the bush for 25 years without injuring myself to badly.

What I used to learn by trial and error (the slow, expensive way) I now often learn from ETS and the members on this forum. I am much more prepared and aware now than I was just 3 years ago before I had a home computer and access to this wealth of information/expertise. For example, just today I ordered a Leatherman TTI, Heetsheet Bivvy, and RescueMe window punch/seatbelt cutter all based on recent recommendations from ETS and members of this forum.

I have a lot of wilderness experiences but have had very little exposure to the kind of events that most members on this site prepare for like; hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornados and civil unrest. The worst I can see happening in my area would be a limited chemical spill on the highway/railway, a long term power outage or a big winter storm.

While I research and tinker refining my wilderness kits, my stay-home kit and BOB are very lacking and I need to spend time and resources improving them. I have had a difficult time convincing the rest of my family of 5 that emergency preparedness is important.

I really appreciate this forum and learn from you folks daily; because everyones perspective and scope of knowledge is different we all benefit from this information resource.

Nice talking with you,

Mike

During "Hell Week" a SEAL instructor stood on a berm and looked out toward the sea....What am I looking for? he asked the students. When no one answered he replied....I'm looking for a war.

It is what they train for.......while no one (including them) LIKES war....like them.....we all want to have ourselves put to the test and come out victorious. (And wiser).....Sounds as if you got both....nice work. Like the 'seasoned' instructors at BUDS...you too have carried on the tradition....now you have helped to teach others what you learned.....thank you.

Good story, Mike!
I'm wondering what kind of GPS unit you're using? I had a lot of the "got off the trail" situations in my limited hiking experience, but even my simplistic yellow Garmin eTrex had the "track back" feature, which usually allows to resolve such a problem in no time (just half a dozen clicks of buttons). You're right, it doesn't matter how user-friendly (or fool proof) a modern mapping GPS features are, but the RTFM ("read that freaking manual" ) rule must be obeyed. Know your hardware!

Hmm. It may have to do with the coating they put on the inside of the bottle to prevent leaching. OK, the regular Sigg bottle is out as something to heat in although the .6L flask with steel cup is still an option.

If money is not a too big problem, try a KIFARU Marauder (about 40 liters)with a detachable E&E pocket (about 16 liters):
Marauder pack
E&E back pouch


(usual disclaimer : I'm not affiliated with KIFARU and have no economical interest in that company. On the opposite : I'm starting to spend too much money on their products... help !!! )

Hi Frenchy,

The E&E pack is about the size I am thinking of, but proabally a cheaper version than the top-of-the-line Kifaru one.

I saw one while surfing the net that had a single angled shoulder strap and roadhigh on the back (I think it was so it would not interfer the placement of a long-gun butt on the shoulder), unfortunately I did not bookmark the site and cannot find it again!

Thanks,

Mike