Having lived in Alaska for 5 years, (not that long to those that have lived there for their entire life) While living there I did SAR. One of the philosophies that the teams had was, "if it isn't on you, you don't have it." That meant that if it was in your pack you could loose it. My favorite and actually very real situation was that you would sit down take off your heavy, well equipped, pack and a bear would scare you away from your pack, or it would roll down into the river.

Since living in Alaska I carry almost everything I need to improvise or effect and extrication of myself from my surroundings. When I am at NOT at work I carry two pocket tools, 2 folding knives (one in my front pocket one in my back pocket) two flashlights and a pocket kit, along with two lighters.

Quiet often I get a joke or two from new friends or people who don’t' really know me. Until they need something from my "batman" belt.


During my time doing SAR when we would fly we always wore our vests that had our gear. Much for the exact same reasons that we are talking about here.


The thing with flying is that it has great pay off’s and great risks. Being as prepared as possible for such ditching doesn’t’ ensure that you will survive. I kind of equate flying to riding a motorcycle, great advantages, yet great risk. Well now I am going to put on my helmet and my leathers and get on the bike and go for a ride now.