Hey everyone. I've been to this site many times before but this is my first posting. As you can probably guess from my username, I am in the US Coast Guard. When I'm not out at sea, I like to camp and hike. Being in the Coast Guard, let's say that I have a natural inclination towards preparedness, readiness and emergencies. That being said, I have quite a loaded and long question that I would really appreciate some feedback on.

Below is the survival kit that I have been constructing (a very long process as I am sure most of you know) to take with me when I engage in outdoor activities on land. Question #1 - any suggestions on this kit?

-----Personal Survival Kit-------
stored in an Otterbox 1000
sealed with
10 ft 550 paracord
3 ft electrical tape

---Signaling---
Fox 40 Whistle
2x3 Rescue Flash signal mirror

---Fire Starters---
10 waterproofed strike anywhere matches
re-light birthday candle
spark lite
5 quicktab tinders

---First Aid---
2 tubes antibiotic
6 butterfly sutures
2 alcohol pads
2x2 gauze pad
2 1x3 adhesive bandages
1 2x3 adhesive bandage

---Emergency Devices---
razor blade
scalpel blade (#22)
hacksaw blade (18 tpi)
fishing kit
5 sinkers
1 extra large hook
5 small hooks
5 med hooks
5 snap swivels
50 ft 20 lb test fishing line
photon micro light
compass (20mm)
small vial with 25 Potable Aqua tablets


---Multi Purpose---
3 sq ft HD aluminum foil
P-38 can opener
26 in duct tape
6 ft steel wire (0.020)
"commando" wire saw
3 twist ties
1 large needle/awl
1 medium needle
15 ft HD nylon thread
2 Gerber bags
10 ft nylon line
safety pins
2 large
2 med
2 small

So now the heart of my post. I want to make a PSK for when I am at sea. What would one recommend to put into a PSK for shipboard use? Do you think that the emphasis should be on signalling/fishing/desalinating? Should I scrap things that would be of little use stuck adrift in the middle of the ocean (i.e. so many firestarters). What could I transfer from my "overland" kit into my "afloat" kit whenever I go to sea?

I'm basically looking for an EDC while on a ship that would save my hide should I get knocked/fall overboard or shipwrecked that would include a small PSK (that would fit in BDU pockets - leg or chest) and some additional tools (knives, multitools, etc) that would be especially prudent for a CoastGuardsman to have (to help himself and others)

Wow, that was really long, sorry if I tried to cover too much in one post. They give us a little survival at sea training and I have decent landbased survival knowledge, yet the quality of signalling and survival equipment that is provided in the pockets of PFDs or issued isn't up to my standards and I was wanting to supplement everything I know and am issued with some simple, redundant, Murphy proof key tools that I can easily have on hand. Thanks

The important thing is to have the kit with you even if it is not considered finished. (as if any are permanently finished)
Even if you don't have some of the stuff that you want in it, don't leave it home because it is unfinished. Any amount of gear is better than none.

Oh Oh, I was TAD on the Storis out of Kodiak, Did a southpat on a old wind class icebreaker and finished up on 36 and 44 MLBs. You know your getting old when everything you served on is on display or razor blades <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> What is currently stashed in the PFDs? I had the old 6 strap Kapoks and the first generation Mustang float coat. We had to provide our own knives. Myerchin wasn't around then. Unless your a bos'un and use a marlinespike their popularity is more for scrimshawing salty scenes on the white micarta. You might want to look at a Fallkniven F1 in the kydex sheath. I replaced my old german Kriegsmarine sailors knife with one when I am forced to go near the water today. We also carried the penflare unit,mirror and whistle. My firemaking kit was a Zippo with the Coast Guard emblem. Survival food was Hershey chocolate instead of the compressed cornflake packs and yellow,red,green and orange survival candy paks. This mormon kid ate about 9 of those things, drank from a survival water tin datestamped at least 5 years past expiration and sort of detonated in his seafarer bellbottoms. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />You might consider a thin set of longjohns under your uniform. I wore some long forgotten canadian brand of woolens. I was a rescue swimmer one day on a SAR that happened so fast I didn't have time to climb into my wet suit. Off the stern I went, grabbed a kid and got us to shore. Hes in my Mustang, some other survivors are collecting and that sexy zippo was DOA. I pulled my knife, shoelaces from deckshoes and found what had to be the only dry wood within a 100 mile radius of Tillamook Bay LBS. I actually bowdrilled a fire with a broken hand. Funny what you can do when motivated <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> To sum, A. stay warm as possible in the water B. SIGNALS,SIGNALS,SIGNALS- especially high visibility streamer tape. SEMPER PARATUS

Postscript: never, ever watch movies like JAWS, Posieden Adventure or Titanic. It sort of distracts you on duty for a few days <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Here is one thread to check out on PFD kits

http://tinyurl.com/f4lza

Bill

And two more

http://tinyurl.com/zqxea

http://tinyurl.com/fyx6e

The Wind Class no longer exists, and the Storis is the oldest vessel in the fleet, that really hints at your age (J/K). I love a good sea story, thanks for sharing.

You had to use the old Mark 1? I pity your soul. Float coats are nice but not as secure as a strapped down PFD. As far as current PFD equipment goes, things are across the board. Plastic whistles and chem sticks abound, a signal mirror or strobe if you are lucky. I'm a firm believer in Murphy's law, I don't want to trust my life to some lowest bidder government contracting piece of equipment. I've looked into SEE RESCUE streamers and I'll do a search on pen flares and a good mariner's knife. I want to put my survival in my hands, using my head and good equipment.

I am not a boatswain's mate, I'm actaully a cadet at the Academy. During the fall/winter/spring I train and take classes but I'll be going to sea during the summers. That's why my first PSK is more camping orientated (for the school year and my leave back home in WV) and why I wanted to get a jump on putting together some stuff for this summer afloat. I'll be South East Coast - Migrant Interdiction/Drug Ops. Semper P! Thanks for the tips.

Matt, the Storis was OLD when I was a S/A. My buddy was sent to chip paint in her bilge for some screwup and was so angry he struck the plating rather forcibly. When he got the hammer free a spout of seawater followed <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />. The old girl got a berth in drydock ASAP. It was a crime when the Spencer and Taney were decommisioned <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> For anyone else I'm talking cutters that saw sunrise at Pearl Harbour on Dec 7th and rammed, then repelled boarders from a german U boat. I suggested the famous cutters be berthed at our training facilities and recruits rotated aboard for a real taste of shiplife. Later Academy commandant Admiral Nelson said " Kavanaugh, we are barely keeping the commissioned cutters underway and you want us to do a Queen Mary?" I won't mention an even older cutter with a unique 3" cannon. The firing pin crystalised and the only other known examples were at a nearby maritime museum. The gunner's mates got permission to remove the pins, and after hammering secured two <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. Those were the lean days. New London is lovely. When you go up the Eagle's Rigging just don't look down <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have some Academy friends that are going to the Storis this summer and word is that she will be in drydock yet again. She's on her last legs (built in 42) and I believe that she is supposed to be decommed soon. The CG sure makes ships last!

This past summer, as part of the freshmen indoctrination program, I got to go aboard Eagle for a week in Europe (she was on a foreign PR tour). 140+ feet up is a scary but rewarding sight. This upcoming summer as a sophomore I have the opportunity to sail Eagle for 6 weeks, then I go down to Florida for another 6. Hence why I asked about a few key survival items. I was always prepared for the boonies back home in West Virginia, now I want to be prepared for the unforgiving ocean - before I get aboard a ship.

Inspired by Doug's avaition survival analysis, with his life raft comparisons and all, a buddy and I were playing with the idea of doing a directed study (availible to juniors/seniors at the Academy, so I still have a time to think about it) into marine survival gear. I've seen some shoddy stuff that's "USCG Approved" and we would look into the process that equipment must do to rate our approval. I imagine that we would also put stuff to the test in real life environments and see how it hold up, much like Doug's testing. It's just a thought now but we'll see where it goes.

Were you an Eagle sailor?

You can email me if you ever want to talk CG [Email]Deleted by C.G.I.---- R.H.I.P. at ETS <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I *STRONGLY* recommend you edit your post and remove your email. Either send that in PM, or parse it out and add spaces or something. There are many bots that surf the net constantly for fresh valid emails to spam.

thanks, I'm new to this posting stuff. But I tried to edit the post and it said the time to edit had expired, anymore suggestions? Good thing I didn't use the government email!

Hmm... I'm sure Chris or Doug could edit it for you. Those things stick around in cache and whatnot for ages otherwise. I would PM one of the admins to modify it for you.

Matt, I was in New London on TAD to help archive material on the old 36' MLBs, having been coxswain on the last of two serving ( USCG 36535) AND probably the only idiot to utilise the rarely mentioned auxiliary sail found on some:o. I found the mast in the Bo'sun's loft at Tillamook Bay and restored the thing, went out just to try it out in time for a SAR call on the BAR. You haven't lived until crossing a BAR under sail <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I met up with a lovely 2nd class yoeman named Bonnie who insisted we go aloft when invited to tour the EAGLE. In spite of severe acrophobia I did . I admit it, I kissed a Yoeman in the cutter Eagle 's for'mast:p