I always thought it was a bum idea also. Guess that is why I joined the AF instead of the Army, I tended to agree with their ideas a little more...

Acrobatic aircraft have the ability to jettison the door while in flight. Pull the D-ring, which will pull the pins out of the door hinges. Door departs the airplane, remove your seat belt and you jump out, hopefully with your parachute on.

NO ONE IS EVER TAUGHT TO JUMP OUT OF THE AIRPLANE JUST BEFORE THE STALL ON LANDING. EVER!!!

I'll not comment on the rest of this thread as there's a ton of ditching information on ETS, but the following information is potentially very critical and just now becoming more widely known:

IF YOU FLY COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR IN FLIGHT! (Other aircraft with gull wing doors may also be at risk. Always check your Pilot's Operating handbook to ensure that opening the door is safe to do.)

Just wanted to say that the Aviator Survival Pak is awesome!

However: Why did you cancel the 'Essential' survival pack?

Thanks. Had zero customer interest in the less expensive Essentials Pak. It seems that the market is broken into four segments. Those who don't think they need a survival kit, those who will pay up to $100, those who will pay up to about $400 and those for whom only the best will do and the money is not the major concern. The weight is also a factor, with many unwilling to carry 20-odd pounds regardless of cost. There wasn't a great deal of weight savings between the Essentials and the Ultimate, so that didn't become a factor.