Les Stroud On-Ice Survival Kit

Hi All,

Les Stroud has been writing a 1/2 page monthly column for Ontario Out-Of-Doors magazine called "Survival Tips". I tried to post a link to the magazine but the column is not available to read on-line. I encourage you to check out the magazine if you ever intend on hunting or fishing in Ontario, it is quite good and very supportive of Ontario's outdoor sports.
Basic link found here http://www.ontariooutofdoors.com/feb03/index.html

Les's first article was on preparing before going out on the ice. He talks about dressing in layers and filling your pockets (or a pouch) with survival gear.

The following is his basic pocket kit list:

- Robust torch-type butane lighter
- Strike-anywhere matches in waterproof case with striker
- Magnesium flint stick
- Small battery-operated flashlight
- Folding metal cup
- 1 or 2 large orange garbage bags
- 2 high energy Power Bars
- Multi-tool or Swiss Army Knife (with saw blade)
- Robust, sharp belt knife
- Whistle around neck
- Small Pocket Warmers
- 25 to 50 feet of parachute cord or 1/4" rope
- Compass

Les then references another article in the same magazine by Senior Editor, Gord Ellis.

Gord writes about Outdoor Enthusiasts (Woodsmen) having a healthy respect for extreme conditions. It is a good article on common sense thinking about outdoor challenges and activities. Gord's list adds: 1st Aid Kit, water, toilet tissue, flagging tape, electrical tape, space blanket, spare vehicle keys, GPS and cell phone.

I think this is an excellent combined list but I would add a couple of items:

- Ice Extraction Picks (when traveling on ice)
- Signal Mirror
- Map of area
- PLB/Sat. Phone in waterproof bag (expensive but good when you need them).
- Snare Wire
- Duct Tape (the strong stuff)
- Needles/Thread/Safety Pins
- Knife Sharpener (small)
- Water Purfication Tabs and something to carry water in
- Sunglasses
- Skin Protection (insect repellent and/or sun screen/Chapstick)
- Better shelter (Heetsheet, Bivy or light tarp)

Within Les's article he talks about keeping "things light and small, so you don't feel like you are becoming a gear geek".

I have seen on Suvivorman how Les lives for a week on almost nothing, I am afraid I proably lean a little more toward the heavy "Gear Geek" side of the scale. The more you know, the less you carry -- Mors Kochanski

Feel free to comment, it is Les's list, not mine.

Mike

"...Ice Extraction Picks (when traveling on ice)..."

I try to avoid anyplace colder than 70 degrees, but from what I have read about walking on (frozen) water, those would be right at the top of my list...

Spare keys! great idea

If I had ice extraction picks it would be very likely I wouldn't carry them in my hands while on the water. I'd either forget or not bother.

Ski poles work just as good and make good walking sticks. Just remember to unstrap them from your hands so you can choke up near the bottom to use them as picks.

Around here the ice isn't thin for long. When somebody I know is referring to 'thin ice' that usually means it's too thin to drive on.

Looks like a good list. Generally items that could be stuffed into pockets.

I'm surprised that he doesn't include some kind of tinder such as tinder-qwik or cotton balls impregnated with vaseline. Maybe he figures the magnesium will do the job? I'd be really leary of putting all my eggs in the magnesium basket. Magnesium shavings scatter if there's any wind.

It's also interesting that he includes a butane lighter for being out on ice. Butane generally won't turn into a gas below -0.5C (31F). I guess you could break the lighter and pour it into the metal cup and burn it there as a fire starter? Anyone understand the rationale behind this one?

I also wonder why Gord (the other writer, the one that Les references) recommends electrical tape. Why not just duct tape? I sort of think of duct tape as the gold standard.

I doubt your pockets get that cold.

Seriously, keep it near your body and it will work fine.

Ah, good point. Your body would hopefully keep things warm enough. Plus if you've got matches and a Spark-lite (or other sparking device) as a back up, you should be in good shape.

I've definitely had problems with piezo-electric ignition lighters in the cold at altitude (8,000+ feet). I suppose the altitude of the location with the ice would have bearing on the type of lighter one brings.

As it happens, you can get 9 Tinder-Quick in a G.I. matchcase. (yes I actually did this, Saddo or what...)But you need to thread them together like this:

http://www.outdoors-magazine.com/spip.php?article331

You could do the same thing with cotton wool/petroleum balls.

So they work better when strung together? Is that because you can double them over and then stuff them?

For tinder petroleum jelly on cotton balls works great, is inexpensive, and something you can make yourself

No,you string them together so that YOU CAN GET THEM BACK OUT OF THE CASE .

Your looking to get as much tinder in that case as possible. And yes you can double them over. Try it.

Instead of cotton balls, I've used gauze for this purpose. Works, and the gauze has other purposes. So, I carry a small tube of petorluem jelly and gauze pads, and if needed, it's there.

lol. OK, gotcha.