Looking at my post, I decided to relocate my waterproof IPhone pouch and a couple of ziplock bags (for my Vhf-FM radio) to my radio pouch. I'll get a handheld radio condom for my pouch when I go ashore next month.

Wildman - Which VHF FM radio do you carry? Just curious.
The Icom Marine radios are FM (16K0G3E).

BruceZed,

NICE setup. Very similar to what I carried for years. I have now gone to an inflateable PFD so I have changed to a small fanny pack (actually carried in the rear) while in the canoe.

A couple of suggestions to think about.
1) Replace the caribiners with Camp Nano biners which are actual climbing biners. Along with the rope they can help you down a bank to pick up some of the items from your canoe and help to bring it back up to the campsite.
2) Make sure the rope is best quality for use as above.
3) Consider adding a folding sierra cup (mine is Titanium from Evernew). Almost no weight added and after several tries I was able to pack it with other items in it and no appreciable increase in space used. Gives you something to heat water and cook in, etc.

Respectfully,

Jerry

Wildman & Russ

You guys might want to consider one of the new marine handhelds with DSC/GPS capability. They are compatable with the USCG's Rescue 21 system. A couple of years ago Sea Kayaker Magazine reviewed the two models that were then available with this capability. See http://seakayaker.us/a-review-of-two-dscgps-vhf-handhelds/

That review was from October 2010. Electronics changes fast, and there are now other models available with this capability.

I concur, a forest waterway is a very different environment from the ocean. Each will have its own priorities and critical items needed to give the best chance for survival.

We use ICom handheld VHF-FM Radio's. I rarely use a handheld but will definitely grab the Pilothouse radio if we ever have to abandon ship.

After AKSAR's post re DSC/GPS handhelds I checked online and found the Icom M92D. It's a tad bigger than my M72, but a tad I can't afford due to size constraints in my vest. Regardless, it looks like a good option if someone were looking for a new radio -- IPX7, floats and has DSC/GPS with all the tools that brings (digital compass, navigation functions and waypoint storage). Hmmm, I'd be able to remove the standalone GPS...

One thing to consider are some of the orion mini flares (some walmarts carry them) for starting a fire "right now".

Those little flares work very well!

I forgot to add that in one of my life jacket pockets is a signal mirror and a whistle.

I must be starting to show symptoms of CRS. Getting older ain't for sissies!!!