As for a ditch kit, I have my standard "GHB" (get home bag). When I'm off-roading, I move the bag from behind the driver's seat to behind the passenger seat, hanging off the seat by its shoulder straps and secured by two velcro straps so it can't easily go flying if I roll the Jeep.

I prefer a bag that is functional and organized, and use a Level III bag myself. In an emergency I don't want to loose seconds digging through a single, huge compartment for critical items, and I'm willing to give up comfort for rapid access.

I carry a lot of stuff. The intent is that whether I'm stuck 50 miles from civilization while off-roading or 50 miles from home at work, this bag, along with a good set of hiking shoes and the weather-appropriate clothing on my back, is enough to get me home. At 2MPH average gait for 8 hours/day that's at least 3-days walking. The only thing I think I'm missing (and do correct me if I'm wrong) is a firearm, but that isn't possible where I live.

The top outer-pocket of the bag is used for trauma first aid supplies:
  • Pair of nitrile gloves
  • Mylar emergency blanket
  • 50g Quick-Clot sponge
  • 5"x9" Trauma Pads, x2
  • Israeli bandage
  • Soft-T tourniquet*
  • Asherman Chest Seal*
  • CPR mask with valve/filter (key-ring case clipped to molle)
  • Tick-Key Tick Removal Tool (attached to CPR mask keyring)

The rest of my first-aid kit is in the lower outside pocket:
  • Tweezers
  • Magnifying Lens
  • #10 Disposable Scalpel, x2
  • Petzl e+Lite (clipped to molle)
  • 2oz hand sanitizing gel (clipped to zipper pull)
  • N95 face masks, x2 (flat-storing style)
  • Nitrile exam gloves, x2 pairs
  • 8"x16" Water-Jel Burn Dressings, x2
  • 25g Quick-Clot sponges, x2
  • 1"-wide Medical Tape
  • 4" x 36" SAM Splint
  • 3"-wide roll gauze
  • 3"-Wide Elastic Bandage
  • Chemical Cold Pack, x2
  • Chemical Hand Warmers, x4
  • Large safety pins, x4
  • Assorted self-adhesive bandage strips and patches
  • Small and Large Butterfly Closures, x8 each
  • 3" and 4" Gauze Dressings, x2
  • 3"x4" Non-Adhering Dressings, x2
  • Sterile Eye Dressings, x2
  • Wooden Tongue Depressors/Finger Splints, x2
  • Moleskin Sheet
  • Mini Roll of Duct Tape
  • Thermometer Strip
  • 4oz Sterile Saline Eye/Wound Wash
  • Alcohol wipes, x12
  • BZK wipes, x4
  • Providone-Iodine Wipes, x4
  • Providone-Iodine liquid packets, x2
  • Triple antibiotic ointment packets, x4
  • Sterile cotton swabs, x2
  • Lidocaine Wipes (after-bite), x4
  • Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen tablets
  • Pepcid Complete antacid tablets
  • Loperamide tablets (antidiarrheal)
  • Diphenhydramine tablets (antihistamine)
  • Pseudoephedrine tablets (decongestant)*
  • Cough/Sore-Throat Lozenges
  • Electrolyte Tablets
  • Honey Packets
  • Emergency medical info and contacts card

    (* Carry/use only with appropriate knowledge/training)

The middle pocket holds:
  • Rain Poncho/Tarp (extended-length)
  • Rain pants
  • Thinsulate deerskin gloves
  • Ball Cap
  • Buff
  • Orange Bandanna
  • Large AMK Heat Sheet emergency blanket
  • SPF30 Sunblock, sweat/water-resistant
  • 3M Ultrathon insect repellent lotion (33.4% DEET)
  • Prescription Eyeglasses
  • Non-prescription Sunglasses
  • Contact Lens Solution
  • Pre-Moistened Hand Wipes (Wet Ones Big Ones)
  • Backpacking-size toilet paper roll, x2
  • Folding hand shovel
  • 1-Liter Platypus soft bottle
  • Katadyn MP1 water purification tablets, x8
  • Brunton 15TDCL Compass (on lanyard)
  • Signal mirror (on above lanyard)
  • Signal whistle (on above lanyard)
  • Firesteel & striker (on above lanyard)
  • Tiny zip-bag of cotton-ball/vaseline tinder
  • Maps
  • Photocopy of passport ID page plus 2 passport photos
  • Duplicate drivers license, registration & insurance cards
  • Spare credit card
  • $200 in small denominations plus $2 in quarters
  • Clif Energy Bars, x3
  • Clif Energy Gel Shots, x3
  • Storm-proof matches & striker in waterproof case
  • iPhone cable and AC adapter
  • Ka-Bar Short knife, attached to outer molle
  • Fenix LD20 LED flashlight attached to outer molle
  • Counter-Assault Bear Spray, attached to outer molle
  • Goal Zero 4xAA-rechargeable emergency cell-phone charger
  • Sanyo Enelop AA rechargeable batteries, x4
  • Energizer AA Lithium Batteries, x8
  • EMT Shears (tucked in-to molle and on a coiled key-leash)

One thing the Level III bag is lacking is side pockets for water bottles. I solved this problem by attaching a couple of molle 1-Liter water bottle pouches to the sides. Each pouch holds a full 1L Nalgene bottle of water, one bottle is nested with a GSI stainless steel bottle cup.

The main compartment, from bottom to top, contains:
  • Clothing dry-bag containing:
      • Mid-weight base layer
      • Synthetic, long-sleeve hiking shirt
      • Synthetic, long cargo pants
      • Synthetic short pants
      • Synthetic T-shirt and underpants
      • Wool hiking socks and synthetic sock liners (x2 ea)
  • Bathing trunks (in zip-bag)
  • Sea-to-Summit shower bag
  • Toiletry kit
      • Liquid camp soap
      • Toothbrush & Toothpaste
      • Dental Floss
      • Travel-size deodorant
      • Disposable razor
      • Travel-size Moisturizing lotion
      • Comb
      • Contact Lens case & cleaning solution
      • Extra contact lenses
      • Listerine breath strips
      • 4-days supply of prescription medication
      • Ear plugs
      • Unlubricated condoms, x3
      • Mini sewing kit w/spare buttons, safety pins
      • Large backpacker towel (clipped to toiletry kit)
  • Mylar emergency sleeping bag
  • Sea-to-Summit +15-degree sleeping bag liner
  • Cooking pouch, including:
      • Trangia Stove
      • Windscreen/pot-holder
      • 8oz Everclear grain alcohol
      • Mini-Bic
      • Swedish Fire Steel
      • Tiny zip-bag of cotton-ball/Vaseline tinder
      • Titanium Spork
      • Sharpening Stone
      • Katadyn MP-1 water purification tablets, x12
      • 1-gallon zip bags, x2
  • Meal pouch including:
      • Granola bars, x4
      • 3600-calorie emergency "lifeboat" ration bar
      • Instant oatmeal packet, x4
      • Microwave rice packet, x2
      • Beef jerky, 8oz
      • Tuna salad snack pack, x2
      • Instant coffee & creamer packet, x4 ea
      • Tea bags, x4
      • Propel sports drink packets, x2
      • Chicken Boullion packets, x2
      • Splenda packets, x10
      • Pepcid Complete antacid tablets, x4
  • Trash Bags, 2x 30-gallon and 2x 13-gallon
  • 1-gallon zip-bags, x2
  • MSR Miniworks water purification filter
  • MSR 2-Liter water bag
  • Micro-fleece zip hoody
  • Aluminum tent stakes, x8, in zip-bag
  • Paracord, 50-ft, in above zip bag
  • 5'x9' lightweight poly tarp
  • 15" Sven Saw (slid inside along the right side)
  • Ka-Bar Cutlass Machete (slid inside along the left side)

On my person I have:
  • Cash (usually at least $200)
  • Wallet with ID, credit cards, medical info and emergency contacts
  • Analog wrist watch
  • Leatherman Surge in nylon sheath on belt, with:
      • Countycomm Maratac AAA flashlight tucked-in the elastic loop on one side of sheath
      • Small case w/storm matches, striker and ferro rod tucked-in the other side elastic loop
      • Bandaids (x4) and antibiotic ointment packet tucked in back sleeve with the screwdriver bits
      • Button compass attached to cover
  • Doug Ritter PSP+ with some added first aid items (in pocket)
  • McMurdo FastFind PLB (in pouch on belt)
  • iPhone
  • Mini-Bic lighter
  • Keyring with
      • Car key/remote
      • House key
      • Office key
      • Countycomm Maratac AAA flashlight
      • Victorinox Swiss Army Compact knife


Edited by Mark_M (07/29/11 08:49 AM)
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2010 Jeep JKU Rubicon | 35" KM2 & 4" Lift | Skids | Winch | Recovery Gear | More ...
'13 Wheeling: 8 Camping: 6 | "The trail was rated 5+ and our rigs were -1" -Evan@LIORClub