Do you need a "ditch bag"?

http://www.rapidmedia.com/kayaking/categories/skills/568-kayak-essentials-ditch-bag.html?utm_source=newsletter_449&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=rmi-sept-23&utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email

Interesting.  So much emphasis on fire starting.  That's great, but not getting stranded in the first place seems much more important.  Maybe it's a coastal British Columbia thing...

Thanks for sharing it.   

 

  That would be the first choice, to not get stranded, but as you know, some circumstances happen that are just not in one's control.

 In the few kayak in camps I've participated in ( A few BAM's and Del Valle F&C's) I recall I had only 1 means of making fire, it was one of those long neck'd bic lighters.  (Maybe 2 as there questionable at time)  Now I carry 3 means to make flame, a waterproof mini torch, Fero rod & striker, and magnesium bar.  My PFD has a knife already on it, but that knife is not useful for 'Processing firewood"  it's a double edge blade.  (Wouldn't be able to "Batton" or split wood for kindling with it)
  VHF is also clipped to PFD.

Yep, ferro rod and torch for me, along with some cotton balls soaked in Vaseline in a ziplock. These go in the first aid kit which goes everywhere with me including the car, kayak, and motorcycle. Need a good knife to split wood.

Interesting.  So much emphasis on fire starting.  That's great, but not getting stranded in the first place seems much more important.  Maybe it's a coastal British Columbia thing...

Thanks for sharing it.   

Not getting stranded is crucial, but shit happens and I always have a ditch bag for ww, and then just started using it for everything. Better to have and not need.......

Not a bad thing to carry when kayaking on remote sections of the Sea of Cortez.  When a chubasco comes up, get to the closest shore ASP.

For emergency fire starter I've put together some small pkgs of stormproof matches and commercial firestarter, a bit more bulky, and limited by the number of matches, but very effective. 

Flare gun for a fire under any circumstances. 

I carry one of these:

http://www.gofastandlight.com/Model-60-Flint-Steel-Starter/productinfo/SU-H60/

 

  Yep that'll get the job done just fine!

Ditch Bag?  I thought you were referring to some of my friends.

Honestly, I don't carry any of that shit.....I'm bad.