Ditch bag...

Ditch bagss...what do you guys keep in urs?  Obviously this is for the emergency of having to ditch ur yak....I always have my safety gear, but always want to learn and improve my safety/self rescue skills.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=27568.0

First aid kit, flares, multitool, waterproof lighter, ferro rod+striker, ziplock with a few Vaseline soaked cotton balls. On me is my sat messenger, airborne, and whistle. Throw rope somewhere within reach. Thinking of adding a bivi sack and space blanket.

Not trying to be funny but am curious what the Vaseline soaked cotton balls are for?

Haven't done this for a while but I used to carry a lightweight set of street clothes in case I needed to land someplace other than where I launched so I could either walk or cab it back to my vehicle

Not trying to be funny but am curious what the Vaseline soaked cotton balls are for?

fire starter

Not trying to be funny but am curious what the Vaseline soaked cotton balls are for?

fire starter

Yep, and works awesome. I carry this ditch bag in my truck and on my motorcycle.

Not trying to be funny but am curious what the Vaseline soaked cotton balls are for?

fire starter

Yep, and works awesome. I carry this ditch bag in my truck and on my motorcycle.

I'll have to try that one in my fireplace

 

  When you make your PJ soaked cotton balls, the cotton doesn't need to be completely saturated.  put a small glob of petroleum jelly in a sandwich bag and add a few cotton balls in the bas as well and mush them around till there covered. Repeat.  Remove and store in another bag or container.

Marshmallows would probably serve the same purpose

They have that tendency to burst into flames and become like little napalm balls

plus you could eat them after you get a fire started

 

  I'm not sure marshmallows will take a spark and ignite from that spark to start a fire with.  But afterwards, yeah yum!

   

Here is what is in my ditch bag.  I keep a few freezer zip locks to contain the stuff in:

Flares (but one in my PFD)
Compass (have on deck, but spare is nice)
GPS (Have on FF, but backup is nice)
Extra VHF
Gloves
Beanie
Napkins/Hand-towel
Spare Snacks
Horn (battery powered)
Mini Flashlight
Buff Headband
Lip Balm and Sunscreen
Money, $10-20 bucks
Spare Knife
Duct Tape