Boating ditch bag

**catfish10101** · 10-18-2009, 12:26 AM

I have been thinking about putting together a Ditch bag to keep in the boat. This will be the "one thing" to make sure to grab in case of my boat sinking or if abandonment is unavoidable for whatever reason. I have decided that I need to pack it differently for summer and winter. Where I live, summers can be as hot as 100 F and no cooler at night than 80 F. The winters can be as cold as the lower 30's and even upper 20's. Summers have the added challenge of misquitoes and other biting insects as well as snakes, gators, and other wildlife. Winters have less insect and wildlife concerns but more of a problem keeping warm. I would be in fresh to brackish water surrounded by marsh and swamp. Probably going to be wet when I reach land, preferably marsh area over swamp. I would not expect to be there more than 2 days so I want to make sure I can make it 4 days for 2 people. I'm not sure if the water (brackish) is too salty to drink or not. I want this ditch bag to fit in a 48 quart ice chest. What do you guys think should be in it. I know for sure the summer will have a couple gallons of water to start with.

**crashdive123** · 10-18-2009, 07:26 AM

Water, shelter, fire, food, a couple of signaling/communications methods, skeete stuff, sun screen. You may want to add some blankets in winter.

**canid** · 10-18-2009, 07:50 AM

my dry bag is a good sized poly bag [ozark trail]. it contains everything i wouldn't want getting soaked, like clothes, food [doubles as a hang-bag], etc and it floats, so it's not only the one thing i'd grab while ditching any vehicle, but it's the thing i'd be clinging to for dear life in rough water, and already contains most everything i'd want with me [everything not on my person].

**Rick** · 10-18-2009, 09:42 AM

A large dry bag is certainly a must unless that chest is waterproof. What they said plus a first aid kit. Hopefully, some type of firearm for the gators or skeeters, whichever is bigger.

**COWBOYSURVIVAL** · 10-18-2009, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by canid

my dry bag is a good sized poly bag [ozark trail]. it contains everything i wouldn't want getting soaked, like clothes, food [doubles as a hang-bag], etc and it floats, so it's not only the one thing i'd grab while ditching any vehicle, but it's the thing i'd be clinging to for dear life in rough water, and already contains most everything i'd want with me [everything not on my person].

I have the same bag and for the bucks it is very large and heavy duty!

**SARKY** · 10-18-2009, 12:46 PM

First I would go with a dry bag and not the cooler. Second put together modules (summer and winter) that can be changed out as the seasons change. These modules will contain only the things that differ from what you need in the summer as opposed to winter. I would rather have the dry/ditch bag be able to fit into an old ALICE pack. also make sure you leave plenty of air locked in the dry bag so not only does it float but you can use it as a flotation device. A brightly colored one wouldn't hurt either.
As to contents, the typical shelter, fire, signals, food, water/procurment, and first-aid. Your variables will be dry clothing appropiate to the season. Since I'm not familiar with exactly where you're located, I would think an ax/saw/hawk/big knife and 550 cord would be appropiate in order to build a platform in order to get you out of the swamp and stay dry.

**wildWoman** · 10-18-2009, 04:50 PM

...and also hiking boots so you can walk out if that's possible.

**Rick** · 10-18-2009, 08:02 PM

Here is an article you might want to read through. Doug is pretty shrewd on this kind of stuff.

http://www.equipped.org/abndonship.htm

Here are some bags specifically designed for ditching.

http://www.marisafe.com/Store/ViewCa...p?CID=10220000

Do a google search for "abandon ship ditch bag" and you'll get all kinds of hits.

**catfish10101** · 10-19-2009, 10:28 PM

Thanks guys. Looks like a floating dry bag is the way to go. I'll have to spend some time thinking about what to put in it, but I like the module idea. I think vaccum packing seperate modules with a list showing from inside of what is in them would ensure dryness in case I drop something digging through it.
Rick, thanks for the article, it really gets the wheels turning.