Survival Kit

You've lost your canoe in the river ... now what?

Your survival kit should be placed in a small drybag that can be clipped to the side of your personal flotation device when paddling or lining rapids that have the potential of "swallowing-up" or pinning your canoe. Be sure to "inflate" the drybag with as much air as possible so it can work with, not against, your personal flotation device.

It is extremely unlikely that wilderness paddlers would lose their canoe to the river. However, an unretrievable pinned boat or a hole large enough to "swallow-up" your canoe could spell disaster in remote places. In the event that this does happen a small survival kit could get you through the night(s) as you attempt to either free your canoe, make your way to safety, or prepare to signal passing planes.

Much has been written about the basic components of a survival kit. One thing that you need to be sure to include is a headnet! It is hard to imagine surviving days and nights exposed to the elements amdist swarms of black flies and mosquitoes without a headnet.