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Welcome to Club Kayak
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SUMMER 2004 - PADRE ISLAND TEXAS USA
You might think this summer’s editorial
is about flying F-16 fighters over hostile territory or maybe
even a B-2 high above the earth. Well, we’re not taking
the plunge at 20,000 feet, but we are trying to keep you from
experiencing 20,000 leagues under the sea. So, if you have a few
minutes, sit back, read on and you’ll even get to take a
peek at what’s in our bailout bag.
 Unfamiliar
with bailout bags? No doubt you’ve heard of safety kits
or survival bags. Those small waterproof sacks stuffed full of
all manner of safety and comfort equipment. Before you go "Whoa,
I don’t take those kind of trips." we all bring safety
gear paddling. Most states require a PFD (Personal Flotation Device-Life
Jacket) and noise-making device. Most prudent people will wear,
or at least carry both, with or without state law. Most also have
some sort of rope, a small first aid kit, a few matches and cell
phone.
With those basic supplies, putting together a bailout bag is
not difficult. Want to take a peek in my bailout bag?
Here's the gory details:
- Marine Medical Kit including Bandages, Medical tape, Aspirin,
Anti-seasickness pills, and other good stuff
- Small fishing kit with Hook, Line, Sinkers, Bobbers, Jig,
Dry flies and Plastic Worms
- Survival Kit in a [sardine] Can including Fire starter, Compass,
Bandages, Thread, Needle, Razor Blade, Candy, and Fish Line
and more
- Handheld Marine Radio with weather band
- Tie wraps
- Cylumne sticks
- Pen Flare Launcher - 3 flares
- Small flashlight - AA battery
- GPS - Global Positioning System - AA battery
- Small AM / FM / TV radio - AA battery
- Folding knife
- Duct tape
- Permanent marker
- Monocular
- Emergency strobe
- Emergency blanket
- Power Bars / Quick energy food
- Waterproof matches
- 20 feet braided rope
- Carabineers
Convenience Items:
Bailout bags are not only for survival purposes. You don’t
know how many times I’ve shared my sunscreen, insect repellant,
energy food bars and even toilet paper. Of course, the last item
I didn’t really share. Gave it away is more like it. So
add the following:
- Toilet Paper
- Insect repellant
- Sunscreen
- Small mesh bag - for collecting shells
Finishing Touches:
The top layer of my bag is loaded just before leaving land:
- Extra pair of eyeglasses
- Wallet / Money
- Car Keys
- Cell Phone
By now you're probably wondering if I look like Santa Claus
trying to carry all this gear. Actually my SealLine(TM) Baja 10
Dry Bag is quite small. It measures about 8x14 inches, holds 10
liters of stuff and fits neatly behind most recreational kayak
seats.
So, there you have it, a complete bailout bag. I'm sure some
of you have much better and tighter kits, but this one keeps me
feeling secure whether I'm paddling for 2 hours or 2 weeks. As
a bonus, your bailout bag works nicely for long car trips or part
of your hurricane preparedness kit.
Enjoy your day.
Ed Schessl
FloridaKayaker@gmail.com
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