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Post by Peter Lewis on Dec 18, 2012 19:00:28 GMT 12
So, what do you carry in your light aircraft just in case you have to put down in the Tararuas?
For some years I have carried in my flight bag a small torch, some energy bars and an el-cheapo combination compass and whistle. I figure I need to be able to survive for one night if the noise up front stops suddenly.
Today I was ferreting around in my favorite camping gear store and found a Survival-in-a-Can kit that seemed to be durable and compact.
I have found a review here:
Given the obvious limitations as to size and weight, what do you carry just-in-case on your cross-country flights?
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Post by lesterpk on Dec 18, 2012 19:50:05 GMT 12
Dont have a plane myself but work in the aviation survival business. In addition to what you carry I'd add water sachets and one of the foil survival blankets/suits. If you dont already carry a first aid kit I'd add a basic one with a few bandages and pads as well. Priority for survival is first aid, shelter and water.
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Post by beagle on Dec 18, 2012 21:16:09 GMT 12
Scared of the dark plus all the noises in the bush so i would carry a tazer, NVG and a gun.
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Post by jonesy on Dec 18, 2012 21:23:19 GMT 12
Used to have a variety of knives, can openers, golf clubs, a 7kva generator, a machete and a digeridoo. Can't seem to get any of these on board now.... Oh! You mean for non-commercial flights well the same would apply......(sorry - in a silly mood!)
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Dec 18, 2012 21:23:41 GMT 12
I have an awesome survival knife that I'd carry on me at all times when flying (it contains the means to light fires, a built-in torch, a whistle and a few other survival things, as well as a large serrated blade that can cut through virtually anything, including tin-plate), but unfortunately Aviation Security would find it during the security check before boarding jet services and confiscate it from me. I could put it in my checked luggage, but then if the aeroplane crashes and I survive it, it may be a huge job to locate my luggage in order to retrieve the survival knife.
Oh well, such is life, eh?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 18, 2012 21:28:58 GMT 12
A very good thread topic here Peter, and I wholeheartedly agree with Les on the water and survival space blanket ideas.
I watch the programme I Shouldn't Be Alive quite often and it seems to me that no matter how well equipped some are when they set out in a plane it is the injuries sustained on landing that are tge crucial factor in whether you survive or not, and after that the access to water. You may be five metres from a stream but so injured you cannot make it there.
A lot of survival is preparedness and planning but a good proportion is bloody good luck too.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 18, 2012 21:31:56 GMT 12
A pack-saw is a very handy and compact item to carry. And also make sure you have a heliograph to signal the spotter plane, and that you know how to use it. It will give you a much greater chance of being spotted than waving your arms and shouting. It's a simple device and easy to slip in the survival kit.
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Post by TS on Dec 18, 2012 21:46:19 GMT 12
Give McGuiver a call he will sort it out Plus Bear Gint sorted
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Post by Bruce on Dec 18, 2012 22:24:28 GMT 12
Interesting thread Peter! I have actually been planning to make up a 2 person kit to go in my aircraft. I am tending towards fitting it all in a 1 liter paint tin (new, clean tins can be obtained from industrial paint suppliers) since that would be watertight but easily opened, and would make a good Billy can. The lid can be used as a helograph. Id attach a stout bit of cord around it and stow it under the seat so its easy to grab. The contents would include: Wind up LED Torch Strong knife or multi tool Flint lighter and / or waterproof matches (Probably Both) 2x Silver foil survival bags Pack of assorted plastic bags (for water collection) Several chunks of tyre inner tube rubber (makes a great firelighter) small roll of sturdy synthetic cord Compass Whistle Razor saw small roll of duct tape Tealight candle 2x Plastic Parkas Water Sachets and survival food are actually not easy to find, but I found this site which sells that sort of stuff: www.survive-it.co.nz/shop/Build+your+own+Kit.htmlI'd put a few water sachets and one multi-day food sachet. if space allowed I would also add some fishing line and hooks, Fluoro Hazard tape Water purification tablets glowstick This is in addition to the standard first aid kit in the plane. According to the SAR guy who took my last first Aid course, some form of light is essential. Now rescue helicopters have NVG equipment, it is easier to search at night as even a candle will show up for several km on the NVGs if its in a place where light sources wouldnt normally be found - such as dense bush.
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Post by lesterpk on Dec 19, 2012 2:33:13 GMT 12
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Post by phil on Dec 19, 2012 10:09:07 GMT 12
So, what do you carry in your light aircraft just in case you have to put down in the Tararuas? Having spent a lot of time tramping in the Tararuas, including finding aircraft crash sites, if you have to put down in the Tararuas I'd suggest a parachute! Unless you can make it to a decent sized river flat I'd have thought you'd be out of luck. However, assuming you either make it to your nearest friendly river flat, or a convenient ridgeline, you're requirements will likely be as follows: No1 Shelter. Forget food, for the same reason les mentioned above. You wont starve to death. You will however die of exposure if you are on a ridge above the bush line, even in summer it can be bloody cold up there as there is inevitably a fair bit of wind (never mind that wind didn't interfere with you miracle forced landing on the ridge line). Space blanket would be the absolute minimum, or a survival bag if you have room. A leatherman and a few metres of para cord should also be carried as these will make rigging a shelter much easier. No2, The means to attract rescue. Do this quick enough and you wont need water either. As noted above, on NVG even a little key ring torch will show up for miles. I'd suggest something a little better, like a 1xAA LED with a low mode and a high mode. I'd usually avoid strobe modes like the plague, but in this instance it might be useful. If you have room, a little headlamp is probably the most useful form for a light. Consider a miniflare kit or a Day/Night marker as well if you are comfortable carrying pyrotechnics in your aircraft kit. Also as mentioned a heliograph is small and flat and takes up very little room. No3. The means to make heat. This can of course also help with the means to attract attention. Waterproof matches and a striker with magnesium block are good, along with a small candle. No4, finally water, if you are in the Tararuas and have made your emergency landing on a river flat then all you need are something to collect the water and some puritabs. If you are on the ridge line you wont have access to water so the sachet variety will be your friend here. Food? Purely for morale purposes something to eat is a good idea, but if you get to the point where you genuinely need food, you've been lost for a few days, which is unlikely in the Tararuas (or just about anywhere in the North Island) especially if you have a working ELT and PLB. A few other pointers: Stay with the crash site. An aircraft stands out like dogs bollocks, so don't leave it. Also it is your best means of shelter, even if it is damaged. It also provides flammable things to help start that bush fire to attract help.
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Post by Bruce on Dec 19, 2012 11:15:53 GMT 12
Just a thought... Would there be any interest in a weekend "Basic Outdoor survival for Airmen" course? My main responsibility on the Sport Aircraft Association committee is training and education. If it is the sort of thing that pilots would find useful, I could investigate getting something like this going - perhaps with an RNZAF or SAR type expert.
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Post by 701driver on Dec 23, 2012 21:53:57 GMT 12
damn good idea Bruce, how about suggesting that to CAA! could be their chance to give something back to the light aviation sector, God knows they milk it enough.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 23, 2012 23:43:16 GMT 12
A great idea Bruce. It sounds like fun as well as educational. I used to enjoy the bushcraft and survival training in the RNZAF. Lots of good tips can be learned and shared.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 23, 2012 23:46:23 GMT 12
We S&S guys also used to train aircrews in crash survival techniques Bruce, both if downed on land or in the sea. So any queries, I am sure Beagle, Les, Sid, Junior or I might be able to answer them.
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Post by The Red Baron on Dec 24, 2012 8:02:00 GMT 12
Interesting topic.20 years ago a search party would have tramped into the bush to look for you. These days there going to be looking with choppers equipped with FLIR,night vision etc and you most likely have an EPIRB or similar.I would think its more about being found these days than actually having to survive for a long period of time.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Dec 24, 2012 8:57:47 GMT 12
Bruce, have you approached the local aero clubs? I know Auckland used to run weekend days of interest, perhaps a survival seminar would be of interest to some. Some institutions carry basic survival kits which can be issued when signing out for a cross country, which is a very good idea.
On the note of being found, one of the helicopter pilots at Life Flight once told me if you get lost in the bush and you can hear a helicopter, turn on your cellphone and hold it up. The light from a cellphone is sufficient for a night vision system to spot you from many kilometres away.
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Post by Dave.K on Dec 24, 2012 9:08:30 GMT 12
Another good thing is a mirror, as we often are alone and need to be able to check out the head, eyes etc, if one gets a bash.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 24, 2012 9:37:56 GMT 12
Yes. A heliograph is a mirror but better to signal with, so one of those would suffice.
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Post by htbrst on Dec 24, 2012 9:58:03 GMT 12
If your going for the wind-up torch variety, perhaps go for one with a Cellphone charging attachment - At least you'll make sure you can play Angry Birds while you wait. I'll add have a modern smartphone - Vodafone have an excellent model which for some reason they massively undersell which would be an excellent starting point (big screen, Android 4, gorilla glass, camera flash and reasonably fast): www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/mobileDetails.jsp?skuId=sku15500031 If you have a camera flash LED, a flashlight app to use enable the use of the camera flash as a torch is pretty useful - many of them also have a strobe option which will help the battery last longer and help you get noticed. Other useful apps that you could add are GPS loggers (synced to a server that others can access) and survival/first aid documentation. Smartphones are obviously not a replacement for a decent radio/epirb/torch etc but can be a handy backup and easier to access if your movement is restricted.
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