What should i put in my Grab Bag?

[Jurgen]

Am having a RNLI boat check in the next few weeks and am starting to put together a Grab Bag, thus far I have Flares but thats about it.
What do folks keep in theirs?

 

[ACE]

Probably a bit over the top but I've got 2 bags one at the front and one at the back not that I am expecting any catrastophy (but I'ts always better to be prepared)....

Epribs (Mcmurdo Fastfind MaxG EPIRB with GPS)
Waterproof Handheld radio
First Aid Kit
Survival Blanket
2x Torch
Blaster Oral Fog Horn
Gerber EZ-Out Rescue Safety Knife
Gerber River Shorty Knife
Gerber Diesel Multi Tool
2x Rescue Heaving Line
Jonbuoy Inflatable Horsehoe
Ecoblast rechargeable Foghorn
Ocean Safety Solas 1 Poster
Ocean Safety Solas 2 Card
hand bearing Compass
Flares in a separate bag

Finally photocopy of the boat papers with copies of passports all in a Aquapac Medium Case.

As I said probably WAY over the top......

 

[oceanfroggie]

Ours contains:

• PLB
• HH VHF (IPX7 + spare AA batteries)
• HH GPS (IPX7 same spare AA as above)
• Car Keys
• Credit Cards
• Mobile phone
• Mini Torch
• Sea sick pills

The rest of the stuff we need is in the life raft. We no longer carry flares, too dam dangerous now that safer & robust electronics are available. But that's just a personal choice that differs from RNLI advice about flares.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Bottle of drinking water and chocolate!

 

[photodog]

Bottle of drinking water and chocolate!

+1


You can't eat a multitool....

 

[Cymrogwyllt]

Mars bars stay together better when it gets warm. We moaned like hell when they changed the wrapper from paper to plastic. They did not taste the same without the seawater effect.

 

[CoVianna]

You forgot the Kendal Mint Cake!

 

[Cymrogwyllt]

You forgot the Kendal Mint Cake!

I still remember the sugar rush. I used to carry it as frequent snack stuff when walking the mountains. That stuff would kill me now.

 

[Solitaire]

Am having a RNLI boat check in the next few weeks and am starting to put together a Grab Bag, thus far I have Flares but thats about it.
What do folks keep in theirs?

Do you need reading glasses?
Are you asthmatic?
Allergic to anything?
Hand-bearing compass
Sun cream
mirror reflector
serrated knife (in sheath and with blunt end)
H/H VHF




Slightly off beam, but think about things you need on shore that you would miss if abandoning to life-raft.

Mind you, unless you are really off shore then a completely different set of rules apply. TPA's, water, etc etc - oh and an EPIRB!

 

[oceanfroggie]

Agree, the contents for a mobo involved in off shore cruising is quite different to that required in an ocean crossing sail boat. Offshore you are not likely to be in a raft for more than 1-6 hours. Oceanic could be a few days if remote so drinking water becomes important (all of course assume you had comms, EPIRB or PLB)

 

[Jurgen]

Great advice, had'nt cosidered EPIRB's & PLB but makes sence, was thinking about HH VHF with DSC to give location and provide coms. Dont plan on going any further than the channel islands and france at the moment so are EPIRB's a nice to have or a need to have?

 

[rubberduck]

HH vhf
HH plotter
Torch
Knives
Flares
EPIRB
Spare Batteries tested annually
Rest is in the Life raft I hope.