Consider having an Emergency Grab Bag just in case your vehicle catches on fire or there is some other emergency that leaves you stranded.
Think about how you are going to retrieve the bag in an emergency. Read through the following scenarios and decide what you would do.
If you have two people in the 4wd and it catches fire, one person tackles the fire (possibly under the vehicle) and the other grabs the emergency supplies including a water container. If travelling by yourself, have your Grab Bag near the fire extinguisher and set it clear of the car without damaging your emergency communication equipment. You can move it later if the fire gets out of control. You will normally have a little bit of time to collect supplies once the fire extinguisher is empty so concentrate on the fire first.
In the case of a river crossing, if the river is flowing quickly then the situation can change quickly. You will still have a few minutes before the 4wd sinks providing it is not already full of water. Depending on your swimming skills, consider taking the bag with you. If it is well sealed it could act as a buoy. If it becomes an obstacle to getting safely to the bank, don’t be afraid to let it go. It is of no use to you if you have drowned and you will possibly be able to retrieve it in the backwaters of the first bend in the river anyway.
The bag should be fireproof and be contained inside a waterproof bag. It will need to contain food for 2 or 3 days along with emergency communication equipment, shelter and a means of collecting water. A good book to pass the time would also help. Perhaps the SAS Survival Guide or Les Hiddins’ Bush Tucker Field Guide may have a new interest to you.
Water will be your biggest concern so try to grab a large supply (20 + litre). If you have to ration water, don’t drink less than one litre per day and preferably three litres or more. Collect what water you can every day.
Communication Equipment – Ideally you should carry a sat phone in the bag but this may not be practical if you keep it turned on. A PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) may be a good choice for a Grab Bag but also take it with you if you go for a walk.
Basic Items:
- High protein food
- Water purification system
- Means to carry water
- Sheet of clear plastic to collect water
- Sat phone or PLB
- Mirror (to attract attention)
- 2m tarp (for shelter)
- Small roll white cloth tape (water collection/setup shelter)
- Cable ties (water collection/setup shelter)
- Twine (setup shelter)
- Space blanket
- Tissue papers/toilet roll
- First aid kit – fractures, burns, pain, major bleading, antihistamine, electrolytes (cramp)
- Sealed firelighters and lighter
- Medicines
Possible Inclusions:
- Handheld UHF radio
- Whistle
- Headlight torch (one battery in backwards or plastic between terminals)
- SAS Survival Guide
- Les Hiddins’ Bush Tucker Field Guide
- Old reading glasses
- Sun glasses
- Bright coloured tape (to use as breadcrumb trail to your site if off main track)
- Multi-tool
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Hat
- Mosquito head net