Pack a bag

Preparing for the unexpected

Boaters should carry a ditch bag packed with all the supplies they’ll need if the unthinkable happens and they have to abandon ship.

Consider packing the following items:

• a registered 406 MHz EPIRB (emergency position-indicating rescue beacon) that will broadcast your location to rescuers
• handheld VHF radio (waterproof or in a sealed pouch, with extra batteries)
• flares (both parachute and handheld) and smoke signals
• strobe light (may be with inflatable PFD); a strobe and flashlight combo is ideal.
• whistle (may be with inflatable PFD)
• signal mirror
• water (individually sealed emergency water packets are better than a jug), as much as you have room for
• prescription medications
• first-aid kit
• patch kit for inflatable dinghy or life raft (or emergency clamps)
• knife (preferably with rounded rather than pointed tip if in a raft)
• handheld GPS (to communicate position by VHF or cell phone)
• solar blanket (in cold climates)
• sunscreen
• paper and pen in plastic zipper bag
• spare prescription glasses, sunglasses (polarized to reduce glare)
• small pair of binoculars (to confirm a boat or plane spotting before using flares)
• additional survival items if traveling far offshore
• other items depending on space and needs

–Marty Seconhouse

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