Serious UK Emergency/Survival Kit?

[Basemetal]

Been thinking for a while that it's loads of fun filling tins and pouches with useful bits and bobs, but that in the UK we don't really get into fishing /snaring/ water still-type survival situations. We get hurt and wet and hypothermic.

To narrow the field a bit, I'm thinking my most likely entry into a survival situation is to break an ankle or worse somewhere off the beaten track in the West Highlands or Cairngorm Plateau when I'm out on my tod.

Sooo...what will save my life? Oh, and there's a nasty front coming in...

Shelter? In most of the country I can't whittle or crochet a bungalow and retire to the master bedroom. So I carry a bivvie bag or equivalent (usually a two man KISU thingy, about the size of a coke tin).

Water? Not usually in short supply in Scotland and I usually have my camelback and a litre back up. (I drink a lot)

First Aid? 2 Field dressings + odds and sods.

Heat? Means to make a fire if there's anything to burn -Esbit or similar if I need to get a hot drink into me.

Signalling/Location...After shelter, this seems to be the single most necessary (and overlooked) category for the UK if you genuinely can't budge because of a broken whatever.
Anytime: -Mobile Phone -surprising the degree of coverage we have on hilltops these days -valleys can be problem and most ankles "go" on the descents.
PLB? Who monitors the frequency? Very low "ground" range (1km at sea, 9km from the air for the most popular).
Leaving word of your route might be the single most important thing we can do?
Daytime: -Jet Scream Whistle, Signal Mirror? Hi Viz orange/yellow tape streamer?

Night-time: -Purpose designed Rescue Hi-Intensity Strobe?
5 Min "Flare" Lightstick? 12 hour lightstick? Strobing headlamp?
Fire?

The main ommission I see in my kit is an effective strobe light for use when I want to be found.
So, can anyone recommend a Strobe light for Location use?

[marts]

A small waterproof pouch to keep the mobile phone in would be useful

[MagiKelly]

For shelter I would have a look at a "Blizzard Bag". Small and light. I have one as my emergency shelter in the canoe as it is not effected by wet.

[Martyn]

Signalling/Location...After shelter, this seems to be the single most necessary (and overlooked) category for the UK if you genuinely can't budge because of a broken whatever.
Anytime: -Mobile Phone -surprising the degree of coverage we have on hilltops these days -valleys can be problem and most ankles "go" on the descents.

Sounds good to me. You could probably get the mobile signal triangulated for a rough fix, but knowing exactly where you are in an instant, could be a huge timesaver and even a lifesaver. I would add a cheap GPS - something like a Garmin Geko, simple, small and light. I know all the die hard map readers in the world will wince at the suggestion and bushcrafters may prefer to read the moss on trees, but in a spot, it could be the one bit of gear you were really pleased you packed.

[martin123]

one of those meal heaters from a MRE pack, and a wayfarer meal might be good. Just need water to get a hot meal ?

[Basemetal]

For shelter I would have a look at a "Blizzard Bag". Small and light. I have one as my emergency shelter in the canoe as it is not effected by wet.

Yep...that's the thing I've got -Like a small (mine's two man) Karrimor Instructor Survival Unit (KISU). Field & Trek around £30.

knowing exactly where you are in an instant, could be a huge timesaver and even a lifesaver. I would add a cheap GPS - something like a Garmin Geko, simple, small and light.

Good idea...I'll stop procrastinating (maybe tomorrow) and get one.

Best Strobe anyone?

[tenbears10]

Best Strobe anyone?

strobe Those are as good as any.

Do you really need a strobe? Surely a decent flashlight could be used to attract attention at night in an emergency but you would also get use out of it with a filter for map reading etc.

A strobe is a specialised bit of kit, I think it comes down to how much insurance you need. What is the likelyhood of needing to attract attention at night rather than in the day? Would the space for the strobe be better used for daylight signaling equipment?

[Basemetal]

C Cell an a bit hefty...anything better? £15.99

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/product-...e-30-25333.htm

[marts]

Why not one of the petzl head torches. Many have a flashing strobe setting and you benefit from a multi-use light then.

[tenbears10]

300,000 candlepower light source that can be seen, depending on atmospheric conditions, for up to 3 miles.
Flashes 50 to 70 times per minute for up to 12 hours, and then continues for up to 30 hours at a lower number of flashes per minute.

I don't think surefire make a strobe

[tenbears10]

ok this one takes a AA cell.

[Basemetal]

strobe Those are as good as any.

Do you really need a strobe?

Good question Tenbears. I think the answer is "not until you need one" . I used to be in the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (Ben Nevis and surrounding area) and frequently had callouts and searches at night. Strobes really are very good for pinpointing people as the peak luminosity output is usually far higher than a torch and the flash is distinctive and omnidirectional.

Another advantage of a strobe is you don't need to stay awake (or conscious) for it to be effective once you've turned it on.

Petzl's and similar headtorches etc don't have the puff of a dedicated strobe and tend to have directional output. I like the idea of knowing I have a Strobe with a fresh battery and
full duration.
Still, that's only my thoughts and I thought this would be a useful thing to discuss for all us British hillwalkers and climber when at home.

What would you recommend for the daylight stuff?

[george]

Sounds good to me. You could probably get the mobile signal triangulated for a rough fix, but knowing exactly where you are in an instant, could be a huge timesaver and even a lifesaver. .

Have a look at this: http://www.locatesomeone.co.uk/

I'm meant to be taking part in some trials at some point to map out it's effectivness in distant areas of the Highlands.

Don't know how well it works but the claims they make are quite impressive.

The field and trek strobe that basemetal showed is what I use on the sea. On land my petzl tactikka does the trick.

George

[Basemetal]

Would it work where there is no Cell coverage?

I've been thinking about why I wanted to start this thread and (maybe at the risk of boring you all or being repetitive) it's to try to figure out what really is worth carrying for the British situation. I'm as vulnerable is the next man to novelties and gadgets, but I'll also admit that I seldom need a knife in the (our) outdoors and that firestarting is all very well when there's something to burn (try it in the Black Cuillins ). Walk ten to twenty miles in any direction and you find a road. Wait three days and you get traffic -it isn't the Gobi Desert or Alaska. You don't die unless your injured, ill or frozen.

So -given that we tend carry specialist kit anyway for whatever we're up to, What's the best investment for when things go pear shaped?
I think...
Adequate Clothing is number 1. Food and Water on your person are frankly nice to have. If I need first aid I hope I can apply it. If I can't walk I need assistance. If I'm losing consciousness I want to be found unconscious and not dead.

If we think soberly about "survival kit" in Britain I think we should raise our sights from safety pins, scalpel blades, condoms and purification tabs.

BTW- A separate repair kit is good idea and takes all the sewing stuff and duct tape etc out of your survival kit.

I'm going on abit, aren't I

[tenbears10]

It is an interesting question BM.

I think a bivi should be in a bright colour so it can be used as a day time signal if needs be. Alternatively a roadworkers Fluo vest will do a lot to help you get spotted. They are very cheap and pack up small. Some rucksack rain covers are bright yellow which could be used to signal and they keep your spare clothes dry before any emergency.

Spare food is a big consideration. I am guilty of hiking in the lakes and wales with food for lunch but by 1pm it is all gone. I usually have a bar of mint cake or something left in my bag but emergency food can do a lot to prevent hypothermia before it happens. Even just a bag of mars bars will do loads for morale as well as energy levels.