Being Out There and Surviving
Posted by SCG on May 7th, 2012
Dateline: Mid Atlantic
By “moto” photojournalist Douglas Graham
Click any photo for a larger image
The question is asked often, “What do you carry every time you ride no matter where you’re going”? What are the things that should be carried is a better way to put it. Of course this depends a lot on where you and your bike go. If you’re around town and never leave civilization then you can stop reading here.
I think for the most part anybody logging into Trail-Dust.com is not the kind of rider who just goes to the market, to work and home on his bike. So I think the two most important things that “live” in my bags and panniers is a tool kit and a medic kit.
Tool Kit
My tool kit carries everything I’d need to get at the sort of problems you encounter off the beaten trail. I have a tool roll and it holds everything in one place. I can change a tire, fix a flat, pull the spark plugs and air filter, change the oil, adjust the chain and fix any broken parts, AKA a roll of “Gorilla Tape” and bailing wire. I can’t say what your bike will need as far as tools but if you can do everything I just listed from your tool kit you’re on the right path.
Med kit
Its best to have something, and I go for the worst-case scenario. I have all the basic stuff plus more advanced items like a brace for compound fracture, airway device, eyewash, epinephrine for bee stings, etc. etc. Again this is something that riders have to decide for themselves and it’s also largely based on where he/she rides. Its something we all need to think about, however grim it may seem. A basic first aid class is always a good idea; even if you already know CPR it’s a great idea to be refreshed.
Be prepared to survive.
The single most important thing you can do if you’re traveling solo, or even in a group, is let friends and family know where you’re going, what you’re planning and give them your time table. Remember the guy who had to cut his arm off to free himself when it became stuck between boulders after he fell. Nobody knew where he had gone because he lived alone and did not call and tell friends.
When I was a young guy my real passion in life outside of two-wheeled fun was alpine climbing. I climbed for about 18 years and down through the years I have lost a few friends. I’ve also carried a number of injured climbers out. I’m talking about hard men, no-wimps-need-apply kind of guys. These guys knew their sh*t and had logged long hours in the worst conditions. They were experts at climbing and at surviving in conditions beyond severe. The two guys I spent time with and years climbing, died not from being ill prepared but because the wilderness is an unforgiving place. All I’m saying here with this long-winded story is respect Mother Nature. Know your limitations but most of all be prepared to survive and even then there are no guarantees.
Most or a really large percentage of your trips will be nothing more then a hell of a lot of fun, packed with memories that last a life time. If you’re close to a road or home and something goes wrong, if you have cell phone reception then chances are you’re already rescued.
But lets say you’re alone and your bike breaks down or runs out of gas, or you crash, and you or the bike is out of commission you’re miles from anywhere and you’re running out of light. Lets add the weather is going south with rain and dropping temps. First aid needs aside (the only thing that can prepare you for that is training) the rules for surviving in the elements is shelter, staying dry and maintaining the core-temp of your body. Shelter and a fire provide not only life sustaining warmth but also a real psychological benefit.
Here’s what I have to stay alive in addition to the tools and med bag.
Whistle
Have one on your person at all times if you’re alone. All of this information, by the way, is based on riding solo because that’s how I roll 80% of the time. Back to the whistle. Say you’re pinned under your bike or have two broken legs the whistle can make the difference between being found or dying from exposure. It can be that simple
Compass and GPS
I take a compass because modern technology, however great it is, will fail you first. Enough said but know how to use the compass and a map before you hit the trail.
Fire
Matches are a no brainer. I carry weather and wind proof matches and I also carry a couple of butane lighters. As far as getting the fire started in the rain use the gas in your tank, and if you’re out of gas then the glue from a tire patch kit will work. If you have access to deadwood the heart of a pine stump will burn when wet. Us boys out east call pine stump “light wood”. Find it and you will have a fire. You can also carry fire starter if you’re so inclined.
Small Flashlight
Personal choice. I carry a small 3AA Mag-light and a Petzl headlamp both with extra batteries.
Knife
I just read an article on knives and one comment really made sense. “When there is a knife, there is life”. Meaning you’re not going to go far without one. From cutting up dinner to cutting rope it’s a simple but important part of surviving. A good mutitool with a 3 to 4 inch blade will do, but even better is something with a locking blade. You don’t need a special-forces weapon, as you’re not going to be gutting a moose, so keep it small and practical. Swiss Army Knife is always in my kit plus something a little bigger with a locking blade.
Trash Bags
This is the one thing that takes no space, weighs nothing and can save your ass. It’s a poncho, ground cloth, sleeping bag cover if not a sleeping bag itself, tarp and storage for important items that need to be dry. I carry the 55-gallon drum liners as you can get inside as a temporary shelter. [Editor note: here's one that reflects your body heat]
Rope
You should always have some towrope, at least 25 feet. Its can be used for many things, as simple as tying down a tarp to as important as tying off heavy bleeding.
Food
You can carry enough food for three weeks. Not many people are going to stave to death if they get stuck out in the wildness, but having food in your belly can improve your outlook and help you think straight.
Water Purification
I carry a pretty elaborate water filter because I got sick once from bad water. But you can go as simple as carrying iodine-based tablets
Good Walking Shoes
Hiking out is always an option but the thought of hiking 10 or 12 miles in MX boots is not going to be pretty. I always carry a good pair of walking shoes.
I carry this stuff with me if I’m going to a big metro area or if I’m covering an assignment in some remote area. It lives in my bags 24-7. The whole point of this is to be ready. Just a year ago I came upon a car crash and there was already an EMT on the scene. The victim was in pretty bad shape but the EMT had no med kit, as he was on his way home from the store in his family car. With the kit from my bike he had everything he needed until a rescue squad arrived.
I do check it from time to time, which is why I decided to write this. My med kit was over a year old and sure enough some things needed to be replaced and some needed to be refreshed. My tool kit just got a good cleaning and some WD-40 to prevent rust. It’s just like anything else on your bike that needs to be maintained. In my mind there is no compromise or cutting corners when it comes to being prepared.
Have fun, ride safe and go prepared.
Trail Dust is a publication of happy-trail.com
Posted in Douglas Graham, Off-Road | Comments Off
We meet a group of international riders who met on some forum and decided to rent bikes and do some adventure riding together. Good group of people.
