The Outdoorsman

How to Create a Survival Ditch Bag


More from Outdoor Living Newsletter May Outdoor Living Newsletter
 
RV on fire
You can never be too safe

You have been on the road in your RV many times during the years. Luckily, things have always gone right and no major emergency has ensued. But what if you were to get caught in a sudden emergency situation, such as a fire and had to abandon the RV immediately? Are you prepared for such an eventuality? Do you have a few basic items necessary for survival ready at your hands? You should consider a survival ditch bag, just in case.

Disasters unfortunately do not announce themselves and have a way of sneaking up on us when we least expect it. As an RVer, the most common risks you may face are emergency breakdowns. However, sometimes worse things can happen like your RV catches fire. When your vehicle is on fire, you have barely any time to get yourself out of there, much less gather a few important things - important documents that, if left behind, will prove quite a headache in the months following the disaster. The good news, however, is that if you have a survival ditch bag prepared and at the ready, these important documents and items can be saved, even when you literally have to abandon your RV.

What is a survival ditch bag? A ditch bag is an essential component on a ship. It is a waterproof, floating bag that contains crucial survival items that boaters must take with them when they jump off a ship in case of emergency. We suggest every RVer arm themselves with a survival ditch bag and know where it is stored at all times.

It should contain the few vital things you need in an emergency situation. Some items we suggest you store in it are:

  • Copies of your insurance policy
  • Copies of your driver's license
  • Copies of car/RV keys
  • Energy bars
  • Water
  • LED Flashlight
  • Extra cash
  • Cellphone with emergency numbers fed in
  • Ponchos
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Small first aid kit
  • Something that can be used as a signal mirror, such as a CD

Keeping a ditch bag accessible is key. You should put it in a place that's easy to grab on your way out of the RV during an emergency. Think close to doors, and not in the back bedroom and make sure it's not in a towed vehicle but rather with you. The bag should be small, compact and bright so that it's hard to miss. You can grab one at any mariner's store or create your own.

As Benjamin Franklin once said, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". It is better to err on the side of caution than to pick up the pieces after an emergency has struck.

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