You know the new guy that becomes an instant 'Internet' expert? The kind that shows up for a mountainous 5 day speed hike with a canvas tent and full sized aluminum folding cot? Yeah, that guy. He usually means well but forgets that others far smarter and wiser came before him. Well ... I do not want to be that guy or even close to him (I guess him/her is the phrase now days). So in a desire to not show up screwed up as a football bat at a tennis match I would respectfully ask for your input on the following.

I am developing a Ditch kit. The theory is to wear it with a PFD while afloat (I am an excellent swimmer, former WSI and SCUBA instructor. I always wear my PFD.)  I am favoring a small backpack/day pack design to make it easier to carry when not on the water. I do not like fanny packs, even a little. The concept of a small pack for a 'just in case' event is, IMO (my opinion being that I should ask those who know more than me) a 'must do'.

So here is the list I have so far. I claim NO credit for this list. It is a result of combining lists from many sources, many of which are from this forum. Please let me know your opinion.

DITCH KIT
IF IT IS NOT ‘ON’ YOU IT WILL NOT BE ‘WITH’ YOU.

Small backpack design for wearing over PFD. Attached by carabiner to PFD. ALWAYS wear PFD.
Ditch Kit is your CONSTANT companion. When portaging or walking away from beyond direct, unobstructed, line of sight, ALWAYS take Ditch Kit (minus PFD).

CONTENTS: all in waterproof bags and/or ZipLoc bags
3 flares (in pocket of PFD)
2 smokes (in pocket of PFD)
1 signal mirror
1 lighter (2+ better)
Vaseline cotton balls (pencil sharpener for making thin, dry tinder from twigs)
1 magnesium/steel fire starter
1 space blanket and/or SIL tarp (tarp on top of bag contents, under bug suit for quick access)
Whistle (in addition to whistle on PFD)
Knife (in addition to knife on PFD) (Swiss Army?)
550 cord
SPOT
Backup Compass: Primary compass is ALWAYS on person.
small flashlight.
duct tape.
Water filter (water purification straw)
Hydration bag and/or Nalgene bottles
Picaridin Insect Repellent and/or DEET   
Tick removal
Duct tape
Mesh bug suit with hat (pack on top of Ditch Kit for quick access)
Advil and/or Ibuprofen
First Aid kit and/or Blowout kit
Hand line for fishing with hooks, lures and leaders
Protein Bars/ snacks
Wire saw

Rope loop attached to the canoe carry bar prior to launch for water re-entry.
Split foam pipe insulation over the gunnels for a silent paddle rest

OL,

  All good stuff but I think you'll find that after every solo trip you'll evaluate things and look for keeping items that serve a dual purpose.

One example. You have a knife, you can make FUZZ sticks and light that with BIC or Firestarter stick.  That eliminates taking that pencil sharpener/cotton balls.

You mentioned a wire saw. I've used more than a few models, even so-called military grade. Poor performance at best.

I'd buy a small folding saw that is big enough to use to clear limbs on portage trail if need be. You can cut even wet firewood and use a decent size knife to BATON (split) your wet wood to get to the dry interior which you then make Fuzz sticks from.

I have both of these. The Mora knife is my new paddling knife, I like the Orange color for paddling, hard to lose. I have the saw too but don't bring it on canoe trips. I bought both separate, This is a real deal for both together. The steel in Mora knives is EXCEPTIONAL for the price.

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I have a large Japanese style pruning saw that is strapped to outside of my Ditch Pack. That's why I like to carry it first trip across the portage.

I have a small daypack that sits in front of me in the canoe it's clipped by a carabiner to paracord loop between portage pads on the yoke.

If the conditions are right, I like to take the heaviest pack across first with the Ditch Pack clipped by carabiner to the D ring on my weak side which for me is the left side. I cradle the Ditch pack with my left arm against my body. My right hand is free to carry my Double paddle as a walking stick.

Not everyone uses a double paddle, but the advantage for me in securing your Ditch pack like this is your NOT trying to look over a front portage pack that's clipped across your chest.

I've found that it's very important to see where your stepping on portages. Having an unrestricted view has saved me from falling many times. Other's will feel different.

If I 3x portage it's the Ditch Pack and the canoe.
I would say your best bet is to set your pack up the way you listed, look to eliminate items if practical and then see how much it weighs and determine if you're okay with that?

Every trip is a learning experience, I doubt many people keep the same set-up year after year without some adding/subtracting of gear.

Hey, Outlander-

You should search this form for ditch kit discussions.

A while back, Denton Doc put one together that fit into I believe, an Altoids tin. Awesome stuff!

ml

MM,
Makes two great points.

You would be surprised how much buoyancy you can lose just with your choice of footwear. Jimbo knows firsthand about this.

If you wear those rubber knee boots and have a lot of extra weight on your PFD, you might not float high enough to keep your head above water. Try a warm water test sometime with your paddling gear on and see how your PFD performs before PIMPING it out. 

I have 2 big pockets on my Cabelas mesh vest. The basics for making a fire are with me at all times. A small mylar space blanket along with some BIG heat packs that IF you dump and get hypothermic before you can get a fire going, you stick under your shirt on your kidneys to get your core temp up while wrapped in your space blanket of choice.

I clip my ditch bag like MM does. That has more gear IF somehow I can't get to canoe/packs.

You should always have your packs secured in a canoe while solo. You go over, you don't want to be chasing your gear. If all the gear is in the canoe, it may be swamped but the wind and waves will push it and unless it's headed for a big open stretch you won't survive, you can let the waves/wind work for you by pushing you onto that canoe. With you kicking you might just be able to rudder it to someplace you can beach canoe and re-group.

Here's the thread from a few years ago. Lots of great advice here

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[edit: the thread is from 2010. I remember it like it was a few years ago!]