What’s in my pack
What’s in my pack, Mike Duffy? No one plans their accidents, but planning what to carry
makes all the difference if something goes wrong. Winter survival and accidents are difficult. This list is
compiled from my 30 years of mountain rescue work, guiding and 26 years of avalanche instructing
Avalanche education: It’s easy to avoid getting caught in an avalanche if you have the training and
implement it. The skills learned and equipment carried will significantly increase the chance of a riding
partner surviving a burial and making the right decisions so, you don’t get caught.
- Backpack or Avalanche airbag pack: All essential rescue, survival and avalanche gear goes here.
BCA E2 Float MtnPro Vest. I can take on airplane.
- Avalanche Transceiver: Digital 3 antenna, easy to use, proven design. I carry a spare for the
group. Wear on your body underneath outermost layer. Practice, practice, practice!
3. Shovel: Metal with extendable shaft.
4. Tunnel bag: Carries nonsurvival/nonrescue gear allowing for a lighter pack.
5. 2 nd Shovel: If you wear an airbag pack, keep a 2 nd shovel in a tunnel bag so you don’t lose the
protection of the airbag when accessing shovel.
BCA Dozer 2H-S (saw)
6. Probe: To pinpoint the exact location of the buried person. 300 cm or longer.
- Map and Compass: Do not rely on GPS or Phone alone
I use Latitude 40 maps where available. Get the big picture and have a trail map.
- Flagging: Surveyor’s tape. Mark areas searched, last seen point and route to accident.
- Headlamp with strobe feature: LED. Easier to be found if you have a light source. I also use a
helmet light on night missions. - First Aid/Survival kit/Fire starters: First aid and CPR training.
Adventure Medical Kits ultralight/watertight. Ace bandage. Quikclot. Sam Splint.
SOL (Survive Outdoors Longer) pocket survival pack.
Quick fire, lighters, cotton balls and Vaseline.
cpr mask, wet ones, latex gloves.
- Extra clothes: Warmer layers, extra gloves, hat, socks.
Klim Beanie, Klim Summit Glove with extra liners, Klim Fusion Glove, Klim down jacket.
- Food and water: Eat and stay hydrated to keep warmer. Stanley insulated.
- Bivy sack: Survive the night or keep an injured person warm.
SOL heat reflective bivvy’s
- Saw: We tell everyone it’s for survival, but it’s usually used for getting our sled out of the trees.
Silky saw or good pruning saw.
- GPS/satellite communicator: Gets help to you faster. Don’t rely on cell phones.
Garmin Inreach Explorer. Garmin Montana 700i
- Communication: Radios save valuable riding time by finding separated riders and relaying
information.
- Spare batteries: AA, AAA. USB and 12v charging port in glove box with cords to power and
charge devices. Portable phone charger. - Cyalume light sticks: For night helicopter rescue.
- Tow strap. Snobunje tow sled towing kit.
- Knife. Tools.
Other:
Avalanche Trained riding partners: Who’s going to help me if I get buried?
Protective vest: Prevents many injuries.
Shin Pads: Protects from running boards and smashing into hood. Also great for kneeling in snow.
Clear goggle lens: For riding at night. Klim Edge with clear lens. So much easier to ride at night.
Also use a Lead Dog or Oxbow helmet light.
Appears to be a lot of gear, but when you’re 20 miles out in the middle of nowhere, it’s essential. Packs
easily in the pack and tunnel bag. Not heavy if you buy the right equipment. Hopefully you never have
to use this gear, but if the situation arises, you can be a rescuer. Worst feeling is not being able to do
anything.