Did you know that private pilots flying in Alaska must carry a survival kit? It’s actually a state law. Canada requires one as well. Let’s take a look at what they require, compared to what you see in a typical survival kit.
What’s so special about Alaska?
Here in the lower 48 states, we’re used to having cell phone signals, roads, and other humans about. But Alaska and northern Canada remain very remote places even now. There are few towns, and fewer roads, spread across a vast wilderness. Then too, the climate is legendarily harsh.
If your plane is forced down out there it may be a long time before anyone can come get you out. In the meantime, all you have is what you brought along, and your wits. You’ll need food, warmth, shelter, and clean water, as well as a means to signal to others.
What does Alaska require?
Currently, Alaska requires the following:
- A week’s food for each person aboard the aircraft
- An axe or hatchet
- A first aid kit
- Some fishing equipment (hooks, flies, sinkers, line, etc.)
- A knife
- Fire Starter
- A mosquito headnet for each person aboard
- Two small signalling devices such as smoke bombs, flare pistol shells, or flares, in sealed metal containers
In addition, between October 15th and April 1st, you must also carry:
- A pair of snowshoes
- A sleeping bag
- One wool blanket for each occupant over four.
What does Canada require?
Canada is even less specific. They require you have:
- Means to start a fire
- Means to provide shelter
- Means to provide or purify water
- Means of visually signalling distress
Both Alaska and Canada have updated their requirements in recent years, and in both cases they removed some things. Alaska used to require everything they still do, plus a gun and ammunition. They also required a gill net for catching fish. Finally, they used to require two weeks food rather than one.
Canada formerly required everything on the old Alaska requirements except the gun. They also required cooking utensils, a stove, an axe (not a hatchet) and a saw, plus sleeping bags for everybody and an tent with a brightly-colored fly so it can be easily seen. Finally, you had to carry at least 30 feet of snare wire, plus instructions on how to use it, and a survival manual.
So what should you actually take?
If you fly from the lower 48 states to Alaska you’ll be flying over Canada. So you’ll need to comply with both sets of rules. Between the two sets of requirements you should be pretty well equipped.
Neither set of rules addresses clothing, but that may be the most important survival gear. The Alaskan climate earned its reputation, so it’s important to dress for it. At minimum, you’ll need rain gear, wool socks, long johns (top and bottom), an insulating jacket, warm hat, gloves, and sturdy hiking boots or shoes.
Backpacking gear makes terrific survival gear. It’s lightweight, compact, rugged and weatherproof. The only drawback is that it tends to be expensive. If you don’t backpack but know someone who does, try to borrow some of their spare gear. Or find some used gear, online or at a local outfitter.
Further reading
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has a great downloadable document about Alaskan and Canadian requirements. They go into a bit more detail on what’s really advisable to have. I thought their advice was quite sound.
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