Editor’s note: FLYING staff writer and CFI Meg Godlewski is an expert on survival techniques for pilots. She wrote the survival chapter of AOPA’s ground school for CFIs. In this two-part series, she instructs pilots on how to build a survival kit, as well as how you can survive if you’re forced to make an unscheduled, off-airport landing.
‘Dress to Survive’
Key Takeaways:
- Pilots must prioritize "dressing to survive, not to arrive" and carry a comprehensive survival kit, as proper attire and equipment are critical for surviving an off-airport landing, even if the crash itself is survivable.
- A vital survival kit should include items for shelter and warmth (e.g., tarp, space blanket, fire starter), first aid, hydration (e.g., water, purification methods), basic sustenance (e.g., energy bars), and signaling for rescue (e.g., whistle, signal mirror, brightly colored tarp).
- Essential tools like a multi-tool, flashlight, compass, and materials for leaving notes or marking trails are also crucial components for effective wilderness survival.
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