Abandon Ship Bag: Must-Have Safety Gear Checklist

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 14:30:32 +0000

Looking to master offshore knowledge check out the complete guide - https://www.nauticed.org/bundle/view/captain?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=RC0HbQuR9_c

LRSE (Life Raft Survival Equipment) - https://www.lrse.com

A ditch bag is one of the best complements to your abandon ship / life raft equipment—it’s where you keep the extra gear you’ll want immediately if you ever have to leave the boat. In this video we walk through a practical ditch bag checklist, including common essentials like flares, signaling devices, emergency blankets, EPIRB, VHF radio, and a medical kit—plus the “forgotten” items most people miss (medications, eyeglasses, passports/copies of licenses, seasick bags, batteries, food rations, and water).

We also cover the difference between a coastal vs offshore ditch bag, why organization matters (ziplocks / compartments), and a big one: don’t exceed your ditch bag’s flotation capacity—packing too much can keep it from floating when you need it most.

00:00 - What a ditch bag is (and why it matters)
00:15 - Core ditch bag essentials (signaling + survival)
00:40 - The “forgotten” items: meds, glasses, documents, seasick bags
01:07 - Coastal vs offshore ditch bags (what changes)
01:30 - DIY ditch bag vs pre-built options (coastal/offshore)