What To Put In A Sailing Grab Bag?

A grab bag is a crucial part of any skipper’s gear on board, often used as a safety kit. It should be roll top dry bags and easily accessible. Emergency grab bags should be brightly colored and able to float for 30 minutes in the water when fully packed. Ditch bags, also known as grab, go, or abandon ship bags, should be an essential part of any skipper’s gear on board.

The basic requirements for a safety grab bag include high energy food and water, a spare pair of spectacles, warm and waterproof clothing, sun glasses, sun protection, lip salve, medication and antibiotics, seasickness tablets, and a basic fishing kit. Other essential items to consider for a ship’s grab bag include a torch and strobe, AIS SART first aid kit, emergency food rations, fluorescein dye markers, GPS personal, buoyant knife, bailer, sponges, paddles, whistle, torch, heliograph (signal mirror), and 6x anti-sea sickness pills per person.

Another important item to consider for a ship’s grab bag is an EPIRB or PLB flares and gloves, first aid kit, medication, seasickness tablets, sanitary products, light, bottled water, hand-pump water maker, supply of tinned food, especially tinned fish, water provision, Yacht EPIRB, Personal Locator Beacon, Handheld VHF, seasickness tablets, bands, UV protection (sun cream), flares, lightsticks, and inflatable radar.

For ocean navigation, a portable VHF, satellite phone, drugs, first aid kit, flares, fishing kit, knife, and some other items should be included in the grab bag. By following these guidelines, skippers can ensure they have the necessary items ready for emergencies, such as fire, sinking, or medical evacuation.