Description

Looking to master offshore knowledge check out the complete guide (Captain Offshore Bundle) 

A ditch bag is your grab-and-go upgrade to a life raft equipment pack—especially for the things people forget until it’s too late (meds, glasses, documents, comms). Keep it organized, keep it accessible, and don’t overpack past the bag’s flotation capacity.

In this episode, we walk through a practical ditch bag loadout: signaling, comms, medical, documentation, and survival basics—plus the difference between a coastal vs offshore setup and why “more stuff” can become a problem if the bag won’t float.

Quick checklist:

• Signaling: flares, dye markers, whistle/air horn
• Comms/Location: EPIRB, handheld VHF
• Medical: basic kit + your medications
• Personal must-haves: eyeglasses, passports, copies of licenses
• Practical survival: emergency blankets, seasick bags, batteries, flashlights, food rations, water (sometimes a desalinator)
• Organization: use zip bags/pouches so you can find items fast

If you don’t want to build your own, LRSE offers purpose-built coastal and offshore ditch bags—check lrse.com or call their team with questions.