Ditch Bag 101

In all best case scenarios your boat never sinks, you never need to be rescued and the ocean is your friend... OK so on one of those worst case scenario days what do you do? How have you prepared? What did you take with you?
Here are my top 3
1. Life Raft (inspected and ready to use)
2. EPIRB and or a PLB
3. Ditch Bag packed and ready

So today I want to talk about ditch bags ...
What is in your ditch bag?
Here are a few starter suggestions:

EPIRB or PLB
Handheld VHF Radio
Copy of your ID
Emergency Contact information
Water, Food Rations, Radar Reflector, Signal Mirror, Flares, Sea Sick pills, first aid kit, flash light, strobe light, sea sick bags (which can be used to collect rain water as well), isothermal blankets, sunscreen, lip balm, any medications you take daily, a rescue streamer and a dry shirt if one will fit....
Of course you can add or take away anything that you would need, put in as many first aid items as your skills and training allow you to use.
There are a variety of ditch bags out there along with a variety of products you can use. We are happy to discuss options with you and help you to custom build a ditch bag that is perfect for you, your family and your typical boating ventures. Never be caught on the worst day without being well prepared with the best equipment and you will increase your chances of survival!

Click here to visit our ditch bag section at the Triad Marine Webstore!

Now tell us what is in your ditch bag!

Comfort and Safety thats what I am talking about

In the pictures you will see the inflatable PFD in real action at the Zodiac Maritime Academy hosted by Triad Marine and Zodiac of North America. You also see one of our employees demonstrating how the inflatable PFD does not get in the way of driving the boat. The other pictures are taken from the actual product lines we carry. Mustang Survival and Revere, both companies offer a variety of the inflatable PFDs ...one to meet the needs of every boater, fisherman, law enforcement officer, USCG personnel and even your children. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to check out both manufacturer's web pages.

When it comes to safety on the water a life jacket is a MUST. We are truly fans of the inflatable PFD (personal flotation device). The inflatable PFDs are light weight and comfortable. They actually fit like suspenders and you hardly notice you are wearing them. This makes them great no mater what type of boating you are into. They give you freedom to move as well as peace of mind.

There is more than one manufacturer of the inflatable PFDs and they have more than one type. Understanding your boating needs is the best place to start in choosing the right vest. The come with and without a harness and they are available with automatic inflation or manual inflation. You may combine the choices in ways that best suit you.

We represent two manufacturers of the inflatable PFDs and both companies have great reputations. There are cost effective solutions and there are solutions for even the pickiest of standards. We are certain that if you tried one of the inflatable PFDs you would never go back to a standard life vest again. Just having the maneuverability and comfort is worth the price. There are rearm kits available for all models. You may want to check out these websites to see some awesome choices.

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/

or

http://www.reveresupply.com/

Take time to think safety first and as always if you have any questions or need pricing you may reach us sales@triadmarine.com or http://www.triadmarine.com/
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Please leave us comments and I will be certain I reply. We love our boating community and work closely with swift water rescue groups to insure our community is safe,