What is a Ditch Bag and Why Do You Need One?

Most of us are familiar with standard boat safety gear like a life jacket, safety lanyard, and fire extinguisher. But what's a ditch bag? A ditch bag (also referred to as a “go-bag”) is an essential piece of marine safety gear designed to store emergency supplies in case you need to abandon your boat or face an unexpected situation on the water. For new and seasoned boaters alike, a properly packed ditch bag could make all the difference in emergency and rescue situations.

Why Every Boater Needs One

Without warning, an emergency can occur while you are out on the water. Factors such as mechanical failures or severe weather require you to act quickly. So, having immediate access to survival tools is a boating safety must. It can often take an extended amount of time for the Coast Guard or other rescuers to locate and assist you. But having a well-stocked ditch bag ensures you're prepared to:

• Signal for Help: With items like emergency flares, air horns, and whistles.

• Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Food and water rations provide sustenance until rescue arrives.

• Navigate Safely: A compass, GPS, and charts can aid in navigation during emergencies.

• Handle Medical Emergencies: A first aid kit equips you to manage injuries while awaiting help.

• Stay Afloat: Pack items that will help you remain buoyant and float above the water if you need to abandon the vessel.

What to Pack

Here’s a checklist of key items for your ditch bag:

1. Signaling Devices:

• Emergency flares

• Signal mirror

• Waterproof flashlight with extra batteries (we recommend one with a strobe feature)

• Sound signal (air horn, whistle)

• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

• Personal Location Beacon (PLB) like the ResQLink sold by ACR

2. Survival Essentials:

• Non-perishable food (energy bars, nuts)

• Water pouches or filtration straws

• Thermal blankets and rain gear

• Inflatable life raft

3. Medical Supplies:

• First aid kit

• Medications and sunscreen

• Saline eye wash

4. Communication Tools:

• VHF radio

• Waterproof phone case

• Emergency contacts

5. Navigation Equipment:

• Compass

• Handheld GPS

• Nautical charts (tip: laminate your charts)

6. Miscellaneous:

• Multitool or pocketknife

• Waterproof matches

• Trash bags (for visibility or protection)

Maintaining Your Ditch Bag

The last thing you want is to realize that you have missing or damaged safety gear during an emergency. To avoid ending up in a situation like that, we have a few tips for maintaining your ditch bag. 

• Perform Regular Checks: Every few weeks, take the time to ensure all items are functional and replace expired food, batteries, or medications.

• Keep It Waterproof: Boats are wet! Always use a high-quality, waterproof bag, such as a dry bag, to ensure your gear is protected from water damage.

• Make it Accessible: Store your ditch bag where anyone and everyone on board can easily reach it in case of an emergency.

Remain Prepared and Stay Safe

A ditch bag is more than just an item on your boating checklist—it’s your lifeline during an emergency. Ship happens. And you must be prepared for when it does. Regularly inspect and update your bag and familiarize everyone on board with its contents and purpose. And to help you get started, check out ACR's RapidDitch Bag.

By being proactive, you can enjoy the open water with confidence, knowing you’re ready for the unexpected. And don’t forget, every Freedom Boat Club member has access to free and unlimited boating instruction and safety training to brush up on your skills at your own pace. Not a member? Contact us today to speak to a representative about joining the world’s first and largest members-only boat club.