DIY Pilot Survival Vest

Welcome back fellow aircraft builders and aviation enthusiasts. Today’s video is a bit of show-and-tell on a DIY Pilot Survival Vest that I put together for use in some of the more remote areas I plan to fly. It satisfies The Pathfinder School’s 10 C’s of Survival, and has built-in redundancies and survival items that will help in the event of a forced landing in warmer weather. It is not designed for winter survival. I developed this kit for use in the type of off-airport adventures I may have, no matter what airplane I’m flying at the time.
Please check out the links below for inspiration and information on survival and preparedness, along with links to specific products that appear in the video:
DIY Pilot Survival Vest Checklist:
docs.google.com/document/d/1D...
Dave Canterbury KZbin Channel:
/ wildernessoutfitters
Pathfinder School 10 C’s of Survivability:
Part 1: • 5C's of Survivability ...
Part 2: • Quick Run Down of the ...
Corporals Corner KZbin Channel:
/ recall5811
Corporal Corner’s Ridgeline System:
• My New Ridgeline System
Sensible Prepper KZbin Channel:
/ recall5811
Self-Reliance Outfitters/Pathfinder School:
www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/
Fishing/Survival Vest:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Victorinox One-handed Trekker:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Aquamira Frontier Straw:
www.amazon.com/Aquamira-Front...
Individually Sealed Water Purification Tablets:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06...
Olight S1 Baton LED Light:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Nano XL Fire Steel:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Self-Reliance Outfitters Mini-Inferno:
www.selfrelianceoutfitters.co...
Rescue-Flash™Signal Mirror:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Emergency Signal Whistle:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Suunto Clipper Compass, Liquid Filled:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Fresnel Magnifying Lens:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
#36 Bank Line:
www.amazon.com/SGT-KNOTS-Tarr...
Sailcloth Needle:
www.selfrelianceoutfitters.co...
Rite-In-The-Rain pocket notebook:
www.amazon.com/Rite-Rain-Weat...
QuikClot Adventure Trauma Kit, 25g, 2-pack:
www.amazon.com/Adventure-Medi...
Stainless Steel Cup, Collapsible, 11 oz:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Roll-up Sunglasses:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Grabber Survival Blanket:
www.amazon.com/dp/B002CQUA3W
Thanks for watching, and check out my blog at gregsplane.blogspot.com to follow my progress!
For more information about the Zenith STOL CH750, check out Zenith Aircraft Company at www.zenithair.net
Copyrighted materials used with permission from Zenith Aircraft Company.

[@godofthunder808]

I made a survival vest too but as usual I got carried away & it became somewhat heavy. Gear-a- holic! I definitely need to declutter. I also wear cargo pants & managed to put 2 military pilots flasks with some energy bars in them for extra measure. My wallet & pocketknife are in my regular pocket while my Bic lighter & mini flashlight are in the other one. My Leatherman Wave+ is clipped to my belt. Hopefully i don't lose my pants! Hope that God's your copilot. Stay careful. Great presentation.

[@liisaelts7522]

A bit late,but you could pre-mark the water level on the bags that your tablet can purify. This way you don't have to guess on the go. Doesn't have to be big, a simple permamarker tick would do.

[@leonardogranados2733]

I watched in tv the real use of emergency vests during the tsunami in Japan; boonie hat, and bandana or shemagh were used by them. Your approach is highly professional. Thanks for the video

[@fourtyfivefudd]

Unfortunately I don’t see any way of actually calling for help. I’m not talking about a mirror or whistle. I mean like a radio and PLB. A survival vest is supposed to help keep you alive for a very short time until recuse can arrive. But if they have no way of knowing you need help, it might be a very long time until someone realizes you are gone, then they need to figure out where you might be based on where you were last known, hopefully it’s accurate, and hopefully they see your mirror or hear a whistle. Looking at past and current airmen survival vests, I recommend you get a hand held radio. Either HAM (if you only use it for emergencies and never to just chat on, you can have and use it. Anyone can transmit in ham without a license in an emergency situation), or a VHF air band radio. Also, a small emergency personal locator beacon (PLB). I recommend the ARTEX as it is smaller than most other PLBs, does not require a subscription like other PLBs on the market do, and in addition to using GPS, also transmits a low power blip signal on 121.5 MHz to be more accurately homed in on. Most new PLBs do not have that homing beacon anymore. Oh and a flare gun.

[@hueyrotorhead]

I wore a vest like this in the Army for about 17 years. We had strobes in ours so they have newer mini flashlights with strobe included. I also had to use this type of vest in Alaska for about 4 days in the winter for a downed crew member survival course. Practice making fire.

[@brucefluth3930]

I really enjoyed this video!! One thing that I would add would be a CAT tourniquet. If you severed an artery in your arm, you would need to apply a tourniquet with only one arm. The CAT TQ was designed specifically for this. 😎

[@kitty9392]

Excelllent video! Would just add some candles. Heat and light in one. Also, can use to treat hypothermia in a Palmer Furnace set up. Hypothermia is possible even in summer in the right conditions.

[@davidjones1393]

DONE THKS MADE ONE I USE WHEEL CHAIR

[@spankyharland9845]

I built my survival vest to hold my wife- she is always there to help me survive.

[@gerretoutdoors3710]

Very cool video. I appreciate you taking the time to share this with us. Thank you

[@richardshawver7264]

Cooking Pot Rich “Raspy” Shawver Here is an idea that I picked from Origami. Start with very heavy foil. Like those disposable oven liners the ones that look like a cheap cookie pan not simple heavy duty foil. Take a piece 13 X 13 inches. Clip a ½ X ½ inch square out of each corner. Fold each edge ¼ inch twice to form a rim. Fold so the rim will be on the outside. This gives a 12-inch square. Now you need to put in the creases to form the box. Fold in 1/4 or 3 inches of one end and crease. Do the same for the other side. Unfold and rotate 90 degrees. Take the other two sides and repeat the creases. This forms a crease pattern of a 6-inch center square 4 3-inch squares at the corners. The sides are then 3 X 6 inches. Now you fold the large square diagonally. But you only need to crease the portion that crosses the corner 3 X 3 square at the corners. For carrying you fold in the 4 sides to form a 6-inch square and the fold it in half. This gives a packet 3 X 6 inches, which happens to be approximately the size of a dollar bill. Making just right to slip into the bill compartment of a wallet. To set up you unfold the packet. Using the diagonal creases you form triangles at each corner. These start at the base of the box and extend out 3 inches at the top. Two of these triangles are then folded along the same side. The other two are folded along the opposite side. The tops of these triangles are tucked under the folded under the rims to help hold them in place. Making the box more ridged. This gives you a 6 X 6 inch pan 3 inches deep. The box is 108 cubic inches or almost 60 fluid ounces. Which is just 4 ounces shy of 2 quarts. Since you won’t fill it to the rim call it a quart and a half of usable space. Not bad for something that fits into a wallet. You can also slip a couple of paperclips over the ends to make it even more solid. Yes, repeated folding and unfolding plus the wear and tear from the friction in a wallet will eventually open holes and cause leaks. And once it has been used in a fire it will accelerate the deterioration. But because of the heavier gauge of the pans they last much longer than regular aluminum foil. I’ve gone through a couple both carrying and testing. They have lasted for several years or a half a dozen or so reuses before they became iffy.

[@behindthespotlight7983]

Dave Don Sean absolutely. Also Waypoint Survival, Prepared Airman, Really Big Monkey & Ranger Field Craft & Survival

[@redneckaviation758]

Great ideas love what you’re doing

[@danlibby8366]

Super kit and well thought out. Many of my pilot friends carry almost nothing. Cash is king if you walk out and need things.

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

Same here. Most pilots I know carry nothing.

[@richardshawver7264]

Your surgical tube can also be use as a pocket bellows for fire starting. It provides a concentrated stream of air when blowing to encouraging a newly started fir and keeps your face away from it. The second thing for fire is tinder. Take along a pencil sharpener. Even if the wood is wet when cut the slivers are only wet along the edges. They are easily lite. The process Leaves you with a very pointy stick. There are sharpeners for Carpenter pencils about three times the size of the school pencil ones but will process lager sticks. You might what to use better fishing line. Use Spyder Line or one of the newer super lines. They are the size of 10 lbs. test with the strength of 60. Sport fishing with lite tackle is all well and good. But you are talking survival fishing where a broken line means the loss of a meal but more important maybe the loss of you last hook from a limit supply. The rattle in your fishing kit might be lessened with sections of heat sealed straws stuffed with Vaseline cotton ball fire starters. The same can done with liquids and lotions in the first aid kit.

[@asiasmells71]

Also congrats on the 1k+ subscribers 👏👍😉

[@davidlanders2671]

Enjoyed your video. It is by far the longest video I've watched in a while, but you kept my attention well. Good detail and reasoning. I thought this video was very well done over all.

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

Thank you!

[@jameskelly1680]

I'm not an aviator but I follow Corporals Corner and youtube recommended this video. Really good solid work here. I'll be interested to see your followup video with the survival backpack.

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

Thank you for the nice comment. My channel's been on hold for a while due to some personal issues but i hope to put the backpack kit video out as soon as I can get back to KZbin.

[@MichaelDoornbos]

Dude, I love this one

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

Thanks! It ended up being longer than I wanted, but you know I had to throw my rationale in there for everything.

[@MichaelDoornbos]

@@GregsZenithSTOLCH750 we are very much alike :-)

[@jameshopkins1260]

Hello Greg. I too have missed your videos. I have learned much and been inspired much from your videos. when you got your plane and stopped posting videos. I thought maybe you stopped building. I hope you haven't. I don't know how long before I start my build. But I never would have ordered my Plans from Zenith without your channel. Thanks and hope to see more on your build.

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

Thank you for the compliment. I did some work on the Zenith last spring but did not film it. My Cessna purchase (it has moved on to new owner) had little to do with my hiatus from the Zenith. I've had some significant personal issues come up over the last two years that have forced me to put the Zenith/KZbin on hold for a while. I'm hoping to get back at it in the Spring and plan to do a project stats/update video soon. I would encourage you to get going on your own build as soon as you can. I waited far too long to start mine and now that it's on hold for a while it'll be even longer.

[@behindthespotlight7983]

“passionate about preparedness concepts” Perfect. “Waitress 2 coffees please & we’ll take a look at the menu” Brother. You have the floor.

[@samyoung2887]

Yeah I'm from Port Huron Michigan and I hate those mosquitoes fleas and ticks need a good bug repellent and I have a couple vest and aviation jumpsuits

[@nitrofarmer7937]

Hi Greg. I just subbed . looking forward to more videos. great channel.

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

Thank you. I will finally have more content to publish in a few weeks. Shooting some Corvair engine conversion footage this week, plus i have lots to edit.

[@Mike926443]

Hey Greg hope you’re doing well, look forward to seeing more videos 🤙

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

Doing okay, brother. Hoping to start doing videos again soon.

[@dirtyscoundrel2013]

No rations?

[@danlibby8366]

seat belt cutter mounted in easy reach while seated mine is mounted to the stick just below my hand

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

Great suggestion!

[@MikeBabsBC]

Hey Greg, hope all is well, have you made any progress on the plane since these last posts?

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

No, the project is on hiatus for now...unfortunately.

[@evilfluff6634]

The orange bandanna should be switched out in the fall with a bright blue ( fall tree colors)

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

Great suggestion!

[@asiasmells71]

2 questions.. If I were to get a CNC mill table that you see on line all the time.. Do you think it would speed up the making of the scratch peaces 2. I'm guessing it will but I'm really wondering is do the plans lay out the rivit holes in good enough detail that if I cnc cut sad peaces will they be matched drilled or will I have to do all this by hand the old fashond way?????

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

If you're building one copy of an airplane, I don't think CNC manufacturing will save you much time, if any. The parts blanks are all easy enough to make by hand without a lot of setup. I made router templates for things like wing ribs and other high-count parts. Cheap and easy enough with a small router table and some plywood. The plans/blueprints do not contain enough information for you to CNC-cut match-drilled holes. That's a whole new level of manufacturing and CAD/CNC info that is not contained in a set of builder blueprints. So, you'd have to still do all your rivet holes manually.

[@asiasmells71]

I remember the video you used the wood templates for forming was a super idea.. Thanks for the info I know your a busy dude u seam to have many things on the fire at same time.. Cheers

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

@@asiasmells71 You're very welcome!

[@lowlandloco2010]

About your cutting tool...get a leg pouch OR a molle leg panel en fix your fulltang knife on that

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

Indeed, but this is a video about a vest, which a MOLLE leg panel and knife isn't part of. a full tang knife, plus more comprehensive survival kit, is forthcoming.

[@mikerilling6515]

Do you have a link to that vest ?

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078RM6W9M

[@jameshopkins1260]

Hello Greg, hope this message finds you and your family doing well. I am finally starting my scratch build Zenith CH750. It’s been a long time coming. The aluminum has almost doubled in price. I want to order all the aluminum at one time to save on shipping cost. Could you let me know how many sheets of each thickness needed? You made a video and said the amounts on a couple of thicknesses. It would be so appropriated. I’m still looking forward to new videos from you in the future. Thanks for making those videos.

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

The complete bill of materials you'd need are highly dependent on what version of the plans you have, what substitutions you'll make (for example, zenith calls for .093" angle extrusion - a custom size for which most of us substitute .125"). Zenith never put out a materials list for the 750 in any iteration. The closest I found was on Zenith.aero, for a Edition 2 scratch build. This isn't the whole plane, but this is what I came up with as a minimum for my Edition 3 plans: .016” - 5 sheets, .020” - 9 sheets, .025” - 4 sheets, .032” - 2 sheets, .040” - 1 sheet, .063” - ½ sheet, .090” - ⅛ sheet, .125” - ⅛ sheet, 1”x1”x .125” angle - 48’, ¾” x ¾” x .125”, Misc. .250” and .500”, Assorted 4130 sheet and tubing. None of that accounts for mistakes and also isn't enough to do the options or what's in the finishing kit.

[@jameshopkins1260]

Thanks Greg, that is great information. My plans are the addition 4. Just wanted to order as much at one time that I could. At $180 per 4x12 sheet, it could add up pretty fast. You listed the .025 sheet with no quantity. Did you have a rough idea how many of .025 sheet needed? Thanks

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

@@jameshopkins1260 I fixed it. 4 sheets of .025.

[@jameshopkins1260]

@@GregsZenithSTOLCH750 Thanks Greg

[@andysmith4138]

FIRST!!!!!!!

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

Congratulations!

[@asiasmells71]

Dude we need you back..?????

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

It's in the works. Lots of life changes in the last year and a half.

[@asiasmells71]

@@GregsZenithSTOLCH750 Sweet!!! Definitely will look forward to your return. Just going over some of your videos AGAIN.. as I'm trying to find the go button on ordering plans.. Also definitely here you on life changes so take your time just good to know your still around. I was woundering if you even had it half build as I was watching old videos showing a butt ton of parts made haha cheers

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

@@asiasmells71 Lots of parts made...probably 95% of the airframe parts are formed...just have to put them together. I have the tail section assembled, the firewall ready to rivet and the cabin sides done. Getting ready to start the wing spars. I also have TONS of video I need to edit & publish.

[@asiasmells71]

@@GregsZenithSTOLCH750 cool... Looking foeward to anything you have for us.. I would love to see the firewall layup and bending.. But like I say what ever you have will be loads of help to many I'm sure.. I don't know why but for some ression I'm thinking the firewall would be the hardest peace. Maybe even talk thur on it would be awasome if no footage.. Or an awasome video also would be your opinion on the top 3 or 4 hardest layups and parts bend and tips.. Anyway.. Tc Final thought. I must say your videos are the biggest ression I'm even giving a scratch build an option.. And for someone that has limited funds maybe my only option to a build

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

@@asiasmells71 I will definitely get some more content out soon. One of the things that set me back was not being able to edit video until I got a new computer. Long story. But, I can finally do editing again. I have lots of content to edit together and plenty of more planned videos, including stuff about the firewall and difficult stuff, as well as more on blueprints and general parts layout. Press that "Go" button on your plans, get a little bit of metal and make a few small pieces. You'll be hooked.

[@Alessandro-tf5xh]

For trauma i'll suggest you to add an israeli dressing and a tourniquet (be sure to buy a north american rescue one and not a cheap chinese fake one)

[@aaronkeener95]

That is not a trauma kit. Get a real one.

[@GregsZenithSTOLCH750]

Don't boss me 🤪. Seriously, I carry more kit in the plane but this little pre-packaged one is about fitting it into the vest, which has limitations as a multi-role thing.

[@dirtyscoundrel2013]

Good gawd 🙄 get to the point dude.

[@FINfinFINfinFINfin]

Ello mate. Any updates on the 750 build? Twas hoping to see a video on her in the air.