I believe survival training is required by CAMTS, the "good housekeeping seal" for medevacs. We require annual survival training for our crews.

MNS

We fly RN/EMT for most. If there is a maternity patient we fly RN/EMT and an additional L&D RN. If it is a neonate we fly a core flight RN, NICU RN, and an RT if the baby requires oscillation and Nitric. Our Core staff is RN's and EMT's, we contract through the hospital to provide the L&D and NICU nurses if we need them. Our flight team is a different corporation than the hospital we service. The plane is perfect as far as flying in tempermental weather. Although if weather is too bad we stay grounded. King airs are pretty much the benchmark for air ambulances. Due to operating and maintenance expenses we chose the pilatus. Plus that large cargo door sold us. In actuality though it was chosen by someone in a higher pay grade. We got lucky.

I have other pockets, but I want everything as light as possible. last thing I want is my flight suit stuffed to the gills. I've thought about using a separate pack and strapping it to my leg. Any suggestions for a pack?

Your exactly right, Shelter is our main concern up in our neck of the woods. stay sheltered and stay warm, wait for help and we will be found. The only other scenerio is when we have to leave the aircraft to get the patient because the safest LZ is miles from the patient. A couple of times a few crew members had to spend the night out in the field due to weather conditions not suitable for flight. They basically lived out of their pockets for 24 hours and were prepared. They were no wear for worse when the heli returned to pick everybody up.

On a different note. the saws that are provided in a leatherman are absolutely phenomonal. I can't believe what those little things can cut through. My personal favorite is a spestnaz special forces shovel. It can dig, chop, and french fry 3 different ways. I'm trying to convince everybody to keep one on the aircraft

We actually might have to hike the ELT to the top of a ridgeline to expedite the rescue. It's kind of up to the pilots disgression.

We get training twice a year. We just did our winter survival course. They are always alot of fun. Plus you get to create scenarios, practice snow shelter construction and firebuilding and hang out with your co-workers.

No suggestions off the top of my head... one of our flight Paramedics made the strap on survival kits we use. I do have a combat medic thigh pack for my W-EMT gear, but it requires a belt to hang from. I hadn't thought about it, but I suppose you could make a thigh belt with 1 1/2 inch webbing and fast-x buckle... I just hadn't thought about it. Now that I'm thinking about it, you could take something like this bag from REI, add thigh straps and have a nice little kit. For that matter you might be able to take a fanny pack and convert it to a thigh pack... or wear it as a fanny pack...

MNS

P.S. Sorry, I'm hungover this morning... thinking about anything is quite an accomplishment, LOL!

Forget the ring saw.
Instead combine the saw and knife, get the SAK Rucksack model
locking blade "pocket knife".
You need a personal water container, a 1 liter platypus bag?
A K&M match case.
Some food and water tabs as mentioned.
"Do" rag.
3-4ft. of surgical tubing to suck water with or tourniquet etc.
Your own SS cup/pot in your helmet bag with a full
1 liter water bottle, cup on the bottom of the bottle.
Your own pyrotechnics if you are able, electronic flasher if not.
A couple photon style lights on zippers, one red for in A/C use,
one white for on the ground and signaling.
Bug goop of some kind and benedryl.
A couple large contractor trash bags, to many uses for these to leave them out.
A decent alternative is the Ritter pocket survival kit if you want a decent pre-made kit. You should still add the above items. Or just take the easy way out and get the Ritter Kit with a sm AMK first aid kit
At least look at the Ritter contents list.