---

Decision was made. Bought a Pelican 1430 in yellow. Holds all the tools, first aid kit, day and night signals, hand compass, handheld VHF, and on and on. Put least likely to use things down low. What an amazing case this Pelican is ... built like a Whaler. Not too pricey, either, for a quality box. I have a desiccant cartridge which I'll also place in the box. Between waterproof, desiccant, and floating, my real problem is someone stealing my awesome box.

I am a member of my local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and have learned much about preparedness. I really focus on having general tools available for the most likely needs. I also focus on my first aid kit.

What I don't know yet is what I'll learn from experience. I haven't really been a boater since I was a kid, and we're talking 30-something years. As a kid, I was on the water at least weekly, probably more, and worked at a marina with a marine store, gas docks, etc. So I have some decent working knowledge in my head ... expect to get more.

Reminds me of a Yogi Berra quote: "In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they're different."

One thing I absolutely positively have is forceps and wire cutters. On a casual canoe fishing trip with another couple, the other husband hooked his wife with a lure. Both wives are MDs. All I had on board was a Swiss Army Knife. We guys held the two canoes together while my wife did surgery on her best friend! It would have been a less painful, more sanitary, and quicker operation had we a simple pair of wire cutters. We couldn't even force the hook through, smash the barb down, and withdraw. They just agreed to cut the hook out. With a Swiss Army Knife.

The right tool for the job is a great thing.