Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear Chapter Summary Both Canada and Alaska require pilots to carry survival  gear. Always carry survival gear when flying over rugged  and desolate terrain. The items suggested in  Figure 11-12 are both weather and terrain dependent. The pilot also needs  to consider how much storage space the helicopter has and  how the equipment being carried affects the overall weight  and balance of the helicopter.  Emergencies should always be anticipated. Knowledge  of the helicopter, possible malfunctions and failures, and  methods of recovery can help the pilot avoid accidents and  be a safer pilot. Helicopter pilots should always expect the  worse hazards and possible aerodynamic effects and plan for  a safe exit path or procedure to compensate for the hazard.  11-27