Survival Myths and Misconceptions (Space Blankets)

Most survival publications recommend we carry a space blanket as part of our emergency kit.  If the space blanket fulfills the role of an immediate action shelter (IAS), we need to evaluate it as such.  

The seven requirements of an effective IAS (introduced in our last post:)

1. Compact:  Roughly the size of a deck of cards. (+)
2. Quick to deploy:  Difficult to unfold, especially with cold hands. (-)
3. Waterproof:  Only as long as you can keep your head, torso, bottom, and legs covered at all times.  Add injuries or wind this is impossible. (-)
4. Windproof:  Same as #3. (-) 
5. Traps heat: Not enclosed, it cannot maintain dead air space. (-)
6. Durable:  Shreds with the slightest tear or puncture. (-)
7. Brightly colored:  Under certain conditions, can be an effective signaling device. (+/-) 

When evaluated with these requirements, a space blanket clearly fails as an IAS.  

(Skip demonstrating the fragility of space blankets.  Blake Miller photo.)

Instead, we recommend carrying a blue, 2-mil, 78 gallon plastic bag as your IAS.  This is the same IAS used by our Department of Homeland Security, Search and Rescue and EMS clients.

(See right column of blog for ordering information)

 

Immediate Action Shelter

In our last post and video, we explored how preparedness improves our odds for survival.

  

Protecting the body's core temperature provides a key component for any realistic emergency preparedness plan.  Our clothing offers the first line of defense in maintaining core body temperature.  Unfortunately, because of societal norms, most of us usually "dress for success" rather than "dress to survive".  This creates problems when an emergency or natural disaster removes us - or our children - from the controlled environments in which we live, work, play, and go to school.  

 

We need to thrive in a room temperature world, but also meet our responsibilities by preparing our family for an emergency or natural disaster.  Carrying an immediate action shelter (IAS) solves this dilemma. 

An effective IAS must meet the following criteria:

1. Compact:  Small enough to carry all the time.  It easily fits into a school backpack, purse, cargo-pants pocket, or briefcase.
2. Quick to deploy:  Deploys in minutes (or seconds with a little practice).
3. Waterproof:  Impermeable to rain, sleet, and snow. 
4. Windproof:  Blocks the wind.
5. Traps heat:  Creates a dead air space.   
6. Durable:  Resists abrasions, tears, and punctures.
7. Brightly colored:  Passively signals rescuers. 

Whatever you choose for your IAS make sure it satisfies these seven characteristics. 

We recommend a blue, 2-mil, 78 gallon plastic bag as your IAS.  This is the same emergency shelter used by our Department of Homeland Security, Search & Rescue, and EMS clients.

(See right column of blog for ordering information)

Your child is lost. What should you do?

Ah, camping in the National Park.  Warm days and cold nights.  Birds chirping, chipmunks scampering, and a brook bubbling nearby.  Peace and tranquility.  A stark contrast to the chaos of your hectic work and kids' schedules.  For the first time in months you sit down to read a book.  You glance over to your smiling spouse doing the same.  You catch a glimpse of your two kids playing tag near the tent.  Time slows down.

Your son disturbs your serenity, "Trista's gone."  
"What do you mean Trista's gone?  Where is she hiding?"
Now, you see on his face and hear in his voice real concern,  "She's gone".

Your daughter is missing.  What should you do?

Hasty Search

Once you realize your child is missing, actively search for her, taking care not to become a missing person yourself.

Activate Search & Rescue

If you do not find your child quickly, get help.  Search & Rescue (SAR) volunteers would rather be recalled knowing your child was found safe, instead of losing precious search time while you 'made sure' she was missing.

Preparation

Before you and your family venture out, train and equip each family member to deal with becoming lost and spending an unexpected night alone in the woods.  Basic training and equipment greatly increase the odds of surviving the ordeal.     

Stop Moving.  The moment you realize you're lost, find a safe spot¹ and stop moving. This helps rescuers find you faster.

Build a Nest.  Make a nest of boughs², pine needles, leaves, or anything else to insulate you from the ground.  Sitting directly on the ground sucks heat out of your body.³ 

Immediate Action Shelter⁴.   Put on your whistle (see below), climb into your immediate action shelter, and sit in your nest on your backpack. 

Whistle.  Once in your shelter, start blowing your whistle every 10 minutes or so.  The sound of a whistle carries much further than your voice. 

Water.  Carry at least a quart; more if you are in an arid environment. 

Food.  A favorite candy bar or two will do two things for you:  1) help maintain a positive attitude; and 2) stoke your body's internal furnace generating heat from within.  

Something from home.  A small toy or stuffed animal can do wonders for maintaining a positive attitude.

Footnotes

¹Choose a spot clear of potential falling objects from the environment (branches, trees, rocks, etc)
       

²Boughs:  Could be pine, spruce, fir, etc.

³Conduction:   The transfer of heat through direct contact with an object.  Heat flows from the warmer object to the cooler one.  If you sit on the ground, heat conducts away from your body and into the ground. 

⁴An immediate action shelter is a windproof, waterproof barrier that traps your body's heat.  Choose a blue shelter to maximize your visibility to SAR.  

Survival Gear
Whistle
Immediate Action Shelter (adults)
Immediate Action Shelter (children)

Emergency Preparedness for the Home (Power Outage)

Stormy weather often brings power outages and their associated headaches.  Take control now. 

Prepare an Emergency Kit

1)  First-aid kit and personal medications

2)  Plastic sheeting or tarps and roll of duct tape

3)  Water:  minimum of one gallon per person per day for both drinking and hygiene

4)  Lighting:  LED flashlights, headlamps, and lanterns

5)  Batteries:  lighting and electronics

6)  Food:  dehydrated and canned (don't forget the manual can opener)

7)  Solar charger or inverter

8)  Battery powered or hand crank radio 

Before the Outage

When notified of an impending storm,

1)  Charge cell phones and other battery operated devices 

2)  Obtain back up power sources for medical devices

3)  Top off your vehicle's fuel tank  

4)  Find your garage door's manual release lever and know how to operate it

5)  Stage necessary items such as flashlights and batteries in a central location

6)  Purchase block or dry ice for the freezer

7)  Hire a professional to service your chimney, woodstove, or heater

8)  Know where you are going in the event of an evacuation   

During the Outage

Once the power goes out,

1)  Use flashlights or battery sourced lighting (a house fire caused by a candle could ruin your day)

2)  Turn off and unplug major appliances or machinery

3)  Plug all electronics into a surge protector

4)  Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed*

5)  Set up a tent or 'build a fort' in a south-facing room for sleeping  (cold weather)^

6)  Cook outside in a well-ventilated area

*  Unopened refrigerators keep food cold for 4 hours or so. A full freezer maintains temperature for about 48 hours and a half freezer for about 24 hours.  Keep frozen food close together.  Throw away food exposed to temperatures higher than 40°F (4°C) for 2 hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture.  When in doubt, throw it out!  If the food in the freezer is colder than 40°F and has crystals on it, it can be refrozen.

^  Using tarps, blankets, or plastic sheeting, close off unneeded rooms to avoid wasting heat.  Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors.  Close blinds or curtains at night to contain heat. 

After the Outage

When power is restored,

1)  Plug in and turn on major appliances or machinery

2)  Restock the emergency kit

3)  Note any lessons learned and make changes to your emergency plans

Building Fire Pro Tip (Safely Using Gasoline to Start a Fire)

What survival situations require flammable liquids to build fire?

Your snowmobile crashes miles from help; or you fall through the ice on a frozen lake or river; or your small aircraft crashes on the side of a mountain in the middle of winter. Wet and windy weather surrounds you. The perfect set-up for hypothermia and your survival clock starts ticking. The natural fire building materials soak up water like a sponge. What techniques or materials enable you to build a fire in these life-threatening conditions? Gasoline or other flammable liquids (lighter fluid, white gas, Av-gas, lantern fuel). 

This video shows you how to safely use gasoline to start a fire. Three big caveats: 1) never ever pour gasoline or any other flammable liquid on your fire-building materials or on your fire. This often results in an explosion injuring yourself and others around you; 2) use care to avoid tipping the flammable liquid when lighting; and, 3) always build your fire in an outside, well ventilated area (not inside a shelter or building).

Many survivors used these techniques to build a fire to save themselves; however, like any potentially dangerous tool (an automobile, a chainsaw, a firearm), flammable liquids potentially injure or kill if you fail to respect them.

Building Fire Pro Tip (Nature's Kindling Wood)

Where can you reliably find nature's best kindling wood? 

Building Fire Pro Tip (Finding Dry Wood)

Finding dry wood sometimes means processing down larger pieces. This video shows you how.

Building Fire Pro Tip (Aluminum Foil)

Carry a piece of aluminum foil in your fire-building kit - here's why.

Building Fire Pro Tip (DIY Tinder Container)

You've seen them in the videos, now you can make your own tinder container.

 

Building Fire (Episode 6: Building Fire Start to Finish)

In some emergency situations, fire is the difference between life and death. Fire helps guard body temperature by providing heat, lights up the night, signals for rescue, disinfects water, cooks food, wards off bugs and animals, and perhaps most importantly, acts as a psychological balm.