Survival - Part 3

These are the items we insist on in a basic survival kit. There are other items yet to-be considered but let's look at and explain these 12 first.

Emergency Blanket Sbelter

The emergency blanket is a handy and versatile item, essential in your survival kit. This heat reflector can also be used to construct a shelter in itself. It's a good item to have along when there is a shortage of natural construction materials at hand.

Remember, this emergency blanket is a heat reflector and nothing else. It is simply a thin sheet of plastic with a highly reflective material, usually on one side only. This side is the silver side.

Because of the thin material used in this blanket, they are not particularly strong. They will shatter in windstorms, so they must be backed up with a heavier piece of material to prevent them from coming apart in the wind. If you do not have this sort of backing, the emergency blanket is not adequate as a shelter.

To construct the shelter, tie the cord between two trees or other uprights about three feet from the ground. Backing/reinforcing the emergency blanket with the 3 mil plastic, tape the combination over the cord all the way along the surface. Then, by straightening the blanket plastic combination out and putting rocks, snow or other ground litter or debris on the far edge, you have completed a lean-to.

The wind direction, at least initially, should be over the back of the shelter. Then, beneath the shelter put down another emergency blanket with the silver side up, put insulating material (pine boughs or whatever) on top, and build a fire out front. Now approximately 8O percent of the heat that goes into the shelter from the fire will be reflected down onto you from the top blanket, and heat will be reflected back up to you from the blanket underneath.

In effect, you have a reflector oven which can "toast" you all night long. Another emergency blanket or piece of plastic thrown over the front of the shelter about one to one and one-half feet will help to hold the heat in.

Signalling

A glass G.I. style signal mirror is a primary signalling device. The emphasis on "glass" and "G.I. style" is to be noted. Metal mirrors are extremely poor as far as reflectivity is concerned. The glass mirror will prove much more satisfactory when the chips are down. "G.I. style" indicates that this is the type of mirror that incorporates an aiming device to assist in controlling the reflection.

It's easy to see where you're shinning a mirror on the ground when you can see the spot of light in the dirt or trees, but shine it up into the sky to try to attract a pilot's attention and you're out of luck. With the aiming device type of mirror, you can tell exactly where the light is shining.

The gold side of your Emergency Blanket makes an excellent signal panel, ground-to-air, when placed in a clearing. The same is true with the daylight fluorescent orange cloth. The cloth may be purchased at a fabric store. Placed in a clearing, it can be seen for miles.

Essential Survival Equipment

Water is an important necessity of life, but water taken from tainted sources can actually do more harm than good. Make sure that your survival kit includes water purification tables, preferably Potable Aqua brand. These tables, when used in conjunction with boiling, can keep Montezuma's Revenge (diarrhea from Giardiases) away from your survival campsite.

This takes care of The Big Three Plans One, so now lets look into other equipment items that you may want to consider. Remember the, personal, seasonal and geographica1?

1. Fishing Tackle - 3 small hooks, 2 flies, 10 yards monofilament line, split shot. Fits into small plastic box. (don't forget a float)
2. Aluminum foil - Heavy duty for cooking.
3. T.P. - If you don't know what that stands for you're in trouble already.
4. G.I. canteen cup - Boil water, cook food, melt snow.
5. Flashlight - survival, small
6. Snare wire - smooth wire found in hobby shops
7. Dental floss - Sew your clothes (place needles in container), fishing line, snare line
8. Insect repellent - In some areas a must

There are many other items you might consider but make sure you keep your survival kit light in weight. Do not carry unnecessary items.

Procedures

If you find yourself in a situation where you are lost or stranded, sit down and try to stay calm. Think over past events to see if you can retrace your footsteps or travel pattern. Think before dark. If you realize you will be unable to return to your camp destination, or are uncertain as to your location, committ yourself to spending the night where you are.

Immediately begin preparations for the night. Pick the best campsite in the immediate area and build a small fire. Campsite selection should include readily available firewood, materials for shelter construction and it should be free of natural hazards. Availability of drinking water is also an important factor.

Gather enough firewood to last the night. A roaring fire is not a necessity unless being used as a signal for help. Keep clothing as dry and as clean as possible. Take care of equipment. Don't lose or waste anything. Build or set up your shelter.

If you do not have materials for constructing or setting up shelter in your gear, construct a lean-to or fashion a shelter from available materials.

In shelter construction, thought should be given to wind direction. Heat should be radiated into a shelter, not blown into it. Heat reflectors on the back side of a fire may be constructed of logs, rocks, boulders, green boughs or a space rescue blanket. Caution should be used as the space rescue blanket may catch fire.

Time permitting, improve your shelter. The importance of doing the job well while you are able to do it cannot be overemphasized. A bough bed, if about 8 inches or more in thickness, will insulate you from the ground. Boughs should be placed in rows with the broken ends toward the ground. Use of boughs is not recommended for ordinary camping because of the unnecessary destruction of foliage.

Take Care Of Yonrself: Your best survival tool is your head - use it! When faced with a survival situation, it is particularly important to check yourself for injuries. Don't add to your problem. If you become frightened and panic, the chances of injuring yourself or inducing hypothermia are increased.

Do only what is necessary, very carefully and after thinking it out. If you are already injured, take time to care for yourself, as pain or loss of blood can reduce your efficiency. You should have first aid equipment as part of your survival kit.

In cold, damp or snowy weather your first problem may be frostbite. To prevent frostbite keep your hands, feet and exposed areas warm, dry and protected from wind. Check frequently for numbness or a change in skin color to gray or to yellow white spots. Do not rub frost bitten areas with snow. Warm affected areas by placing next to your abdominal region or other area of the body. If you get wet (perspiration or immersion) find a way to dry yourself and your clothes immediately.

Protect your eyes from overexposure by taking along sun glasses or goggles.

In a desert or a hot area you must take precautions against overexposure to the sun. You may be affected by sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. All may be prevented by staying out of the sun and avoiding overexertion since sweating uses body fluids rapidly.

Hypothermia - The Killer Of The Unprepared

Exposure is a term that crops up every winter and often during warmer times of the year. Exposure has no definite medical meaning but is probaly a substitute for the word hypothermia. Have you ever been so cold that you could not stop shivering?

Uncontrolled shivering is one of the first signs of hypothermia or the lowering of the inner core temperature of the body. As the condition progresses, there is an increasing lack of coordination followed by loss of judgment and a fairly rapid descent into unconsciousness and death. An unprepared person may become a victim at temperatures as high as 45 degrees F. In cases affecting hunters or hikers a combination of four factors are usually present:

1. Cold (45 deg or below)
2. Wetness(caused by rain, snow, immersion or condensed perspiration)
3. Wind (chill factor)
4. A likely victim (meaning a person who is exhausted and certainly unprepared to protect himself or herself)

Good clothing, adequate knowledge, emergency shelter and emergency rations would prevent most fatalities from accidental hypothermia. This is why hypothermia is called the "Killer of the Unprepared".

Immediate steps should be taken if you or one of your party shows signs of uncontrolled shivering. Warming of the body and intake of warm liquids (do not take or give alcoholic beverages) and quick energy foods are recommended to restore body functions to normal.

Know your enemy. Never underestimate the power of cold, dampness and wind. Do not over-estimate your own strength or that of your party. One individual or mishap can pin you to a location exposed to the elements.

Summary

• Always tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
• Always take someone with you, never go out alone.
• Always stick to your plan, stay put if you become lost or stranded.
• Always carry a survival kit and first aid kit and know how to use both.
• Always dress for the weather but prepare for changes.
• Always carry rain gear, you must protect yourself from the elements.
• Always remember that there is no shame in getting lost, the shame is in having to come out in a body bag.

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