What Preps are you doing this week? Part 11

[Adjee]

Pressure canned 32 jars of dog/cat food and 16 of Muscovy duck, also put the food slabs into the beehives before adding the winter insulation. Tomorrow we start a couple of days preparing all the surplus spuds prior to canning them.

[Frnc]

I've had a space blanket in my FAK since the early 1970s. Not the same FAK obviously. Just the thin ones that pack down small. They might tear, but they do the job. They aren't designed to protect you from a storm. I do have a green one that's probably the stronger type, but it got rejected from my BOB due to bulk and weight. I have a tent, mat(s), sleeping bag, quilt, waterproofs, insulated jacket, hat and gloves, merino longjohns. So the space blanket is not critical for me. On the subject, sort of, I have a plastic groundsheet that folds to about the size of a match box and is supposedly very strong. The tent has a built-in groundsheet though.

[Yorkshire Andy]

I've had a space blanket in my FAK since the early 1970s. Not the same FAK obviously. Just the thin ones that pack down small. They might tear, but they do the job. They aren't designed to protect you from a storm. I do have a green one that's probably the stronger type, but it got rejected from my BOB due to bulk and weight. I have a tent, mat(s), sleeping bag, quilt, waterproofs, insulated jacket, hat and gloves, merino longjohns. So the space blanket is not critical for me. On the subject, sort of, I have a plastic groundsheet that folds to about the size of a match box and is supposedly very strong. The tent has a built-in groundsheet though.

You've got to remember if your down to your bob your in the manure waist deep and you need the kit to keep you alive and at that point it's unlikely to be a balmy august summer evening ... I Provided first aid to a woman on the cycle track 100m from home after half an hour of a 4 hour wait for an ambulance the foil blanket which I deployed from my cars FAK was useless fortunately for her Mrs A was at home who fetched a sleeping bag and my terranova bothy bag ..

Going back 20 years or so the big orange rubble sack / bin liner polythene survival bag was a must have something's do just work and pass the test of time

[pseudonym]

Just ordered the final battery expansion pack for my Jackery. 12 kwatts in total. (pics when it arrives)

[Frnc]

I've had a space blanket in my FAK since the early 1970s. Not the same FAK obviously. Just the thin ones that pack down small. They might tear, but they do the job. They aren't designed to protect you from a storm. I do have a green one that's probably the stronger type, but it got rejected from my BOB due to bulk and weight. I have a tent, mat(s), sleeping bag, quilt, waterproofs, insulated jacket, hat and gloves, merino longjohns. So the space blanket is not critical for me. On the subject, sort of, I have a plastic groundsheet that folds to about the size of a match box and is supposedly very strong. The tent has a built-in groundsheet though.

You've got to remember if your down to your bob your in the manure waist deep and you need the kit to keep you alive and at that point it's unlikely to be a balmy august summer evening ... I Provided first aid to a woman on the cycle track 100m from home after half an hour of a 4 hour wait for an ambulance the foil blanket which I deployed from my cars FAK was useless fortunately for her Mrs A was at home who fetched a sleeping bag and my terranova bothy bag ..

Going back 20 years or so the big orange rubble sack / bin liner polythene survival bag was a must have something's do just work and pass the test of time

I used to use an orange plastic sack liner. Can't remember if it was supposed to be a bivvy bag. Not sure if they still make them. My Osprey sack liner is big enough to cover up to my waist. Took a look at the blizzard bags website, they look pretty good, if they are more tear resistant than normal space blankets.

[Peter]

An orange plastic survival/bivi bag can save your life.........for £3........it’s a no brainer.

[pseudonym]

An orange plastic survival/bivi bag can save your life.........for £3........it’s a no brainer.

Never underestimate your rucksack either, empty the main compartment and climb in.

[diamond lil]

Random memory - many years ago we took the 3 kids and went up the hill behind the house to collect wood for the fire when we ran out of coal (and money). Wind was hellish, arctic cold, and Michael the youngest was 4, had a cough and was freezing. I ended up putting the wood in a bundle tied with baler twine, and putting Michael in the bag for the wood. Tied round his neck with more baler twine (loosely, and yes he did live to grow up). Made a huge difference just getting him out of the wind.

[Frnc]

Couple of thoughts re space blankets and the like...

Firstly. If you're on a day hike, with no tent, sleeping bag etc, then you should have one. But if you are backpacking, or on a multi-day bug out, you shouldn't need one. Hence my BOB only has the minimalist traditional space blanket. If you are on a long car journey in winter, winter clothing is more use than a space blanket if you break down.

Secondly, they are not breathable, and if you get sweaty and then cold, that can be fatal. Never get sweaty in winter outside if you can help it.

There is a school of thought that's different, VBL (vapour barrier liner), but very few mainstream companies make anything using this, I don't know much about it, or whether it has any merits. Western Mountaineering make a VBL Hot Sac sleeping bag liner that can double as an emergency bivvi bag. It also has a metallised coating. This is a niche item designed to stop evaporative heat loss in very cold conditions. It is fitted to ripstop, so is a lot more expensive than emergency bags. I don't think this is really applicable to the UK. Use on multiday polar expeditions.

Back to clothing. Wool is the best insulator in damp conditions, followed by some synthetics. Cotton is the worst. I was taught as a kid 'stay cool to stay warm'. In other words, don't let yourself sweat. Remove layers when active, and put layers on when you stop.

Also, you can't do much if you are bundled up in a bag. The main way to avoid hypotermia after wearing correct clothes is to keep active, keep moving. You can open the foot area of a bag so you can walk in it, in theory, but you can't use your arms. A blanket is maybe more versatile, but allows more cold air in.

[pseudonym]

Just ordered the final battery expansion pack for my Jackery. 12 kwatts in total. (pics when it arrives)

And here we are:



12 Kilowatts of home backup and 1.2 Kw of portable power for travel and camping