I'm a little stocky -- okay I'm a lot stocky. The 99 cent space blankets don't cut it for a cover-up. However, here's a tip if that's all you have -- take off your coat or sweater, wrap it around your torso, and then put your coat back on . . . at least it won't shred quite as fast. The SOL 1-2 person blanket, on the other hand, is big enough to actually wrap up in, keep the wind and snow off you, and probably buy you about 25-30 degrees of temperature protection.
However, you can't build a shelter out of a mylar blanket (you can augment one, but it's not going to be the main ingredient. This brings us to the Grabber, in it's various names. Yep, it's bulkier and heavier than any of the mylars, but it's no heavier than a poly tarp, and its a lot more effective. In the heat, put the reflective side up and gain about 20-30 degrees of effective relief from the desert sun. In the cold, short term, you can wrap up in it to wait out the worst of a storm. If you get through the nasty weather, and need an overnight shelter, you can rig a simple lean-to with some cord and a couple trees. Put a small fire in front and it ain't the Holiday Inn but it's better than mankind had for shelter for 100,000 years.
'this thing, if wrapped snuggly, will give you the equivalent of about 30-40 degrees (i.e. if you find yourself suddenly in 30 degree territory, you can get your core temp to where it might be at 60 degrees. So, if you are reasonably dry, reasonably well fed, reasonably sheltered from wind/rain/snow, this will help a lot. By the way, I tend to wrap the mid-point on each side with a couple layers of Gorilla Tape and put a grommet through it, to give more options for tie-down.
My typical go-bag has a thermal base layer, a Frog Toggs Rain Suit, a SOL 1-2 person blanket or Grizzly emergency bivvy (or both), a Grabber blanket, and a 55 gallon drum liner or equivalent plastic sheet or poly tarp to use as a ground cloth. Add in a skein of paracord or #36 bank line and some tent pegs, and for about $75, I can face pretty much anything above 30 degrees and below tropical storm conditions.
Let's face it, if you go out in a mid-west winter in yoga pants and a hoodie and get stranded, you are pretty well done for. This will NOT save your bacon in that scenario. On the other hand, it just might keep you alive long enough for someone with a vehicle to come along and save you. If you are actually pretty well prepared for the weather, but things get a bit worse than expected, this will help you a lot.
Remember: First, don't die. Second, try not to lose any body parts to frostbite. Third, if you do something dumb and live through it -- make sure you, and everyone you know, never does that dumb thing again. A very good, inexpensive, first step is to have one of these PER PERSON, in your camping gear, bug-out bag, car bag, etc.
Feature Product
- Engineered to reflect and retain over 80% of radiated body heat,
- Provides the user with warmth, comfort and protection from harsh elements
- Utilizing a four layer construction technique that gives the blanket dimensional stability
Description
Utilizing a four-layer construction of super insulating materials, the all weather blanket reflects and retains over 80% of radiated body heat. It is reusable with full edge binding and grommeted corners. If dirty, simply rinse off and wipe dry. This is an ideal accessory for all those venturing in the outdoors.
0 comments:
Post a Comment