Winter Survival Kits

[Code Blue]

Yesterday I had a disturbing moment or 10 in a single when the ignition system misbehaved http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/eek.gif. It led me to thinking how poorly equipped I would be if I had to spend any time on the rather inhospitable ground over which I was flying.

Has anyone any practical, ideally proven, items or strategies for their emergency kits.

You do carry one don't you? ;)

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[Lu Zuckerman]

To: Code Blue

First I’ll tell you my story and then I’ll address your question about what to carry in a survival kit.

Back in the early fifties I was a part of a US Coast Guard helicopter crew operating off an icebreaker working out of Thule, Greenland. Among our many duties we were also testing survival gear for the US Navy Pilots operating out of Korea and off of aircraft carriers. We at all times wore very warm clothing so that is a given. One day we were on a mail run and were going to Thule AFB to pick it up. I normally wore the new Ray ban sunglasses the ones with the upper and lower mirrored surfaces. On this occasion I left them below. I told the pilot that I wanted to pick them up from my locker. He indicated we would only be gone for a half an hour. When we got to the base, we were requested to fly two Airforce techs out on the Ice cap as one of their SA 16s had landed but could not get their prop out of reverse. We ended up staying for three days.
We had two survival/sustenance kits strapped on the side of the helicopter.
Among other things each kit contained an Armalite 222 rifle with ammunition and two pairs of black sunglasses. Someone had broken into both kits and removed the guns and the sunglasses as well as morphine and several other articles. I had to fashion a pair of sunglasses out of a piece of plastic. I cut slits in them just like the Eskimos’. Even with those make shift sunglasses, I suffered retinal burns and I had to spend several days in the sick bay.

If you are operating in snow country I assume you wear thermal underwear. Even if you do, have several sets for your passengers. Carry at least four thermal blankets (Aluminized Mylar). They are sometimes called Astronaut blankets. Carry several pairs of thermal socks and thermal gloves. If you can find them carry a couple of Jonnie Hand Warmers and matches in a vapor proof container. Carry the necessary signaling devices both electronic and visual. Carry chocolate (even if it gets frozen) as it has a lot of energy. The same for power bars you get in the grocery. Don't forget several pairs of Uv protected black sunglasses.

There are a lot of other things so I’ll let the other guys fill in the blanks.

Now, if you can only get the helicopter off the ground with all of that extra weight.


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The Cat

[This message has been edited by Lu Zuckerman (edited 03 February 2001).]

[Cyclic Hotline]

In Alaska, we are required by State law to carry the following survival equipment in the aircraft at all times. This is a minimum list, and most people add to it dependent upon their own experience or requirements.

Our own requirements add a small tent, float-coat for each occupant (or life jacket- to be worn at all times if any flight over water is anticipated). We also carry strobes, hand held radios (to access the repeater system) and a life-raft on every flight - a life raft can provide excellent cover from the weather. The most important addition is a ton of bug-spray!

Some have questioned our policy regarding survival equipment, (which is considered over the top by people with no knowledge of this area), and who believe that this stuff will never be required. I believe, and hope, that they are correct.

I never fly without the gear, have never been forced into a survival situation, and hopefully never will - thus proving that all this effort is absolutely not required. Maybe this will stave off bad fortune? But if it doesn't, then at least I will have every chance of making it out of there!

From the Alaska region FAA.
http://www.alaska.faa.gov/flytoak/flttips1.htm

Emergency Equipment
Alaska law requires that no pilot may make a flight in Alaska without carrying emergency equipment.

This equipment includes:
Food for each person in the aircraft sufficient to maintain life for two weeks.

One ax or hatchet

One first aid kit

One pistol, revolver, shotgun, or rifle and ammunition as appropriate. This is for use in food gathering, protection, and to attract attention of rescue aircraft or vehicles.

One small gill net and an assortment of tackle such as hooks, flies, lines, and sinkers.

One knife

Two small boxes of matches (We also add disposable lighters)

One mosquito headnet for each person.

Two small signaling devices, such as colored smoke bombs, signal mirrors, railroad flares, or Very pistol shells stored in sealed metal containers.

In addition, the following are required for winter travel, October through April.
One pair snowshoes
One sleeping bag
One woollen blanket for each person

You may be asked about your survival gear when filing a flight plan, but the responsibility for having it on board the aircraft is the pilot's. Complete information on survival gear and basic requirements are contained in the Alaska Supplement under the section "General Notices, General Information on Flying to Alaska (Civil)".

There is no way to tell an emergency locator beacon (ELT) test signal from the real thing. If you need to test an ELT, please restrict it to 3 sweeps during the first five minutes of the hour. If you need to make a prolonged test, take the beacon to a radio shop where it can be shielded to avoid undesired emissions.

Pilots should monitor the 121.5 emergency frequency at all times, but especially after landing to verify the ELT on board the aircraft has not been accidentally activated.

[Code Blue]

Lu and CH:
Thanks for the replies. I (fortunately) have no practical experience in this field and was looking to benefit from the experience of others.

For info below are the Canadian regs:

Winter Survival Canada Regs:

CARS 602.61 Survival Equipment - Flights over Land
(1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall operate an aircraft over land unless there is carried on board survival equipment, sufficient for the survival on the ground of each person on board, given the geographical area, the season of the year and anticipated seasonal climatic variations, that provides the means for
(a) starting a fire;
(b) providing shelter;
(c) providing or purifying water; and
(d) visually signalling distress.

subsection (2) covers gliders &c.

AIP AIR Annex:

Starting Fire:
Waterproof matches
Candle for stubborn fires
Fuel tablets
Saw

Shelter: tent
Tarpaulin 8’ x 8’
Saw
Personal rain protection
Space Blankets
Air mattress foam pad
Sewing kit
(mosquito nets and duct tape)

Water:
Purification tablets
Boiling in suitable container

Signalling:
Holographic mirror (range ~22 miles) Or 2 sided mirror with hole
8’ x 8’ orange panel
strobe (range 8 miles at night) or flashlight (range ~0.5 miles)


Anyone any thoughts on the newer 406 MHz ELT's?



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[Cyclic Hotline]

Just thought of a couple other important things we have in our survival kits.

Heavy Duty Garbage bags - these can be used as rain gear. Just punch out holes for your head and arms, and you have an excellent means of staying dry, and also conserving heat.

Duct tape - this is an excellent fire starter, as it burns very well. Also is an excellent piece of first aid equipment, as it can be used to strap injuries, especially sprains. I once saw a very creative hat made from duct tape. As this is the major source of body heat loss, can make a lot of difference.

A Gerber or Leatherman knife in your personal survival gear can also make a lot of difference to assisting your initial survival actions.

[Squawk 8888]

In your trusty AIP, the AIR Annex section has very detailed lists of survival gear for each region and season- very helpful stuff in there. For me, the best survival gear to carry is the instructor I have for my night rating :) She went on a survival course in northern Québec in the dead of winter, and they made her spend the night alone with no matches and one hand tied behind her back (each student was given a simulated injury). After three hours she got a fire going :)

[This message has been edited by Squawk 8888 (edited 05 February 2001).]

[Code Blue]

Interestingly, the AIP AIR Annex makes specific reference to starting a fire. It says this may need some extra training as it is a problem. Recalling previous camping/gardening adventures, I can remember many occasion where I burned more matches than wood :) Not a good prospect for the Wilds.

Any personal experience of Survival courses?

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[Squawk 8888]

Magnesium is a castaway's best friend- you can get a small block of it at Canadian Tire (in the camping section). Use a knife to scrape off lots of shavings to go on the material you want to ignite. It burns so hot that you can light wet logs with it- it's bright as the sun and can even burn underwater (it actually sucks oxygen out of the water).

[Code Blue]

The magnesium sounds a great idea, especially for non-pyromaniacs like me..

I realise that I can't really learn the sort of skills that might be needed solely from books. Do you know where your instructor did her survival course?

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[Squawk 8888]

She took it as part of an aviation-related programme at a community college in Montréal. Don't know the name of the school but if you send me a private email I can get you contact info for our FTO and you can leave her a message. AFIK it's a French-language school.

You might want to check with the Toronto-area colleges that operate aviation programmes- Seneca, George Brown, Sheridan and Humber. Also, if you have time to do volunteer work for the Air Cadets you can get some courses from the DND for free (and even get paid a few bucks). I'm just a Civilian Specialist with them, but if you go for officer training they can send you on several times a year if you want. You'll also have loads of fun :)

[Code Blue]

Unfortunately I'm not bilingual enough for a French language school http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/redface.gif

I wasn't impressed with the survival course for the CPL and I was looking for recommendations, hence my question about courses.

Thanks for the offer.


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[paco]

Cyclic Hotline -

Just thought you might want to know - disposable lighters are beginning to be regarded as dangerous goods - they are not allowed at all on the bucket and spade flights in Europe, due to their quality (or rather lack of)

Phil

[paco]

Oh yeah, forgot - in Canada you may need some sort of gun acquisition licence (nothing to do with aviation) - not sure of the details, as it's all changing, but worth looking at with your local friendly firarms instructor.

cheers

Phil

[cptpinpin]

In Canada, to legally own a Riffle or shotgun, you must take a course in handling and security and pass exams (CCSMAF). For handguns you take an additional course that allows you to apply for permission to acquire and own a revolver (Restricted or prohibited Fire arm). Then you go out to your favorite gunsmith and purchase your handgun, register as a member of a nearby gun club, wait two weeks to process your purchase before you can actually possess your weapon. Then before you can leave your gunsmith's store with your gun, you must have two permits from your local (provincial) Fire arms controller that allows you to transport it to your home. This permit is valid one time only for that day. The other permit is good for one year and is to allow you to travel with your handgun from your home directly to your gun club and directly back to your home using the most direct route possible.

After having gone through all of these steps, you will find that the reason for which you originally purchased the damn thing (Carry in the helicopter for Survival in the Bush) is impossible to do legally.
The Canadian authorities will not issue handgun permits for survival purposes. (they have been evaluating the need for this for over two years and still can't come up with any conclusions to this time)

I am fighting this issue at the present time.

Any comments?

cptpinpin

[2R]

They would not let my friend register his survival gun as someone had filed off the registration number,oh well i guess that what you can expect when you buy a gun in a pub. Nice 44 magnum though and good to have in grizzly country.:ok: