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johngilpin
Joined: 23 Mar 2011
Posts: 93
Location: 004
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 Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:50 am Post subject: Survival |
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| Quote: | | Granted most of you are not flying in such a risky area, but don't neglect the worst case scenario preparation. Larry |
That's for sure Larry. An outlanding can become a serious threat, even in you own 'patch'. Case in point follows:
Two weeks ago a Drifter flyer from our airfield had an exhaust extension break off and go through the prop. Vibration so bad that it shook one carb off. He made a good outlanding with no damage. Tried his mobile (cell) phone but no signal..... He started walking and finally found a signal on a hill. Rang us and told the story and we started out with a spare prop. One request he had was "...bring water..." It was HOT day and he had to walk several miles x-country to get to the nearest road. Wasn't carrying any water in the aircraft.... We finally found him and watered him and fitted the prop and he flew out again, no problem. But just consider how that could have gone wrong..... If he'd hit a log buried in the grass and up-ended, and broken an ankle he couldn't have raised the alarm, and would have been stranded in the open without water.... His wife wouldn't have started to panic until dark, so no search that day, so a very uncomfortable night to come.... If it had been freezing temperature it could have been even worse....
The main point is, this was only about 6 miles from the airfield, in fairly habited country, so it's not only on long x-country adventure flights that you need some survival equipment on board. You ALWAYS need it!
WATER - I carry a 3 litre 'Hydration Pack' stuffed into the nosecone of my Kolb, always..... Those packs are excellent because they're just about indestructible, and flexible enough to stuff into awkward corners. Also, they carry as a backpack in case you need to walk out.
COMMUNICATION - I carry a Spot satellite locator on my belt. They're excellent because they have three options for degree of emergency. For the first level I have it programmed with the message - "...All is well...", for when I just want to check-in. Next level says - "...Not injured but need mechanical assistance...", for the sort of situation that the Drifter flyer was in. These messages are sent by text to friends' mobile phones and emails that I specify. I think best to send them to friends who are most likely to be able to organize assistance. Then the serious level - "...Injured and need help soonest..." This level automatically activates a full emergency, and Spot management notifies police and local emergency response crews, as well as the specified friends. The Spot also sends out emails that shows the exact location on Google Maps to make location easy. Wouldn't travel without it! I also carry a PLB, but when you press the button on that, the panic is on and the cavalry comes choppering in.... It sure is good to have those several levels of urgency with the Spot. And that Spot needs to be on your person, in case of fire you have to get out quick and run....
SHELTER - I agree with Larry, that it's not a good idea to be flying in cold conditions with light clothing, depending on a heated cabin. If so carry extra survival clothing, but might as well be wearing it, eh.... I always carry two 'Space Blankets' They weigh nothing and take little space, but can make the difference of survival or not, especially if stranded in wet and cold. Squat down, back against a tree or whatever, and wrap the blankets under, and around and over. It gets really cramped after awhile, but it confines your body heat and makes survival possible. It gets damp in there due to condensation, but it's a whole lot better than cold rain. If you have suitable wood for a fire, then rig the blankets as a lean-to and ground sheet, and it's as cozy as a toaster oven! If stranded under the hot sun, the reflective blankets make a very good shade shelter.
Just my two-bits worth, but I've had to depend upon my survival water and those Space Blankets a couple of times, and wouldn't ever want to be without them.....
JG
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John Hauck
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:05 am Post subject: Survival |
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What Larry Cottrell and John Gilpin said, reference survival, may say your
life.
Survival equipment is like a parachute. You don't need it until you need
it. But if you don't have it.....
john h
mkIII
Titus, Alabama
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_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama |
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