Along the lines of wool blankets I can't recommend the ones at www.alpaca4less.com enough. They aren't as cheap as a USGI surplus or an Israeli surplus, but I'd put any one of their heavy thick alpaca blankets against any two or three of the surplus blankets any day of the week. Not only are the blankets themselves much better quality, but the sizing options are incredibly nice. I'm not 5'-8" and skinny so I can't curl up in a surplus blanket and room to spare. I bought one of their king sized blankets on a big sale they had for just over $100 and I can't say enough about how much I love that thing. I like it so much that I ended up buying another in queen size later on when they were on sale. The wool is soft, and thick. I haven't even touched one of my surplus blankets since I bought these and I don't regret a thing.
Along the lines of wool blankets I can't recommend the ones at www.alpaca4less.com enough. They aren't as cheap as a USGI surplus or an Israeli surplus, but I'd put any one of their heavy thick alpaca blankets against any two or three of the surplus blankets any day of the week. Not only are the blankets themselves much better quality, but the sizing options are incredibly nice. I'm not 5'-8" and skinny so I can't curl up in a surplus blanket and room to spare. I bought one of their king sized blankets on a big sale they had for just over $100 and I can't say enough about how much I love that thing. I like it so much that I ended up buying another in queen size later on when they were on sale. The wool is soft, and thick. I haven't even touched one of my surplus blankets since I bought these and I don't regret a thing.
This is good to know as my alpaca blankets are still on the alpacas!
Good topic.
I just reviewed my get-home bag this week and realized I need a better emergency blanket. I am trying to decide between wool, Mylar, or maybe both.
Good topic.
I just reviewed my get-home bag this week and realized I need a better emergency blanket. I am trying to decide between wool, Mylar, or maybe both.
I compromised on my "invisi-blankets" . $20ish, 70% wool and more importantly the proper shade of gray. I have a couple that drape over items in my gray colored vehicle interior. While they don't make things truly invisible, everything blends pretty well.
For 20 bucks on Amazon, these blankets are easily replaceable. Easy to say "keep it" if you run into someone else's SHTF while out on the road.
Good topic.
I just reviewed my get-home bag this week and realized I need a better emergency blanket. I am trying to decide between wool, Mylar, or maybe both.
I compromised on my "invisi-blankets" . $20ish, 70% wool and more importantly the proper shade of gray. I have a couple that drape over items in my gray colored vehicle interior. While they don't make things truly invisible, everything blends pretty well.
For 20 bucks on Amazon, these blankets are easily replaceable. Easy to say "keep it" if you run into someone else's SHTF while out on the road.
...What if you're in a survival situation and you actually want to be found, i.e. rescued? Our buddy Dave Canterbuy would recommend a brighter color, would he not?
If you want to be found learn to use a survival mirror and have whistles. Sit your ass down, you are lost, and light a fire.
I say it that way because most of you don't own a mirror, let alone know how to signal a moving object like a plane. Once you do know the basics, there is NO spot you can't put a reflection on. See physics and science, rules never change.
When I went on my first solo walk in the "wilderness" the only rule was every 15 minutes I had to signal with my mirror back towards camp. I thought that was the dumbest damn thing ever. I was going to be in and out of rocks and crevices (reference scene where Captain Kirk fights the Lizzard commander, those rocks) but I did it. Upon my return my Dad knew my exact route of travel. Wow, when in doubt, signal out. It works. I was ten at the time and I still have both that USAF whistle and mirror, plus others.
I wish I was into this stuff back when the company my dad retired from still owned Sportsman's Guide. He got a damn hefty discount as VP, but I was a bit young back then.
Hell, didn't Sportsman's Guide used to sell ammo?
I always have a whistle on my person. People underestimate the potential need to signal for help, even when not in the wilderness. No one can yell as loud or for as long as they can blow a good whistle.
Having a reflector on your person all the time is also a good practice! Mirrors with a sighting hole are easier to use, but as the illustrious Zoub suggests, knowing how to use any old reflector to signal is a Very Good Idea.
I always have a whistle on my person. People underestimate the potential need to signal for help, even when not in the wilderness. No one can yell as loud or for as long as they can blow a good whistle.
Having a reflector on your person all the time is also a good practice! Mirrors with a sighting hole are easier to use, but as the illustrious Zoub suggests, knowing how to use any old reflector to signal is a Very Good Idea.
Menards usually has the best prices. I'd spend the extra money and go pressure treated.Shopped for EMP-proof 4 x 4.
I carry a whistle on my keys so it's always in my pocket. It's not as loud as the one I can do on my own though...