Survival bag

A survival bag is a person-sized waterproof bag, typically orange in colour, designed for use in wilderness, mountain, forest upland or hill top situations to avert the threat of hypothermia from exposure. It is reasonably light, made from strong, waterproof and tear-proof plastic, and provides some amount of thermal insulation.

Survival bags are highly recommended (or even compulsory) for carrying in hill walking and Mountain Marathoning. They can be used as an emergency tent substitute if a day trip is accidentally prolonged, or (preferably in combination with a sleeping bag) to warm up a person suffering hypothermia, from exposure, or whose clothes have been soaked (e.g. from a river crossing or rainfall); for that purpose the person should be naked [ [http://www.ivorynet.com/mtkenya-safety.htm Mount Kenya: Safety] ] to ensure energy is not wasted heating up wet clothes. They are also sometimes used in place of groundsheets.

The plastic orange survival bag may be best used by putting it over your head and sitting down inside. Make sure that you puncture the plastic near your face for ventilation. Used in this manner it provides more storm protection and minimises heat loss to the ground - use anything available to insulate your seat i.e your rucksack or backpack. If possible squeeze two or more people into the bag for exchange of body heat.

Plastic survival bags have been somewhat superseded by the group shelter (also referred to as a clan tent or bothy bag). These come in various sizes to seat between 2 and 8 people and are made from fabric. They may be used as added protection for lunch stops and map reading and are often employed by Mountain Rescue Teams.

See also

* Space blanket
* Bivouac sack

References