Fires
and aircraft crashes go together.
Statistics vary, as to how often aircraft burn upon crashing, from 87%
catching fire upon impact with the ground, to 5% to 18% of all crashes burning
upon crashing1.
Also,
surveys show “that most people think they actually have about 30 minutes to
get out of a burning plane”, however, according to theFAA, the reality is
that between 90 and 150 seconds after the cabin catches fire and fills with
flames and smoke, a violent explosion of superheated gases will occur, called a
“flashover”, and after that escape is impossible.2
But
what if your plane crash lands on a lake or river, do you have more time to
escape, since it isn’t likely to catch fire in that case?
No,
because NOW you must worry about drowning!
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada completed a study in 1994,
that found that of the 48% “(103) of the 216 fatal accidents known to terminate
in the water”. Further they found
that of the 168 fatalities in the 103 crashes which terminated in the water,
52% died from drowning.3 They
also wrote that often the aircraft end up floating upside down, suspended by its
floats. And to top it all off, The
Second World Congress on Wilderness Medicine, 1995, noted in the presentation
on “Escape Considerations for Fixed Wing Aircraft”,
that there is a tendency for fixed wing aircraft to sink nose first, because of
the weight of the engine. This forces
survivors into the tail section, where there is no way to exit the plane as it
sinks, so they drown.
This
is why in Part One, HERE,
I asked, if you had only 60 seconds to choose just four things to help you
survive in the arctic wilderness after a plane crash, what would you
choose? And more importantly, why would
you choose them?
So,
which four items did you think would help you the most to survive the snow and
cold, until rescuers realize you are overdue and come looking for you in 15
days or so? Hopefully, you used the rule
of threes to help you decide which of the 15 items were most important to your
survival.
In 1974, the experts that
ELM questioned for the correct answers for the “Subarctic Survival Situation”
were the Canadian Para Rescue Specialists of the 413 Transport and Rescue
Squadron. This squadron, which was
stationed at Summerside, Prince Edward Island, was responsible for air and sea operations
in Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador, and the arctic regions. These specialists had received rescue and
survival training in both the subarctic and arctic, and what follows are their rankings
and their reasons (in italics).
1-- 13 Wood Matches (in a metal screw top,
waterproof container)
The experts consider this
to be the single most critical item.
Protection from the cold and a source of fire are absolutenecessities. While other means to start
a fire exist, they are unreliable in the hands of amateurs. At night, the fire could also serve as a signal. Since the terrain in this area is high,
aircraft in and out of Schefferville might spot it.
2-- Hand Ax
A continuous supply of
wood is necessary to maintain the fire.
Therefore, a hand ax may be the most frequently used item in camp. It is also useful for clearing a sheltered
campsite, cutting boughs for ground insulation, constructing a frame for the
shelter, and butchering in the event that the group locates and kills caribou,
bear, or moose.
3-- 20'x 20' (7m x 7m) Piece of Heavy Duty
Canvas
Prevailing winds of 13-15
knots (15-17 MPH or 24-28 KPH) will make some protection
necessary. The canvas can adequately
serveas protection from the elements-rain, snow, and sleet. Spread on a frame and secured by rope, it
makes a good tent or could be used as ground cover. Rigged as a wind screen, it acts as
insulation and holds heat. Its width,
contrasting with the terrain, makes it easily spotted in an air search.
4-- 1 Sleeping Bag (arctic type,
down-filled with liner)
A possible 14 nights in
the subarctic would render this type of sleeping bag (good to -20° F or -29° C)
a key factor in survival. To maximize its
effectiveness, survivors must try to keep the bags dry at all times.
5-- Gallon (4 &) Can of Maple Syrup
This item has two
possible survival uses. The maple syrup
is a source of quick energy and some nourishment. The can itself, ifused for cooking and water
collecting, is helpful. Since food will
eventually be a problem, survivors must value any source. Since most plants in the subarctic region are
edible, especially after boiling, the can is important. Various green plants such as arctic willow
and dandelion, as well as evergreen inner bark, may be boiled and eaten. Snow should not be eaten. It will cause dehydration rather than relieve
thirst. If possible, survivors should
melt ice instead of snow. It takes 50
percent more fuel to obtain a given amount of water from snow than from ice.
6-- 250 ft. (75 m) of 1/4-lnch (0.5 cm)
Braided Nylon Rope, 50 lb. (25 kg) test
The nylon rope can tie
poles of wood together as supports for the shelter, or it can be used to string
the canvas between two trees. Threads of
the rope could be used for a fishing line.
Additionally, survivors could use the rope to hang fresh meat away from
predators (bears or arctic wolves). It
could also be used to construct a willow net for fishing, to construct various
traps (including snares and deadfalls), or to string a hunting bow.
7-- A Pair of Snowshoes
The ability to travel in
the subarctic is related to over-the-snow traveling equipment, since unfrozen rivers
and lakes constitute aserious barrier. Snowshoes would be useful for traveling around
camp while constructing a shelter and hunting.
Makeshift snowshoes could be constructed later out of rawhide or rope
with branches, for travel after the freeze (about December 1 ). Rivers are the highways of the north in summer
and winter, but not in spring or fall. Snow
must have a crust over it to expedite travel.
Soft snow is exhausting to walk through.
8-- 1 Aircraft Inner Tube (for a 14-inch
[35 cm] tire-punctured)
You could construct a
slingshot from the inner tube. Birds are
plentiful during the long winter; even owls, ravens, and ptarmigans are
visible. Rock ptarmigans are easily
approached and killed with rocks or a slingshot. Black smoke could easily be produced from
burning strips of rubber, for immediate and more effective signaling. Using the rubber, survivors could make
bindings and spring mechanisms for animal traps.
9-- Safety Razor Shaving Kit with Mirror
The mirror is the most
powerful tool you have for communicating your presence if the sun is out. In the sunlight, a simple mirror cangenerate
five to seven million candlepower of light.
However, heavy clouds cover the sky three quarters of the time, with
only one day in ten being fairly clear. The razor blades (along with the pocketknife)
could be used as cutting edges.
10 -- 1 Operating 4-Battery Flashlight
Because of the length of
time survivors may have to wait before help arrives, the flashlight will be needed
as an emergency source of light in addition to the campfire. Otherwise, it can be held in reserve as a
nighttime signaling device. However, the
battery efficiency will drop with the temperature.
11-- Fifth (750 ml) of Bacardi Rum (151
proof)
The rum could be used for
medicinal purposes, as an anesthetic or disinfectant. The bottle might be useful as a water
container.Although liquor is commonly
thought of as providing body warmth, it actually causes a loss of body
heat. Drinking large quantities of
alcohol will speed up hypothermia, a gradual lowering of the body's
temperature, which can be fatal.
Author’s Note – As a disinfectant,
alcohol below 50% ABV are not good at killing bacteria, fungi, and
viruses. However, alcohol between 60% to
90% ABV is the best to use as a disinfectant. Since 151 proof Bacardi rum is 75.5% alcohol by
volume (ABV), it would make an excellent disinfectant and could also be used
with a cotton wick as a spirit lamp, something the Canadian Para Rescue
Specialists hadn’t thought of. Any alcohol
above 50% ABV, or 100 proof, will burn well and not extinguish easily. As a side note, alcohol between 40% to 50%
ABV will also burn, but only fitfully and is liable to go out easily.
12--Wind-Up Alarm Clock
If used as a time piece,
the clock makes it possible for survivors to locate North. (At 2:50 p.m., line up the small hand with
the sun and a stick. North is centered
between the 7 and 8 o'clock positions in the North Temperate Zone.) The intact
glass surface can be used as a reflective signal. Use the clock itself to establish a routine in
camp, and to determine signaling and fire watch times. If dismantled, internal workings can be used
for fishing hooks and lures.
13-- Magnetic Compass
A compass in this area is
unreliable. Proximity to the magnetic
pole produces serious inaccuracies. The iron
ore deposits will producewide variations in readings. One expert, who is very familiar with the
territory, indicated that it is impossible to walk 100 yards (91 m) and return
accurately using a compass in this area.
14-- Book Entitled, North Star Navigation
The book might be helpful
for starting a fire or as entertainment. But since the book's directions could only be
used at night, it would be dangerous as a navigation aid. North star navigation in the subarctic is not
reliable because the North Star is so high in the sky. Therefore, direction is difficult to determine.
Author’s Note -- If you
go as far north as the North Pole, the North Star, also known as Polaris, will
appear directly overhead, which makes it very hard to determine the correct
path north. As you travel south,
the North Star drops closer to the northern horizon and identification of the
direction north becomes easier.
15--
Bottle of Water Purification Tablets
The water in the area is
as fresh and pure as any in the world.
The bottle, however, could be used for something. Pond water is slightlysafer to drink than
river water.
What’s
your score?
· First.
Calculate your Individual Score by subtracting
your Individual Rank for each of the 15 items from the Experts' Rank for each
of the 15 items. Disregard negative
signs and record the differences in the column labeled "Step 3-Difference
Between Steps 1 & 2”.
· Second. After recording your scores for all 15 items
in column "Step 3”, first total the scores of the first four items and
write it above the “/” at the bottom of column "Step 3”. Next total the scores for ALL 15 items and
record it below the “/”at the bottom of column "Step 3”.
· Third. To find out if you survive or not, compare
your “Individual Score” for the first four items and then your “Individual
Score” for all the items against the charts below.
Did you survive the first night?
To find out if you
survive the first night compare your “Individual Score” for the first four
items against the chart below:
· 0 –
14 points: You survive the night without
freezing to death!
·
15 -
16 points: When morning arrives, you are
alive, but shivering and you can’t feel your fingers. Surviving until noon will be a challenge!
·
17 -
18 points: When morning arrives, you are
hypothermic and barely alive, you die before noon!
·
19 +
points: When the rescuers arrive, they find your
stiff and frozen corpse buried in the drifted snow!
Did you survive the first night?
To find out if you
survive until the rescuers arrive, compare your “Individual Score” for ALL 15
items to the chart below:
· 0 –
50 points: When
the rescuers arrive, they find you alive and hungry, but with no injuries!
·
51 - 60
points: When the
rescuers arrive, you are alive, but shivering and you might lose some of
your fingers and toes to frostbite!
·
61 - 70
points: When the rescuers arrive, you
are hypothermic and barely alive, you might die before the rescuers can get you
to the hospital!
· 71 + points: When the rescuers arrive, they find your
stiff and frozen corpse buried in the drifted snow!
Don’t forget to come back next week and read “A Bender©”, where we
will talk about making a shelter out of next to nothing!
I
hope that you continue to enjoy The Woodsman’s Journal Online and look for me
on YouTube at BandanaMan Productions for other related videos, HERE. Don’t forget to follow me on both The
Woodsman’s Journal Online, HERE,
and subscribe to BandanaMan Productions on YouTube. If you have questions, as always, feel free
to leave a comment on either site. I
announce new articles on Facebook at Eric Reynolds, on Instagram at
bandanamanaproductions, and on VK at Eric Reynolds, so watch for me.
That
is all for now, and as always, until next time, Happy Trails!
Notes
1 Major
Ray Gordon; “Cabin Fires” Flying Safety, January 1986, and David M. Eiband and A. Martin Eiband; “On Crashing and
Burning”, Flying Safety, July 1981
2 “Is
it rare to survive a plane crash?”, September 3, 2023
3 TSB
of Canada; “A Safety Study of Survivability in Seaplane Accidents”
Sources
Delly,
John Gustav; “How to Make/Modify and Use an Alcohol Lamp”, [©2023 The McCrone
Group], https://www.mccrone.com/mm/how-to-makemodify-and-use-an-alcohol-lamp/,
accessed October 21, 2023
Eiband,
David M. and Eiband, A. Martin; “On Crashing and Burning”, Flying Safety,
July, 1981, page 8 to 9, https://books.google.com/books?id=fP6Dz9R5H9cC&pg=RA6-PA8&dq=%E2%80%9COn+Crashing+and+Burning%E2%80%9D,+Flying+Safety,&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjj2__r0IeCAxXarokEHZ9HCiAQ6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=%E2%80%9COn%20Crashing%20and%20Burning%E2%80%9D%2C%20Flying%20Safety%2C&f=false,
accessed October 21, 2023
Gordon,
Major Ray; “Cabin Fires” Flying Safety, January 1986, page 6 to 7, https://books.google.com/books?id=MJuxMs0WZgIC&pg=PA6&dq=%E2%80%9CCabin+Fires%E2%80%9D+Flying+Safety&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi78ee20IeCAxUlmYkEHXjCAc4Q6AF6BAgNEAI#v=onepage&q=%E2%80%9CCabin%20Fires%E2%80%9D%20Flying%20Safety&f=false,
accessed October 21, 2023
Lafferty,
J. C., and Eady, P. M.; “Subarctic Survival Problem”, Experiential Learning
Methods, [Grosse Pointe, MI 1973]
Love The Maldives; “Is it
rare to survive a plane crash?”, Love The Maldives, September 3, 2023, [©
2020 - LoveTheMaldives.com by Flamingo Media SL], https://lovethemaldives.com/faq/is-it-rare-to-survive-a-plane-crash#:~:text=Surveys%20show%20that%20most%20people,everything%20and%20everyone%20in%20it,
accessed October 21, 2023
LTR
Training Systems, “Escape Considerations for Fixed Wing Aircraft”, The
Second World Congress on Wilderness Medicine, [August 8-12, 1995, Aspen,
Colorado], page 239, https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA300465.pdf,
accessed October 21, 2023
TSB
of Canada; “A Safety Study of Survivability in Seaplane Accidents”, Report No.
SA9401, [Minister of Supply and Services Canada, 1994], https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2010/bst-tsb/TU3-2-9401-eng.pdf,
accessed October 21, 2023
United States Department of the Army, Soldier's Handbook for Individual Operations
& Survival in Cold Weather Areas, DA PAM 350-44, [Headquarters,
Department of the Army, 1972]
page 64,
https://books.googleusercontent.com/books/content?req=AKW5QadLeFBQz1f65540a5Aja-c1Ru6FneeOZXKBmGpVSbh0numuZLFwkHax_Ht8ZdJFTOfprhvA8kU7lvtg43R3UbtX1Fm3mjx6O3BQ_eGQ8vDcfnOFRgFVgSrfissBGddiE7gieE0BCdttU0OZsz9W9pJ_riV-TewwuAP222lJJu4LnzX_BFLkmR8YIC5rewBxZde2XqKCJjLq0HVJ7Iqj5RMWg9r3Lp49OW0DcNa-HLNKcp8bGZhf-YFF9edBU79ZaWQ2h_FnNbV34lvP0n5BQUs5BvQ8aOVNAJiVVRTOtgBfoyq_jWs,
accessed October 21, 2023
_-_Single_color%20ed%2010%20percent.jpg)
