The Ten Essentials are the key items to have with you on any trip into the back-country -these items could make the difference between life and death in a survival situation.
Check out the article below, courtesy of REI, to learn more about the ten essentials and how to be prepared when you enter the back-country. Our S.O.L. 3 kit is a great start- it includes Medical, Survival, and Gear Repair items in one lightweight, water-resistant kit.
Learn about the tools you need to pack to survive in the wilderness from world renowned high altitude mountaineer Ed Viesturs in our video section.
The Ten Essentials
Knowing the Ten Essentials is good. Carrying the Ten Essentials is better.
When a company is the first to bring a new product concept to market, the brand name can become so well known that it becomes synonymous with the product itself. Xerox® did it when it invented the copier, Kleenex® did it with tissues, and Band-Aid® is known the most for bandages. In the outdoor industry, some might consider the “Space® Blanket” brand to have managed this same feat.
While the Space® brand may be the name people use to refer to this line of products, there are remarkable differences between the Space® brand blankets and AMK’s line of Heatsheets® Emergency Blankets.
Question: Do you think i could fit a sleeping bag inside your emergency bivy?
AMK Answer:
Ian,
Thanks for your question.
It depends on how big your bag is. Most bags will, however extra long or below zero bags might be a tight fit.
The Heatsheets Emergency Bivvy is non-breathable so if you put a sleeping bag inside of it you would create a bit of condensation and perhaps get the outside of the bag and insulation wet. It would get you out of the weather however, so a little condensation would be a small price to pay. If your bag has a water resistant outer shell this would help kepp your insulation from getting wet.
I live in N.E. Ohio and every Oct. I check and update all of my kits (first aid, winter truck pack and home kit). I have been looking at your two bivvy sleeping blankets for my truck kit. Can you tell me which one works the best in very very cold weather?
Answer:
Cassie, They both work well. The main differences are that the Thermo-Lite bivvy will breathe better – meaning less moisture condensation inside – due to the foot vent opening and Velcro side closures. If you are inside your truck, out of the wind, this would be my choice. The Thermo-Lite bivvy is also made of a stronger material. On the other hand, I like the Heatsheets bivvy because of its weight, size and the waterproof taped seams. Either bivvy will help you spend the unexpected night out in your truck.
Q:
Hi Dr. Can you tell me, in degrees F, how an AMK Heatsheets Bivvy would improve the temperature rating for an adventure sleeping bag. I have a sleeping bag which is rated functional to 40 degrees F.
A:
A Heatsheets Bivvy – will add 10 – 15 degrees F. to the temp. rating of your sleeping bag. If you use it on the inside of your bag – plan on a damp night as the material does not breathe. If you put it on the outside of your bag, you will stay drier and warmer, but the outside of your bag will get damp from the condensation. this won’t be a problem if you are using a synthetic bag or a down bag with a water repellent coating on the nylon shell.
Q:
Is it better to put the sleeping bag inside the bivvy, put the bivvy inside the sleeping bag, or ? Please let me know what you think.
A:
Robert, If you use it inside the sleeping bag – you will get clammy and experience the condensation next to your skin. You will also be quite warm. This option will keep your sleeping bag dry. If you use it on the outside it will act as a water and windproof barrier for your sleeping bag and will raise the bag temp. rating by about 15 degrees F. The outside of the bag will get moist, but you will sleep dry. If you are using a down bag with a non waterproof shell than the down could get wet from the condensation and reduce the thermal capacity of the bag. Frank
