As well as the preceding information, consideration should be given to the following: 1. Shelter from cold winds is vital. If body temperature falls below 95°F (35°C), hypothermia can set in.


2. Life rafts provide considerable warmth from the body heat of the occupants, they also contain a survival pack and some have an integral emergency locater transmitter.


3. Unless the fire risk is obvious, use of the aircraft fuselage as shelter is desirable.


4. If no other form of shelter is available, a trench can be dug in the snow to keep out freezing winds. Attempt to construct an igloo by piling snow in a mound and digging inside.


5. Fire is one of the basic needs for arctic/winter survival, so light one as soon as possible and keep it going.


6. Constantly collect combustible material.


7. Scatter brightly colored items for location identification, but remember to brush off any snow covering frequently.


8. Where there is snow and ice, the amount of drinking water available is endless, however, never eat snow or ice as this will reduce body temperature and cause soreness to lips, gums and tongue. Whenever possible, melt ice rather than snow, as ice produces more water in less time.


9. Exposure can be extremely dangerous and potentially fatal. Someone suffering from exposure should be provided with heat as soon as possible. Warm them from the inside out, providing warm broth or other liquid.


10. Frostbite is the freezing of live body tissue and usually attacks the extremities first (fingers, toes, ear lobes, nose). Treatment is simply to warm the affected part circulation should then return. It is important to deal with frostbite as soon as possible as in its later stages, the tissues are permanently damaged when thawed and usually leads to subsequent amputation.


11. Snow blindness is caused by reflected light from the snow. It can be intensely painful and the only treatment is to rest the eyes in complete darkness. Snow-blindness is generally a temporary affliction.


12. After landing on a glacier or on pack ice, watch for crevasses when walking out for reconnaissance. Connect the participants by a rope. When walking over snow covered areas check the snow in front of you for hidden crevasses, using a stick, snow shovel etc.


Clothing - It is essential to wear sufficient clothing to keep the body warm and dry by insulation. Wearing a thick layer of clothing and a windproof cover best ensures good insulation. Avoid perspiration, it is dangerous because sweating can lead to frost bite. If physical effort is unavoidable, reduce perspiration by opening the clothing at the neck and the wrist, even by taking off some pieces. During rest time, however, put on all clothing again to prevent cooling off.


SEA SURVIVAL


Survival at sea is dependent very much on the use of life rafts. Body heat reduces rapidly once a person is wet, so keeping as dry as possible will prolong survival time considerably. Water and food supplies will be limited so careful allocation of these must be enforced.


Consider the following:


1. To help maintain body warmth. Whether in the water or in the life raft, adopt the fetal position and huddle together with arms linked and held with hands at shoulder height and elbows close to the body.


2. Never drink sea water. 3. Secure all equipment, items of food etc. to prevent loss overboard. 4. Try and keep the inside of the life raft as dry as possible. 5. Use the canopy. 6.


15 Survival, Search and Rescue


Inspect the life raft for leaks and mend with appropriate devices. 7. Ensure that the integral Emergency Location Transmitter has activated.


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