PSK Exercise

[neeman]

I was warm for 3 hours. I got up with cold feet. I was going to put the cattail down in my socks, but it got frosty. I am going to do this again in the early spring. Hopefully for a few days.

A winter rated sleeping bag and a foil sheet would have kept you warm and that is only a couple of inches of loft

What I am asking is why a debris shelter with a foot of insulation failed to keep you warm
Is it stupid to ask why your feet were cold?
Were your sock wet?
Having the foil blanket over the insulation is for rain protection or holding the air circulation?
Should the foil be closer to your body to hold in your body heat closer to you?
If the foil was wrapped round you including your feet, might have that kept you warmer including the foot of debris insulation?

Or
the Foil Blanket as a reflector shelter and insulated off the ground setup, all with minimal setup effort
And the spare time spent collecting bigger wood for an overnight fire?


Failure analysis is next time's success

 

[grunt soldier]

you sir are the man. Amazing post sir. great great stuff in that video.

 

[IA Woodsman]

A winter rated sleeping bag and a foil sheet would have kept you warm and that is only a couple of inches of loft

What I am asking is why a debris shelter with a foot of insulation failed to keep you warm
Is it stupid to ask why your feet were cold?
Were your sock wet?
Having the foil blanket over the insulation is for rain protection or holding the air circulation?
Should the foil be closer to your body to hold in your body heat closer to you?
If the foil was wrapped round you including your feet, might have that kept you warmer including the foot of debris insulation?

Or
the Foil Blanket as a reflector shelter and insulated off the ground setup, all with minimal setup effort
And the spare time spent collecting bigger wood for an overnight fire?


Failure analysis is next time's success

It is not stupid to ask why my feet were cold. My socks were dry before I hit the rack. But my boots must have been a little damp. Also I have poor circulation in my feet due to past cold injuries. The space blankets have no thermal insulating qualities. They work best at reflecting radiant heat from fire. In this shelter it was being used for moisture protection. Debris shelter are notorious for leaking. My goal is to have a shelter that you can build with minimal tools,gear and training without relying on a fire for warmth all night.

 

[Gevonovich]

Excellent work!! Really enjoyed watching your videos and learning a few things.

 

[neeman]

You see these disposable space blankets used in emergencys as a vapour barrier to retain bodyheat and to prevent cooling from convection and evaporation.
This is how I used them in the 60s when benighted in the British Hills

They are best when you are wet, and if you are dry will make you a little damp from your own sweat
So wrapping yourself in a space blanket keeps you warmer

But you had to balance its use as a tarp against possible rain or as a personal wrap.


But
Basically the shelter you built is successful and is a good example of how to do it.
But your feet being cold is your specific glitch

 

[Rockywolf]

Thanks for sharing. As a relative newb, I always pick up good ideas from the videos. Where did you get the awesome wool hoodie?

 

[IA Woodsman]

Thanks for sharing. As a relative newb, I always pick up good ideas from the videos. Where did you get the awesome wool hoodie?

That bad boy is from Lester River Bushcraft. I will be doing a review on it soon. So far I am loving it.

http://lrbushcraft.com/Home_Page.html

 

[Codger_64]

One might also find a way to roll the foil rather than folding it. Like around a pencil or straw for a core. Time stored isn't a factor, just repeated folding (particularly wadding) that stress fatigue's the aluminum. Also, all foils are not created equal. They come in several different thicknesses. Thick foils are more durable. The thickest that I know of is the material used to make roasting pans.

 

[IA Woodsman]

One might also find a way to roll the foil rather than folding it. Like around a pencil or straw for a core. Time stored isn't a factor, just repeated folding (particularly wadding) that stress fatigue's the aluminum. Also, all foils are not created equal. They come in several different thicknesses. Thick foils are more durable. The thickest that I know of is the material used to make roasting pans.

I agree that all foils are not created equal. I also like the rolling idea. I am going to give it a try.