Personal Survival Equipment & Use

The Polar Code suggests the following for personal survival equipment:

• Protective clothing
• Skin protection cream
• Thermal protective aid
• Sunglasses
• Whistle
• Drinking mug
• Penknife
• Polar survival guidance
• Emergency food
• Carrying bag

We will highlight some of this equipment below for greater understanding and proper use.

Skin Protection Cream

There are creams available that help protect skin from the effects of cold and wind. Oftentimes these creams are referred to as an "all weather guard." Skin protection cream assists by creating an additional barrier, allowing for extra insulation, and moisturizing the skin to prevent scaling and cracking. By performing these functions, it aids the skin in proper circulation. When using skin protection cream apply liberally to face, hands, feet, ears, and any other location needed.

Thermal Protective Aid

A thermal protective aid is an aluminized plastic suit with heat sealed seams designed to protect the wearer from the elements, specifically preventing hypothermia. The International Life-Saving Appliance Code defines the thermal protective aid as a full body suit that is constructed of weatherproof material, has a thermal conductance of no more than 7,800 W/m²K, and protects the wearer from convective and evaporative heat loss. To meet the necessary standards, a thermal protective aid must cover the entire body of the wearer while wearing a life jacket (not including the face), be able to be unpacked and put on easily and without assistance in a survival craft or rescue boat, and be able to be removed in a maximum of two minutes when being worn so as not to impair the person's ability to swim. Thermal protective aids are international orange in color so that it is highly visible in all weather conditions. There must be an appropriate thermal protective aid available for every person.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are important for many reasons. It is very bright in the polar regions. In addition to the glare caused by sunlight, light also reflects off of ice and snow. Furthermore, during some seasons there are extended periods of daylight. Sunglasses are vital for reducing this glare as well as providing protection from UVA and UVB rays to prevent snow blindness.

Polar Survival Guidance

There are many polar survival guides on the market as well as literature that can be found. A guide needs to cover some very important survival basics, such as the following:

• First aid
• Wildlife (predators, and how to protect oneself)
• Shelter (what to look for and how to construct shelter if necessary)
• Water
• Food (how to obtain via fishing, hunting, and trapping)

Additional Items

While the Polar Code does not mention the following items, they can be of great benefit in an emergency. It is always best to be as prepared as possible!

• Cordage
• Flint
• Waterproof matches or lighter
• Duct tape

To learn more about Polar Code visit our Polar Code Online Training web page.