I've improvised a durable and highly functional survival "Burrito Bag" from two commonly carried items: The grommeted, reflective Sportsman's Blanket (the heavier space blanket from MPI Outdoors, costs about $14, 5 x 7 feet), and duct tape.

The survival "Burrito Bag"(as I have named it!)can be made in a few minutes, keeping your blanket and duct tape available for other things until you need to make the bag. It is far more durable than typical space blankets or bags, is waterproof and windproof, and may be used as a bivvy bag OR "poncho style" so you can walk in it while wearing it.

Here's my recipe for a super warm survival "Burrito Bag":

1. Fold the blanket in half, lengthwise, so that the reflective side is on the inside and the colored side is the outside.
2. Duct tape one of the short sides together completely.
3. Duct tape the open long side together from the bottom (#2) upwards, stopping about 18 inches or so from the top. Leave a few spaces between some of the taped parts for ventilation.
4. The other long section is folded over and doesn't need to be taped.

You can now use this 2.5 foot wide x 7 foot long Burrito in two ways:

1. Slip into the Survival Burrito feet first, and use it just like a bivvy sack. If you have a sleeping pad, you can slide this underneath you.

OR

2. While standing up, slip the Survival Burrito over your head. Shimmy it down all the way to your feet. The closed off end (the bottom if you are using it as a bivvy sack) now forms a very tight wind and waterproof hood. Using your hands or a pocketknife, open up a breathing/vision slit by breaking some of the duct tape seal at the level that is right for you.

You will notice that you can easily walk in the Burrito when worn as described in #2. Shorter people may have to hike it up a bit or even tape it up, which is easily done.

With your back to the wind, you can sit out a storm quite nicely.

Works great if you are in your car as you can sit down easily in it.

In a disaster, or while traveling, if your heat goes out, you can reuse this many many times. I used it for weeks in Africa when nightime temps were in the low 40's.

I have stood in a 15 mph wind in the Survival Burrito in 30 degree weather in a light wool shirt, light wool hat and hiking pants and been quite comfortable.

If you line 3 sides with velcro strips (like the Integral Designs Guides Sil Tarp 2), you can really whip up a Burrito very quickly.

Notes:

1. Gorilla Tape works better than Duct Tape, although Duct is fine.
2. This is durable and reusable. You can easily roll it up and carry it with you. I've used mine many nights.
3. "Survival Pita"--the double sized version: Take two of these Sportsman's Blankets and just tape the two blankets together (two longs sides and one short side). Instant two-person reflective bivvy sack.
4. Can be easily fixed if tape rips. Just replace the tape!
5. If you stick a few long 3-4 foot strips of duct tape onto your blanket, then you can just remove these strips when needed to make the blanket.

Respectfully submitted,


NYC Doc

NYC_Doc
welcome to the forum. Great idea but a little late, check out AMK's bivy bag. Don't get discouraged though we all do it.

Thanks and welcome to the forum.

Dave

NYC Doc,

Welcome to the fire! That's creative setup you've described.

-Blast

Thanks all for the welcome!

Ray Dark Horse--of course I know of the AMK bivvy, I have 2-3 of them. Problem is they are not really multi-use gear, and are a bit flimsy--I always feel like I'm going to rip it apart, especially when tossing and turning overnight with boots on. But I do carry one sometimes, it's a great product.

I'm a big fan of improvisation--because maybe you'll have specialty equipment and maybe you won't--and my survival Burrito was more in that vein, and also as an option instead of the more expensive Land/Shark Stealthbag--a nice product but vacuum packed and expensive.

The new Blizzard Bags are very nice, but they may be a bit noisy.

If I had my choice and weight weren't an issue, I'd always pick one thing and one thing only--a queen sized Hudson's Bay Point Blanket. Bombproof, thick 100% wool to last a lifetime. Great option for a cabin or car.

Anyhow happy holidays and nice to be here.

A bear sees a walking burrito holding a can of pepper spray...

"Hey, great! Spicy Mexican food!"

Sue