For a mini survival pouch like I posted about before, Would you folks consider a space blanket or a disposable poncho to be the best addition?

There is only room for one or the other, not both.

I know each has advantages over the other in its intended use, but I am starting to wonder about which one would be better used in a short term situation and which would fit better in a mini-pocket pouch survival kit.

What do you guys and gals think? If you could take one or the other what would you take and why? Just wondering what everyone else's take on this is.

Thanks

Priest

I'd take the blanket.

The blanket is designed to keep in more heat. The purpose of both is to keep you warm and/or dry. Blanket should keep you warmer, and with uses drier.

My biggest issue with taking it would be it's durability.
I think the tendency to delaminate reduces a space blankets durability, but the difference in durability I don't think is that long so as to change to the poncho.

I would second the AMK heatsheet...

They look like good quality. I wonder how small they could fold and if they will fit in a pocket kit. Anyone know how small these things can be folded compared to the cheap type?

Third.

But, can you cut the disposible poncho so you have the hood and a little of the body, which could then be used with the heat sheet if needed

Neither - As part of my EDC I have a jacket appropriate for conditions. Rain, fleece, parka, etc. Use the space for something else.

Having tried both, I can't tell a difference in warmth between the
two. I would use the poncho.

Nice idea SBRaider

I don't really see how that would be better than one over the other though. I am determined to keep this kit small enough for a pocket.

I have never used an AMK heatsheet but it looks like the way to go. I get the cheap space blankets for free but I don't mind buying one if it is better quality wise.

Can you cut these sheets without them falling apart or do they have seams which prevent them being cut to size? Its hard to tell by the picture but they look like two layers placed together.

Poncho. I like the ability to use it as rain gear or shelter or a blanket depending on what I need. Space blankets are too fragile and can't easily be tied into different shapes/covers.

The AMK heatsheet is a great emergency backup for a poncho, but between the two I'd still go with a poncho.

-Blast

Um, are we talking cheap disposable ponchos? My comments were based on the heavier duty/Mil-Spec type of poncho.

So do I, but getting caught away from my gear for some(unlikely) but possible reason is why I have a mini-kit. If it is a hot day my jacket may find its way into my pack and if I become seperated from it I may really wish I had at least something to use if I cannot retrieve my gear befor the weather changes.

It happened to me once so It could happen again.

I was thinking of simple basic on both counts, not an AMK heatsheet or a MilSpec poncho. MilSpec pncho with the liner would come before all of the above, and I would prefer the AMK heatsheet. The cheap poncho, one of which I do EDC and a number of which I have scattered in different places, is at the bottom of the list.

Be aware AMK has 2 sizes of the heatsheet
The Heatsheet SURVIVAL Blanket 2 person
and a
Heatsheet Blanket 1 person

To take things a step further, take a look at this AMK Heatsheet BIVI review here on ETS
Review
I carry 1 of the 2 person Heatsheet Survival Blankets, and a Heatsheet BIVI in my personal support bag

I'd say it's a false choice. It's summer. Why would I want a space blanket? In fact, I live in California, why would I want a poncho? :->

Your key statement is that each has advantages in its intended use. Keeping your space blanket in your survival kit during the summer may mean you aren't keeping your survival kit relevant to your location, your season, and your current needs.

I'm a "two bright orange high mil thickness 55 gallon bags" guy.

These are stronger than most plastic ponchos, pack smaller than any space blanket I've seen, provide both a surface to sit on and something on top to keep me dry. They can be cut up for signalling. They can be used to carry water or anything else. They can be cut to about the same size as a blanket - typically to be used as a shelter roof.

Typically while I'm out & about I'll also have my Exped Bivy Poncho in my bag, but the 2 bags per person go whereever I (or my wife/kids) go.

I've stopped carring a Heatsheet in my EDC stuff. For a while I carried a tarp/poncho and still do if I'm hiking for the same reasons Blast mentioned but for urban I've switched to an Eddie Bauer pack jacket made of ripstop nylon. It's more bulky but looks like a regular jacket when I'm wearing it and saves me from having to carry a jacket...something I was likely to do anyhow with a heatsheet in my pocket.

I also carry an tiny umbrella in my bag along side my pocket kit and first aid kit.

Without question, I would choose the 2 Person AMK Heatsheet over the poncho. The Heatsheet is nothing like the traditional space/emergency/survival/crap blankets -- they pack smaller, are reusable, are considerably more durable, and don't make a fraction of the noise that the aluminumized mylar blankets do.

Please don't take this as an insult, but based on your choice of the mylar emergency blanket shown in your kit, I'm assuming that by "poncho" you are actually referring to one of the $2.00 disposable ones, correct? I rate those just about as useful as the mylar blankets...

If you are actually referring to a nylon tarp/poncho (which is considerably larger) then it would be a somewhat tougher decision.

The Heatsheet will not only keep you warm (unlike a disposable poncho) but may also be used to keep you dry (especially if you were to hold up stationary and wait out the rain, if possible) and will provide a very reasonable improvised shelter.

Jim

Wow, thanks folks. Since the heatsheet is so highly regarded I may pick one up.

Once again though folks, I need to make this clear. This is NOT the only gear I will have on me. I usually have quality rain gear and shelter in my pack. What I need is something that will fit into my mini- pouch that will fit into my pocket.
(in case I become separated from my pack)

I have taken some time to read through some of the articles here and happened across the mini kit that Mr Ritter sells. The mini kit I have is designed for the same purpose as he intended his to be used.(I think) The only difference is that I made mine from scratch. It is just a few items put together in a kit intended to always be on my person.

I think a lot of you were getting the impression that I would only have this mini-kit on me and nothing else. I am not really that foolish.



No Jim, I took no insult my good man. I posted the stuff because I wanted honest opinions. You are correct, the space blanket in my kit now is not of the higest quality. I was indeed refering to the $2.00 ponchos because those are the only ones I figured likely to fit into the pocket kit. There is no doubt in my mind that a 2 person heatsheet or a milspec poncho would be far superior in terms of quality but they are way to large for what I intend to do with them. These things will be carried in my backpack instead. I think that even a crap space blanket would be worth its weight in gold if I needed it and thats all I had.

That doesent mean I can't find something better for the same ammount of space though. I think the heatsheet may be good if I can fit it in the pouch. If not I may be able to trim it to fit and still have it be a useful size.

For an urban environment, a poncho. More so if you need to be on the move without drawing attention to yourself.

Jeanette Isabelle

For that reason, I would take a $2 poncho over a $2 space blanket. Better as rain gear, will hold in a lot of heat...

The smallest shelter kit I have come up with to date.

2 person AMK Heatsheet
36" of duct tape, folded flat
30' of decoy cord

If a poncho is needed, take a 12-14" strip of duct tape applied where you would want a head hole, then cut the hole in the duct tape/Heatsheet. The duct tape reinforces the hole. More duct tape will close the hole.
Or use cord to rig up A frame or lean-to shelter, tape for repair, etc

I prefer a poncho, but that is because I am more likely to get caught in a sudden downpour and want to stay dry / keep moving, than I am to build a shelter / hole up.

But that is my needs, not necessarily yours. (I've actually got some little packs of a space blanket plus a poncho that Tescos were selling off cheap - small and easy, best of both).

Remember the rule of 3s - shelter is a much higher priority than food

IMHO I would vote for the AMK heatsheet. I have one in my go bag and I live in Florida where I am much more likely to encounter rainstorms vs. Freezing cold. The heatsheet can be used as an emergency poncho, great idea duckear I'll be adding that to my knowledge vault, and as a means of keeping warm. Living in Canada I'd think the likelyhood of requiring warmth would outweigh dry. Warm but wet equals uncomfortable, dry but cold still equals hypothermia.
Just my 2¢

-Bill Liptak

Poncho treattment a Ranger Rick deal?