Plane Crash Equipment Scenario – Individual and Group Assignment

You and your companions have just survived the crash of a small plane. Both the pilot and
co-pilot were killed in the crash.

It is mid-January, and you are in Northern Canada. The daily temperature is 25 below zero,
and the nighttime temperature is 40 below zero. There is snow on the ground, and the
countryside is wooded with several creeks criss-crossing the area.

The nearest town is 20 miles away. You are all dressed in city clothes appropriate for a
business meeting.

Your group of survivors managed to salvage the following items. Your task as a group is to list
the following 12 items in order of importance for your survival. You must also list the uses for
each.

1. Cigarette lighter (without fluid): The flint from the cigarette lighter will be useful to help
produce sparks to help create a fire. With the severe cold, keeping warm is the highest
importance.
2. Extra shirt and pants for each survivor: Again, maintaining warmth in temperatures below 40
degrees is going to be paramount. Even if someone does not require an additional pair of pants
or shirt, the material could also be used for help starting a fire and signaling torch for help.
3. A small ax: The ax is going to be useful for many things: cutting down wood for a fire and
building a shelter for the people to stay under for more protection. If there are any animals to be
killed, they could be cut up with the ax for meals.
4. Newspapers (one per person): As keeping warm is paramount, the newspapers can be used to
help ignite the fire with the flint, the steel wool, the whisky, and the Crisco. The ultimate goal
would be to have the wood burning continuously. The newspapers could also be used for
warmth and body cover.
5. A ball of steel wool: The steel wool is also useful for helping make sparks to build a fire for
warmth and signaling for help. It could also be used to tie wood together to build a shelter.
6. Can of Crisco shortening: There are a lot of uses for shortening. It is in a can, so it can has a
shiny end which could be used for signaling for help. The can when empty could be used to
boil drinking water to prevent dehydration. The shortening could be used to help ignite the fire
if spread on the newspaper, clothing, or wood. The shortening could also be used for skin
protection from the cold. Since it is slippery, it could be used to help slide things more easily.
7. Family-size chocolate bars (one per person): The candy bars will provide a little bit of energy.
Since they are a carbohydrate the benefit of the bars will be not long lasting. But, in general
chocolate helps people think and puts them in a better mood. I am not sure if animals like the
smell of chocolate, but if they do then they could kill one for more food.
8. 20 x 20 ft. piece of heavy-duty canvas: The canvas will be used for weather protection, shelter,
and warmth. It can be used to make a teepee like tent over a branch or ground cover for a good
many people. Although, it does not say how many people survived this crash. It does not say
what color it is, but if it is colorful, it would attract attention from above if they a plane is
overhead.
9. One quart of 100-proof whiskey: The whisky has its dangers and its benefits. It can be used to
help ignite a fire and signaling torch. It can be used to clean a wound. But individuals may be
tempted to drink it and it could cause a hypothermic condition for them. Alcohol makes the
blood vessels dilate and then causes rapid heat loss. Drinking the whisky could also cause
descension amongst the group with people being scared and hungry, which is actually more
harmful than helpful. It would probably be more helpful to dump the bottle and use it to heat
snow up for individuals to drink.
10.A loaded .45-caliber pistol: I am sure that most would put this higher on the list. I was going to
put it last on my list as I believe that in a survival situation, I believe that having a gun may only
lead to trouble with hungry and scared people. However, it does have its uses such as a
signaling device to attract attention. Further, if there are animals around the gun could be used
to kill them for food and to protect the group.
11.A compass: This can be used as a directional tool, but I am not sure if considering that the town
is 20 miles away with snow, creeks, and below 40 degree weather that anyone would survive the
trek. The compass may best be used for reflecting light to signal planes passing over.
12.A sectional air map made of plastic: This could be used to identify areas that may have water.
Further, it could be used as ground protection. I am not sure how useful it would be to help
them plan a way to the town which is 20 miles away with the extreme cold and weather
conditions, they would probably not make it safely.

**Please ensure your name is listed here: Victoria Sansone