DIY Survival Shelter with the Pathfinder Survival Blanket

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

have a great weekend !!

[@edgarburlyman738]

Blackie that any-fuel stove I'm always talking about is a Pathfinder product and a Chinese knockoff version

[@bq7227]

You are clearly a man of integrity.

[@blackhatbushcraft]

Excellent job as always brother! You are exactly right, it is all about putting the heads together to make something great. That is one of my favorite things about being at the Pathfinder School with Dave and the other instructors. When everyone starts throwing ideas out a problem or a goal, a combination of two or three ideas usually hits the nail right on the head. I enjoyed seeing your take on this! Take care and God bless my friend.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Thanks again!

[@kellydiver]

I love how you always credit others for their ideas, and how you stay so positive. I don’t like channels that criticize other bushcrafters, and I’ve never heard you do that. Thank you - you’re a breath of fresh air. I’m looking forward to the Silver Wolves class in October.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

I appreciate that!

[@johnthomasjr262]

Y'all three got my gears a turnin' .I asked on his video about a slight modification to the ridge line with no answer, but today is overcast, and I am heading to the trees to try it. Again thank you Blackie for all the great tips you put on your channel 👍

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

awesome

[@BaseDeltaZero1972]

Simple, yet genius. This modification has totally removed all physical strain on the tarp itself!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

correct we use the bankline for the frame so to speak then the tarp can flex a bit in heavy rain

[@Seamus3051]

Thanks Blackie, for more, very useful, bushcraft & survival information. Directing, so many of your ideas to many of us who have "been around the horn", and who are beginning to feel that outdoor living & bushcraft has passed us by .... Cheers.

[@toddvance4592]

Increasing knowledge and expanding ideas is why we watch. Nice job.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thats the ticket

[@smoothvern165]

That was pure genius! The bankline and tape will take almost all of the load! Great video!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Glad you liked it!

[@MiClLC]

I used your quick deploy ridgeline in my backyard and it got me a date night lol. Thanks Blackie!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Glad to hear it

[@Charles-qx4on]

Dang Blackie, that be alllll-right! I have an emergency blanket I carried in Desert Shield/Storm and it's still a keeper, so now she's finally gonna get a facelift. Thanks again.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

awesome and thanks for your service

[@davidnachbaur6805]

I like how you took it a step further with the bankline. Takes all that load grommets

[@toms_dayoff]

👍 Thank you for showing us your knowledge on yt. If I had known all this 30 plus years ago, I wouldn't have had to spend the night in the forest like a dog, curled up in a blanket and tarpaulin.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Glad to help

[@percisionshot4331]

Very nice way to increase longevity of your tarp. I’ll be copying this on my trap.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

you should i think it really adds to the tarp

[@robertdodd9623]

Brilliant ! You just sold a Pathfinder Emergency blanket. With your tip , I now feel like these type of blankets will last , and be worth my purchasing. That's what we call down here "Southern Engineering" .

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

lol glad you like it and hope you have many years of adventures with your new tarp

[@johnwyman5939]

Nicely done on showing off rigging and setup with tarp . Always a learning curve when watching your videos, thank you!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🪓🔪👍👍

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

glad to help

[@danpost4755]

2 great mod videos on these emergency blankets, Blackie! Great ideas! I have 2 of these Pathfinder blankets and plan to do this.

[@glyngibbs9489]

Simple and genius, thanks for sharing.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

You bet!

[@chalion8399]

I've not one of those survival blankets yet, but I can see the need for it. With the preparation set up so it's easy to deploy when you need it is very insightful. I set mine up with the ridgeline already attached to my tarp, so I can set up quickly, but my way requires a certain area to use in. I can see that keeping the ridgeline separate can adapt to different locations better than what I use right now.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Very true!

[@GordonCodyDixon6591]

Another excellent video Blackie. I'll definitely be doing my tarps like that.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks for watching

[@MichaelR58]

Great tip Blackie, thanks for sharing, God bless !

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Thanks for watching!

[@tennesseesmoky9012]

A excellent demonstration of yet another way to deploy a hasty shelter tarp. I appreciate your effort to share this with us. Have a great weekend! - Tennessee Smoky

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kennethwilson8633]

Still would always put an oversized bowline knot at the beginning side and leave it in . When you set up wrap the tree and pass your line through it no tying knots or toggle needed. You can do whatever with the other side and if you want extra toggles . I do that on any ridge lines and if you need to it still unties .Just don’t know why this isn’t popular anymore but it is easy. Have fun stay safe.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks for watching

[@wendellhagg3511]

Thank You Blackie for sharing this Video. Great looking set up !! H.

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. Looks like a great way to set up a tarp. You always offer practical ideas. I have always thought of both the Sheepshank and the Marlinspike Hitch as knots, especially because both can be found in the Clifford W. Ashley Book of Knots.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidneal6920]

Those survival blankets look really good 🇺🇸 🇳🇿

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

they are great as a heat reflector

[@joshuaritzheimer1382]

Great idea! This is a great community for idea sharing and building upon one another, but it also takes 2 parties who set aside ego and competitiveness to truly share and grow. Good on ya!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Absolutely!

[@ericvater7855]

Another great video Blackie really makes great sense 👍 have a great day Blackie

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks for watching

[@williammccaslin8527]

After ripping out many a grommet, I can see that X of bank line, hmmm. Another one for the tool box. Thx for the vid Blackie

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Right on

[@eschneider8799]

Great mod Blackie, should extend the life of the tarp & it's also a distress signal. Old boy scout here 🇨🇦 Thnx for the advice on the structural ridge line. Cheers

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Thanks 👍

[@hagman1077]

I do have to say Blackie- you do come up with some interesting stuff. This set-up seems like it would take longer than normal of the rapid ridge line. However, in all fairness- this set-up looks like it would work very well. I have one of those cheap Pathfinder blankets and it would be a real good product if they would just use better grommets and quality stitching. I use mine, but only because I re-enforced the grommets. If I purchase another, it will be made here in America. I am going to take your idea of the bankline and duct tape and do mine the same way. Thanks for another video and you be safe out there in your adventures- Carry On-

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks for watching

[@hagman1077]

Always good content Blackie-@@BLACKIETHOMAS

[@HughPecon]

I wish that schools would hire people like you to teach these things as a course in junior high through High School. Not only will the students learn something. They will abtain the most valuable resource possible. Critical Thinking.

[@jeffrichards5106]

That's great, Blackie! Thanks for the video. I don't have the Pathfinder survival blanket. But I do have a Grabber blanket. Maybe I can make the same modifications for it. 👍

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Sounds great!

[@scottcatchot1598]

years ago while in scouts I found a beautiful spot to set my tent, on a bit of a downward slope. Was in a hurry to go do stuff with friends and set it up, opening facing uphill. well it rained and I woke up with a full of water tent.

[@awayinthewilderness4319]

Nice! Love the hanging of the haversack!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Thanks!

[@timlacy2284]

Blackie, Great Information and Tips and Tricks. You Are Right We All Work Together To Make Things Better and Easier. Thank You For All Your Hard Work and Sharing Your Time and Knowledge and Wisdom and Experience and Passing on the Craft. We Go To The Woods To Smooth It and Enjoy Our Time Outdoors. Thanks Again. Tim L.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

I appreciate that!

[@anthonyjacobs6790]

I love your videos, I always learn so much. It was Dave Canterbury that first got me interested in Bushcraft, but you and Waypoint Survival, along with Greencraft and MCQ (a couple of UK channels), who keep me interested. I just can't see how the sheepshank works to secure the ridgeline though.

[@chalion8399]

The last loop in the sheepshank is where the toggle that goes through that loop, then through the loop on the tarp end, to secure both together and hold those loops taught, so they can't slip apart. Think of it this way, take both your hands and each thumb and forefinger link together to make loops. Then Imagine a stick/toggle to go through one loop, then the other loop goes AROUND the 2nd loop to secure both loops to that toggle. One loop should hitch against the other so they overlap with the toggle between them. Without a whiteboard or a specific depiction of how they go together, that's the best I can think of as an explanation.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Cool, thanks if you look at daves and matt mercer 's video they do a better job showing that point

[@I_Of_Providence]

awesome idea Blackie! thanks for it!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

You bet!

[@user-bh3ew6ii4g]

I have had quality control issues with grommets multiple Pathfinder Survival Blankets out of the box. Even when I let them know and they sent me a replacement, it still had the same problem. I will never buy one of these from them again. I like the Arcturus Survival Blankets, their have good quality control, I own many and have never had a problem.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks for the comment safe journeys

[@markfletcher5457]

I like your idea. Cool advice as always.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TinyTitan50]

Wonderful stuff

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks for watching

[@paguristes5278]

Lets not forget, particularly against an orange rectangle, a V can be used when needing help but still mobile, while X indicates a severely injury and inability to move. Just saying, due to deploying this as demonstrated, you might get more of a response than you were seeking if not truly using this as shelter with such an emergency. Might consider using an orange or similar tape if not intended for signalling? I suppose you could have the other side upward if not or actually put a V on that.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

good point

[@SmithandWesson22A]

Brought back 35 year old memories of learning emergency signalling when I was an Air Force Cadet.. Going to brush up on the old knowledge now 😊

[@earlshaner4441]

Good afternoon from Syracuse NY brother

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

hello there!

[@earlshaner4441]

Hi my friend

[@petemajoinen8248]

Epic bro, nice one!

[@stevestumpy6873]

great idea

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks

[@jeffersonthomason-ry5di]

When I saw Matt n Dave do it , I thought ....aallww hell , they changed it again . But seeing this video it occurs that that might work with my Mule Tape 2500 . Imma gonna experiment with that in the back yard .

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yes it would

[@Espirivit]

I can see this working if you could also do this not only for the corners but also the sides. Doing that would make the blanket more versatile.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yes it would

[@michalurbanful]

Great stuff!!!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Thanks!

[@markw.3743]

Blackie the video is clear and bright, are you filming with a new camera !?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

nope just learning to edit better

[@globyois]

Instead of bank line to duct tape down, I think I would have used Mule Tape, a flat nylon webbing about three eighths inch wide they use in the telephone line business. Seems to me it would last longer and is lightweight and malleable as well.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

that would work well also

[@johnthomasjr262]

Alright, I am back from the little experiment... you can just use a sheep shank on both ends exactly like how y'all did on the first part. The only thing extra from the line you or David Canterbury did is to put a slippery half hitch after you draw the loops tight. The line won't require a toggle this way. You will still need a toggle for the tarp to line connection at each corner, but that is all.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

good to know thanks

[@TheMegaAsh]

I've been thinking that taking one of those thin, cheap Mylar blankets/space blankets used by paramedics to treat hypothermia and/or shock and modifying it by the following steps would be a good way to make a cheap but somewhat decent survival blanket for those on a budget. It would also be easier to replace when needed. - Use a strong tape around the edge, wrapping over/around both sides (like a border) - Use a strong tape and make an "X" (like in the video ) or even a "*" to re-enforce the blanket - Put extra tape on the corners or anywhere you'd wish to use as a tie out point for re-enforcement and punch some holes for tie out points or tape rope/string in place After watching this I think that using the bank line as you did would be a far better way of adding attachment points and it would also re-enforce the space blanket much more. Whilst I'd rather have an actual survival blanket not everyone can afford one and if you're homeless you have to make do with what you can get your hands on and tape, a space blanket and thine rope would be far easier to get than a survival blanket in some countries. You could even tape a space blanket to the back of a regular tarp, this would give you a much stronger survival blanket as the tarp would be taking the load and not the space blanket. Maybe a DIY/camping on a budget video for you Blackie....after all, more people would see the video than my comment.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

walmart sells a orange reuseable one like this for around 10 bucks

[@TheMegaAsh]

@@BLACKIETHOMAS I'm Aussie! We don't really get "survival" type camping items in stores here.....or at least not good items, mostly the useless gimmicky stuff. We generally have to buy stuff like this online from the US which factoring in currency conversation can cost double the price without postage (40USD can be around 60-80AUD). The few "survival" type stores we do have are mostly online and if they do have a store they only have a single store so unless you live in that 1 city you have to pay for postage and shop online. Shopping online isn't so bad if you have access to the internet, can afford it and have an address to ship to but if you're homeless you don't have a lot of money or an address to ship to and probably won't have internet access. The space blankets can be found on almost any pharmacist here in Australia or any store that sells first aid supplies and they are typically $2AUD so it's something that's easily accessible for a homeless person or even a person on a budget that wants a "survival" tarp. Any tape can be used which again makes it accessible and you could even use thin copper wire in place of rope, again all supplies are easily accessible world wide to people on a budget and the homeless.

[@worm_vaquero]

I like the way you think

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thank you

[@bryanfaulkenburg462]

The bankline is ingenious mod . Why not also do the perimeter with their own lines and loops. The reinforce with folded duct tape .

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

it would be easy to do

[@westbsa7424]

👍👍👍

[@williamdroom5789]

👍

[@bobgrove316]

Did you put and extra loop in the middle of the X so you could pull it out for more room in the shelter?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

correct so if sat up as a lean to i can pull it out give more head room and keep heavy rain from forming pockets for water to collect in

[@bobgrove316]

This is a really good design. I don't see why it would ever wear out or tear out. I may have to try this.

[@FredFreiberger-pk6wc]

Blackie how good does the T- Rex tape hold up in heat and cold I have had difficulty with others in heat and cold

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

so far it has done well in the alabama heat and our winters

[@ArmaGuyz]

How many of these Emergency tarps have you seen the wind rip the grommet ends off of though to warrant spending time and resources to theoretically reinforce a cheaper Emergency Tarp? do you know 100% that the bankline is bearing the load? Thats a good 20 feet of Tape and Bank line. That tape last even less the life of your tarp. ITll hold for a bit then starts to peel when it does youll eventually end up having to rip it back off putting alot more wear and tear on the tarp than the wind would have done. Not to mention the tap is being essentially taped to the bank line so when the wind hits it forces are going to divide into four ways across the structural integrity of the tarp. I think this needs to be tested and checked to see if doing this actually causes more wear on the tarp in high wind then it would have otherwise due to the line. Thing is you'll never use one of these tarps long enough for it to fail if you only weekend camp and in good weather conditions your tarp would never see the test of wind damage to start. If you only bust this out of your kit in an emergency use situation youll likely never use it long enough for the tarp to fail. The corners being reinforced and grommet ed are actually taking the load of the tarp. But in order to prove your theory you need some sort of scientific test to verify that indeed the forces are on the line and not being multiplied across the integrity lines of the tarp because you are dividing the sections. I ultimately think its best to use these for light camping and emergency's and buy an actual tarp for regular use VS putting all that tape and bank line on them. But I like the ridge line ideas. My advice is if you intend to stay an extended time in an area MAKE A SHELTER don't fly a temporary solution tarp and your equipment will have greater longevity. Also I think the X is meant to recognize its an emergency and not to reinforce it since a large X is a universal distress signal like SOS.

[@clifivey279]

Can we still get one of your haversacks?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yes the next run will start in late nov email me at [e-mail] and i will put you on the list i will email when the run begins

[@JohnnyMillion-y1d]

Doesn't the x mean need medical assistance as an ground to air signal?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

it can if they are searching for ya

[@shadowcastre]

Simple is good..! However... its a bit misleading to say that there are no knots. Hitches are knots. Thanks for the video...

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Yes, you are right

[@gwpattrick]

That x is for signaling for help

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yes thanks for the comment

[@StevenLaDrig-w1r]

Why don't you just talk a toggle on that? Line that you got on your stake and use that.

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

DOOD!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

DUDE!!!

[@JamesP523]

hehe, had to stop the video to see if that helicopter was flying over my house or on video, we are both near military bases i think.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yep they fly every where down here