Survival Tips: Poncho & Poncho Liner

Survival Tips for Camouflage Poncho & Poncho Liner

By Daniel W. Shrigley

Often I teach natural shelter construction via primitive methods. However, I also teach not to avoid modern technology. Modern materials and equipment is always the easiest and most effective time saving option. No body ever says primitive skills is easy. The more you know and use primitive skills the easier the end results may come to you. 

For this survival tip on the Poncho & Poncho Liner, I want to quickly point out some basic uses. Such as shelter, sun shade, litter carry, sleep system, extreme weather insulation options. At first look it's very obvious the Poncho makes for a great rain coat. The poncho must be treated with wet resistant spray to maximize it's ability to deflect rain water. It fits loosely so as to allow layering of optional clothing for various temperatures depending on your climate zone and calendar seasons. 

Second noticeable and most obvious option if you posses a camouflage poncho is the ability to stay hidden from view if used correctly. I suggest that you avoid a camouflage poncho unless your military or law enforcement. Instead use a Royal Blue or Hunters Orange poncho for easy visible location by search teams should you find yourself lost or in a survival situation. 

Additionally the poncho makes a phenomenal option for litter carry and is sturdy enough material to build a stretcher for the injured. There are several ways you can make use of the poncho to carry or drag a injured person with the poncho. You can make use of the eyelets, snaps and cord. 

The poncho may also be used to fashion together a solar still to collect water or be used as a water bladder. You are only limited by your own imagination as in most survival situations. Creativity and calmness will save your life, trust your mind and never panic. 

In warm climates all you need is a poncho and poncho liner to make a sleep system to keep you warm. In colder climates of seasons you can combine the poncho & liner with added foliage for extra insulation. This method creates air pockets between your bodies core heat and the barrier layer or shell of the poncho keeping you warm. 

Fill the poncho with leaves after you snapped together all the buttons, closed off the hood and you now have a sleeping bag that will offer you protection from the outdoor elements.

You may also use the same method to act as a coat and assist you in maintaining a warmer core body temperature. 

The poncho may also be used in fishing as a net. First you must seal the hood by drawing it closed or making a knot. Use para cord at all four corners, leading to a central cord that is draped over a branch as a pulley system. Place in shallow water and use this to trap baited fish as they pass over the poncho. In a sharp and deliberate action, pull the poncho up via the central cord and eat to see another day. 

In extreme conditions such as sun, snow, wind, dust or rain use the poncho as a shield to block and protect yourself. In the desert it best to travel a dawn and dusk. Most desert predators are nocturnal so avoid travel by foot at night. Also traveling at night increases your chances of slips and falls. In day light hours the poncho makes for a fantastic sunshade. All you need is the cord it comes with or for improved options carry extra para cord. 

By design the poncho makes for a perfect lean-to and if filled with a layer of foliage will keep you insulated and warm. All you need is a heat source such as a campfire or stove at the opening. The poncho is much smaller than a tarp. The poncho comfortably serves one person. A second person would fit in a poncho shelter under cramped conditions. This typically is determined by the size or the occupants. 

If suspended six feet above a small fire in the shape of a cone, the poncho is perfect for making dried meat or jerky. Remember that once used in the fashion, the smell of smoke will remain for a long while or until laundered. The upside to this is that the human scent is masked and might increase your odds with hunting larger game animals. 

Signaling aircraft with the royal blue or hunters orange poncho is very easy, all you need is an open area or high ground. Spread it out as a marker and indicator for search aircraft. It's wise to also set a signal fire or use a signal mirror added to this method. 

The poncho is also useful as a bundle carry or carry tote. If you are gathering food or fire tinder the poncho makes light work allowing you to carry much more than an arm load. 

If you are sleeping in a natural cave, only use the poncho to act as a mid-section curtain. This will allow you to burn a small fire inside the largest portion of the cave and let's the carbon-dioxide escape at the top. Warning be very careful when using fire in caves as the increased heat can cause rocks to crack and ultimately crush you.

Poncho liner is also good to use in a shelter and a ground barrier. Never sleep directly on the ground as the earth will suck your bodies heat right out of you. In extreme conditions layer the ground with dried foliage and then lay the poncho liner on top.

As I stated before survival is knowledge "Know More, Need Less." You are only limited by your imagination and creativity. This article we discussed two items: Poncho & Poncho Liner. Many items offer multiple options, just be certain that what you put in your survival kits or backpack has three or more uses. This will limit items carried, limiting weight and possibly space removed. 

Special Tip:

When packing a packing list your overall weight should not be more than 15% of your nude body weight. On average 20 to 30lbs is perfect for fast traversing. This weight does include your allotted water carry weight. Carry at a minimum of three ways to start a fire carried in various locations around your body. Carry three types of cutting instruments, such as multi-tool, pocket knife and a survival knife, parang or hatchet. Your location will determine what's best for the main tool. 

To ask me survival question directly please send an email to [email protected] 

Hope you enjoyed this article,

Daniel W. Shrigley

CEO of Survival Extreme Catalog Inc.

Creator/Host/Producer/Publisher

Of Survival Trek Escape (Television/Radio/Magazine)