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snowblindrpg2015-08-16 07:53 am
deus_ex_phs) wrote in snowblindrpg2015-08-16 07:53 am
[network] Day 26; @standardissue; Winter Survival Guide [open]
[Morning]
[Even with his dulled sense of hearing, the crashing thunder of the incoming storm was more than loud enough to jolt Kunsel awake. Too dark at first to see anything past the few inches of light his tablet provides-
-he should have been able to see so much more. What happened to his SOLDIER eyes?-
-he's had to wait, feeling increasingly restless, until what counts for dawn arrives. When it does, unfortunately, it's with the grim sight from the window of the bedroom he'd spent the night in. Where before he'd been able to see a small stretch of ground beyond the house, now he can't see anything but wind-driven snow pouring down. It's obvious there won't be any travel until it lets up.
Kunsel grimaces, then deliberately turns away from the window. There's no use dwelling on it now. He'll just have to look at it as an opportunity to rest, hopefully dispel some of the strange fatigue he's been feeling, and start working on something he's been meaning to get to. He'll have plenty of time for it now.
Once he's eaten, he bundles himself back up in bed with the satin bathrobe wrapped around him like a blanket, trying to ignore the feeling of being trapped that's already starting to settle in. Then he pulls his tablet out.]
[Network: text; @standardissue]
It occurs to me that not everyone here has knowledge about survival in winter conditions. I wish I had access to the more comprehensive material I was given back during my training, but even what I remember might be useful to some of you.
If anyone has anything to add, please feel free to do so.
Some Tips for Winter Survival
Shelter: I cannot stress enough how important this is. Cold will kill you faster than starvation or dehydration if it's severe enough, and all evidence points to the fact that it gets lethally cold here at night. In fact, I'm going to recommend against even trying to build a snow shelter unless it's as a last resort. Those take time and energy, and chances are you'll still die, and it's unnecessary when there are plenty of buildings around. Keep track of the time, and if it's getting later in the day, start thinking about where you're going to spend the night.
Water: As a general rule of thumb, human survival comes in threes: Three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food. Fortunately for us, air doesn't seem to be a problem. I'll get to food in a minute.
Our kidnappers have graciously supplied each of us with a week's worth of water to start, but what do you do when that water runs out? None of the buildings I have been in so far have had any running water, so this is obviously a concern for me. What we do have plenty of, however, is snow. Snow is frozen water. Unfortunately, frozen water is cold. Eating snow runs the risk of lowering your core body temperature, and takes more time to consume enough to satisfy your body's needs. What you need to do first is melt it.
Ideally, you would do this over a fire. Not only would this melt the snow, but if it's done in a container that you can bring to a boil, it will also disinfect the water.
That's right, snow is not necessarily clean. Try to harvest your snow from places where contamination is less likely. Fresh fallen snow on branches, for instance, or rooftops or standing objects. The ground is the worst place to get snow from. The ground is where people and animals walk. You really don't want to eat whatever they've stepped in if you can help it, trust me.
This is not an ideal world. I only wish I had a fire. A pot would be nice, too, while I'm at it. What I do have is an empty plastic potato chip bag, cleaned with some dish soap I found. I also have a plastic container, also cleaned, and the water bottles I've emptied so far. I filled every one of these with snow before I came in for the night, and I slept with the containers that could be sealed tucked in between a layer of my clothes. This is not the greatest or most comfortable method, and may be dangerous if you're already suffering hypothermia, but the heat of my body has melted that snow. (The snow in my chip bag has not melted, unfortunately. It looks like it's too cold for it to melt on its own, even when we're inside.)
If you do have a fire, but no pot to boil the water in, try collecting the snow into plastic bags, or some other container, that you can hang or set near the fire. Snow contains a lot less water than its volume makes you believe (roughly a ten to one ratio, though it depends on the kind of snow), so melting it in quantity is preferable over melting it cup by cup.
Should you come across a house with running water, definitely take the chance to restock all your water containers.
Disinfecting Water: Coming back to this, because this is important, there's more than one way to disinfect water. Not all of them (if any) might be available to you, but if you can, absolutely disinfect any water you collect from snow - or any suspect water, for that matter. If the water is cloudy or has bits of dirt or leaf debris, let it settle, then filter it through something. Cloth, paper towel, a coffee filter - whatever is available that is also clean.
Food: Again, we've been provided with about one week's worth of food to start, but eventually that will run out. As I mentioned earlier, you can go about three weeks without food, but that's assuming a minimal level of activity. The actual time may be less if you have to move a lot. Regardless, don't expect to be good for much once starvation starts to set in.
So. Be careful and ration your food. You can stretch it a little longer if you're willing to go hungry every so often, but the more you do that, the less energy you'll have. Take any food you find in the houses you come across, with the exception of anything that's spoiled. I doubt the former occupants are in any position to care about the theft, so don't feel guilty about it either.
I've seen no signs of wildlife or edible plants so far, so your only resources there might be whatever is inside the buildings. Others have mentioned food regularly found in the school and one of the convenience stores. Please refer to this for more information.
Warmth: Even with shelter, it is important to stay warm. Take whatever clothes and blankets you can find, especially if it's suitable for winter, but even a thin shirt is better than nothing. Make sure to cover your extremities - feet, hands, neck, and head. That's where you lose most of your body heat. Try not to have any open gaps in your clothes. If possible, tuck your shirt into your pants, tuck your pants into your shoes, and so forth. The less cold air can get into your clothes, the warmer you will stay.
Layer up. The more layers you have, the more you'll be insulated. If you get too warm, then you can easily remove some of those layers. I recommend switching out any that might have gotten soaked with snow or sweat. Keeping dry is important, because the cold will leech heat from your body that much faster if you are wet.
Frostbite: Pay attention to your skin, especially if any part of it starts to turn red or feel numb and tingly. Those are signs that that part of your body might be literally freezing. If this happens, it's best if you can submerge the affected part in water that is a few degrees above your body temperature. Lacking hot water, if you have a companion, you can press the area close to them for warmth, but don't rub. This could cause damage to frozen skin. If you're alone, then do what you can to use your own body for warmth and limit exposure, such as tucking your fingers under your arms.
Actual treatment beyond that, though, you'd have to ask someone else. I'm not a doctor.
Alcohol: Avoid drinking this if you find it, or drink it sparingly. It may make you feel warmer, but it is actually lowering your body temperature. Likewise, do not get drunk. If you get drunk and pass out in the snow, chances are you're not going to wake up.
That's all I have right now. If anyone knows more, or if something is inaccurate, please respond back to contribute.
Any questions?
[Even with his dulled sense of hearing, the crashing thunder of the incoming storm was more than loud enough to jolt Kunsel awake. Too dark at first to see anything past the few inches of light his tablet provides-
-he should have been able to see so much more. What happened to his SOLDIER eyes?-
-he's had to wait, feeling increasingly restless, until what counts for dawn arrives. When it does, unfortunately, it's with the grim sight from the window of the bedroom he'd spent the night in. Where before he'd been able to see a small stretch of ground beyond the house, now he can't see anything but wind-driven snow pouring down. It's obvious there won't be any travel until it lets up.
Kunsel grimaces, then deliberately turns away from the window. There's no use dwelling on it now. He'll just have to look at it as an opportunity to rest, hopefully dispel some of the strange fatigue he's been feeling, and start working on something he's been meaning to get to. He'll have plenty of time for it now.
Once he's eaten, he bundles himself back up in bed with the satin bathrobe wrapped around him like a blanket, trying to ignore the feeling of being trapped that's already starting to settle in. Then he pulls his tablet out.]
[Network: text; @standardissue]
It occurs to me that not everyone here has knowledge about survival in winter conditions. I wish I had access to the more comprehensive material I was given back during my training, but even what I remember might be useful to some of you.
If anyone has anything to add, please feel free to do so.
Shelter: I cannot stress enough how important this is. Cold will kill you faster than starvation or dehydration if it's severe enough, and all evidence points to the fact that it gets lethally cold here at night. In fact, I'm going to recommend against even trying to build a snow shelter unless it's as a last resort. Those take time and energy, and chances are you'll still die, and it's unnecessary when there are plenty of buildings around. Keep track of the time, and if it's getting later in the day, start thinking about where you're going to spend the night.
Water: As a general rule of thumb, human survival comes in threes: Three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food. Fortunately for us, air doesn't seem to be a problem. I'll get to food in a minute.
Our kidnappers have graciously supplied each of us with a week's worth of water to start, but what do you do when that water runs out? None of the buildings I have been in so far have had any running water, so this is obviously a concern for me. What we do have plenty of, however, is snow. Snow is frozen water. Unfortunately, frozen water is cold. Eating snow runs the risk of lowering your core body temperature, and takes more time to consume enough to satisfy your body's needs. What you need to do first is melt it.
Ideally, you would do this over a fire. Not only would this melt the snow, but if it's done in a container that you can bring to a boil, it will also disinfect the water.
That's right, snow is not necessarily clean. Try to harvest your snow from places where contamination is less likely. Fresh fallen snow on branches, for instance, or rooftops or standing objects. The ground is the worst place to get snow from. The ground is where people and animals walk. You really don't want to eat whatever they've stepped in if you can help it, trust me.
This is not an ideal world. I only wish I had a fire. A pot would be nice, too, while I'm at it. What I do have is an empty plastic potato chip bag, cleaned with some dish soap I found. I also have a plastic container, also cleaned, and the water bottles I've emptied so far. I filled every one of these with snow before I came in for the night, and I slept with the containers that could be sealed tucked in between a layer of my clothes. This is not the greatest or most comfortable method, and may be dangerous if you're already suffering hypothermia, but the heat of my body has melted that snow. (The snow in my chip bag has not melted, unfortunately. It looks like it's too cold for it to melt on its own, even when we're inside.)
If you do have a fire, but no pot to boil the water in, try collecting the snow into plastic bags, or some other container, that you can hang or set near the fire. Snow contains a lot less water than its volume makes you believe (roughly a ten to one ratio, though it depends on the kind of snow), so melting it in quantity is preferable over melting it cup by cup.
Should you come across a house with running water, definitely take the chance to restock all your water containers.
Disinfecting Water: Coming back to this, because this is important, there's more than one way to disinfect water. Not all of them (if any) might be available to you, but if you can, absolutely disinfect any water you collect from snow - or any suspect water, for that matter. If the water is cloudy or has bits of dirt or leaf debris, let it settle, then filter it through something. Cloth, paper towel, a coffee filter - whatever is available that is also clean.
-Boiling: Boil it for at least one minute. This is the most foolproof method.
-Bleach: Two drops of bleach per liter of water. Double this if the water is cloudy. Stir it and let it stand for thirty minutes.
-Chemical tablets: Presumably, if you have some of these on hand, you should hopefully have instructions on how to use them, too. Those instructions might vary depending on who made the tablet, so I can't give specific instructions here, but just know that such things exist.
-Portable filters: These also exist, but I suspect will also be difficult to find.
Food: Again, we've been provided with about one week's worth of food to start, but eventually that will run out. As I mentioned earlier, you can go about three weeks without food, but that's assuming a minimal level of activity. The actual time may be less if you have to move a lot. Regardless, don't expect to be good for much once starvation starts to set in.
So. Be careful and ration your food. You can stretch it a little longer if you're willing to go hungry every so often, but the more you do that, the less energy you'll have. Take any food you find in the houses you come across, with the exception of anything that's spoiled. I doubt the former occupants are in any position to care about the theft, so don't feel guilty about it either.
I've seen no signs of wildlife or edible plants so far, so your only resources there might be whatever is inside the buildings. Others have mentioned food regularly found in the school and one of the convenience stores. Please refer to this for more information.
Warmth: Even with shelter, it is important to stay warm. Take whatever clothes and blankets you can find, especially if it's suitable for winter, but even a thin shirt is better than nothing. Make sure to cover your extremities - feet, hands, neck, and head. That's where you lose most of your body heat. Try not to have any open gaps in your clothes. If possible, tuck your shirt into your pants, tuck your pants into your shoes, and so forth. The less cold air can get into your clothes, the warmer you will stay.
Layer up. The more layers you have, the more you'll be insulated. If you get too warm, then you can easily remove some of those layers. I recommend switching out any that might have gotten soaked with snow or sweat. Keeping dry is important, because the cold will leech heat from your body that much faster if you are wet.
Frostbite: Pay attention to your skin, especially if any part of it starts to turn red or feel numb and tingly. Those are signs that that part of your body might be literally freezing. If this happens, it's best if you can submerge the affected part in water that is a few degrees above your body temperature. Lacking hot water, if you have a companion, you can press the area close to them for warmth, but don't rub. This could cause damage to frozen skin. If you're alone, then do what you can to use your own body for warmth and limit exposure, such as tucking your fingers under your arms.
Actual treatment beyond that, though, you'd have to ask someone else. I'm not a doctor.
Alcohol: Avoid drinking this if you find it, or drink it sparingly. It may make you feel warmer, but it is actually lowering your body temperature. Likewise, do not get drunk. If you get drunk and pass out in the snow, chances are you're not going to wake up.
That's all I have right now. If anyone knows more, or if something is inaccurate, please respond back to contribute.
Any questions?
3/3 audio; @dreamsnhonor
It feels like hours when it's only moments after that that he flips on his audio. ]
Kunsel? [ There's a tightness to his voice as he speaks. So raw and overwhelmed. But it's very there. And it's very real. And Zack might have blown his cover, but that's really the last thing on his mind at the moment. The very last thing. Because first priority's finding out if this is the real deal or another hallucination. It wouldn't be the first time he's dealt with one of those...
A tiny, very guilty part of him hopes it's not. ]
audio; @standardissue
Because it can't be.
Five years now, and two reports of death, one of which Kunsel had had to dig and piece together vaguely classified information to even realize applied to Zack. A whole battalion against one SOLDIER (maybe two? He'd never gotten confirmation on the identity of the second "sample," just knew that even a whole battalion wouldn't have stood a chance if the second person was Sephiroth, but who else-) and his mind can't even stay on one train of thought before getting derailed and circling right back to-]
Zack?
[Where Zack's voice was raw, Kunsel's outright breaks, and maybe it's a good thing that something's wrong with his SOLDIER strength, because otherwise his tablet might be broken too, with the way his hand clenches around it.]
Is that-? [He tries to pull himself together, but he can't. He just can't. Five years, and he hadn't wanted to give up hope. No body, no proof. But five years and a bleak "mission accomplished" at the end, and even he-
He breaks that thought off. He can't finish it, hasn't ever finished it, no matter that-
His thoughts break again, like leaves spinning in the wind, and that wind is a voice that's right here.]
Tell me I'm not hearing things.
no subject
But then he hears that voice he knows too well again. In a tone that sounds painful at that- completely hoarse and giving part way. Disbelieving. Completely disbelieving and questioning and Zack's heartbeat feels like it goes up an impossible notch as he stares down his tablet with an almost manic smile. He doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. He knows he feels terrified, too, if this is real. Because experiment. He's pretty sure this is an experiment, but it's been so long since he's heard from him. He's read the messages. Reread them along with Aerith's wishes and Aerith's letter on the hardest days to remind himself that despite how feeble the situation had been, he still had if not a place than people to come home to.
And now there's a part of that home of his right on the other line. ]
I'll... I'll tell you you're not hearing things if you can retell the lipstick incident. [ He's attempting to sound teasing but only halfway succeeding through the tightness in his throat. Four years it's been at least- No, possibly longer. εγλ 0007. ...Had it really been that long? He'd had no idea. Hadn't exactly had the time to stop and check dates. Being on the run had really knocked that off his list of priorities where staying alive and not getting caught had taken much more precedence.
But whatever the case of dates, he knows it's been far, far too long since they last spoke. Please tell him he's not going nuts with false hope. ]
no subject
You...
[He has to stop and take a breath, his voice already threatening to break again. The breath escapes in a huff that's almost a laugh, if it wasn't for the hitch that's still there.]
I'm not telling you what happened with the lipstick. Not anyplace where people can hear.
[And really, that should be confirmation enough.]
Zack... You're alive. I thought- I was afraid- [He still can't finish those thoughts.] But you're here. [And suddenly it clicks, and this time he does laugh, short and a little breathless and wild.] No wonder all the rumors stopped!
no subject
It doesn't help how choked up he can hear his friend getting on the other side of the line, making his own emotions run higher knowing how much Kunsel must have wondered what had happened, have stuck back wishing he could have done something and yet having to sit on his hands or otherwise risk being killed. That message he'd sent alone could have been his undoing and yet he'd mailed out a warning Zack's way and--
Gotten silence. Because after that, the battalion had been upon them. And after that he'd....
Well, he'd ended up there. It's no surprise then that Kunsel would've thought... Another shake of his head, trying to rattle himself out of that train of thought and back to the present. That he's there now and while it's not ideal by any means, he... ]
Heh... Ye-Yeah, it's a long story. [ Excuse the strain that returns to his voice. That just doesn't seem to want to escape any time soon as his eyes sting. ] Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Was kinda in a bind.
no subject
What, you mean the battalion you had breathing down your neck? Sheesh, Zack, if that's all it was, how dare you not call me back while fighting for your life?
[He has to pause a moment to scrub his eyes real fast. Not like Zack can see the suspicious moisture building up, but it's more the principle of the matter. His voice quiets just a little.]
I saw the casualty reports that came in after that, you know. I know what you were up against. Even for a First, that was... Damn. They really didn't want you to make it back.
no subject
Admittedly, the choice topic does get him sobering up a bit though. If not without his voice growing softer and kinda gravelly at his next admittance. ] No... They really didn't. [ And it's an understatement, really. Subconsciously, he's tracing along his coat where he knows a scar he didn't have before lurks under the fabric. That grimness story though... Best saved in person.
So, he opts for something different. Something of a weak tease. ] You're still crazy, you know that? Warning me like that? And you always call me reckless. [ Is this a 'Thank you'? It might very well be one in Zack talk. ]
no subject
[The question is out of his mouth before he can stop to think to think about it. To think about the fact that maybe that's not the best thing to discuss on an open network where who knows who might be listening. Kunsel grimaces at himself, and quickly cuts Zack off before he has a chance to even answer.]
Never mind. You can tell me all about it when we catch up, and I promise you can scold me for my recklessness. I had my reasons, and I'd do it again if it ever came up.
[In a heartbeat, and no questions asked.
...well, questions asked later, if there was ever a chance, but that was just because it was his nature.
Emotion fills his voice again.]
Dammit, I'm just happy that you're here.
no subject
[ Kunsel's not the only one that may or may not be choked up yet. Even through the tease, there's a few cracks to his voice. Especially under the weight of knowing how much he knows Kunsel means those words. That he would really do something that crazy once more, even if it meant... He shakes his head out of the thought before he gets his emotions anymore riled up. And speaking of riled up, he's got a lot of explaining to do with the army... but that'll have to wait, yes. Wait until... ]
Where are you? Me and Lancer've been heading east. [ He's given Tadashi his word to help find Hiro and he intends to keep it. But if Kunsel's that ways anyway, maybe they can meet on the way. He trusts Kunsel can take care of himself, sure. But that doesn't mean he doesn't want to see his friend, regardless. ]
no subject
[Dammit, teasing would sound so much more teasing if his voice wasn't choked up with joy. Kunsel has to take another moment to wipe something from his eyes that he's not about to admit might be tears.]
I'm holed up in some crazy cat lady's house - well, I assume it was a lady. Might have been a guy. Going by the maps that people have been collecting, I think I might be to the east of the eastern convenience store. I've been heading west, trying to go deeper into town. Or away from the walls of snow, anyway.
no subject
But good. Keep moving that way. S'where we're headed. Figure that's a good place as any to rendezvous. [ Actually, a very good place if it means restocking even more on food and then not worrying about the grave struggle of surviving on dog biscuits instead (Lancer, you better keep your promise!!) ...Though speaking of teasing. ]
Don't go adopting a million strays in the meantime now. I don't know how we'd feed all of 'em. [ He's a weak tease and rasp in his voice probably doesn't help him on the selling point. But he doesn't really care. ]
no subject
[That bone-crushing hug is high on Kunsel's list of priorities, too, and never mind who may be watching at the time.]
Aw, you're just worried about competition for my affection. Don't worry, Zack, you'll always be my first mutt love. I'll even wait for you at the store, or near it, if I get there first.
no subject
Hey! Who you callin' a mutt? [ It's puppy. PUPPY. And even though, that's a nickname he's never exactly liked nor is one he'll ever live down! Fuck his life if Lancer catches this conversation later..
All the same, knowing Kunsel will... And that specific word choice. Zack sobers up a bit at that, voice gravelly. ] I'll try not to make you wait so long this time.
no subject
[All teasing aside, though, Kunsel's voice softens.]
If I do have to wait, I know you'll have a good reason, Zack. [And maybe he's talking about more than just the plan to wait at the store for him.] Just so long as you make it, I won't mind.
Of course, little do they know... Ah-hahaha... ha...
I'll be there soon. Promise. On my honor as- [ There's a brief pause. ] On my honor. [ But case and point, he'll get there this time. Someone's just as intense about keeping promises. It may or may not be because of someone else he knows. ]
[/sob]
I'll see you soon, then.
[Promise accepted.]
But you know, you can call me if you end up needing help.
no subject
But I'll let you know if something comes up. You do the same. [ As in he definitely will. He's used to working solo. But... it's good to have someone he knows for certain he can 100% rely on outside of his current traveling buddy.
He... should probably hang up then. But he finds himself hesitating. Like maybe in the end, this is some sort of freak one-time phone call and next time he tries to call Kunsel, he'll get a dead line. Or maybe this was just a very good, drawn out hallucination. To which, he really shouldn't be so attached, but... hell, he can't help himself anyway. Call him an idiot. It's just been so long.. ]
no subject
[Kunsel lets that trail off, leaving the suggestion hanging in the air that he could keep teasing Zack about his ability to handle snow (because really, Gongagan born and bred means that snow is not his thing).
But he's probably teased Zack enough for one conversation. He'll save the rest for some other time.]
Don't worry, I will. You just take care of yourself, and I'll do the same.
[He doesn't really want the conversation to end, either - the first time he's talked to Zack in years - that eventually they just have to put their trust in each other and get back to whatever task is at hand.]
See you later.
[And that's where he'll let the conversation end.]