Author Sara F. Hathaway
The Changing Earth
"Dream, Survive, Thrive"
Episode 87 S3-6
Thermal Imaging Technology
Featuring:
The Walls of Freedom Ch 6
Special Guest:
George Hart
The Walls of Freedom adventure continues as the Moore family utilize the coastline to continue their northward trek. They encounter another unexpected obstacle along the way. Here to talk to us today about thermal imaging technology: how it works and how to stay hidden from it is survival professional, George Hart.
Thermal imaging technology is considered a "off kind" of infared imaging science that can sense radiation from heat in a certain range of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is a very sensitive technology and it can detect temperature changes of 3 degrees. Every object has a heat signature and the higher the temperature the easier it is for this technology to capture its image. If you are on the move your body heat will increase making you more visible to this tech. Even an increased heart rate can increase your body heat.
Weather can be a factor with thermal imaging technology. Low fog that is warmer than the surrounding area will display as a wall. Summer time heat will cloak you better. Rocks that have been heated in the sun can resemble human images and may be a potential hiding spot. Remember though a 3 degree variation will be detectable to this imaging technology so this is a risky hiding spot. Thermal imaging technology works best in areas where there is a 30 degree difference between the night and day. Cold weather can be a thermal imager's best friend. Even warm footprints can be detected. Hiding in the snow will not help you. Your body will begin to warm the surrounding snow and you will be detectable.
Thermal imaging devices can not see through your clothes but as you wear your clothes you will begin to warm them. Mylar blankets could be helpful to avoid detection but most of them have highly reflective material on both sides. Look for one that is camouflage on one side and shiny on the other. Also as you lie under the blanket you will begin to build heat underneath it that could escape out the edges and show as a square with heat emanating from it in the device. Insulated clothing can help reduce your heat signature but eventually your body will warm them to a point of detection as well. Applying mud to your skin (as in the predator movie) can be a temporary help to keeping you hidden. Eventually the mud is going to warm/cool to your body temperature and you will be visible again.
Thermal imaging technology is very good at finding people in the light or dark. It is very, very hard to stay concealed from this imaging system. Stones or thick walls can hide your heat signature. Heat vents that are blowing out hot air can help to mask your heat signature. Thermal imaging technology can not see through glass. It only images a reflection. If you are in a wilderness environment campfires can help to mask your heat signature.
Featured Quote From Today's Chapter:
"She could tell he yearned for those youthful days of the past with his father. That was over now."
Featured Survival Product:
Rothco Deluxe Jungle Survival Kit Knife - Olive Drab
Rothco's Deluxe Jungle Survival Kit Knife is overall 14" with 8" stainless steel blade with serrated top edge. The survival kit includes a bandage, fish hook & line, compass and throwing knife. The survival knife also features an O.D plastic sheath that is wrapped with survival cord.
The Changing Earth Series
The Federal Republic of America
Character Origins
George Hart
George Hart was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He started studying different aspects of survival at the age of 7. He was a boy scout as a young boy, while hiking with his father James Hart, was taught the basics of hiking, water, and shelter while in the outdoors. Over the years of him maturing and having experiences with survival, he has learned survival in a self-taught manner. George has gone autumn camping on the shores of Caddo Lake, Texas. He would go hiking as a boy scout, and has studied other aspects of survival from James’ book S.W.E.T. Survival and Wilderness Training such as, how to make a tent out of objects you would find in your wilderness surrounding.
George also has a 1-year diploma for automotive service. He also has a 2-year diploma for the Associate of Applied arts from the Art Institute of Houston for music, video, and Business.
He has been a Tattoo Artist for 22 years. He has also been a body piercer for 20 years. He started Apprenticing for tattooing during his time at the Art Institute of Houston. George has raised 2 female children since they were at the ages of 3 and 6, they are now at the ages of 14 and 17.
George is also in the process of writing a book from different aspects of survival to homesteading. He is in the process of writing a cyber-punk urban fantasy of a futuristic world with events happening so close to modern day it would scare you. He is also assisting his father James Hart in compiling educational materials from survival and medicinal training to multiple subjects interrelated to homesteading such as food preservation, animal husbandry, modern day first aid and medicinal herbs and vitamins just to name a few. He is also writing a series of cook books by compiling recipes, antidotes, and pictures to give to his children.