with such instruments, this guidance may be less beneficial  to you and loss of helicopter control may occur: 1.  Level the “wings” – level the bank angle using the  attitude indicator. 2.  Attitude – set a climb attitude that achieves a safe  climb speed appropriate to your type of helicopter.  This is often no more than 10° of pitch up on the  attitude indicator.  3.  Airspeed – verify that the attitude selected has  achieved the desired airspeed. It is critical to recognize that slower airspeeds, closer to effective  translational lift, may require large control inputs and  will decrease stability, making recover impossible  while in UIMC. 4.  Power – adjust to a climb power setting relative to the  desired airspeed. This should be executed concurrent  with steps 2 and 3.  5.  Heading and Trim – pick a heading known to be free  of obstacles and maintain it. This will likely be the  heading you were already on, which was planned and  briefed. Set the heading bug, if installed, to avoid over- controlling your bank. Maintain coordinated flight so  that an unusual attitude will not develop. EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND SURVIVAL GEAR Food cannot be subject to deterioration due to heat or cold. There  should be at least 10,000 calories for each person on board, and it  should be stored in a sealed waterproof container. It should have  been inspected within the previous 6 months, verifying the amount  and satisfactory condition of the contents. A supply of water Cooking utensils Matches in a waterproof container A portable compass An ax weighing at least 2.5 pounds with a handle not less than 28 inches  in length A flexible saw blade or equivalent cutting tool 30 feet of snare wire and instructions for use Fishing equipment, including still-fishing bait and gill net with not more  than a two-inch mesh Mosquito nets or netting and insect repellent sufficient to meet the  needs of all persons aboard, when operating in areas where insects  are likely to be hazardous A signaling mirror At least three pyrotechnic distress signals A sharp, quality jackknife or hunting knife A suitable survival instruction manual Flashlight with spare bulbs and batteries Portable emergency locator transmitter (ELT) with spare batteries Stove with fuel or a self-contained means of providing heat for cooking Tent(s) to accommodate everyone on board Additional items for winter operations: • Winter sleeping bags for all persons when the  temperature is expected to be below 7 °C • Two pairs of snow shoes • Spare ax handle • Ice chisel • Snow knife or saw knife Try to avoid immediately turning 180°. Turning around is  not always the safest route and executing a turn immediately  after UIMC may lead to spatial disorientation. If a 180° turn  is the safest option, first note the heading you are on then  begin the turn to the reciprocal heading, but only after stable  flight is achieved (items 1 through 5 above) and maintain  a constant rate of turn appropriate to the selected airspeed. Each encounter with UIMC is unique, and no single  procedure can ensure a safe outcome. Considerations in  determining the best course of action upon encountering  UIMC should include, at a minimum, terrain, obstructions,  freezing levels, aircraft performance and limitations, and  availability of ATC services. There are new technologies being developed regarding  aircraft design, enhanced and lower-cost technologies,  and aircraft certification. Because of this promising future,  much of the discussion and guidance in this chapter may  one day become irrelevant. As helicopters integrate more  into the National Airspace System, the IFR infrastructure  and instrument training will become more prevalent. In the  future, UIMC may no longer be the emergency that ends  with a fatality but rather associated with proper prevention,  skilled recovery techniques along with the aid of emerging  new life saving avionics technology. A helicopter instrument  rating may be a life-saving addition to a pilot’s level of  certification. Please refer to the Instrument Flying Handbook  (FAA-H-8083-15, as revised); Advanced Avionics Handbook  (FAA-H-8083-6, as revised); and the Pilot’s Handbook of  Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25, as revised) for  further exploration of IFR operations and how to obtain an  instrument rating.  When faced with deteriorating weather, planning and  prevention, not recovery, are the best strategies to eliminate  UIMC-related accidents and fatalities. 11-26 Figure 11-12.  Emergency equipment and survival gear.