marlin55388 wrote on Jan 22
nd, 2011 at 2:23pm:
DD
This looks really good, and it floats! I have questions...Where is the space blanket/silnylon, snare wire, and paracord? Did you ever find a good "recipe" for iodine water treatment, I know there are products on the market that use iodine in crystal form as their base?
A space blanket would occupy most of the space in the container and was really never a good candidate for inclusion. What I am packing is a mylar sleeping bag. Its made of the same material as the space blanket but will cover you completely. So rather than opt for a shelter that I might use as a wrap, I decided that the sleeping bag would serve both functions and would have a better chance of keeping me warm. The downside to this choice is that the bag is approximately twice the size as the blanket. However, both the ditch kit and the bag will fit into the pocket(s) of my PFD.
As for paracord, the rub finally becomes what to include and what to leave out. Of course there is a bit of paracord integral to the ditch kit container. I have a longer section of paracord as a lanyard to sheath of my neck knife. In the final analysis, I opted for the duct tape (e.g., better for repairing a puncture in the sleeping bag). I'm still ruminating as to whether that was the better choice. Or, should I drop out the cotton ball container and put in paracord.
Snare wire was another tough call and may ultimately be a function of where my backcountry trips take me. For a canoe trip, I think I stand a better chance coming by a meal using fishing gear. On a backpacking trip to some areas, fishing opportunities may be extremely limited. So this may wind up being an either/or proposition. I guess I could still make dead-fall traps regardless of my location. (But I do have my eye on a length of strong, light weight, braided wire in my wife's jewelry making kit ... and it will even hold a knot.)
You are correct in that iodine comes in many forms and the chemical make-up of what is used to treat water is different than that used commercially in tincture of iodine. However, in a worst case scenario, I think I'd still be tempted to try it in some form. Since the tablets do kill nasties in the water and can be ingested, perhaps there would be some positive benefit of treating wounds with it.
The one thing I'm still looking for a way to include is some form of water container. Yes, I could use the kit container for a small amount of water, but I'd like to have something that would offer more volume; especially for a backpacking trip, where water sources might be some distance apart. (I have come to the conclusion that the mylar sleeping bag is a bit too much volume.
) It would also be nice to be able to include some foil (or an alternative) to permit some cooking ... although I don't have any particular aversion to eating things raw, other than safety reasons.
So, as implied by my post, the search continues. Do I use a smaller mirror, compass, etc.? Do I take out the internal containers and use the space for something else? Of course, the first item on the size reduction hit list has to be removing the handle from the fire-steel.
The "hunt" continues. At least it something to occupy your mind in hard water season.
BTW: Here is the
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) I selected. It is 84" x 36" and weighs about 3 ounces. It is a comparable size to the ditch kit container. It has a draw string something like a "cinch sack" garbage bag. It is supplied in its own small plastic zip-lock style bag. And, of course, if you need shelter more than warmth (e.g., summer backpacking in a dry climate), you could always slit the bag open and use it more like a tent ... you still have duct tape to re-seal it in a pinch.
dd
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Ditch Kit--Altoid-sized (Read 53699 times)
