Bergen weight issues and "live of the land" theory

[tom163]

I was reading though the November issue of Soldier Magazine last nite and came accross the issue of reducing bergen weight on the front line, one of the ways suggested was to let soldiers "live of the land". It followed onto say they were looking into methods of portable water purification with the ability to remove any contaminants aswel. Tonight reading the Feb 09 issue I saw a ad for Surviva-Pure, they sell these special drinking straws and water bottles with this purification technology built in. Why are the MOD not testing these or have they already been tested and not been good enough?

To me if they do what they say on the tin so to say it would solve some weight problems.

The link to the items in question:

http://web-tex.co.uk/surviva-pure/cante ... _1447.html

http://web-tex.co.uk/surviva-pure/survi ... _1445.html


Discuss


Edit: I think this is the correct area for this topic but if not please move.

[HCR]

I read that in Soldier Mag too.
We did a 8 day OP in Iraq and the amounted of water alone that had to be carried in was mental.
But to be honest with ofspray body armour, and other bits of kit thats constantly being thrown at us. The weight being carried on OPs is going up and up.

Going back to the special straws. I think if the Taliban saw that we were drinking from local water sources then they will poison it. And special straw or not I would not want to try it

[tom163]

I read that in Soldier Mag too.
We did a 8 day OP in Iraq and the amounted of water alone that had to be carried in was mental.
But to be honest with ofspray body armour, and other bits of kit thats constantly being thrown at us. The weight being carried on OPs is going up and up.

Going back to the special straws. I think if the Taliban saw that we were drinking from local water sources then they will poison it. And special straw or not I would not want to try it

Yeah thats a very good point but would the Taliban be able to get hold of enough poison to contaminate the whole water supply in Afghan?

[gt1980]

I read that in Soldier Mag too.
We did a 8 day OP in Iraq and the amounted of water alone that had to be carried in was mental.
But to be honest with ofspray body armour, and other bits of kit thats constantly being thrown at us. The weight being carried on OPs is going up and up.

Going back to the special straws. I think if the Taliban saw that we were drinking from local water sources then they will poison it. And special straw or not I would not want to try it

Yeah thats a very good point but would the Taliban be able to get hold of enough poison to contaminate the whole water supply in Afghan?

they wouldn't poison all the water in afghan, cos then what water would they drink. I'm sure the taliban would be happy if were able to do in just one coalition soldier and to do that you wouldn't have to poison a lot of water.

[druadan]

Once the threat's established, you wouldn't know which water was safe to drink and what wasn't, other than by carrying detection kits for every conceivable poison they could use, or observing locals. Neither of which you'd really have the time for, nor would it be particularly tactically sound.

Iraq may be a different story, but certainly in Afghanistan any protracted patrols (as a general rule) have some kind of vehicular support; as noted above, fighting order alone is getting heavier by the year; by the time you've added manpack ECM, sigs with his radio, evidence and prisoner handling kit etc etc, it's almost impossible for blokes to sustain themselves for more than a day or two with what's on their back if you want to retain any kind of fighting capability. Not that we don't still do it, but it's rare in my experience.

Incidentally, the kit linked to...Webtex. Nuff said.

[Tab]

We used to carry two bottles of pills which would be added to water from where ever you got it from abroad which would make it safe to drink. You would add the first pill and leave it about half an hour then the second one and leave it about another ten minutes. Mind you tasted rough but it did not kill you or give you the trots. Still I suppose it was better than all that bromide

[druadan]

We still have puritabs Tab, though a little better than you describe (add one, leave an hour, drink). Coupled with a filter bag (forget the proper name) you can make most water drinkable. Wouldn't cancel man-made poisons or radiation, but kills disease. Of course in the UK on exercise anywhere hilly you can generally drink straight from the streams if you've got a reasonaby strong stomach.

DISCLAIMER: try at your own risk!!

[Pilgrim Norway]

Here's my 'rig' from the Radfan '64/'65 -



Usually three to four one pint water cans on the belt between the
lightweight ammo pouches and a two quart container of water in
the Bergan next to the radio. Water purifying tablets were used for all
locally found water. ( The frogs eggs were removed first or sieved
between the teeth ).

Notice - no sling on the SLR - no oil can in butt... no shake rattle or roll...

No 'extra' gear was carried - the ammo bandolier was slung over the
shoulder and worn in front...... the binoculars around the neck -
the SLR was carried in the crook of the arm, across the body - always at
hand.

The SLR was capable of taking both the designed magazine and the Bren
magazine - which could sometimes surprise the enemy .... and we were
overjoyed

The Bergan was heavy - but only essential 'stuff' was carried - food was
not a priority and only easily made and consumed food was taken along.
Living off the land was a no go ..... there was nowt there - like the empty
backside of the moon.

Rice and raisins - and biscuits with cheese I seem to remember.

During the day we sat where we were and only moved at night -
and therefore wore jungle greens - no shine -

And this is where I lived, with about four others at that time, for some
time at a place called Ad Dimna..... under an operation.



This is Ad Dimna -



'aye

[tom163]

Cheers for that Pilgrim, very interesting read and great pictures.