Drink-on-the-move for the Soldier
However, today we are still drinking from the same type canteens, using one hand! Is he ready to return fire? Imagine entire units drinking like this.
Currently, you have to stop to get a drink from your G.I. one quart canteen, this tactical liability gets worse when entire squads, platoons and companies stop to drink water. When moving from point A to point B, over time each one of these stops reduces the speed of the ground force and exposes it to enemy observation and fire. But, if we can drink-while-on-the-move and not stop, our speed will increase. Such systems are vital to maximize the mobility potential of human powered vehicles (HPVs) like the All-Terrain "Mountain" Bike and Cart or simply move faster on our feet--4-7 mph to outfight mountain and jungle guerrillas.
The way to do this is with a drinking tube.
A simple drinking tube that plugs into the CAP of the G.I. canteen was demonstrated by the 1st Tactical Studies Group (Airborne), in 1987 to U.S. Army Natick labs (then rejected!). We contacted Roger Fawcett of Fast Track Systems and the Camel-Bak was born. Once U.S. Army Rangers were seen wearing Camel-Baks all of a suden it became "cool" and "acceptible" to our blind-obedient military with ego pecking orders and VOILA! Camel-Baks all over the U.S. military!
The solution for G.I. canteen to field protective mask (FPM) drinking is now available from Mine Safety Appliances, maker of the M17, M40/M42 U.S. Military field protective masks. Their "FIST" drinking system is a long tube that connects to the G.I. canteen and the FPM, but offers no way to drink unless you are wearing the FPM. We highly recommend the new flexible 1-quart canteen be used to get better water flow when drinking through the FPM tubes. Some sort of adapter needs to be fitted to make it drinkable without having to wear the FPM. Shrug.
Until we can get the simple drinking tube perfected, the best way to drink on the move is by using civilian systems like Camel-Bak©. The following is the simplest way to militarize the Camel-Bak© without having to empty your wallet:
70 oz. Classic 70 oz ThermoBak from Blackhawk
The standard Camel-Bak© comes in a black and grey backpack, with blue drinking tube though milirary camouflage colors are now available thanks to Soldier customer demand. REMOVE THE FLASHY CAMEL-BAK© LABEL FOR CAMOUFLAGE PURPOSES!!!!! Take a black permanent marker and completely color in the grey side of the Camel-Bak© carrier. Next, buy two drinking tube covers, available from Blackhawk Industries, Part number: 62TC00 or U.S. Cavalry Store for about $1.95. Detach the drinking tube from the bladder and slip on the drinking tube cover. The Camel-Bak© is now completely camouflaged.
MAKING THE CAMEL-BAK DRINK THROUGH YOUR FPM FOR NBC ENVIRONMENTS
CamelBak's NBC/CBR Chemically Resistant Reservoir and Gas Mask Adaptor Kit, so it's good to go from everyday use and domestic engagements, to chemical training or a lethal-gas environment.
Since their introduction in 1988, CamelBak systems have been put in use by all the U.S. armed forces, many federal agencies, and foreign units worldwide.
Protective Mask Adapter Kit (PMAK)
While wearing protective masks during training or in a non-lethal gas environment, stay hydrated and moving with CamelBaks adapter kit. Complete with both a Big Bite Valve and Protective Mask Connector, you will have the flexibility to train with a standard CamelBak® system and seamlessly transition to the CRR during operational conditions. Fits M17, M70, M40, MCU2P, and C4 masks.
MSRP (U.S. only) -- $24.00
For Government pricing, please contact CamelBak.
Features
Can be used with any CamelBak® reservoir.
Includes Big Bite Valve and Protective Mask Connector.
Quick release fittings for easy connections.
GSA Contract Number
GSO7F-9727H
Cage Code: 063G3
Contact:
Carolyn Besse
CamelBak Products
Dept. SOF
1310 Redwood Way
Suite 200, Petaluma, CA 94954
phone 800-767-8725, Ext. 289, for ordering information.
Do you have a water purifier that I can pump into my camel bak?
Greetings!
Thank you for taking the time to write to us. We always love to hear from our CamelBak enthusiasts!
As a matter of fact, you can purchase a 3rd party pump from a company such as Sweetwater, that can be used in conjunction with our Maximum Gear filter adapter (PN 60093) to BACK FILL clean water into your CamelBak, just reverse the flow direction on the filter so that the pump flushes the dirty water through the filter and then fills the reservoir with clean water. You can find a filter bulb pump or hand pump at just about any outdoor retailer such as REI. Our R & D team is currently developing a CamelBak pump that will be available sometime in 05.
Our In-line MicroFilter, which is designed specifically for our MAXIMUM GEAR packs. This In-line filter delivers clean, clear water that's free from 99.9999% of Bacteria and 99.99% of protozoa by using two filtration stages. The first stage uses a carbon composite element to remove sediment, metals, taste etc. from the water and the second stage uses a hollow fiber module to remove protozoa and bacteria. This product filter up to 75 gallons of water and Modular construction allows for easy maintenance and cleaning.
In addition, generally, if in back country, the In-Line MicroFilter alone is adequate. It filters out protozoa such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium which occur in nature. This is the big stuff - larger than .2 micron. Purfication tablets are only necessary when there is a risk of viral such as an urban area (think drinking from Tigris River in Iraq or any river near urban area where runoff and sewage may have had a chance to flow into the water). This is the little stuff - smaller than .2 micron. I have attached a link to our web site where you can find a dealer in your area.
www.camelbak.com/mil/buy.cfm
All you have to do is select Personal Purchase and a list will then appear with the dealers name, address phone number and sometimes web sites. Unfortunately, we do not sell direct to the public at this time and we are not privileged to the inventory the dealers carry. Once the dealers receive our product they can then disperse it any of their locations in the states.
I have included a link to our Maximum Gear accessories featured on our CamelBak webpage (which includes our In-line MicroFilter) for you to look over.
www.camelbak.com/mil/acces.cfm
I hope that this helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.
Best Wishes~
Jennie Anderson
Govt./Military/Industrial Division
CamelBak Products, LLC
1310 Redwood Way, Ste. C
Petaluma, CA 94954
janderson@camelbak.com
(707) 792-9700 Ext. 227
(707) 665-3844 Fax
CAMEL-BAK AS ITS OWN PACK
The Soldier wearing LBE/TLBV and rucksack plus myriad other strap gear need not have yet another set of straps tangling up his back and chest. The Camel-Bak© shoulder straps while thin and out of the way have running ends that flop around loose. Cut two 6 inch pieces of the drinking tube cover material and slip it on each shoulder strap to act as a keeper for the excess shoulder strap. The shoulder straps have quick release buckles to speed putting the Camel-Bak© on and taking it off. Detach the buckles and remove the bottom strap from the male buckle to slip over the 6 inch drink tube covers, then re-clip the buckle into the female end and re-thread the strap through the buckle.
CAMEL-BAK UNDER YOUR SHIRT
One way to keep the Camel-Bak© camouflaged and out of the way is to wear it over your t-shirt but under your BDU top. The drinking tube has a clip on the right shoulder strap to hold the drinking tube in place. You can still reach into the top of your BDU top and pull out the drinking tube to use it. This carry streamlines the Soldier so only LBE/TLBV and rucksack end up being draped over the outside of the Soldier's back. If this is uncomfortable, the Camel-Bak© can be placed in the hollow recess of the rucksack frame, especially if the synthetic Ram-flex© frame is used. Another option is to buy the camouflaged Camel-Bak© carrier designed to clip to the outside of your rucksack if you have the funds.
CAMEL-BAK ATTACHED TO ETLBV/TLBV
After extensive field wear the Camel-Bak© 's shoulder straps coupled with the TLBV's, MILES harness and rucksack, rifle sling is too cluttered. Unclip each shoulder strap and route through the rear of the ETLBV/TLBV's top shoulder pads. Place the bottom of the Camel-Bak behind the butt pack and route the bottom shoulder straps under the butt pack eyelets and clip to the top shoulder straps. Tighten all the way. Your Camel-Bak© is now connected to the rear of your ETLBV/TLBV, eliminating a set of shoulder straps around your arms. It can still be disconnected for wear on its own.
Vital to proper hydration and cooling is the water itself being cool. By wetting the fleece lining inside your one quart canteen covers with water, some evaporative cooling will take place. Camel-Bak© has a mylar cover ("Cool Skinz" about $12) that when slipped over the bladder can keep water inside cool even in the desert. The superb desert water bag used in the deserts of California achieves this by whole-membrane evaporation. These bags need a Camel-Bak© style carrier and drinking tube to exploit its potential. Readers can help by contacting the maker of these bags, Canvass Specialties and Blackhawk Industries which makes accessories for Camel-Baks©. Their information is listed below.
The latest U.S. Army water purification systems used by dedicated Reverse Osmosis Water Purification (ROWPU) units use 1 liter bags with push-pull spouts so the Soldier can carry them in his BDU trouser pocket. Remove them and drink while on the move like a sports drink bottle. Future canteens should have the ability to be drunk hands-free by a drinking tube or one-handed using a spout.
Combine this with a Meal-Ready-to-Eat (MRE) with a LARGE sports drink beverage powder, and you have optimized Soldier hydration. Initial laboratory studies indicated that warfighters will extend their physical endurance by approximately 17 percent by consuming an energy rich-beverage.
http://www.natick.army.mil/warrior/99/mayjun/rations.htm
Blackhawk Industries
Virginia Beach, Va
(804) 436-3101 FAX: -3088
1st TSG (A) in U.S. Army Logistician January/February 1998 magazine
http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:qiat19hiqJAJ:www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/JanFeb98/JF98Lognote.htm+1st+tactical+studies+group&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
Water Availability and Use The world is urbanizing. . .and natural disasters are on the rise. Major Tubbell's excellent article on PLS flatracks shows that it's possible to set up a firefighting module using 3,000 gallons of water, pumps, and related equipment on a flatrack for Army units to use in fighting fires in the cities during war or natural disasters. One PLS truck could move a flatrack or firefighting module to several locations for fighting fires. Army combat engineers could fight the fires as empty modules are brought back to a water point for refilling. Please contact the good Major for me on this urgently needed PLS development. Water is scarce in underdeveloped areas and areas where disaster has destroyed water points; such a modular firefighting capability could save thousands of lives. I also liked Captain Choi's article on ROWPU [reverse osmosis water purification unit] water being stored in bags. It was our non-profit 1st Tactical Studies Group (Airborne) that pioneered the effort to get the U.S. Army to adopt drink-on-the-move capabilities. There is now a long drinking tube that connects a canteen to the drinking tube of the M40 field protective mask. I'd like to contact the ROWPU bag developers, get some bags, and develop and perfect a drinking tube interface so Soldiers can put a ROWPU bag in their rucksack and drink from a tube while on-the-move.
Mike Sparks, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
ALOG STAFF:
Thank you for expressing your interest in Major Tubell's and Captain Choi's articles. Shortly after we received your letter, ALOG staff members provided you with points of contact on both of these topics. By now, we hope you have been in touch with the Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, concerning the water bags and the Program Executive Office for Tactical Wheeled Vehicles, Warren, Michigan, to discuss your ideas on the PLS. -Editor
If the Water Tastes Bad, Will You Drink it?
Camel-Baks are still problematic to jump under a parachute harness and to carry bulk water. So the 1 quart canteen is still needed, it just needs to be FLEXIBLE so if you land on them you do not get hurt. All of this water will not help if you are loathe to drink it and you get thirsty and force yourself to drink it--too late you are already dehydrated.
Consider, CPT Jason A. Miseli's article in the September-October 2003 issue of U.S. Army ARMOR magazine; "The View From My Windshield: Just-in-Time Logistics Just Isn’t Working" page 11,
www.knox.army.mil/center/ocoa/ArmorMag/so03/5miseli03web.pdf
EXCERPTS which state:
"When a mechanized infantry BCT cannot get more than one or two bottles of water per Soldier, per day, and must subsequently rely on locally purchased water and poor-tasting bulk water to meet essential sustenance, does our just-in-time logistics systemrespond? The answer is simply no. Instead, we default to the failure culture and the associated safety nets that support that culture. As of 15 May 2003, the CSR for the 3d ID was two bottles per Soldier per day because our division was fifth in the theater’s priority of resupply. By 21 May 2003, the response to our requests for water was even less acceptable: the 3D BCT was supposed to leave in mid-May. Well, the grim reality is that we are here, and we are now drinking Iraqi water. Sadly enough, it tests as clean or better than our own bulk water, and fortunately, 24 hours later, none of us have had any adverse reactions."
SOLUTION:
Packette (what should be in every MRE)
As most of you know, the MRE comes with a pathetic packet of defacto Kool Aid (sugar flavored drink mix) suitable just for 1 canteen cup of water.
Dude!
No one has got time to wash out the canteen cup and make Kool Air...either its in the 1 quart (32 ounces) canteen or camel-bak or its not there.
Visiting Wal-Mart last night I found something believe it or not--- that IS NOT MADE IN CHINA----Crystal Light ON-THE-GO drink packets that will flavor 1/2 a canteen....16.9 ounces....
So here is the idea....
Units buy en masse Crystal Light packets to flavor either bottled water or in concert with MRE packets, 1 quart canteens.
Get this going as common troop SOP so it shames Natick Labs to offering Crystal Light packets in each MRE with the sugar flavored Kool Aid packet.
FEEDBACK?
From Iraq:
"Mike, you'll be happy to know that in my unit (XXX, XXXXX, XX BDE 3d Infantry Division), which just recently deployed for the "reunion tour" in Baghdad, we have done exactly what you state below. We're literally loaded to the gills with Crystal Light. We use it almost exclusively with bottled water... in my brief 10 years, I've learned that my camelbak (or canteen) winds up with an annoying aftertaste any time I put drink mix of any kind in it. (In Korea, MG Honore used to cuss out our BN CDRs if they didn't force the DFAC crews to dedicate specific mermites for Coffee, OJ, fruit punch, etc...)"
Thanks
CPT XXXX
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