Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

You should consider adding one of these SWAT Tourniquets, they can be used as a tourniquet if something goes severely wrong but also as a pressure dressing over gauze/packing material. I took a "stop the bleed" course recently and liked the SWAT because it was easy to apply and dual purpose. For a stand alone tourniquet I'd rather have a SOF-T but for hiking and times where wight and bulk are an issue the SWAT would be great.

 

Made myself a tent with materials from ripstopbytheroll. Was hoping a little lighter but it came out to 3 lbs with stakes and cords. Used a heavier duty fabric for the bottom and will not use a ground cloth. Uses trekking poles. It’s real easy to set up and I’m excited to take it backpacking in Colorado next week (while hunting...)

 

Damn! That looks pretty professional. Bravo, sir!

 

I love the tent, I designed one in sketchup very similar and plan on sewing it up this winter for times my grandaughter is with me (she refuses to hammock). What fabric did you use for the roof/sides. My estimate based on the dimensions in sketch up was sub 2lbs before stakes so your 3lbs is a little discouraging, especially as my vestibules are a touch bigger that what you made.

 

I'm not a fan of tourniquets, and they're not always the best solution for the situation. They're more for if I get a leg blown off by an IED. If I need a tourniquet, I'd rather bleed out and pass on.

 

I agree that they arent the best solution all the time but like anything else they are a tool and an absolutely life saving one in certain situations.

There is a lot of misinformation put there about tourniquets.

 

Just from my medical training, they are frowned upon except for certain situations. Maybe on the battlefield or with a paramedic, but not in my bleed kit where I'm taking care of smaller bleeds. With proper training, they're useful in the right hands and in life-threatening major injury situations to extremeties where stopping major arterial bleeding supercedes healthy tissue loss.

 

I mean thats exactly what they're for? Not like youre going to use one on a paper cut. Take a look at a "stop the bleed" course they are free and offered at a bunch of locations around the country. I took kinemat a banner hospital.

Tourniquets are very much NOT frowned upon in the medical community. They also carry a much lower risk of loss of a limb than most people realize. Bleeding out is a very preventable way to die.

 

All good. It's just not something I'm putting in this type of kit. It's like carrying a bazooka to hunt squirrels. I need the space in the bag for more needed and practical items.

 

Those squirrels wouldn't know what hit them and theyd get cooked in one easy step!

 

I am basically NEVER without a tourniquet, an occlusive dressing, and two pairs of gloves. Sometimes I have more BUT for anything from a gunshot to falling on a hiking pole wrong, or even a deadfall tree puncturing an artery a tourniquet is an essential tool that, in my opinion, should be in every edc kit. I AM a nurse but even if I weren't, it doesn't take an IED to need a tourniquet. There are plenty of situations right here in the good old USA where they might be needed on a moments notice.
;
That's my story and I am sticking to it... ;-)

 

Got the slumberjack roadhouse tarp in today! I know it’s designed for those with a cap but it works fine over the tonneau! Poles are 8 feet tall, so even being 6’3 I don’t have to really duck until I’m at the tailgate

 

Love mine..it will stand up to rain and wind. Your gonna dig it camping, adds a lot of room to a campsite.

 

Im with you on that. Especially with something like the SWAT, its dual purpose making it an even more weight efficient option.

 

Thank you!

I used 1.1 Silpoly PU4000 for the top, 0.5 oz NS50 Noseeum mesh, and HyperD 300 for the bottom. You might save a little weight using 1.1 Silpoly which is supposed to be lighter without the PU4000 coating, but it is not as easy to sew. I double layered the trekking pole pockets which added some weight.

 

How much did it cost? And do u stake the other sides dow I assume?

 

Came out to $160 in materials.

Yes the other side is staked down.

 

That's pretty much exactly what I planned to use. Do you happen to know the weight without the poles and line?

 

Thanks for your opinion.

 

I'm at 30 ish more like 35lbs I keep removing things then only to need them the next trip