Camelback/water bladders

coach23

Hey lads im looking for a bit of help here,

Im ex 5th batt and currently a garda (dont hold it against me) but its been a long while since i was in and i've a question for ye now.

Is the use of water bladders allowed in DF now?

The reason im asking is this im on the Public order unit and we carry alot of kit for a long time and de-hydrate quickly, we are provided with a water carrier and a decent one too a sigg 1 liter metal bottle but its mainly for getting the remnants of fire off the suit rather than hydrating and its only a litre not nearly enough for a 4-18 hour stint. Im looking at submitting a study in favour of a water bladder to be carried under the body armour (never be allowed on top of it dont ask) but would like to know if DF already carry bladders and if so what type and if any of ye use them or buy your selves what do you use.

thanks for any replies and any help offered

minidazzler

They are issued to the PDF IIRC. And There is actually a carrier integrated into the new assault vest.

Exceedingly helpful things...I use them working gigs and such all the time.

Manic Moran

I can't think of a single cambelback which is designed to be worn under armour.

Not least, as the water is drunk, you'd need to constantly be re-adjusting the armour to fit. If you can't get approval to wear a black one over the armour, I think you're just down to either designating a waterboy, or wearng the old-fashioned canteens. (I'm a little old-fashioned, I wear a canteen and leave the camelback in the truck)

US Army camelbacks are worn over the armour. (You even start seeing cutouts in APC seats for them). We once were instructed in OCS to wear them under our BDU blouses (no armour) but (a) it looked absolutely ridiculous, and (b) we ended up with the worst cases of friction rash you ever did see.

NTM

coach23

Manic Moran wrote: »

I can't think of a single cambelback which is designed to be worn under armour.

Not least, as the water is drunk, you'd need to constantly be re-adjusting the armour to fit. If you can't get approval to wear a black one over the armour, I think you're just down to either designating a waterboy, or wearng the old-fashioned canteens. (I'm a little old-fashioned, I wear a canteen and leave the camelback in the truck)

US Army camelbacks are worn over the armour. (You even start seeing cutouts in APC seats for them). We once were instructed in OCS to wear them under our BDU blouses (no armour) but (a) it looked absolutely ridiculous, and (b) we ended up with the worst cases of friction rash you ever did see.

NTM

thanks for the info lads

Our armour is merely strapped around the body and its only for blunt force (bricks etc being thrown at you) its not bullet proof or flexible its almost straight across the body at the front and back so its definitely possible in fact i wear it this way:)

Alkers

I use one a lot (not in my line of work) when mountainbiking and would think it wouldn't be very good under armour at all. Even on a 1-2 hour spin I find the water in my camelback gets very warm from my body heat and isn't pleasant to drink at all. The only cold bit is the amount that's held in the tube leading from the bladder to the drinking end. That bladder is in a backpack on my back with nothing else over it so it would probably boil if under armour!

minidazzler

coach23 wrote: »

thanks for the info lads

Our armour is merely strapped around the body and its only for blunt force (bricks etc being thrown at you) its not bullet proof or flexible its almost straight across the body at the front and back so its definitely possible in fact i wear it this way:)

Would there not be times in your work where you have to refill the water? Taking off the PPE is not congruent to your body staying in good condition.

There are quite strong ones out there which you will be able to wear over your PPE if you got permission. They would break for a sharp object, but would be perfectly OK for blunt objects and glass.

coach23

minidazzler wrote: »

Would there not be times in your work where you have to refill the water? Taking off the PPE is not congruent to your body staying in good condition.

There are quite strong ones out there which you will be able to wear over your PPE if you got permission. They would break for a sharp object, but would be perfectly OK for blunt objects and glass.

not really cant come off the line for water unfortunately the lads just wont hold the riot until you come back all refreshed:D and even when off the line we're not always near a water source or allowed hit the shop having a ready supply is needed

trellheim

would the montara or the shredbak be any good for this ? be interested to see