Survival Tarp

IA Woodsman · May 24, 2011

At the Hardwoodsman Meet I had the pleasure of teaching a few classes. One of them was the multiple uses of the Survival Tarp the Bushcraft Outfitters is carrying. I was stoked to get this piece of gear about a month ago. I have taken it to the woods several times. I have decided it will be a mandatory item I will carry in my Condor all of the time.

This is the first of 2 videos I am doing on it. It covers how to use it for:
Emergency Bivy Bag
Insulation bed
Dry sack/food bag
Stretcher
Emergency Poncho
It also shows my secondary shelter kit.

I will post pics in the future.

[YOUTUBE]m5cA_w2_l20[/YOUTUBE]

[video=youtube;0eiK-2aXCEA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eiK-2aXCEA[/video]

slcraptor700 · May 24, 2011

Good vid. Very versatile piece of gear.

tknife · May 24, 2011

Man I can't believe how compact that thing folds up! Seems really versatile and rugged. It also looks like it's pretty light too. great video :thumbup:

jcl-MD · May 24, 2011

GREAT vid IA!!!!!!

j williams · May 24, 2011

Thats an awesome piece of kit. Too many uses not to carry one. Bushcraft Outfitters is offering up some really cool gear.

thrillbilly · May 24, 2011

that looks useful alright! I wish they made them in 6'x9' or such, one drawback to being so tall is I gotta have a bigger shelter then most, not sure a 7' would suffice. I carry a 8'x10' tarp right now, it's bulkier and I presume a lot heavier then that one.

IA Woodsman · May 25, 2011

slcraptor700 said:
Good vid. Very versatile piece of gear.

You bet thanks

tknife said:
Man I can't believe how compact that thing folds up! Seems really versatile and rugged. It also looks like it's pretty light too. great video :thumbup:

It is very small. I was surprised also.

jcl-MD said:
GREAT vid IA!!!!!!

Thanks J

j williams said:
Thats an awesome piece of kit. Too many uses not to carry one. Bushcraft Outfitters is offering up some really cool gear.

They do have some good gear.

thrillbilly said:
that looks useful alright! I wish they made them in 6'x9' or such, one drawback to being so tall is I gotta have a bigger shelter then most, not sure a 7' would suffice. I carry a 8'x10' tarp right now, it's bulkier and I presume a lot heavier then that one.

For an emergency I bet it would work for ya.

sicily02 · May 25, 2011

Neat tarp and video, Terry.

Bryan

Skrapmetal · May 25, 2011

Is there much difference betweeb silicone and urethane coated tarps?

neeman · May 26, 2011

Great video!

I understand it packs small and is light.

How is it different from a US Army poncho?

IA Woodsman · May 26, 2011

Skrapmetal said:
Is there much difference betweeb silicone and urethane coated tarps?

The biggest difference is weight.

neeman said:
Great video!

I understand it packs small and is light.

How is it different from a US Army poncho?

Here what sets it apart:
Lighter
Packs smaller
No hood to seal off when making shelters
Tabs instead of grommets
No snaps
It has no extra sewing inside the perimeter that can leak
Cheaper
Brand new Milspec ponchos are getting harder to find

Thanks Bryan

ROCK6 · May 26, 2011

IA Woodsman said:
Tabs instead of grommets
Thanks Bryan

This is pretty important. The grommets on USGI ponchos are okay, but grommets in general are the weak link when making a tarp shelter. When a grommet tears out, it's hard to do a field repair; with tabs, it's much easier. I'm using a larger Silnylon tarp for my hammock kit and I screwed up the tension last week setting it up and tore out a grommet...I'm going to try and replace with a larger tab, but the whole area is ripped out. Tabs are much more durable!

ROCK6

mtwarden · May 27, 2011

nice piece of kit

at that size (and weight) really no excuse not to have a tarp in your day pack

wildmike · May 27, 2011

I really like these but the 10x10 size is more to my liking.

mtwarden · May 27, 2011

wildmike said:
I really like these but the 10x10 size is more to my liking.

for backpacking/camping I'd agree, but for something small to throw into a daypack or the like, I think this really fits the bill

tknife · May 27, 2011

I finally went and checked them out on BCUSA and wow I have to say I was expecting a higher price! I will be ordering one of these for sure :thumbup:

jw2n · May 27, 2011

I just received my Cooke Custom 8'x10' 1.1 Sil. I have not even had a chance to play with it yet, but I sure do like the way it is constructed. Weight is 14 oz, and it has got to be the slipperiest material I have ever fooled with. Makes chute material feel like sandpaper in comparison.

Mannlicher · May 27, 2011

I have, and use, one of the BushcraftUSA Etowah 10x10 tarps. This smaller model would make a super ground sheet. Think I'll order one.

j williams · May 27, 2011

I have the 10x10, and have seen these up close. They are nice. Really nice.

Don Rearic · May 28, 2011

That stored, compact size really makes this viable for the smaller survival kits.