Worth its weight in water

Submitted by Eric Daniel

When I signed up, military water containers came in 3 basic sizes; small (1-2 quart canteens), large (5 gallon jerry cans), and huge (36 gallon lister bags and 250 gallon water buffaloes.)  There was no in between (your only option was to carry lots of canteens.)  Prior to Desert Storm I did some looking around and came across the “old” (pre-me) Vietnam-era 5 quart water bag.  These were just what we were looking for.  They hold enough water to get you through the day, they are not bulky (they’re essentially a 5 quart bladder in a nylon carry sack, which collapses as you use the water) and they are certainly a lot more durable and practical than carrying water in the thin plastic water bottles we got in Saudi Arabia.  Even when I got off active duty and went to work for the Forest Service as a firefighter, this 5-quart bag was my preferred method for transporting water on the fireline.  I have subsequently been issued a camelbak, which I use for convenience, but I still carry a couple of these 5-quart bladders as back ups.  They are a lot cheaper than camelback bladders, and they allow me to stock up on water in the field (I can use a hand operated purifier to pump treated water into the bag and backfill the camelback, rather than use iodine pills.)

5-quart water bag

Comments

[Dr. Hamid]

When I was drafted in '67 I saw lots of those bags. They were made out of canvas. The beauty of using canvas is just as it was with the old "Desert" bags hung on the front of cars travelling across the Mohave Desert in the '50's, which is that the water evaporating from the outside of the canvas works to keep the water inside the canvas container cool.

[Richard Balsamo]

Must get one are there any more left.Let me know so i can get a few.

[PERRY E. EDENFIELD]

WHEN I WAS IN PANAMA ..I CARRIED 2 OF THE 5 QT ... AND THE OLD ONE QT ON MY WEB GEAR ....IN THEM KIND OF REAGIONS ..... YA CANT HAVE ENOUGH AMMO., WATER OR SOCKS ......OHHHHHHHHH THE MEMORIES ....LOL

[Dirk Byrd]

On our last long hike, 70 miles in northern New Mexico we used newer chlorine dioxide tablets instead of iodine. Much better, less flavor and less danger of too much iodine.

[warner krueger]

After you use the iodine tablets drop in a lifesaver. It helps the taste and you really can tell a difference. Former Marine Quang Tri '68

[PukinBuzzard]

The 5-qt. canteens also make a good pillow (if empty of water, just fill with air).

[ml8ml8]

You can use the bladders from empty wine boxes and sew a flat nylon carry sack with a shoulder strap and a round hole for the valve. I have done this often for Scouts and it works great. Trouble is, you have to drink alot of wine :)

[derek aker]

Quartermaster has original GI 5 QT canteens new in the issue box for $18. Original GI 5 QT canteens are hard to find! www.qm-supply.com

[Trouble]

When I was in the "sand box" I used these 5 QT canteens and I loved them. There were more then a life saver. They were GOD SENT!!! I just happened to be on a Army base over there that had a supply NCO that had no problem taking care of the "grunts". He gave me enough so I could give two to each marine in the plt. We carried them everywhere and almost stopped using the 5 gl cans.

"Semper Fidelis"

[William W. Bell]

I purchased 6 (Nylon) @ $12.00ea for emergency storage From:
David Young
http://www.freedomsportsnetwork.com
http://www.FSNSURPLUS.COM
http://stores.ebay.com/Freedom-Sports-Network
Phone: 281-750-0530
Fax: 1-800-616-5745

[Brad Daniels]

Try Ehmke Manufacturing Company for military Bags and custom sewn items.

www.ehmkemanufacturing.com

[Frank Davis]

Back in 1985 we used a canvas version that sweated to help cool the water. Worked great! Just hang them off the 6X mirror and had cool drink when needed.

"Semper Fidelis"

[Frank Davis]

Back in 1985 in 29 Palms we used a canvas version that sweated to help cool the water. Worked great! Just hang them off the 6X mirror and had cool drink when needed.

"Semper Fidelis"

[Steve Hall]

I've had several since my first entry into the Army in 1973. I took some old webbing and made shoulder straps that I attached to the tabs at the corners of the bad and carried it like a small backpack on short tactical missions in high temperatures, helped keep me cool and provided a larger supply of water than my canteens. I even modified an extra cap with a drinking tube pre-camelback but the material put a poor taste in the water over time so I discontinued it (little did I know it could have been a prototype for the camelback). I still keep one in my old alice pack as a backup water reservoir I last used in New Orleans during the Katrina recovery.

[Dagorul]

I like these 5 qt bladders, I used mine on long patrols in the jungle where you can never seem to have enough drinking water. I also carried a few extra for river crossings and hammock pillows. the best way I've found to repair a leaky seam is to use a vacuum food storage machine heating element and treat all the edges / corners gently. this puts a wider seam on that is less likely to leak. also you can cut up a mylar emergency blanket and tuck it in around the bladder beneath the nylon carry bag to keep it cool longer.

*Place Cool Latin Motto Here.*

[Joseph M. Charron]

After I retired from the Army I began teaching wilderness survival skills to Boy Scout Troops and Church groups and I always encouraged them to aquire the VN. 5qt. collapsible canteen as part of thier personal "Survival Kit" or backpack. They weight almost nothing empty, but can be a lifesaver when need. Any respectable "Grunt" will agree that packing light is everything.

[David Honish]

When I bought mine in 1975 another soldier I knew who prided himself on light weight backpacking asked me "Do you know how much five quarts of water weighs?" I told him weight was not an issue. If you need the water, you need the water, period. It is not as if you can carry dehydrated water and just add water.

The bladder can also be blown up and used as a flotation assist when crossing water obstacles.

[frank]

USed 5 qt fit in alice ruck.1 qt on web gear.2 qt cover for ammo and bladder in alice ruck. Sugar drinks will ferment and sour and give you runs bad.Also attract bugs and keep you thirsty.Dont try hot sauce and coffee.Remember water might be needed to flush a wound, irrigate an eye or ear etc. Live with taste, get your poagi bait in the rear. RLTW

[charlie]

I saw these available online at http://www.omahas.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=otg211

[Greg Sr.]

I spent my time in SF, '76 - '83. I had two of these, they greatest feature is that after a drink you can squeeze out the air - no sloshing sounds, very, very important. There are ties at the four corners, you can attach it to just about anything.

Whether on active duty or an outdoorsman, buy a couple of these. You will find that you can never do without them.

Greg

[Greg Sr.]

I spent my time in SF, '76 - '83. I had two of these, they greatest feature is that after a drink you can squeeze out the air - no sloshing sounds, very, very important. There are ties at the four corners, you can attach it to just about anything.

Whether on active duty or an outdoorsman, buy a couple of these. You will find that you can never do without them.

Greg

[RD]

I personally love this canteen, however i have allways had leaking problems with the bladders. I have never had one last more than a season, and they allways start leaking when I am out on long hiking trips when I need them most.

I was able to make a new bladder that lasted several years, but it to leaked eventually.

I am looking for a solution to this problem. if anyone has any ideas, e-mail me.

THANKS!

[regina]

Omahas.com still has these canvas drinking bags but are selling them at a dicount because the linings are getting'sticky' and they're not sure they are useable anymore...anyone know who is still making cotton canvas water bags ??..perhaps foreign military...