Keeping the outside out

Submitted by Eric Daniel

This may seem a little morbid, it certainly did to more than a couple of folk in my unit, but back in the early 90’s the best way we found to keep the wind and weather out and the heat in while sleeping on the tank was to get yourself a body bag. 

Officially designated a “human remains pouch, type I” the bag I used, which I “acquired” during Desert Storm, is a zippered nylon sack and, by design, is big enough to accommodate not only me, but my sleeping bag, and my sensitive items.

While the nylon fabric is not totally waterproof, it is fairly resistant, and when treated with Scotchguard (or its ozone-friendly 3M equivalent) holds up well to a pretty thorough soaking.  Moreover, it does a very good job of cutting down on any crosswind and has even proven itself capable of seeing me through near zero snowstorms while out in Yakima.  Finally, it is also pretty durable; I’m still using the same bag I picked up back in 91.

Granted, like just about everything else I use or have commented on, there are bigger and better items out there.  The Army itself has putout a gortex bivy sack to go with its new modular sleeping bag (I’m on my second M1949 mountain bag) which is definitely the cat’s meow, but at $275 retail (compared to $15 for the body bag) the Army bag is a little on the spendy side.

Buy a body bag here

Comments

[BWJones]

Ha, the only bad part about the body bag is those handles if you happen to have practical jokers around. Though, I have used the handles as anchor points for an improvised hammock that admittedly only worked if you could separate the anchor points a bit, say in wooded areas or if you can anchor it to a vehicle.

[DDLindeman]

We used them also. I was in a trans unit during Desert Storm. We had a bunch of them for use during possible retrograde of friendly KIA. That never materialized, so we used them to keep the dust and insects out of the bag during the day. Worked like a charm.

[A. Glenn]

I spent years as a mortician.
I wound up selling body bags as ground cover and had sport fishermen pounding on my door to buy them to put large fish in! I don't suggest buying a used one.

[Doug Van Woert]

I aquired one prior to desert Storm and agree it works well. In addition to the looks from people who think you're a bit morbid, I agree that you have to watch out for practical jokers. Besides jokers using the han dles, they can take advantage of the zipper going all the way up and the pull only being on the outside. I usually slept with a knife 'just in case' I had to use it to get out.

[Richard]

I used to use them back in 1985 When I was a Corpsman with the USMC

[Sgt. B]

When I was in the USMC on the USNS Comfort during the mid 90's processing Haitians, we used them in the armory as hammocks. The rifle racks were perfectly spaced so that the handles could be attached and leave enough slack for a perfect hammock. Open the zipper, slide an ISO-mat inside for a bit more support and insulation.

[SSG J.]

When I was sent to the Balkans back in '95 we used these during that harsh first winter; man do they work!

[kevin]

I had the best nights sleep aftermonths in DS/DS in a bodybag like this one stretched between two MLRS launchers after all the fighting was done and the clean-up begun. No fighting the camel spiders,scorpions,and other nasty pests that inhabit that part of the world.

[robert]

As a 11B before the days of gortex, this was cadillac baby! Combine this with a woobie with a zipper and you were good to go to about 40 degrees or so. I hadn't seen anybody mention it, but I just turned mine inside out so nobody could joke with me, plus it let me zip the bag up from the inside... and nobody could zip me up! (body bags don't have zipper handles on the inside--for those that don't know)

[Larry]

During the Viet Nam War, some of the SF guys would use the body bags (BB) instead of the issued sleeping bags. In some places the temperture was not cold enough to require the Army sleeping bag but cool enough to use the BBs with a poncho liner inside. It kept them warm, dry, and very light weight.

[George]

I had aquired a bb when I was stationed in Mainz, West Germany in 79 and I still have it after who knows how many FTX's ARTEP's REFORGERS, and gunnery support missions. 3 NTC's,Fire duty at Yellow Stone N.P, Desert Shield/ storm, 2 JRTC's, numourous Annual Training's, Desaster activations for Tornado duty in OKC in 99, New Orleans after Katrina. Its a little worn and patched but still works.

[Nathan Funderburk]

Haha, this made me laugh for a bit.
I'd hate to be the guy who slept in
and fell victim to
"I didn't know we had a casualty, well,
might as well ship it back."
But kudos for a very nice idea, friend.