PVC piping- handy for many things

I have some rations in my BOB but that is extremely limited due to the size of the bag. My BOB is small, grabbable (is that a real word?), & runnable. That's my interpretation of what it is for & how it should be.
If I have a few extra seconds to spare, I can grab my rations carrier. It is a 4" X 2' piece of PVC piping, capped on 1 end and with a screw cap on the other end. A long carrying strap allows me to carry it around the neck and under 1 arm.
I have another, shorter PVC pipe (4" X 1.5') that I carry my cell phone exterior antenna/auxillary equipment in. Think about the Kim case, I have the ability to place an external antenna in a tree which allows me to send/resend a text msg to someone who may care.
Both of these seal up air & water tight so they can be used to carry water if that is where the need is.
IF there is time, then I also grab my ruck with more clothing, food, and other equipment in it.

PVC piping is very useful and like most things, your imagination is the limit, AND it is easier on a tight budget to be prepared!

I've built a few simple things with it. Most recent is a small frame which under a car seat to support two cup holders on either side.
I'm trying to find some large diameter pipe which can hold drinking water. I've put a tall cal on my truck and its taking shape as a small RV and I was thinking of using large diameter pipe as water tanks mounted under the truck bed or even in the space between the inner and outer sheet metal of the bed. There are places I could fit a 6" pipe but all the larger pvc isn't supposed to be used for drinking water.

I keep my stunt kites in PVC tubes. And my less expensive fishing rods that didn't come with their own cases. I also built a six foot frame to hold one of those blue tarps - I use for a light screen for my telescope - to block neighbor's porch lights. When the kids were little, some one inch thickwall PVC with paint made some mighty fine Star Wars light sabers (unfortunately, these were stout enough to do more damage to their playmates than actual light sabers would have!)

Sch. 80 should be available up to 24" in most areas. Specs go up to 48", I believe, but that's something special. Not cheap above 4"!!

My father made several 'sun swords' (Thundar the Barbarian) when I was a kid out of PVC pipe that were the hit of the neighbourhood.. he put the 'blades' in pipe insulation then wraped it carefully in wide yellow colored electrical tape. It could still hurt or leave a welt if swung hard enough, but the 'damage' was lessened for sure.

Some 6" and 8" PVC cut to length is good for rifles and ammo. You never know what might happen...someday we may have to bury these things <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />