emergency shelter

Any thoughts? apparently designed to bag up canoe paddlers for weather conditions that would keep me on the beach; not quite sure about the 'high pain threshold' specification, but nrs copy writers tend to be kittenish.

I have seen a similar European product advertised-basically a big nylon waterproof bag with zippers and hand holds, but no tent poles or suspension devices-looks like fell-walkers use them for tea breaks.

Looks good, seems a little pricey, but if it allows you to keep on canoeing, maybe it's worth it. I don't canoe/boat enough to justify this.

I kayak, but, a wet weather top & spray skirt work fine for me. I suppose in a canoe, it would be a little different though.

I don't know about this specific product, but I can vouch for the general idea of having some robust shelter along the lines of a combined bivy-bag / poncho. It's great to be able to create your own micro-climate out of the wind and rain.

I would never purchase something like this specific for canoing, but I may be tempted to buy it as a general purpose shelter. It is not unique, but certainly interesting. If someone sends me this, I'll test it and write a review...

In a canoe, it may be a drag to keep on paddling with all this material over your hands. In Europe, you find a lot of similar products for hunters and walkers. Many of these shelters have zippered arm-openings, some have even extra arms that zip onto the arm openings! They would probably work much better for paddling.


In Norway, many hunters use something similar waiting for their prey and hikers use them to be more comfortable while eating their lunch. Of course, they also serve as emergency shelters. So, it is a good idea, but I think the "canoe" scope is too narrow.

I have seen these advertised before for the Europeans. The basic concept is to provide a temporary shelter for multiple boaters for short periods of time. It is essentially a pole-less tent that up to ~4 boaters can shelter together on shore. It is not canoe specific in that it is not made to be worn when canoeing or kayaking for that matter, but for use on shore.

Regards,
Bill

ANY THOUGHTS?

The answer is YES!

The HELTER SHELTER revised my need for a modern version of the US Military Camo Poncho.

I need a ROUND Poncho with a hood in three sizes.
- Shaped like a teepee.
- Bulky enough to cover a pack.
- Tent eyelets around bottom.
- Hanging eyelet on hood for rope to tree.
- Reinforced pocket for one tent pole.
- Two velcro pocket slots.
- Hangs to ankle depending on size.
- Material: Military waterproof ripstop nylon

I will be happy to buy these as well as help market them in our store.

Can you make a sketch of that?

Looks a lot like the cover for my BBQ grill....

Can you make a sketch of that?

I will work with whom ever wants to make them.
Some feed back on fabric width and seam design will impact the drawing.
Put a hood on top of a teepee, adjust the dimensions, add features and you are close.

Might help. Seems a bit expensive for what it is, a pole-less dome tent with a plastic window and a pair of hand holes. But wet, exhausted and washed up in a cold rain and lacking other resources I could see where it might be a valuable resource.

Quite a few of the European mountaineering backpacks from the 30s, a few even to this day, are designed with a long cylindrical main bag and extended cuffs so that in a pinch they can be used as a half or three-quarters bivvy bag. Either as an emergency backup to, or supplement, for a sleeping bag. You would employ them by taking out your gear and stuffing your legs into the bag. The popular terminology, as I understand it, is that a half bag came up to the hips or waist. A three-quarters bags would cover everything from armpits down. Either could make a very significant difference in staying warm. Especially if you lost, or soaked, your sleeping bag.

I wouldn't like to paddle wearing that, it would act as a sail.

As a shore based group shelter i would suggest a Bothy bag, they are very popular here with the outdoor set. It is almost standard kit for groups that venture into the mountains. Ideal for caners and kayaks to. Mountain rescue use them when working on casualties.

Lightweight and windproof, they come in sizes from two man to 16 man. And man they worm up quick when there is a group sat under one.

I use mine for lunch stops and emergency use, a great bit of kit.

http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/Product_Type/Tents/Bivi__Bothy_Bags
http://www.lifesystems.co.uk/psec/mountain_survival/thermal_protection.htm
http://www.vango.co.uk/products/tentsinfo.aspx?productid=31&modelid=27&id=20
http://www.outdoordesigns.co.uk/products_shelters.html

Six scouts inside my 4 man bothy bag on a cold morning, they were soon complaining how warm they were getting.