Posted: 6/18/2007 6:12:56 AM EDT
| The wife and I picked up a Foodsaver this weekend. So after spending yesterday repacking all the foil blocks in the freezer yesterday I was wondering what else I could vacume pack. I'm putting together small first aid kits for the backpacks; but I can't think of what else would be useful, any ideas? |
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Mmph...where to start? Well, its great for waterproofing and compacting things that ...well...need waterproofing or compacting. Examples: a complete change of clothes can be sealed up and kept in your car or wherever in case you need a clean and dry change of clothes. All my 'extra' first aid gear gets sealed up to keep it clean and dry. Firestarting materials for hinting trips always gets this treatment as does a couple extra pairs of socks. One thing to keep in mind is that if the plastic gets a hole in it, youre screwed. Make sure whatever youre sealing up has no sharp edges (like the corners of a cardboard box, for example) and make sure that you protect the finished product from punctures and tears. I usually put whatever it is Ive sealed up into a cardboard box or simply sandwich it between two pieces of cardboard to protect the packaging. Small electronic devices (GPS, radios, batteries) are protected from water and dirt quite well with a vaccuum sealer. Any critical gear that needs to be kept absolutely dry (electronics) always gets sealed up...this is in addition to being stored in a waterproof container. (Suspenders and a belt, yes.) Oh...and I hear you can use these things on food too. |
I thought about this. I have a book from my greatgrandfathers WWI army unit and I was wondering if vac packing it would help it last longer |
FAK's are good , but that's just a start . I use mine for just about everything in my pack . From clothes to maps , fishing kits , battery's , Tinder , food I buy in bulk , Trail Mix , Jerky , even freeze dried foods like MH are much cheaper to buy in the #10 cans and then make up your own meal kits , and since the vac bags are rated for boiling water it's not a problem . I just stick it in one of those soft sided cooler bags to retain heat if needed like when it's below zero . 1 - 1.5 cups per bag makes a decent meal depending on what it is .  I also use the 1 qt bags to store water . I'll make up a couple of these the night before I head out and put them in the hydration pocket of my pack to keep the bladder cool , and when they melt , just cut off a corner and dump them into the bladder for an easy refill .  It's really only limited by your imagination . Like say if you were the paranoid type . You might even get the idea to stick an AR and a half dozen loaded mags in a long 12" wide bag with a few silica packs . Then wrap it in heavy plastic and duct tape and maybe bury it somewhere  |