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Flotation bundle

CROSSING WATER OBSTACLES WITH A FLOTATION BUNDLE MADE FROM YOUR EQUIPMENT.

There are many ways to cross a water nuisance (more; river; stream; canal, etc.) using all kinds of material. Think of rafts, rubber boats and the like.

It is also possible to cross a water obstacle using only your equipment while keeping it dry. This is done with a “flotation bundle”. You can make one for an individual or for a buddy pair, carrying the equipment of 2 people. You can also make bundles for shared group or bivouac equipment.

A flotation bundle provides approximately 80 kg of buoyancy and works according to the long-drilled-in principle of Archimedes: a body wholly or partly immersed in a liquid experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the liquid displaced.

You can also transport an injured group member on three flotation bundles, provided they are tied together. Consider which clothes to keep on until the last moment, then waterproof on top of the bundle, and which to wear during the crossing, depending on the weather and local conditions. Always wear footwear, as banks and riverbeds often contain stones, glass and similar hazards.

MAKING A TWO-PERSON FLOTATION BUNDLE.

- Prepare all available straps and cord, including paracord. Join two short straps by buckling them together and securing them with a knot beyond the buckle, or tie them together with a reef knot, which is easy to undo afterwards. This gives you one useful long strap. You need at least three sets of these long straps.

- Consider if you need a pull rope / drag line on the flotation bundle.

- If using an issued military poncho, pull its hood cord all the way to one side and tie the hood closed just below the opening with a clove hitch. Fold the hood over so the cord can be tied below the opening again with a clove hitch, and tuck away the remaining cord. Make sure the hitches are tight to keep the poncho waterproof.

NOTE 1: Tighten the clove hitches slowly, otherwise friction can burn the poncho and cause leaks.

Do the same with your buddy's second poncho.

- Spread the 1^st poncho on the ground with the tied hood underneath.

- Lay the 2^nd poncho on top in the same way. If you also have a sleeping-bag outer cover, spread it over the 2^nd poncho. The more waterproof layers, the better!

- Crosswise place a few short sticks on this to strengthen the bottom of the float.

- Put the equipment & clothing, which is not worn during the crossing, so that an elongated shape is created, which is no longer than 1 meter and is not wider than half a meter.

- If available, spread your buddy’s 2^nd outer cover over the equipment & clothing.

- Fold the float as tightly as possible.

- Then close the flotation bundle as tightly as possible by pulling up the sides on all sides as high as possible and folding over each other, so that no water can walk in through the cracks.

- Your buddy can now attach one by one, the three sets of straps tightly around the flotation bundle, so that the poncho parts do not roll back.

- Attach the towing line underneath the bundle to the front straps with a bowline, then also secure it to the middle straps as a precaution.

- Attach immediately needed equipment and an emergency/rescue knife on top, securing them with a slip knot. If necessary, remove more clothing, wrap it in a waterproof outer jacket or rubbish bag and tie it on top with a slip knot too.

NOTE 2. Always have a large, sturdy garbage bag in your backpack. Can actually be used for anything.

LAUNCHING A FLOTATION BUNDLE.

1. Carry the flotation bundle carefully into the water, maintaining noise discipline and avoiding leaks.
2. In cold water, controlling your breathing is vital. Enter the water as gradually as possible.
3. The strongest swimmer leads and tows the bundle by its cord, making calm swimming movements to minimise cooling.
4. The other person holds the rear of the bundle and steers it lengthways.
5. When leaving the water, avoid partly submerging the flotation bundle.

NOTE 3.

1. For an individual flotation bundle, roll the ends closed in opposite directions, like a wrapped toffee, then tie them together. This has proved very waterproof.
2. In very cold water, if the situation requires or permits, you can keep your head and neck dry by resting your upper body on the flotation bundle and kicking with your feet. This worked perfectly for me. It could also help a weaker swimmer in the group, but keep a particularly close watch on that person.

Knife expert Henk Kraaijvanger was an OPC/instructor at the KMA and a non-commissioned officer attached to the Force Protection Bureau. He is now retired.
From 1996, he was also knives editor for weapons magazines SHOOT, SAM and AK-56.

He also designed the HKD sheath and is the current chair/member of the DKE jury.

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