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View Full Version : How to use an issue basha as a rain jacket



spamel
22-07-2007, 23:17
Not sure if anybody has ever tried this, but the new issue basha doesn't have a hole in the middle to pop your head through. It can only be used as a shelter, or can it?

Today, I went for a quick walk around my local woods, took the basha as I wanted to try a new way of setting it up for ground dwelling. It would have been fine if it wasn't for the dog poo everywhere! Foolishly, I didn't take a rain coat of any kind, but was wearing my Swanni Ranger.

It started to spit a little, so I set the tarp up against a log pile and settled underneath with a blanket and was very comfortable. I knew I only had a 300 metre walk back to the car and then home, so it wasn't desperate, but I looked at the tarp and wondered if it could be used to make a rain cover of sorts.

I took it down and folded it in half, then took the small karabiner that was securing my knife to my belt. I put the knife in my pack as I didn't need it any longer at hand. I clipped the karabiner through two of the handles that are formed along the ridge for use as a stretcher. This allowed me to use the poncho as double layer rain cape, which coupled with a Tilley hat is perfect for keeping a bit of rain off!

Now, it won't stop all of the rain, the front is still exposed, but it certainly could help you out in a bind, or if you meet somebody else who hasn't got any rain kit on them and they need something whilst they trudge back to their house/car. Also, the cape will go over the top of a small daysack or LK 35 sized pack, shedding the rain nicely.

Pics to follow on the method of use.

Galemys
23-07-2007, 09:13
This might come in handy in the near future...

Tom

addyb
23-07-2007, 17:26
How large are the new UK army bashas? I often use a CF (or US) army issue poncho as a quick shelter but as they're rather small I need to clip two of them together to make a decent lean-to.

Curious,

Adam

spamel
23-07-2007, 17:31
Pictures coming soon, I need to get a few things set up as it will be done indoors!

spamel
23-07-2007, 18:10
Here we go then. Excuse the crap pictures, it's raining outside and I just couldn't face doing this outside in the wind and rain! It would have made an easy job difficult!

Fist of all, i folded the basha in half along the ridge so that two of the grab handles for stretcher bearing are visible.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/Spamel/HPIM2836.jpg

Next, fold the handles closer to each other so that you can clip them together with a karabiner, or tie them with a piece of string. If you have neither, you could put one handle through the other and then poke a stick through that to hold it in place.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/Spamel/HPIM2837.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/Spamel/HPIM2838.jpg

That's the temporary rain jacket made. Throw it over your head, if you are wearing a pack make sure it goes over that aswell.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/Spamel/HPIM2841.jpg

It isn't perfect, but could be used in a bind as a temporary rain jacket for a friend or a lone walker that you happen across on the trail who has forgotten a rain jacket. As you can see, it is fairly open at the front, but you can grab it with your hands and pull it tight around you.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/Spamel/HPIM2843.jpg

Now head down to the woods and pretend you are a super hero!:lmao:

Fin
23-07-2007, 18:36
Nice one Spamel! - Simple but effective (as all the best ideas are!)

BOD
24-07-2007, 04:37
Spamel,

If it can be used as a stretcher can it also be rigged as a hammock? Either 2 or 4 point

I might get one if it can be a 3-in-1 but can't find one here to experiment with.

Could you oblige?

Ash

topknot
24-07-2007, 20:58
The USSR army issued (old?) poncho/basha has a cord sewn in one corner so it can be used as a poncho with a hood .

spamel
24-07-2007, 21:01
Spamel,

If it can be used as a stretcher can it also be rigged as a hammock? Either 2 or 4 point

I might get one if it can be a 3-in-1 but can't find one here to experiment with.

Could you oblige?

Ash

Good question, I suppose it could be used as an A frame bed, not sure if it would hold as a hammock as the eyelets/loops will be bearing the weight as opposed to the handles. I may have to take it out and experiment sometime.