An Emergency Sustenance Vest, Type C-1, from the National Museum of the United States Air Force HERE and HERE. Numbered by the Author.
This is the second in a series of articles, Part One
is HERE,
don’t forget to come back and read the rest – Author’s Note
The first pocket, conforming with the priorities in the Rule of Threes, is for first aid supplies. Graphic by the Author.
Finding
out what went into pocket one was the easy part, replicating them with items
easily available today is a little more difficult, since for example morphine
syrettes and Benzedrine sulfate tablets, or “bennies”1 are
not easily available!
The
other problem was determining just how much space each of the pocket’s
contained. This is a bit of a problem
since I haven’t been able to run down the original military specifications for
the “Emergency Sustenance Vest, Type C-1”.
Therefore, we are going to do some math and estimate from the photograph
below2.
A close-up of a period photo titled “Kit, vest type assy., type C-1 2-29-44”, an excerpt from the Army Air Force; “Technical Data Digest”, January 1945, page 56.
What’s in pocket
one...?
Pocket
one was for the pilot’s personal first aid kit.
This pocket appears from the photo to be about 2 ¾ inches wide, by about
3 3/16 inches tall and 1-¼ inches deep (7 cm wide
x
8 cm tall by 3.2 cm deep), which means it will hold almost 11 cubic inches of
first aid supplies (about 180 cubic centimeters).
An Altoids® candy tin, photograph by the Author.
For
comparison an Altoids® candy tin is about 2-1/8 inches
wide by 2-7/8 inches tall by ¾ inches deep (5.4 cm wide x
7.3 cm tall x 1.9 cm deep) and hold 1.76 fluid ounces, or 50 grams. Pocket number one could have comfortably held
an Altoids® candy tin sized personal first aid kit, with some room to spare.
A listing of what was in pocket one of the “Emergency Sustenance Vest, Type C-1”, an excerpt from the Army Air Force; “Technical Data Digest”, January 1945, page 56, modified by the Author.
Ignoring
the fact that the original pilot’s first aid kit included a morphine syrette
and “uppers” or Benzedrine sulfate tablets; based on the original
listing of the contents, this was NOT a trauma kit. It is a personal first aid kit, a comfort
kit, otherwise known as a “Boo, boo” kit, to take care of minor aches, pains,
and scratches.
1 -- tube boric acid ointment
From the National Museum of American History, Behring Center.
This
first aid kit included a .6 ounce, or 18-gram, tube of boric acid ointment,
which was a topical antiseptic to treat minor cuts or scratches, skin
irritations, fungal infections and as an ophthalmic ointment, when in a 5% concentration
with white petrolatum. However, as of
2020, it is not recommended for use by the FDA and is not available over the
counter because
of toxicity and potential lethality3.
Instead
of boric acid ointment, 25% zinc oxide ointment should be used to treat wind or
sunburn, chaffed or itchy skin, minor scrapes, insect bites, and the weeping
associated with poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Also zinc oxide may help block both UV-A and
UV-B rays, and some consider it the safest among all broad-spectrum UV filters,
as it doesn’t break down into unstable substance in the sun. Dynarex No. 1190 Zinc Oxide Ointment comes in
1 ounce (28 grams) tube.
1 -- small vial iodine
An example of Benzalkonium Chloride wipes, photo by the Author.
You could include a vial
of iodine tincture as a topical antiseptic, it is one of the best antiseptics,
but it is alcohol-based, it stings, and some people are allergic to it, so
substitute several triple antibiotic ointments single-use packets and several BZK
(benzalkonium chloride) antiseptic towelettes, for it instead.
Benzalkonium Chloride or
BZK wipes are excellent for cleaning minor cuts, scrapes and burns as BZK will
not damage already fragile tissue. BZK
wipes do not sting, and they do not dry out the skin, the way that alcohol
wipes do, so they are ideal for use on sensitive skin.4
For more on BZK towelettes,
see “Alcohol Prep Pads...BZK Towelettes……Hand Wipes…Wound Wipes...What?!©”, HERE.
Including
some form of fever or pain relief tablets in a personal first aid kit is a good
idea, and aspirin has an added, extra advantage, it can help with heart attacks.
The Mayo Clinic notes, “Taking
aspirin during a heart attack is safe and recommended. If you think you're having a heart attack,
call 911 or emergency medical services.
Don't delay calling for help.
Aspirin alone won't save your life if you're having a heart attack”6.
Aspirin tablets and other small first
aid supplies can be packed in small craft 2.5 mil Reclosable Seal Clear Plastic
Poly Bag available at Walmart, HERE, and at other craft stores.
1
-- vial salt tablets
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any information
on the size of the salt tablets in the first aid kit in the “Emergency
Sustenance Vest, Type C-1”, however in the “Individual Aid and Survival Kit”, circa
1963, the military recommended 10-grain (648 milligrams) salt tablets which could
be used to replace salt lost due to sweating.4
Ordinarily
, according to FM 21-18, Foot Marches, June 1990, page 2-5, “...salt
in food compensates for the daily salt requirements. Additional intake of salt should be under the
direction and supervision of a physician or physician’s assistant”. However, since the
designers of the “Emergency Sustenance Vest”, anticipated that the downed
pilots might miss some meals, it was felt that salt tablets would be necessary. Two, 10-grain or 650 milligram, salt tablets
are equal ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) of salt, which when combined with a quart of
water (.95 liter) creates a 0.1% salt solution, which is the ideal
concentration for rehydrating. The salt tablets
should be crushed before mixing them with water and should not be eaten by
themselves as they can irritate the stomach and cause vomiting.5
The
salt tablets in the picture above are only 500 mg each, not 650 mg, and are
available HERE.
A Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System, HERE. If mini water filters had existed during World War II, I am sure they would have been included in the “Emergency Sustenance Vest”.
You
should ALWAYS disinfect ALL water during a survival situation, you have enough
to worry about without including potentially life-threatening diarrhea!
The
designers of the “Emergency Sustenance Vest”, included 24 tablets of halazone
in the first aid kit, which would treat 24 quarts or liters of water. Halazone tablets were commonly used during
World War II by U.S. soldiers for portable water purification, and a typical
dosage was one 4 mg tablet into each one-quart canteen.
One
problem with most chemical water disinfection tablets, is they have a short shelf
life, and worse yet once the bottle is opened, they degrade rapidly due to
contact with the air. The exception to
this is Polar Pure Iodine Crystal Kit which uses 99.5% crystalline iodine; these
crystals are not affected by age, air, or temperature. Each kit of Polar Pure can treat 2,000 quarts
water.
Don’t
forget that boiling is the best and safest method of disinfecting water and is preferred
over all methods of chemical disinfection, because most disease-causing pathogenss
cannot survive at a boil of 212oF, or 100oC. The water must be heated to rolling or vigorous
rolling boil for 1 minutes at sea level and for an additional three minutes at
elevations above 6,562 feet, or 2,000 meters. For more information, read “Water Disinfection:
When is boiled, boiled enough…? ©”, HERE.
Additionally,
and better still, you could substitute a Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration
System, which at 5 ¼ inches, (13.3 cm) long wouldn’t have fit into the first
aid kit or into pocket number one, but that would be able to filter 100,000
gallons of water and which weighs only 2 ounces (57 grams).
1 -- vial sodamint tablets
Sodamint
tablets were made with sodium bicarbonate, the same chemical in baking soda or
in Alka-Seltzer ® brand antacids. They
were used as an antacid to treat heartburn, indigestion, and upset stomach, and
it is a very quick-acting antacid, providing temporary relief. Alternatively, you could use a 12-tablet roll
of Rolaids® Regular Strength Tablets, which contain calcium carbonate and magnesium
hydroxide , instead of sodium bicarbonate, and which comes in a mint flavor.
4 -- sterile bandaids
Four
large bandaids to cover minor cuts and scrapes were included in the original “Emergency
Sustenance Vest”, first aid kit and are always a good idea. Bandaids make everything better!
2 -- 2 - inch compress
A Compression Bandage, 2", from Genuine First Aid, HERE.
I am uncertain, from the photograph and the content listing, of whether the designers were describing a 2-inch off center trauma dressing or a 2” x 2” gauze sterile pad.
Off center trauma dressings can be used as a
major or minor wound pads or can be compressed and secured over the wound with
first aid tape. Gauze sterile pads can
be used, folded to 2” x 2” or unfolded to 2” x 6”, to cover wounds or apply
medicines. Both would be very helpful
and perhaps it would be a good idea to include both in your personal first aid
kit, if you have the space.
1 -- small cake of soap
One
of the best ways to prevent infections or intestinal issues, is to keep your
hands and body, and any cuts or scrapes clean.
Also, the soap in the first aid kit can be used with the safety razor,
which the designers “Emergency Sustenance Vest” included for hygiene reasons,
but which can also be used to shave body hair, so that wounds can be bandaged
easily.
Overall,
in the event of a wilderness survival event, all of these items will make
waiting for rescue or trekking to friendly territory much more comfortable and
easier. For other suggestions on what to
include in a personal first aid kit, read an “Individual Aid and Survival Kit, Circa
1963, Part One ©, HERE,
and Part Two HERE.
The Author’s personal first aid kit, or “Boo, boo” kit; and an Altoids® box for comparison. Photograph by the Author.
 |
I put my personal first aid kit into the outer, middle pocket, shown as number one in the picture. Photograph by the Author.
Don’t forget to come back next week and read “Turnep-bread, a 17th Century Recipe, How Does it Taste? ©”, where we will talk about how the turnep-bread that we made tasted and the different dishes it can be used in.
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I
hope that you continue to enjoy The Woodsman’s Journal Online and look for me
on YouTube at BandanaMan Productions for other related videos, HERE. Don’t forget to follow me on both The
Woodsman’s Journal Online, HERE,
and subscribe to BandanaMan Productions on YouTube. If you have questions, as always, feel free
to leave a comment on either site. I
announce new articles on Facebook at Eric Reynolds, on Instagram at bandanamanaproductions,
and on VK at Eric Reynolds, so watch for me.
That
is all for now, and as always, until next time, Happy Trails!
Notes
1 Uppers
during military operations have some practical applications, but during
civilian emergencies in the wilderness they are not necessary. I do not carry anything like that since I don’t
have to worry about falling asleep and being surprised by the enemy if I become
lost.
2
The pockets were scaled by comparing the known dimensions of the large
pocketknife and the compass matchbox.
3
“Boric Acid”, by the University of Maryland Center of Excellence in Regulatory
Science and Innovation (M-CERSI), University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
4 As
a disinfectant, BZK works by disrupting the pathogen’s membrane and is
effective against gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria; enveloped, or
lipophilic, viruses, yeasts, fungi, and protozoa. The concentration of benzalkonium chloride in
BZK towelettes ranges from .1% to .13%.
5
Eric A Weiss, MD, A Comprehensive Guide To Wilderness & Travel Medicine,
3rd Edition
6
Mayo Clinic Staff, “Daily aspirin therapy: Understand the benefits and risks”, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/daily-aspirin-therapy/art-20046797
Sources
“AD
401819, Department of Army Approved Small Development Requirement for
Individual Aid and Survival Kit for Special Warfare”, [Reproduced
by Defense Documentation Center for Scientific and Technical Information, Cameron
Station, Alexandria, Virginia, Originally by the Headquarters United States
Army Combat Developments Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, April 17, 1963], https://ia902804.us.archive.org/19/items/DTIC_AD0401819/DTIC_AD0401819.pdf,
accessed September 14, 2018
“374659,
Employment Of A Special Forces Group (U)”, [Army Concept
Team In Vietnam, April 20, 1966], https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/374659.pdf,
accessed May 20 2020, page H-4 to H-6
National Museum of the
United States Air Force; “C-1 Emergency Sustenance Vest”, https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195884/air-rescue/,
accessed October 31, 2022
The National Museum of American History, Behring
Center; “Boric Acid 5% Ophthalmic Ointment”, https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1215884,
and accessed December 16, 2022
The
National Museum of American History, Behring Center; “Boric Acid Ointment 10%”,
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1215859,
and accessed December 16, 2022
University of Maryland
Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (M-CERSI), University
of Maryland School of Pharmacy; “Boric Acid”, January 2020, page 9, https://archive.hshsl.umaryland.edu/bitstream/handle/10713/12085/Boric%20acid_Final_2020_01.pdf?sequence=6&isAllowed=y,
accessed December 16, 2022
United
States Army, ST 31-91B, US Army Special Forces Medical Handbook,
[Paladin Press, Boulder, Colorado, March 1, 1982], pages 11-1 to 11-2
Weiss,
Eric A, MD, A Comprehensive Guide To Wilderness & Travel Medicine, 3rd
Edition [Adventure Medical Kits, Oakland, CA, 2005], page 150-151
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