Wrapping the Wool Blanket, An Exerpt from Training the WV Wilderness EMS

[71wicker]

One other thing if your wool blanket smells of mothballs, don't bother washing it just makes it worse that shit is not water soluble, what worked for me is hang it out in the sun the uv rays will kill the smell after a week or so in the sun I put em in the dryer with the hunter specialties earth smell dryer sheets!! Now no mothball smell just dirt, also a friend of mine smoked his and that worked good also!

[71wicker]

I put down a post a couple days ago that the sportsmen guide had Italian wool blankets, well I bought a half a dozen and got em yesterday, beware they reek of mothballs, so if your looking to use them wright away your SOL unless you wanna put up with that smell!!

[tblbaby]

@71wicker I got a bunch of nice 100% virgin wool blankets for a sweet deal & I gave some to family & I'm selling the rest low cost to people I know so they can afford the best wool too. I'm wondering how to keep moths off if I keep some for a while. Of course I've got a couple & all my kids & I'm using one because it's so warm. The price keeps going up & I knew that was my chance or I'd be out with sheers bothering sheep to make my own because of the price. Nothing like Wool.

[theDUKE197908]

pretty cool

[bewarethegreyghost]

Dave . . . just . . . swaddled himself.

[sbjennings99]

Cool, video..

[robcas631]

LOL regarding night relief!

[ipponutoo]

Another great vid...thanks!

[krubbor]

Also known as the Delicious Dave burrito. What kind of tarp was in the background.

[tookieblueeyes]

so basically you are swaddling yourself in the blanket right? I have my fathers old military wool blanket, don't know how he managed to hang onto it, but it has a few holes, not too many, but a few, and I was wondering if those will compromise the warmth of the blanket to a large enough degree that I would probably be better off buying a new one.

[waypasthadenough]

One wonders if the bear appreciates you making yourself into a burrito for him...

[SkidinDingo]

@waypasthadenough lol

[BrownFlip7852]

i love your vids

[Smith28Adventure]

I can't believe I even found a video of how to get into a wool blanket interesting.

Dave you are the MASTER!

[drumgodtim]

Thanks Dave!!! I have two of the Italian jobs (excellent) but they stink like moth balls...your comment of washing them in cold water with a 1/2 gallon of apple cider is just what I needed to hear. :)

[BrettsBushCraft]

Survival Bourito!!!! Awesome video Dave!

[mysss29]

brilliant

[Thestargazer56]

Wool is a near perfect material. Modern fabrics can do no better, it can keep you cool, through evaporation of sweat, as well as keep you warm when wet. If you block the wind, I believe you can survive well below freezing.

I have never had a blister when wearing wool socks.

[biblesnbarbells]

Thanks for the demonstration. Anthony

[fumasterchu12]

Nice demo Dave, always a pleasure. God bless.

[unicron24]

thanks for the breakdown..

[FAQUAD2010]

thanks for posting this.

also looking forward to the new channel of vids you previewed

[almostconcerned]

Thank you for the video Dave. And thanks to everyone else for the comments. This is truly one of the better corners of youtube for the exchange of information.

[JRNY1605]

Dave, what about conduction from the ground? Does heat escape from underneath as the blanket fibers are compressed. I've had that problem using a wool blanket in a hammock...the convection from the cold air underneath made it a very cold night.

[wildernessoutfitters]

@JRNY1605 In this case the WEMS personel we trained had an issued thermal ground pad to fight conduction. In a normal situation you would need to pile in some insulation like leaves or boughs

[JRNY1605]

@wildernessoutfitters Thank you sir

[mryellow123]

@JRNY1605 search "hammock underquilt" for some ideas, poncho liner works for me. If your insulation is slung below the hammock then it can't become compressed. Can add debris to increase insulation if proper cold.

[TrinityRewind]

it never get cold enough in my country to require a wool blanket. coldest it gets here in winter is 20c + so even in winter its hot

[SerJahPhoto]

I don't... Can you explain one more time?

Just kiddin..

[bodiemyers]

@TheMojovegreen they are really pricey but prob the best in the world you can find good deals on eBay but be wary of fakes

[bodiemyers]

@TheMojovegreen1 that's a common misconception Hudson bay blankets are marked with lines to indicate size without having to unfold them

[TheMojavegreen1]

@bodiemyers

yes, but why is my statement a misconception. How is it in contradiction to your statement? I have read that the British had standards that required a thicker and heavier model, meaning that there were variations in standard. But how is the commodity of a beaver pelt wrong in the history of this blanket?

[TheMojavegreen1]

Hudson Bay Blankets are pricey but worth every penny. Their history dates back to the soldiers of the American Revolution. The various sizes are rated as one,two, three beaver because the blankets were sized according to the traded value of beaver pelts for which they were bought and sold.

[wildernessoutfitters]

@TheMojavegreen1 I agree brother the only thing better is a Hand Made and loomed blanket but they are very pricey.

[TheKodiak72]

@wildernessoutfitters what about Australian Merino wool blankets? best wool in the world bar none

[snappa222]

@TheMojavegreen1 the Hudson Bay Blanket dates back to aprox. 1776 much further than the American Revolution

[dataphreak]

@TheMojavegreen1 I wish everything was still priced in beaver pelts....

[TheUprisingNinja]

It is funny i watch a majority of your videos but i live in the hotter part of AZ and alot of the stuff i learn doesn't apply i just watch for enjoyment.

[DanielLionheart1]

@TheUprisingNinja You might like my Free Thinking and Living Free vids. I mostly cover the desert near Phoenix and Arizona mountain areas like the Bradshaws.

[1097411]

Why is it you dont want to sleep with your boots on? Thanks for the video. Take Care.

[MrSamadams35]

@1097411 you want you feet to air out to advoid jungle rot or bad fungus that can put your feet down and then you are unable to move.

[DanielLionheart1]

@1097411 I don't know what Dave's reasons are, but I have my own. First (as @mrSamadams35 says) to avoid foot rot. But in the winter the other reason is that, while you're sleeping, body heat doesn't circulate well to your feet. With boots or shoes on, your feet will get very cold. With them off, your body heat from inside the blanket/sleeping bag will circulate to your feet and warm them. Boots block that inside-the-blanket heat out and keep it from your feet.

[XCritonX]

@DanielLionheart1 Also your boots will rot if you don't let them off during the night to dry. That is why when in normal conditions (civilization) you never wear the same shoes/boots 2 days in a row. They will last much longer.

[EDCblade]

awesome thanks for the info i would of never knew that thanks so much

[beast12101]

good stuff, Just I wasnt so tall, or they made bigger blankets

[DanielLionheart1]

@beast12101 You might get two blankets. One to cut and sew an extension onto the other.

[thgreatandini]

I love how all the women go "just like a baby!" at the same time. :) Also, when i have a baby and can swaddle with the best of em and someone asks where i learned im gonna say, "From a survival school." ;)

[deadarmfilms]

Why should you never sleep in your boots (in this scenario at least)?

[hogkillerjp]

great video thanks

[Kellett781]

Ims omething of a Wool blanket junky... I litteraly collect the things. I didnt even know this technique for useing a wool blanket. Personaly, I would add a cotton sheet to the inside layer of the blanket if your skin is at all tender.

[ITReviewer]

Cool, could you tell me this area? Im in Wv.

[unopsec]

I have two of them best buy for the money and warm in winter campinf..a little heavy but worth it!

[pup9et]

Dave thank you so much for all the great intelligent video's

[WobblingHobGoblin]

Thankyou Mr CAnterbury!

[1IdeaAhead]

That was the quickest follow up I have seen to date, awesome vid!

[McHenryAnge]

There are some big guys out there. Is there a larger wool blanket than the standard issue?

If so, how do we identify them?

The word "large" is thrown around a bit loosely in blanket world

[raindog951]

@McHenryAnge I'd probably buy two and stitch them together. I very much doubt I'd find a blanket big enough for me!

[McHenryAnge]

@raindog951 That was my thought, but then I'd just put a zipper on it and leave the Wildernessoutfitters Wool Burrito to Dave and his friends.

I made a bag out of two 100%, surplus, blankets with linen lining and nylon shell.

Sucker weighs in around 16 POUNDS !

Might be easier to pull a trailer on my belt.

[raindog951]

@McHenryAnge Lol! But I bet that was the best blanket set-up ever made!

[Kellett781]

@raindog951 look for the old italian military blankets, they are the biggest, and best in the wool blanket family. Ya gotta be something of a hoss to not fit in one of those things.

[raindog951]

@Kellett781 Haha! Not so much a Hoss as a Moose! 6 foot 2, 22 stone!

[Kellett781]

@raindog951 im 6'2" as well and I weigh in at 235 pounds. The italian blanket is big enough for ya. but its not going to wrap around you chest in a horse shoe manner for carry. Get your self a blanket carry strap if you are packen these wool blankets in.

[raindog951]

@Kellett781 Ta, Italian it is then :-) I like the idea of the blanket rather than a modern sleeping bag. More versatile and useful altogether.

[DanielLionheart1]

@raindog951 Not only that, it's lighter and takes up far less space. weight and bulk are extremely important on an outdoor trek.

[raindog951]

@DanielLionheart1 Yes, top stuff :-)

[Kellett781]

@raindog951 Well you mentioned "stones" as a weight measurement, so I take it your not in america. But I would still suggest getting a good sleeping bag, and the one I realy dig is the new American military Modular sleeping system. You can buy them online if you are out of country. They are SUPER warm and lite for what you are carrying, AND they come in a synch sack to make the entire package small. honestly a good blanket AND bag are a must. But if you HAVE to ditch one, ditch the bag.

[raindog951]

@Kellett781 Thanks, I'll check those out :-)

[bikenutter1]

@Kellett781 Can you explain a little more about the "horse shoe carry" method? Thanks. (Noob UK bushcrafter) :)

[Kellett781]

@bikenutter1 If you have ever seen old pictures or paintings of American civil war troops, you have likely seen what appears to be a black sausage type thing across their chest and over their shoulder. If your right handed, it goes over the left shoulder. What this is, is a wool blanket in most cases rolled up in a tar ground cloth with the ends tied together with cordage of some type. Also personal kit was rolled up into the blanket and what didnt fit went into a haversack.

[RobertoDonatti]

you just get better and better....

[RebLin51]

Just like you wrap a baby in its blankie. Dave you make a big papoose. Great vid.

[ranger192]

@RebLin51 I was thinking the same thing. "Snug as a bug". ;^D

[BrushWrks]

Just a note to add. Dave mentioned about once you're wrapped up, you can't go pee or you'll never get warm. The BEST thing to do is try to go BEFORE you bed down. Reason being, with extra fluid in your body it makes it harder to retain body heat. It takes a lot of energy to keep urine at body temperature. Not to mention having to get out of your bed roll, into the cold open air, and exposing yourself to the elements and then trying to warm back up again back in your bed. Just my 2¢

[71wicker]

The sports men guide still has them in stock but going fast, and also try blockaderunner wool blankets!!

[jetsettrs]

you should call this "the burrito roll".

[GreenStick90]

Awesome video! Any suggestions on how to wrap up in a sleeping bag with a broken zipper?

[Ghillieman2011]

thats what i am talkin about. good job dave. pathfinders get their learn on in a big way!

[MrColdPhenix]

You're such a pro Dave, thats why we love you

[lazydogdied]

I bought a couple of the 1950's Italian 100% wool blankets, the grey blanket with the stripe, they stink real bad of moth balls! They look like new and are excellent heavy wool, but I think it's gonna take a long time for the smell to go away. I was told not to wash them in the machine cause they would fall apart. I'm thinking I might hang them out in the rain and air dry. Other than the smell, I love them.

[antiark1]

@lazydogdied yea thats your best bet is to let them hang out a little febreeze might help too when you bring them back in

[wildernessoutfitters]

@lazydogdied Wash it in cold water with a 1/2 gal of apple cider viniger bro and then air dry outside.

[lazydogdied]

@wildernessoutfitters Thank you for your help, thank you everyone! This is why I am proud to be part of the Pathfinder family, everybody is always willing to help you and teach you.

[markshmily]

@wildernessoutfitters Do you hand wash in apple cider viniger or do you run it through the washing machine? I tried that with mine and it still stinks.. really bad. It's been an ongoing struggle to get nasty stink out. =(

[mryellow123]

@markshmily no washing machine, bath tub and gentle massage, avoid uneven stretching or deforming. Don't twist to wring out but just let it dry nice and evenly. Keep it all in one piece and happy.

[Plum369]

@lazydogdied if it is 1950s (before superwash) 100% wool, then yes you need to handsoak it The wool fibers love to cling and bind up together, that is why it is easy to spin. The other thing is, it is easy to felt. If you agitate the fibers as in a washing machine, they will felt. Also, if you soak wiht your mild detergent in warm or cool water, make sure the temp is the same for both wash and rinse or you risk felting the wool from "shocking" it. Although a felt blanket might make a good tent.

[Kellett781]

@lazydogdied I have the same blanket and they are the best! As for the storage smells, I took mine and hung it out on a clothing line for 4 days, adding a mist of fabreeze each day on both sides. Because washing these things in anything but an industrial washing machine is asken for a burned up motor. Israily blankets, russian blankets, even US blankets are lite enough to throw in a washing machine, but the italian ones are heavy as hell.

[01liquidfires]

@lazydogdied

where did you buy those???

[lazydogdied]

@01liquidfires I purchased mine at a local Army surplus store. They had many in great condition, look like new, and also had Swiss wool blankets (brown with red stripe/white cross) so i picked up a couple of each. The Italian ones are 100% wool and are oversized, 60 x 84 inches and weigh over 5 lbs each! I'm really tall so I wanted one that would cover me best. The Swiss blankets are not as big or heavy, but smell better!

[01liquidfires]

@lazydogdied

Thanks, now that winter is coming i be doing some camping with my son.

[markshmily]

@lazydogdied I know how you feel.. I bought one at a surplus store and it stinks REALLY bad.. bad enough that I don't want to even use it.

[BravingTheOutDoors]

Thanks for the vid, I am a huge fan of Dave.

[1crimm]

Thanks Dave

[tracycolorado]

always put your shoes , boots under your blanket , use them as a pillow . there is nothing worse than putting on frozen shoes or boots

[Waldhandwerk]

; ) ...great, thanks!

[contreeman]

i hope i never nee any of what you teach. But i'm clad that i watch and learn from your videos. in case i do. thanks my friend

[andrew101678]

good vid like always!

[AccuracyMarked]

I was thinking burrito too

[VuurwerkFan12]

yeah new vid

[warmachine1770]

wool blanket burrito

[canesser1]

Hmmmm, I'm 6'2" could be a problem. Need a 2 part system I figure. Great instruction as always.

[nightember]

@canesser1 You would probably wanna get one of the 80+ inch long ones like the Italian Military surplus ones, the Sportsmans Guide has some in stock I think.

[canesser1]

@nightember That's funny you should bring that up, was just looking at them at Sportsmans Guide as Rob at Canteenshop no longer carries them. Bought one of his Italian wool blankets Will do, my son isn't even 16 and he's looking me in the eye so he'll need the larger Italian wool as well. Thanks for the tip.

[canesser1]

@nightember I should have wrote: bought one from Rob at Canteenshop and it was an awesome blanket, best I ever owned (and no mothball smell).

[nightember]

@canesser1 Nice, when I decided to look for a wool blanket, everywhere was out of stock, but the Sportsmans Guide got them just about a month ago ...though they did jump in price after 2 weeks XD

[weapons33]

great,thx

[jkd185]

nice one.

regards

streetartist

[VietNormbo]

good job man

[Uriel1816]

Thanks for the valuable info.

[fruitcake621]

2nd to commiment\



[gokarter57275]

@fruitcake621 fail

[79littlevoices]

Thank you for all the great videos Dave! Also, thanks to everyone else that makes video's for this channel!!