PMCI December 2015 | Page 26

pmcimagazine.com the hood by means of the small zipper. The zipper is non- snagging so that you can always get out quickly and easily. The Tropen is available in two sizes, both of which already haves NSNs! Now a good sleeping back is always a real bonus, but of course you always need to be prepared for whatever the weather might throw at you. To this end Carinthia have a really fine range of Bivi bags, from straightforward to massively technical! All Carinthia Bivi Bags and Bivi Tents have the revolutionary gas permeable GORE-TEX laminate as their top, outer material; this is 100% waterproof, windproof and vapour permeable. What’s new is that the new laminate is also gas permeable. That means that their Bivi Bags can be closed completely without having to keep a ventilation slit open for fresh air. The fresh air permeates through the material itself. The benefits are obvious: 1. The warmed air stays inside the Bivi Bag resulting in a much better insulation effect. When the outside temperature is –10°C, for example, the air temperature inside the head area is +3°C. 2. In really bad weather and precipitation the Bivi Bag can be closed completely and remains absolutely waterproof. On the base of all the Bivi bags is a highly waterproof and cold-flex durable laminate. Some of the key models are the Mountain, Explorer and Observer Plus models. The Mountain; This Bivi bag is of minimal stuff size and weight. It is mostly used for mountaineering or as part of survival packages, but it is also suitable for every soldier who wants to be protected from the elements. The outer shell is made of laminate, which is waterproof, windproof and vapour permeable. 26 The Explorer is a more comfortable Bivi bag with a tent pole arch in the head area (single pole supported). There is enough space at the head end for equipment that needs to be at hand day and night. The L-shaped access opening can be closed with 2 zippers. The specially designed storm flap ensures that the zippers are sealed to be absolutely waterproof. The 5 loops on the back of the Explorer keep an insulating mat in place. Upping the ante considerably is the Observer. This is the perfect sniper Bivi bag with self-standing double pole support. Two tent poles form a small dome at the head end which provides enough space for the user to handle a rifle or other piece of equipment. The Bivi bag slopes down from the shoulder to the foot end preventing straight lines which are easily spotted. The L-shaped opening makes it convenient to get in and out of the bag which can be closed with 2 zippers. All zippers are protected by a specially designed storm flap to make them absolutely waterproof. The big observation opening at the front allows an observation range of 180° and can be closed completely in bad weather. The user’s rifle and