I guess Im randomly asking but does any of you know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account? I was dumb forgot my account password. I would appreciate any tricks you can give me!
@Anders Kaiden Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site through google and im trying it out atm. Seems to take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.
Lived with Inuit years ago, their stories of the military were hilarious. Transporting metal objects in sleds behind skidoos. Inuit tried to show them and were dismissed, “no, we’re specialists”. -40 C the military generator was destroyed. Inuit packed heavy fur around the sled for a reason. The Inuit entertained me for hours with their Canadian army stories.
Gotta learn from the people who understand the environment aye. Here in NZ the maori still would whoop our white asses in NZ bushcraft. To them it's just another day. Us white folk really have to learn.
I grew up on a reservation where the army training program had to be saved by the old women who were at church. They couldnt get a fire going in the tundra lol I can only imagine watching 60 year old women showing up and laughing while they get their camp set up.
Can confirm the hood is the best part of the winter kit of the sleeping system. The amount of times it saved my head a rough cold. The liner is not used anymore in 98% of regiments I think. We use the cadpat ranger blanket (also called "The Canadian") BV bag is nearly always on the sleeping bags to protect it from humidity, humidity is the real killer of winter/night in those sleeping bag, hence why we sleep nearly naked if not fully. I still have the self-inflatable bed mat+the brown rolled foam bed. Use the brown mat just cuz it's faster to pack up and quieter when on field ex. In the summer we usually run, one sleeping bag inside the bv bag, and the ranger blanket. In the winter, dual sleeping bags, bv bag, ranger blanket+hood. (My personal setup, but tends to be similar to others of my unit)
Infantry reservist here, they have actually changed the liners, we now have cadpat liners that have a zipper which can be unzipped all the way so the liner can double as a blanket
When in the CF, my Valise was always packed with the same sleep kit, even when in the arctic in summer. 2 shelter half (my tent, the other my ground sheet), bug net, outer sleeping bag, silk liner, thick rubber air mattress. No matter where they sent me I slept like a baby and the Valise had space for many other things. In lower Canada the tree's and bungee cords made your house, in the arctic you wrapped you shelter half around your bag and as it moved up toward your head it straddled your ruck to form a rudimentary tent about 2 feet long so you can breath. The CF had the best sleeping kit. The key to cold survival is always the same and remains so today, keep your kit clean and dry and always sleep naked, never introduce excess moisture. Cold wet clothes and boots are bearable to put on the next day as long as you have had good sleep. Bad sleep means useless soldier!
4 years with the 4 Field Ambulance in Lahr Germany, and these sleeping bags were amazing during Winter Warfare training exercises. Even though I had to share it with my SMG, it was incredibly warm and comfortable. What a drag it was to have to crawl out of it at 4 am for a piss.. As a medic, A lot of exercise when I was tasked as medical support, I was fortunate enough to be able to sleep in the back of my temperature controlled Mercedes Benz Unimog field ambulance. Good times!
Great demo. You're right about it being the best. I used in in 1975 in Churchill and at Coral harbour in the arctic for 6 weeks. Never failed me at that time or at any onther time during my 23 years. Sure would like to get my hands on one. We only had the 5 pieces with the air mattress at taht tim and we would make couches in the 10 man tent systems. Job well done.
I have the complete kit, took it elk hunting in November sleeping outdoors no heat, temp never dropped below -10 of course but when you wake up toasty warm and the cows are chirping 150 yards away its a completely amazing feeling and sight . And yes, your gonna want the outer liner bag makes a major major difference when actually sleeping rough .. great stuff.
I remember the system from my time in the Canadian Armed Forces (Infantry) in the 1970s. A couple of years ago I was looking at civilian very cold sleeping bags and was shocked at their prices. I was considering buying two sleeping bags so that I could one inside the other for really cold weather or use one of them for warmer weather. Then, to protect the bag from body oils I thought I'd buy a sleeping bag liner. Then my rational brain kicked in with the memory of my military issue sleep system. I ended up buying a used complete Canadian Forces Cold Weather Sleep System including a GoreTex bivy bag but not the self inflating sleeping mat. I have the old olive green surplus foam sleeping pad and I find that quite adequate except for it's bulkiness. This is fantastic video for anyone contemplating buying such a sleep system or for someone needing to familiarize themselves with the system again.
Well done ...my first down sleeping bag was an inner CF bag, no zipper, and a squarish cloth hood you folded around your head and then put the two ends through a button hole and pulled tight. I serve me well for about 10 yrs then it became a dog blanket. Keep it up ...the videos
Spent many nights on a op with no shelter, just shove the sleeping into a snowbank and crawl in. Over in Bosnia, we would crawl into the sleeping bag with the bivvie bag ,a couple of sticks to keep the flap off your face. Wouldn't get wet no matter how hard it rained! We have good kit!!😁👍🏻
My memory of those bags were from my time doing Basic at Cornwallis. Every single one of them had a ripped inner lining at the feet. Freezing was part of the experience lol. Embrace the suck! Thanks for the memory! cool vid!
Best way to assemble the bags is to: a. turn inner bag inside out. Lay flannel on top and secure ties at the foot and along one side to the top; b. turn inner bag right side out and secure remaining ties; c. turn outer bag inside out, lay inner bag on it and repeat tie down procedure; d. turn bag right side out and finish tying the ties. Hood was great (and necessary in the arctic - only time I used it). Too bulky otherwise. I slept with a toque (wool or fleece). Small and light. 1 bag with poncho liner inside was good. Unlike you, we always brought the bivvy bag - wetness sucks. At least with the BB you had a moisture barrier. I'd be more likely to ditch the bulky, heavy sleeping bag than I would the BB. In times like those I'd usually have 2 x poncho liners. It wasn't unusual to be in a situation when no shelters could be built due to tac sit or time etc. Often we'd crash in the open by unrolling a BB with a PL in it. Note, the BB can be oriented with the longer part on top of the head as a sort of rain cover.
Im in the Air Force and haven't touched a valise since basic, but this video was great and informative, and your enthusiasm clearly shows Thanks for the awesome video!
This has to be one of the best reviews of kit I've seen. many TY'ers ramble on waaay too much making the presentation longer, jumbled and less informative. You hit all the points and gave the info straight forward and complete. Outstanding. Thank you. Subscribed.
Bruh the bivvy bag is the SECOND BEST piece of kit I have just, be careful not to close the bag over your face cuz uh, you might not wake up. The ranger blanket is #1 (I use that at home when lounging around)
I was on the Aircrew Arctic Survival Course in the '80s in Resolute. We had a blizzard go thru one night when it was -47 C with 40 degrees of wind chill. Slept like a baby in Arctic survival tent using this system. Great piece of kit. Same with the mukluk system. You could do a show on them as well.
I know it is an almost 45 year difference, but any suggestions for the course? I am going in January - I like survival, but I am quite thin and get cold easily!
Great presentation...pretty accurate on all counts. The only thing that I would add is a demonstration on how to properly put the inner and outer and the liner together properly with the tie downs. Start with the outer liner turned inside out then lay the inner on top, attach together and repeat with the liner. Then you flip all 3 back into each other and Voila. This way, the liner and the inner aren't getting all twisted while you sleep.
Great presentation Tell. That new ranger blanket is pretty nice. I've never understood why most of the ranger blankets do not have a hole for your head to make it work with the poncho. Nate
The ranger blanket was more effective wrapped tightly around your body than having a hole cut in it. Many a day sitting on my ruck wrapped in my ranger blanket under the poncho. High living was a sterno can heating your coffee between your legs....
When I was in the Militia in the 1970s this was basically the system we used. Now I do winter as well as summer camping and I wanted a versatile system that could be used in all seasons. I looked at civilian sleeping bags before buying the Canadian Forces Modular Sleeping bag. I figured I could use the outer bag and liner when it was warm outside and then combine everything if needed for a winter trip. Recently I bought the bivy bag. I use an ex-military OD foam sleeping pad I bought surplus in the early 1980s. Don't have to worry about punctures with the foam pad.
I remember floating down the Petawawa river rapids on that old inflatable black air mattress. To fluff up the down I used to to put my sleeping bag in the dryer, no heat, with a pair of running shoes to tumble there would be feathers everywhere. Great video
Fantastic overview! Currently serving and I can happily say most of this gear works phenomenally well. As you mentioned, only one of those bags is usually ever needed and the Ranger Blanket makes the liner obsolete. The one thing I'd recommend is ditching the Mustang Mat or the Zlite-style issued mats for a civilian version, neither are good at all. Don't forget to bring a pillow!
this brings back memories...... I think that the system went back into the 70's. I was in the CAF from 79 to 87 and use the system. I only saw the hood during training
This is exactly what I was looking for. We were given the inner and outer downfilled bags, as well as the cotton liner, plus the carry bag. We also had the self-inflating under-mattress for outside sleeping, and aluminum framed cots, if we were sleeping in the armouries. I was so impressed with the system I recently bought the pieces from various surplus stores, 30 years later. Thanks for the video!
What memories it brings back. Around 1973-75 I was a commissionned officer working with the CIC (related to cadets corps) and went for a 2 week camp at Resolute Bay, well in the Arctic. That was the first camp of this sort for cadets. We used that system to sleep under a poncho roof hold by walking stick(s) or hold by rock wall(s) built on site. If I rememeber correctly we also had something like your hand- inflatable mattress, 'baby bag', liner, inner, outer and hood. We were told then the whole system was good down to -40° C by itself, no roof or wall... We were there during the 2 warmest weeks of the year. So unless under -10° C we should not use the outer bag. The liner was flanel, there mainly to keep the inner cleaner and get a warmer touch than with directly touch cold nylon. We were told to get in there nude as much as possible. The liner was also useful to get the inner cleaner if you remember you can take inside the bag a piece of clothing to give it some warmth before putting it on or any piece of equipment that can be dirty. but still need to be kept warm. The outer baby bag was much helpful by cutting wind and lessen abrasion on the outer part when some part get off the mattress. The hood was helpful under -10° C against wind and cold to the face and only for the moral over -10° C. It was with that whole experience up there that I learn the biggest impact on being able to differentiate between saying 'I am cold' and 'I am frozen'. The seocnd expression carries a sense of urgency misleading our own psyche because it is like being sure we woud die soon. Being cold is often more petinent and surely more positive. That experience confirms me in my love with the North. So some years after as a civilian I went teaching to the inuit in that nice north I still love today at 65 yo.
Veteran here, you brought me back in the past my friend! I remember having good night sleep on the black inflatable mattress. But I agree it was a little narrow
This was a great video...I have this system and it is a great cold weather kit if you can find one in good condition...bought mine surplus while working at CFB Greenwood in 1975 and it has held up really well. Back then they were much cheaper to buy and I felt it was a steal at the price I paid. $50 cdn dollars. I’m sure they are going for much more today, but given how well they perform and last they are worth it. Cheers...and stay warm camping ⛺️.
Sir, I was in the RCN reserves in 1978 and then the RCA reserves in 1987, the sleep system I used is not like that which you demonstrated. I remember the sleeping bags as being two piece, not three. Also the hood was a simpler affair, a hood with arm straps, but no part to wrap around like you show at the six minute mark. I remember it once turning around while I was sleeping. Woke up with my face covered by it, fell onto the pile of gear that was next to the truck bench I was sleeping in. Both times I had that air mattress you show. Very simple to use, durable. My second one I kept for a while after leaving the army, used it until 2000, when a buddy I lent it to got holes in it. They worked surprisingly well.
well done good sir. You did an amazing job. This system is just wonderful. When i am done my time in the CAF I will purchase this system because it was durable and able to handle any weather. So comfy, and so dry. Love this piece of kit.
At either SAIL or MEC you can buy a small bottle of stuff that's made especially for restoring the loft of the fill in a down & feather or down filled sleeping bag. It really works. Btw, if you get a bivy bag that reeks of mothballs like mine did, you can get rid of the odour by washing the bag with vinegar. i soaked mine in a vinegar/water solution overnight then washed it in a front loading washing machine and thereby eliminated the odour completely. No lingering vinegar smell either.
The sleeping bag carrier is still available in army surplus stores but is not issued anymore in the army, it has been replaced by a similar system that lets you compact it to make room for more gear. Same thing for the liner and the inflatable mat. Very efficient system but too heavy and bulky if you're organizing a long trek. The BV bag IS one of the best piece the army has had produced, works extremely well under humid conditions. I once crossed a lake with my rucksack inside the BV bag and floated across
I love my Canadian sleep system, owned it for years and most of it was a gift from a friend. I also once owned a hood made by Woods and dated 1949. Maybe a miss stamp but it was neat. That is one I should have held on to.
Just found your video. Excellent overview! I was in the Reserves 1973-90 and used this kit quite frequently. It's excellent kit. As has been already mentioned, it's best to sleep naked but I usually pulled in my clothes to warm them up before getting up and getting dressed.
Best canadian sleep system video I've seen , great job. The valice now is a gortex compression bag used with the new over-rated rucksack. We are waiting on the new sleeping system which is supposed to be synthetic fill. Keep up the great work.
Just a reminder to your viewers , the CAF sells the old sleeping systems because they have done their job. Meaning they are not as efficient or effective as they once were. So most of the surplus store finds will not keep them warm at -40C .
Loved my bivie bag. Great with just a civie fleecy liner. You could sleep in a snow bank with that thing. I did hate the air mattress , kept sliding off.. That new liner looks great.
Fun fact, we are testing a new sleep system - it is basically the same thing but the liner is synthetic and softer. There are also more sizes - as a 6"4" person I have always had trouble with the older system, as good as it is.
I miss having this piece of kit but they wouldn't write it off for me when I retired from service. Used everywhere from in combat to the arctic to the desert. Always warm, but, not always dry.
This best upgrade to this system for me was i bought a civilian fleece liner (coleman or whatever) instead of using the ranger blanket or issued liner and never had problems with wetness after that. ran that system from the back of a bv206 in tromso, norway for a full month and never had the shivers from getting cold again.
I think you've covered all the bases. When I joined the reserves in Ottawa in 1978 none of the local units had enough sleeping equipment to issue to everyone to go to the field. So the QM had to borrow from other units in the weeks before hand. Then they had to collect them up, get them cleaned and returned to the other unit. Of course each unit had their sleeping bags very well marked. Eventually more sleep systems were procured. We called the sleeping hood the KKK hat. Most of us just wore a toque in the winter, but they were a good piece of kit. I was issued the Cadpat Ranger blanket in 2005 before going to Afghanistan. It was a great piece of kit. It was about the only thing I wish I didn't have to turn in when I retired.
I have an even older Canadian army bag my dad had received for working outdoors. With the liner he said it was warm at -60’F, I have never used it’s down liner with the bag, Some of its one way snaps have failed but even at minus 20’c I never snapped the bag closed, so I could slip a foot out to cool down.
I loved the bivvy bag. I remember jumping into a snow bank with it to see how long I could stay in there...super cozy with all the pieces together.. the ranger blanket was a must everywhere we went and was a useful piece of kit... the other one was the US raincoat and liner...far superior to our crappy jacket..
No hood in the ''70s. Would have been nice! I was cold sometimes and never had an air mattress that didn't go flat. Loved my wool blankets and shirts though.
Great video! I was in Army cadets from 1974-1981 and the reserve Army in 1983-1984 and 1986-1988. Early issue compression sacs where almost dark green black and way too small. May have been for an earlier issue bag. I was never issued a hood and didn't even know they existed. We also didn't get the bivvy bag just a thin nylon slip cover. Again great video!
I still have my cold weather sleep system and everything included. I bought a fleece liner for and use my Scottish wool blanket and I'm super warm when I do my winter camping. Unfortunately I had to buy the army bivvy bag and it was a hefty price of $95.67 CDN at the army surplus store in the market in Ottawa.
You should cover what soldiers do to prevent condensation. If you wear too much clothing, damp clothing could cause hypothermia when you are back in the field. I would take off my outer clothing, but keep it in the sleeping back so it wouldn't freeze.
Thanks for the excellent video and your service. Suggestion- I grew up using the black Betty and other surplus gear and developed my own versatile and lightweight sleep system after research and experimentation and 30 years or so of testing. The zlite pad is great if you are not a side sleeper, very tough and affordable. I use a -12C down mummy bag (1.4 kg) with a light 10C synthetic overbag (0.5kg) that works to boost the temp rating and keep moisture from your body from condensing in the down. A cheap substitute I also use is a poncho liner that is folded over lengthwise and sewn up 2/3 of its length and along the bottom (800g). This can be used inside a breathable bivy to increase temp rating and keep dry. I recommend the 2gosystems velar reflective tyvek bivy (300g). I also have a poly cotton sheet liner that can keep the down bag clean (450g). I have used this system to sleep comfortably on the snow at -35C (would require more than a zlite underneath).
Curious though, to prevent moisture building up inside the down bags with extended use do you have to use an overbag? Is there really any other way? If so why doesn't these systems come with an overbag? These are basically two down bags inside a goretex like bicycle which seems like all things goretex would build up moisture inside the bag eventually. Although I hear goretex works better the colder it gets outside
@@ryaniam22 There are vapor barrier bags you can use inside a bag, which keeps moisture from moving out into the down. You could use a reflective mylar bivy for this purpose. Downside is it would get pretty damp overnight. I've never tried it. Most people never really use down in cold temps for multi day trips, so it's not widely known how significant the condensation issue can be. In my system there doesn't seem to be significant moisture buildup inside the tyvek or goretex bivy, and it dries quickly. Another alternative is a wool overbag, which I have tested.
@@AndrewSmith-rp6ee Well most people must use down for multi-day trips if the entire Canadian Forces has two down bags for prolonged actic conditions in their system. That's like 50000 active personnel that have it in their system. Seems like someone has a solution or it's not really a problem and is much exaggerated.
@@ryaniam22 Well, you might want to try weighing your sleep system, spend a night out in cold weather, then weigh your sleep system again before it has a chance to dry out. Imagine that weight gain accumulating night after night. There have been arctic expeditions where they didn't account for drying out sleeping bags and it didn't go well.
@@ryaniam22 and it's better to have a synthetic outer bag, because it can be dried more easily and doesn't suffer loss of insulating properties as badly as down when wet.
Fond memories of those from service days, Only downside was if set up all day -30 getting into it was a heart attack shiver Simulator LOL or the morning piss getting out of it LOL, The bivy bag is the best I have ever found and thankfully still have my old one :)
I just realized after watching this that I was short changed when issued my kit. I never got a hood. Even so, I still had trouble getting out of my kit on those cold mornings.
One of my COs was very tall, about 6'7". As quarter master of my Reserve unit, I ordered him one of the extra large bags. It's the only one I ever saw. We didn't have enough sleeping bags to go around. A radio truck would get one complete sleeping bag. The two people not on shift would split the two parts between them. This was common until the late 80s. Air mattresses were Unicorns. Everyone had heard of them, but no one ever saw one. In the late 80s the floodgates opened and we started getting proper kit. If you ever lose your air mattress plug, a maglight flashlight will do the trick.
Nice presentation! Thanks for showing the assembly. I used mine at -47. No hood but I improvised and put my parka over my head. I didn’t have the liner or bivy either so I slept in my base and mid layer. I didn’t have a sleeping pad so used spruce branches. It worked great.
Very useful content! I was going to buy the Canadian Army sleep system for a bikepacking trip but in lights of your video, it's way too heavy for a cycling trip. Thanks for the video.
I was in katimavik (government volunteer program) in the 80s and we went winter camping when it was -75c with the wind chill. we borrowed those sleeping bags from the local militia and we were totally comfortable.
Great video Tell. Best one I've seen that describes the components. I've always wanted to get one of these but had to opt for the more expensive synthetic Carinthia system as I am one of those odd fellows who is allergic to down feathers. I really like the new poncho liner and wish some of the civilian manufacturers like Rothco or Mil-Tec would make one with the head zip.
@@OshawaBushcraft Found this on Amazon. Kind of expensive though and not as cool as CadPat, but has the zipped head hole. www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08DTNHHFS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Was great kit and I kept mine after 20 years of service, change it out before I got, never used the chicken hat or that foam. We had to hump that crap so weight was a factor. Kids love it to this day...
Kinda of looks like the US Army Sleep system when I was in. Had a Light bag, Heavy Bag then a Gortext Bag tat you could use in winter or if rain was possible. Nice system comapared to the Big Green bag we had when I first went in the 80's. Straight up Cold weather bag. Summer time, was only good to sleep on top of it, with a Poncho Liner.
Wow. I do not believe a more comprehensive review could be done for this system! Excellent job, Tell! I love this system, but the weight? I have already dumped the old-school mattress; I never take it with me. I am about to dump one of the bags as well now, and thank you for that advice! It certainly is great gear. I'll just keep what I don't need to lug around in storage...until I am camping on Baffin Island in February! Peace, Tell!!
There`s also the metal basin (or plastic basin for airforce & navy personnel at basic) that goes on top in the bivy bag. Not many people appreciate that piece of kit.
Hey man thanks for the memories. your pretty much dead on with the gear. I also never used the liner. We were issued American ranger blankets that I used all the time. I also remember the mosquito bag that would shelter you from the bugs. Also remember what a nuisance it was for the mustang pad on a cot. You couldn't move it would slide all over the place.
Thanks for the coverage on this bro, I've used it in a many exercises, some in the winter, it has never failed me, or the other troops. It works best when you sleep naked, and keep your tomorrow's clothes between the inner and outer bags so your body heat warms it for you. I know guys who were kept alive by these in -60C with no tent.
I would like to add that there are also loops and laces between the layers to fasten them together. And the 'dream hood' as we call it, truly is a thing of dreams :)
Of all the kit issued over the years, the sleeping bag is by far the best. I never used the hood, however it was mean to work with the old wool scarf. When buying a used setup use a flashlight and look for light shining through the bag. Save your 20 bucks. The new mattress is a brown hunk of foam.
this is mostly accurate, with the new rucksacks we did away with the sleeping bag valises and just use a compression sack, also the ranger blanket now replaces the old liners.
At 192 cm or 6’3.5 I ordered an x long bag set. The army merely spliced another 20 cm onto the end of both inner and outer. I never used the liner and maybe used the hood once in 33 years.
I was P/RES 89-94. We called the black rubber one the "Rubber Lady" and I don't ever recall a carrier bag for the "thermarest" or ever seeing anyone inflate one with an external bag. Side story, when I quit and did my paperwork I discovered that somewhere along the line I had returned my thermarest but it had not been signed off properly and I had to pay for one. I think it was around $30 at the time. I'm pretty sure the receipt is in my service record. (I got mine from Ottawa as a 180 page PDF on a CD-ROM a couple years ago)
love the video. love the idea thanks alot . looking for something good to start with and for the family. love the talk and showing everything. great stuff bud. cheers
awesome presentation. I think next time I head to a surplus store, I'll ask if they have any Canadian gear. I like the hood and the ranger blanket for sure
The new mat is pretty simple. It's just a roll of coyote brown eva foam with a couple fastex clips sewn on. It's not a full replacement for the mustang one, but they're both issued so guys can choose which one (or both) to use.
