Water and rivers

[Guest dmarcin]

Things have happened and I am trying to get home in one piece. I have my bob and can manage for 3-6 days. My plan is to stay from people as much as I can. I come to the Mississippi, Cumberland or Ohio ( take your pick). The bridges are crowded and may become a threat to me. What are some of my options on getting across the large bodies of water safely. I can swim but not this is not an option at this great a distance. A boat sure but where am I going to find a boat in the middle of nowhere?
What are your thoughts and suggestions.

[Spots]

Pack your bob so it'll float. Lay on it and propel yourself with your legs. Done it plenty of times in the ocean and it works, even when breaking through rough surf.

[mikegideon]

Blowup floatation takes up amost no space.

[monkeylizard]

[quote name='mikegideon' timestamp='1352651579' post='843764']
Blowup floatation takes up amost no space.
[/quote]

I call mine Linda.




Seriously though, are you guys thinking something simple like water wings or a kid's inflatable pool ring/toy? Edited November 11, 2012 by monkeylizard

[Spots]

Im thinking packing my bob the way I was taught in the USMC. Use water tight inner bags, trash bags will work. Seal them good and even a heavy pack will float like raft.

[mikegideon]

[quote name='monkeylizard' timestamp='1352653271' post='843778']
I call mine Linda.




Seriously though, are you guys thinking something simple like water wings or a kid's inflatable pool ring/toy?
[/quote]

I'm not a Red Dawn kinda guy, but I'm thinking more like a camping pillow. Something that's not so easy to puncture.

[mikegideon]

[quote name='Flatwoods Forge' timestamp='1352653967' post='843786']
Im thinking packing my bob the way I was taught in the USMC. Use water tight inner bags, trash bags will work. Seal them good and even a heavy pack will float like raft.
[/quote]

That makes sense.

[Guest dmarcin]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have tried a few of them. First a cheap flotation device tends to lose air when you need it most. To carry a well made life preserver it takes up a lot of room. I have thought of a a.i.d. And thought it might be the best way to go.
The Mississippi would be a scary one to cross but the Cumberland would not be to
bad.

[gregintenn]

I'm living on the side of the river I prefer to be on. I don't see much reason why I'd want to cross it in the event of an emergency.

[DaveS]

[quote name='mikegideon' timestamp='1352651579' post='843764']
Blowup floatation takes up amost no space.
[/quote]

What he said. You can also make a "Poncho Raft" from an old army poncho. I'm sure that you could find directions on the web. I have used them many times while in the army.

Dave S Edited November 12, 2012 by DaveS