EXPEDIENT WATER CROSSINGS
If you have two ponchos, you can construct a brush raft or an Australian
poncho raft. With either of these rafts, you can safely float your equipment
across a slow-moving stream or river.
The brush raft, if properly constructed, will support about 250 pounds.
To construct it, use ponchos, fresh green brush, two small saplings, and
rope or vine as follows. Push the hood of each poncho to the inner side and tightly tie off the necks using the drawstrings.
Attach the ropes or vines at the corner and side grommets of each
poncho. Make sure they are long enough to cross to and tie with the
others attached at the opposite corner or side.
Spread one poncho on the ground with the inner side up. Pile fresh,
green brush (no thick branches) on the poncho until the brush stack
is about 45 centimeters high. Pull the drawstring up through the
center of the brush stack.
Make an X-frame from two small saplings and place it on top of
the brush stack. Tie the X-frame securely in place with the poncho
Pile another 45 centimeters of brush on top of the X-frame, then
compress the brush slightly.
Pull the poncho sides up around the brush and, using the ropes or
vines attached to the comer or side grommets, tie them diagonally
from comer to corner and from side to side.
Spread the second poncho, inner side up, next to the brush bundle.
Roll the brush bundle onto the second poncho so that the tied side
is down. Tie the second poncho around the brush bundle in the
same manner as you tied the first poncho around the brush.
Place it in the water with the tied side of the second poncho
You can make a raft using logs. A simple method for making a raft is to use lashing/rope to tie the logs together. Remember you only want to cross the river not navigate the Atlantic. Pretty isn't the object. Simply staying connected is the goal.
If the water is warm enough for swimming anything that will float as a floatation devide for you and your equipment.
Pants Knot each pant leg at the bottom and close the fly. Wet the pants. With both hands, grasp the waistband at the sides and swing the trousers
in the air to trap air in each leg. Quickly press the sides of the waistband
together and hold it underwater so that the air will not escape.
You now have a float. Depending on the pants material and how long you are in the water, you may have to reinflate the pants during the crossing.
Empty containers Tie together any empty containers that will hold air. Use this type of flotation device only in a slow-moving
river or stream.
Plastic bags and ponchos Fill two or more plastic bags with air and
secure them together at the opening. Use your poncho and roll green
vegetation tightly inside it so that you have a roll at least 10 inches
in diameter. Tie the ends of the roll securely. You can wear it
around your waist or across one shoulder and under the opposite
Logs Use a stranded drift log if one is available, or find a log near
the water to use as a float. Be sure to test the log before starting to
cross. Some tree logs will sink.
Live Cattails Gather stalks of cattails and tie them in a bundle a foot
or more in diameter. The air cells in each stalk cause a
stalk to float. Test the cattail bundle to be sure it will
support your weight before trying to cross a body of water.
OTHER WATER OBSTACLES
Other water obstacles that you may face are bogs
or quicksand. Do not try to walk across these. Trying to lift your feet
while standing upright will make you sink deeper. Bypass these
obstacles. If you are unable to bypass them then lay logs or branches to distribute your weight over a larger area. Crawl on your stomach across these. Use floatation devices just as if it where deep water.
In swamps, the areas that have vegetation are usually firm enough to
support your weight. However, vegetation will usually not be present in
open mud or water areas. If you are an average swimmer, however, you
should have no problem swimming, crawling, or pulling your way
through miles of bog or swamp.