Kit Issues

L

luke1

New Member
Hi my name is Luke Johnston

I am a third yr product design student and am currently working on a limited resource project based on the military.

I am writing to ask for some feed back from people who have experience active duty and have had issues with ANY forms of kit that has been given to them in regards to ease of use.

any problems regarding how products you use stand up in the environments you have serve also would be of great help.

Finally i would also like to know if there is anything you need whilst your out there that could make yourself more comfortable etc etc or some form of product that could make everyday tasks easier

anything guys absolutley any ideas you have would really help me kit start this project

Thanks for taking the time to read this

LUKE JOHNSTON
 
Hello Luke... I'm not quite sure that I understand exactly what you after because I think we would have to find a clearer definition of a 'Limited Resourced Project'...

I would suggest that most Military projects these days are heavily resourced although some kit may be in minimal supply, sub standard or not fit for purpose...

I think that there may be some contractors on here that could give you good examples of 'Limited Resourced Projects'..?

The photograph here is a good example of a LRP...

Regards, Carl Dowd

 
I think the limited resource project, is referring to himself rather than the military resource capabilities..
At least thats how I've read it.
In other words he's just a poor student looking for help and advice on the subject in hand.
Just puts a different slant on your answer.
What kit did you have that was pants, what kit would you ideally have had,
how would you make things better.
Don't forget the slow chain of delivery of vital kit, which was reported early on in the current conflict, lack of armour etc.
Would that be more down the lines you were thinking of Luke.
 
I think I may know where you are coming from. You may want to compare issued kit that you get in the military with what you can actually go out and buy yourself. There are a couple of factor, firstly, the kit is generic so what might be good for one person can be a pain for others. Secondly the military has got budgets so it isn't always the best stuff out there and you will find people always supplementing their kit with stuff they buy privately.
 
Hi Luke,

Issues we have had with kit:

* Temperatures - The extreme heat in summer often makes equipment deteriorate quite rapidly, such as the old CAT Tourniquets, some velcro products. These are usually plastic based items.
* Sterility - Medical equipment needs to be sterile in order to minimse any injury becoming worse. This can conflict with ease of access in situations that may require self-help when suffering from an injury, i.e. you have been shot in the arm and therefore only have the use of one arm/hand to open a sterile piece of kit and self apply.

A lot of equipment is now modular and I believe this is the way forward, allowing people to individualise their kit. While the Osprey kit does go a long way to address this, the fact that it isn't exactly compatable with self purchased kit due to sizes is a bit stupid though????????
 
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Hi Luke, You could design a piece of kit that will protect the crown jewels that is affordable and will do the job. Guy's are losing there legs and crown jewels due to IED blasts. There is a pair of kevlar boxer shorts on the market at the moment but very expensive, offer an alternative and the MOD will bite your hand off (Cheap always wins). If you need someone to try them out I will be going to a place very soon that will give you valuable feed back!!!. Cheers Macca
 
Right to the devolopment team at warminster they hold 4 day course where company designer go out and work along side soldier in a exercise just to see the equipment they are using and get to ask them question about and what they want. Normally it troop that get drag in for a weeks work, I did this back in 1996 and some kit we asked for was sent to us from the design team but did not see it in service.
 
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