Properly using a Gamow Bag
I was just informed that our group is going to have a Gam-off, technically known as a Gamow Bag.
While I have never seen one such thing and so I don't have any experience with them, I browsed the internet about it for a while. A few questions:
- Do they have a high-altitude operating ranges like sleeping bags have?
- How much do they cost?
- How much do they weight?
- Is it okay to drag someone off the snow in a Gam-off? (Looking at the structure), or are they just meant for keeping the cold victim safe and warm while Evac is arranged?
- On a funnier part, Can that it be used as a shelter rather than bivouacking?
This post was sourced from https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/q/8381. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
1 answer
These are emergency kit - specifically to help those suffering health problems due to altitude. As I understand it they are used within the climber's tent or bivouac, which provides the shelter required, and they provide an environment that matches a lower altitude, through pressurising the bag, allowing altitude sickness to be alleviated.
So, looking at your 5 points:
- no. They are for use at altitude
- not a good question for SE. I'd suggest editing it out - a web search comes up with suppliers who have a range of costs and specifications
- there are different versions. The one in the picture below weighs in at 12.7lb
- They are not specifically for keeping the victim safe and warm - but yes, they are designed such that the victim can stay inside the bag until they are at a lower altitide.
- No. It will shelter a victim, but should not be used as a replacement for shelter.
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