Duct Tape
 

Prior to the "Get Selected" book coming out (Outstanding job sir and MSG), I did my own research on blisters for about 2 and a half weeks. One source talked about the only solution he found for blisters was to put duct tape on his feet where a hot spot would build up. I questioned some medical personel about this and they said it was not advisable as the feet didn't breathe. I figured they never humped a ruck except in Basic, so I would take it with a grain of salt.

Prior to my ankle injury, I was rucking 2-3 times a week with minimum distances of 5 miles and go out to 14+. :lifter My feet eventually toughened (now softened up like daisies), :boohoo but I tried the duct tape method when I hit hot spots and blisters. Duct tape worked like a charm and allowed me to move out like a herd of buffalo for miles and miles.

I noticed in "Get Selected" duct tape was not even mentioned. Any advice and insight is always appreciated.

SS

I would avoid 100mph/duct tape.

Search this site for details, but suffice it to say, it offers no padding, contains adhesive compounds not certified for human medical use, and will be a mother to get off without ripping the blister apart.

The only good application I have seen for it on boots is to emergency repair a set that have disintegrated during a movement.

Use it at your own risk, there is plenty of moleskin available.

TR

I posted a question regarding Duct tape/100mph tape in this thread a few days ago.

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...7747#post87747

In the book Fixing your Feet, they discuss using duct tape as a preventative medicine. Personally, I've had great success with it.

Sometimes, in the dead of the night, I wonder if the folks at selection don't want you to use duct tape because it works too well. . . nah, that couldn't be it. :D

That said, TR's comment is well founded. After having worked in ship yards, trust me when I say chemicals can be scary and transdermal absorbtion is a real thing. My skin doesn't react to the adhesives in duct tape (so far as I can tell. . . perhaps future children will grow a third arm?), but then again, I've never used bonafide 100 mph tape, which I understand has some form of epoxy-type adhesive.



Books

I don't recommend 100 mph tape for blisters.

It's good stuff if you're in a bind for wrapping an ankle after a twist...especially if you need a field expedient method and don't have regular supplies to tape it, etc. Wrap the 100mph tape over the boot...not the foot or ankle itself.

It's a good idea to learn HOW TO wrap an ankle. Watch someone whose trained how to do it correctly. Doing it wrong can also cause problems...especially if you cut off the blood flow.

In addition to the adhesive, the other problem with it is that it doesn't have any give. This prevents your foot from expanding & contracting as it normally does while walking...which can create bigger problems.

My $.02.

Books/Non-Tabbed Advisors:

Stop dispensing advice unless you check with an Admin here first, or successfully complete the SFQC and some team deployments while doing the crazy things you are suggesting, without ill-effect to yourself or others, whichever comes first.

Your advice is going to get someone hurt and I don't want them to have gotten it here, or to have to carry their asses back to the dispensary when I find them looking like a road kill along the trail.

Anyone else with any wazoo suggestions who isn't a QP needs to take note and ask an Admin first.

TR

Question for one of the docs. (if this is better off in the med thread please move)

When in SFAS-prep mode, I used to, in addition to a progressive program of boot break in and rucking , paint tincture of benzoin on the bottoms and rub points of my feet (toes, heels etc.) at a miinimum every morning. Every evening after my after-work ruck I used to soak my feet in warm water and epsom salts. My feet did get pretty damn caloused (sp?) and in addition, turned a very nice shade of orange

I never knew why i was soaking my feet in epsom salts.... I think I heard that somewhere and figured what the hell.

To be sure, I followed a progressive regimine of walking and was very careful of not turning my feet to hamburger. I let my feet get hot spots, took care of them and then kept on walking as per all the good advice in this thread.

Oh, and I did carry and rub a lucky rabbit's foot. Not sure if that has any medical significance, but I thought I mention it just in case.

Was I doing any good / harm with the tincture and epsom salts stuff that I was doing ? How about that rabbit's foot? Reading this thread has got me curious.

thanks

Understood.

not a doc...but that is what we did in SFQC when i was going through...i had no blister problems...did the same thing in Ranger School...no blister problems...

Bag Balm
 

I searched the forums for this and couldn't find anything on it. I was recently recommended a product called BAG BALM to condition and care for feet. Have any of you had any experience using this product?

I don't know about using it on feet. It was originally a farm remedy for chapped udders on milk cows. It works well to soften and promote healing of dried and cracked/chapped skin, e.g. hands. IIRC it has a lot of lanolin in it. Might not be what you want for calloused/toughened feet. You can probably find it at Lehmans.com or Cumberland General Store. Most farm supply/feed stores will probably have it too. FWIW - Peregrino

Edited to add - Now I'm annoyed. A two second Google on your part would have saved me five minutes of hunting and pecking on this keyboard. I need to take attitude lessons from some of the Admins.

Do you want soft, sensitive feet, or tough, callused ones?

TR

I told you.

Kids today are lazy.

Imagine having to go to the library every time you wanted an answer to a question.

Instead of googling or searching it, they just ask here.

Hey, what time is it? I don't want to have to turn my wrist to look at my watch.

TR

WHINE WHINE WHINE
 

Bottom line is get off the a**, put on your boots, pick up your ruck, not the one with the pillows in it, and hit the trails.

put your feet through diiferent terrain:
-hills
-SAND (hint, hint)
-gravel
etc.

It's no good just to walk on flat surfaces. Cause when you go down to SFAS, #1 rule NO ROADS. If your feet are just used to flat roads, and then you start trecking through the woods. You'll get hot spots and blisters in new spots you could have prevented. Not an expert but it makes sense!!




He who gives up, must live with that the rest of his life!!

XXXX - I don't mind answering questions. I actually enjoy "pontificating." Sometimes I can even contribute something of value to the discussion. I do mind letting myself get suckered into responding to a mindless query that the poster could have answered himself with a little personal initiative, some basic research, and a minimal application of common sense. I am as annoyed at myself for the wasted time/effort as I am at the poster. I don't have the thousands of posts some of the more prolific members do but I am looking at adopting some of their attitude where it comes to stupidity and laziness. As I understand it, the primary intent of this board is to encourage and nurture the individuals who have the ability and desire to become the next generation of Special Forces Soldier. I wholeheartedly support those goals. Mindless queries, a lack of personal initiative, and failure to use basic research skills or common sense are indicators of undesireable character traits that are not indicative of future success in Special Forces. If I can contribute something to the future of SF with a little chlorine and cleaning the filters when my turn comes around to do pool maintenance then I will do my duty as best I can. End Rant - Now we return you to your previous thread! Peregrino

My question was if any of YOU had any experience using it. Sorry to get everyone all riled up. I know what it is because I did search online for it and visited the website but I wanted to see if any of the members here have actually used it and what they thought of it. The person that recommended it to me has extensive experience in the unconventional forces and was I wanting to know your opinions because I always look for more than one source when recommended something.

Once again sorry for starting a slew of flames thrown my way but I thought it was an honest question.