How to choose a Head Torch

The main considerations are power, weight, battery life and cost.

Power - Think what you will use the lamp for and what will be the maximum distance that you will want the beam to reach. If you do a lot of night navigation you will want a good beam, but for general camping then it is not really necessary. Power is very closely linked to battery life, longer beam means more battery drain.
Battery Life - Battery life is more of an issue for those going on long trips where fresh batteries will not be available than those weekend camping. Long trips require an energy efficient lamp. Replacement batteries cost money so burn time is a factor although this can be greatly reduced by the use of rechargeables.
Weight - Adventure racers and climbers will be looking for the lightest lamp that fulfills their needs whilst car campers will not be as concerned with weight.
Cost - Everybody cares about the cost, and hopefully you will get the right features for your budget by reading this.

As a main, general purpose, torch we recommend Petzl LED head torches because:

• Petzl invented the first headlamp and they are the pioneers in this field,
• The main advantage of a headtorch is that it is hands-free and that the light is oriented in the direction that the wearer is looking,
• LED torches give a very long battery life and the LED’s are extremely long lasting,
• These torches are very lightweight and fit over your head and also over helmets,
• They are water resistant,
• They offer variable power levels so you only use the light you need thus prolonging battery life,
• You also have a strobe function to use in case of emergency.

Zed’s Bunker stocks a variety of head torches. For more information or to come and see them contact us on zedsbunkermalta@yahoo.co.uk.

A FEW PRACTICAL TIPS FOR HARNESSES AND CLIMBING

Climbing harnesses are actually quite simple pieces of equipment, easy to use and quite safe if used correctly. A safety routine will help you to avoid mistakes.

Checking the buckles
Always check the buckles when you’ve put the harness on to make sure they are correctly connected and closed. Double-pass buckles are only safe if they have been doubled back. A Danger stamp on harnesses acts as a reminder. A sufficient amount of webbing must stick out the other side of the buckle. Some harnesses have a stitch in a contrasting colour showing if you have enough extra. Check adjustable leg loops to see that they are sitting correctly and that the buckles have been threaded correctly.

Tying in
Always tie yourself directly to the rope; don‘t use karabiners, which will put another element into the system. Thread the rope through both tie-in loops: on the waist band and also on the base of the leg loop. This gives redundancy and also gives a better hanging position. The belay loop (used when clipping on any abseil or belay devices) can lose strength due to abrasion and age, and should be checked regularly for wear. The harness should be replaced immediately if there is any sign of deterioration.

Sometimes the tie-in knots are clipped with a locking karabiner to the belay loop. Always use a locking karabiner with a double closure system.

Partner check
Stress, crowds and routines pose the biggest dangers for making mistakes when tying in or inserting the protection. That is why a routine partner check helps. Take half a minute to check yourself and your partner: are all buckles closed? Tied on correctly? Knots tight enough? Safety devices clipped on properly? Karabiners locked? Safe climbers always keep an eye on their partner to make sure he or she is paying attention.

Fall training
Falling has to be learned. Practice the right falling techniques in a gym or on a safe route, so that you do not have a fear of falling and will react correctly should you fall.

Preparation
For your fall training choose a quiet place with enough space for your belay partner and also good safety points. For your first attempts at a fall you need a fall friendly site: vertical or slightly overhanging without the danger of hitting anything. When falling, make sure you have enough distance from the ground and give yourself more than enough fall height.

Fall
Push yourself gently away from the wall on all fours, so that you do not slide along it, but also don’t crash into it by doing a big arc; you can practice when you are top roping (jump down with a slightly slack rope). Make sure you are in the right position: upright, tight stomach muscles, slightly bent over, legs slightly apart and towards the front, knees slightly bent, both hands holding the rope at the tie-in knot. At the moment of braking let the rope go and the impact on the wall is evenly caught on all fours.

Belay training
Fall training is also belay training for your partner: Through soft belaying he reduces the impact. He goes into a slight crouch and then stands up straight to hold the fall; heavier belay partners have to actually jump in the air. For lighter belay partners (about 20 kg+ difference) we recommend anchoring the belayer.


For more info and tips on using harnesses correctly pls contact us on zedsbunkermalta@yahoo.co.uk. We will do our best to try to asnwer any questions that you may have.

Some tips on Face Paint and Personal Camouflage

Camouflaging your face

1. Get some face paint - the colors need to match those of your environment.
2. Pick the colours you'll need to blend in to where you will be hiding. In forests use green, black, and brown, in deserts use tan, brown and light green and in snow; use grey, green and white, in an urban environment use brown, black and grey.
3. Cover your face in a base of paint so that if your face rubs on something you will still have the main colour. For the base use the colour that best fits the environment, such as green in woodland.
4. Now add dark colors to the shiny areas of the face: forehead, cheeks and nose.
5. Add light colors to the dark areas of the face: under the eyes, under your nose and under your chin.
6. Once this is done paint a disruptive pattern on your face such as somewhat vertical or horizontal lines.

Remember to:

• Camouflage your lips, they're pink! (Don’t forget your neck, ears, hands and any other exposed skin).
• Avoid creating a pattern. Remember, the point is not to look "cool" but to hide your face. Warpaint is for attention, camouflage is for blending.
• Practice in front of a mirror a few times before you do it for real so that you know what you're doing.
• Have a buddy or a mirror to help you out.
  

The 5 S’s and M of Personal Camouflage

1. Shape – disguise your shape and watch out for shine (such as skin and equipment).
2. Shadow – keep in the shadow of a bigger object.
3. Silhouette – avoid skylines and leaning out of doors or windows.
4. Spacing – keep spread out, but not too regularly.
5. Surface – don’t look different from your surroundings.
6. Movement – move carefully and avoid sudden movements

Remember that you must see without being seen. Keep in mind that Sound and Smell can also give away your position. You need to blend in with your surroundings – if they vary so must you. Don’t use isolated cover – it stands out.

We stock a number of items related to camouflage such as face paint, scrim nets, spandoflage, camouflage clothing and much more. If you would like to coma and have a look at these items please email us on zedsbunkermalta@yahoo.co.uk so that we can set an appointment.

How to get to Zed's Bunker

Our shop opens by appointment. This allows us to set a day and time which is convenient to both us and our customers, and also allows us to give our customers the individual attention they deserve. To make an appointment all you have to do is email us on zedsbunkermalta@yahoo.co.uk. We will reply so that we can set a date and time and also to explain where the place is.