Imago Metrics: Go Bags & Go Kits- Blackhawk Training Bag

Third Level personal Preparedness (Go-Bags)> Duffle/Cargo
Blackhawk - Pro Training Bag> Highly Recommended

Introduction :Third level Preparedness - Go-Bags>Duffle/ Cargo Bags
This section is dedicated to the analysis of some currently available options for portable carry bags that have the design distinction of a strap that's primarily designed to mount on the shoulder or across the chest and that are classified as Cargo Bags. Modern day Cargo Bags descended from the ubiquitous animal and machine mounted bags that date back over 1000 years ago. The current day classic is sometime erroneously referred to a 'Duffle Bag' - a close cousin. Cargo Bags are easily recognized by their rectangularity and almost stereotypical compartmentalization. The classic arrangement is a large horizontal compartment, flanked on its ends by much smaller pockets and most often also flanked on the sides by additional pockets. Thus the variants are either three,four or five regions of compartmentalization. The main compartment is almost always secured by a 'U' shaped zipper. Cargo Bags allow for the stowage and transport of a huge range of goods with the key advantage being the range of sizes of content items that can be accommodated. They have found enormous favor with athletes, travelers,journeymen as well as professionals of all stripe. Materials range from leather, to canvas as well as a large range of woven nylon and fully impervious vinyls and rubber.

Key benefits: Large main compartments| Quick access to main compartment | Multiple compartments for customized contents| Across the chest or shoulder carry | Practical to stow in vehicles, boats or aircrafts| Excellent space to weight ratio| Ideal for a range of commuter/travel and occupational end uses

General Description
The Pro Training Bag from BlackHawk, is one of a number of gear bags manufactured by Blackhawk (Norfolk, VA-USA) for people of all walks of life but especially for the professional soldier, law enforcement officer or other professional- requiring heavy duty equipment and luggage.The design of the bag is unremarkable as it conforms to all the diagnostic profile characteristics of the tried and true Cargo Bag. What distinguishes the Blackhawk Pro Training Bag from the plethora of similarly styled products is the much higher quality of materials and construction that go into this product. From the heavy denier Cordura nylon fabric to the YKK zippers and industrial strength stitching it's easy to realize this is no dime store gym bag. It's easy to miss details like the black coated stainless steel strap hooks and corresponding 'D' rings, but it's such details that differentiate a cargo bag that's easily separated form its owner, from one that will endure massive abuse and trauma. YKK zippers are not ubiquitous on such luggage and the use of large size YKK zippers in the Pro Training Bag ensures that the zippers may well outlast the bag itself.

Target Market
-Urban Commuter / Up to 72 hrs of emergency provisions for one person or up to 48 hours for 2 people plus up to 1 week of survival gear
-Itinerate Student / Up to 72 hrs of emergency provisions for one person or up to 48 hours for 2 people plus up to 1 week of survival gear
-Traveler /Up to 72 hrs of emergency provisions for one person or up to 48 hours for 2 people plus up to 1 week of survival gear
-journeyman/Professional/Up to 72 hrs of emergency provisions for one person or up to 48 hours for 2 people plus up to 1 week of survival gear

Form Factor & Build -
Size- Large. Large enough to carry a wide variety of preparedness/response gear less a full tent /sleeping bag
Geometry- Rectangular (rectilinear)
Material- Heavy duty Cordura nylon fabric and construction.YKK zippers throughout. Rubberized non-slip padded and detachable shoulder strap .Braided nylon-cord zipper pulls with polymer terminal tabs.

Ergonomics- A uniform 2" wide shoulder strap carries transfer the burden while a pair of side straps may alternatively be used to hand carry the bag with one hand. Two persons may share the load - each using one hand strap and walking astride each other .A sliding shoulder pad effectively absorbs the shock that motion friction may put on the user's shoulder.This 12" long shoulder pad attaches by wrapping around the strap- it's covered with a tenacious elastomer coating.
In trials, the Pro Training Bag was comfortable carried at waist height with the strap on the same side or across the chest to the opposite shoulder. The most control and least strain is evidenced when the bag is carried by the hand straps. For extremely heavy loads, a two person astride arrangement was most effective.The method of carry will depend on the circumstances as well as the fitness of the user. Certainly the Pro Training Bag is not intended for transporting a very heavy load for great distances or for very long durations. For such circumstances, backpacks and slings provide better ergonomics and thus comfort and efficiency. It is however, more practical than a backpack for stowing cargo in a rectilinear space and then making the contents quickly and efficiently available for use.

Affordances- Compartments- One large main compartment (ID-19"X14"X10") hosts the larger objects or array of sub-containers.Two end mounted cargo pockets (ID-12"X10"X3")and one side-mounted (15"X10"X3")cargo pocket provide additional exterior compartmentalization. A fourth mesh pocket on the second side provides ventilated carry of thin/narrow/small items or garmets.The end compartments are subdivided differently, providing customizable stowage options for objects of various sizes and/or priority ranking . Six YKK zippers with two pulls each furnish the secure closure and easy access of contents. The outside mesh pouch for the side cargo pocket has an inside accessible velcro closure.
Carry straps- A 2" wide adjustable Nylon webbing strap terminates at two swiveling metal clip-hooks that attach to the case via two steel 'D' rings. A 12" long wrap-around and velcro secured shoulder pad surrounds the shoulder strap. A pair of 2" wide Nylon webbing hand straps run fully down each side (concealed)and around the bottom of the bag for the ultimate in hand carry support and retention security. The hand straps marry and are joined via velcro closure on one of the two straps.

Human Factors & Usability -The Pro Training Bag conforms to most heuristics guiding good user-centered design in the industrial engineering of a carry case.In other words, the need for effective, efficient and easy to learn functionality are fully accommodated through sound consideration of the cognitive, reflexive and contextual aspects of this product's use. From the point of view of matching the engineering and fabrication to the user's expectations and the anticipated contexts, the Pro Training Bag meets all the necessary requirements. The logical layout and boxy compartmentalization lend to easy cognitive mapping of the stowage spaces. Once contents have been subdivided by category , stowed in movable sub-containers, and then clearly labeled- mapping and thus retrieval is logically facilitated. For example, the large compartment should contain large bulky objects and/or a series of sub-containers. For example this main compartment may host, a two person tent plus separate pouches containing: First Aid, Food & Water, Fire building materials, Sanitation provisions, clothes, inflatable life preserver, Air passageway protection ( masks ), gloves,emergency sleeping bags, rain garments and so on. Clear labeling removes cognitive overhead and reducing the acquisition of needed stuff to a reaction to a visually recognized label. Intelligently layering and arraying sub-compartments by priority, would place survival critical tools- such a second gas mask/air supply and first aid, nearest the top and middle of the compartment. Less critical contents are arrayed in a gradient away from the top/center region. Heavy tools such as a folding shovel or hatchet reside bottom-most.
By this rationale , the outside pockets should host the most urgently needed tools- a gas mask, personal protection,gloves and personal illumination tools as well as flares/signaling devices. The Pro Training Bag truly supports this logic since the sub-gradients of its compartmentalization seem to anticipate the needs of the hurried end user. One finds appropriate niches for just about everything that one would wish to logically transport in such a bag.

Styling and Aesthetics
The Pro Training Bag's exterior appearance is all business and no nonsense- as is fitting for luggage of its pedigree and purpose. As such the mission specific nature of its classic design has become iconic of the serious practitioner within a number of domains. The aesthetics thus mirror the functionality and that combination has endured for the better part of a Century. It's not as ergonomic as other luggage because it's not designed to be in close proximity to the human form for longer than a brief period of time. It does embody the very essence of the "Grab It and Go Bag"- luggage that sits in waiting until the very moment that it's needed and at that moment- its looks very much match it's usefulness.

Environmental Stress- We evaluated the Pro Training Bag under somewhat abusive circumstances. The toughness of the fabric was well suited to aggressive brushes with rough but not sharp cutting metal surfaces such as those that might be encountered in an evacuation, outdoors or in less than the most civilized of settings. It fared very well in scuffs against concrete, automobile doors, steel emergency stairs, trees, thorns and an array of surfaces one might encounter in an evacuation.Our experience traveling by air with the Pro Training Bag has taught us respect for it's construction quality and use of materials. To test the un-protected zippers, we subjected Pro Training Bag to an unattended 5 minute shower- A significant amount of water was discovered inside the main and some water was also in the side compartments. Since all contents that are moisture adverse were protected , either with ALOKSAK or other impervious containers, no water damage was sustained. Though the fabric of the Pro Training Bag is impervious to water, the zippers are not. Users are therefore advised to pack wisely and ensure that truly impervious containers host moisture adverse contents. This is as true for easily corrodible metals as it is for stuff that may become soaked. Note also that not all Zip-closure bags are the same and merely wrapping items in a plastic or a plastic bag does not guarantee that they will be adequately protected.

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Price as evaluated (less accessories) - Price: $119.95
Sales Source:http://www.blackhawk.com
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Specifications: BlackHawk- Pro Training Bag SKU: 20SP00BK

1000 denier Nytaneon® nylon
3/8" closed cell foam with a detachable padded bottom insert
HydraStorm compatible pouch
#9 YKK zippers and dual sliders throughout
Two external mesh pockets
Full wrap around heavy-duty carry handle for superior weight support
Overall dimensions: 19 x 10 x 12 inches
Weight:3 lbs 9oz
Accessories:
- BlackHawk 2 inch Sling Shoulder Strap Black (SKU: 70SS00BK Price: $9.95)
- Hawktex Non-Slip Comfort Pad (SKU: 70SS02BK Price: $12.95)

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Above: Left, Front View | Right, Back View

Above: Left, Detail of zipper pulls| Right, Detail of shoulder strap hook

Above:Left, 'Peeking' Tritium marker on flashlight lanyard by day | Right, ...by night. Learn More> Tritium Markers

Inside Contents ...

Above: Organized clothes | Lower right, Katadyne water purification tablets | Lower center,self packing rain parka by REI
Lower left, collapsible day pack. All Pack-It Organizers & day pack by Eagle Creek

Above: Various tools. Note: Bottom row, Two fire evacuation masks in sealed pouches

Above: Various first aid, sanitation, food and water, electrolyte, medicines and emergency pocket flashlight.

Evaluation Results & Summaries

Ease of Use
Excellent. The user simply loads contents according to individual or task requirements. Smooth zippers are easily opened and closed thanks to the easily grasped pull cords.The design of the Pro Training Bag invites objects to be loaded in a certain way. Small items that may need to accessed more quickly may be stowed in the outside compartments and positioning arranged to facilitate rapid retrieval.

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Task performance optimization
Very Effective. The Pro Training Bag is ideal for carrying a large load of mostly emergency preparedness tools and provisions for one or two persons for between 24hrs and 72 hrs depending on circumstances. Properly provisioned, loaded and situated, it's available for a quick grab and evacuation from a building , vehicle, boat or aircraft. It's designed to be carried a number of different ways and can be moved inconspicuously from building to craft with ease. Though not waterproof, it still provides substantial protection from physical interactions that could endanger its contents or hamper an effective evacuation. In addition to being a classic Go-Bag design, the Pro Training Bag is also effective for a host of traditional uses, making it an excellent multipurpose bag within several domains.

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Accommodation for emergency provisions
Excellent. The most important emergency preparedness passenger riding in the Pro Training Bag is the Emergency escape hood. Housed in a vacuum sealed pouch, the Purify Air model 30M mask is positioned inside one of the end cargo pockets for rapid deployment. Similarly, personal illumination tools, flares, defensive tools and rain gear are positioned in the remaining exterior compartments. Less critical essentials are arrayed inside the main compartment to the individual requirements of each user.
See> Emergency Preparedness Provisions 24/48/72

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Fabrication Design and Construction quality
The fabrication quality of Pro Training Bag is top notch and is in keeping with the expectations of its intended customers. More than this it may also be relied on by users beyond this base and can work well within a number of professional settings .Indeed, the primary intended customers for this product are professional tactical and law enforcement operatives.The Cordura fabric is a tightly woven 100 denier weave which, based on our decades of experience with Cordura, lead us to believe it should last for many years if treated with care. Stitching is also high quality with heavy stitches being used to ensure that stress points stay firmly intact.Most impressive is the attention to details such as the use of YKK zippers throughout and industrial strength stitching and construction.
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Items of Note:
Excellent Customer Relationship Management |Superb design and construction quality|Fair protection from shock and impact | Logically arranged compartments and sub-compartments | Customizable content arrangement | Premium materials and hardware | Not impervious to water| Ideal for medium to large volume loads |Pack it, position it and grab it.