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Long Term Report: Watchful Eye Designs O.P. SAK Polymer Bags
Report Date: 10 January 07
Personal Biographical Information:
Full Name: Karl Daniel Fuderer aka Buzz Lightyear
Age: 24 years old
Gender: Male
Height: 175 cm (5' 7")
Weight: 85 kg (187 lb)
Email: zkyf@yahoo.com
Region: Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Background:
I started backpacking almost a year ago, after converting from cycle touring. I’ve experienced lightweight
and middleweight backpacking, with my carried weight ranging from 25 kg (55 lb) when very remote for 2+ weeks,
to 14 kg (37 lb) when food is accessible every few days. I sleep in a 2-man tent, unless shelter is provided
such as on the Bibbulmun Track where I carry a mosquito head net and ground sheet. I like to hike in as wide
a variety of locations and terrains as possible, from desert to forest to mountain, using an extraordinary
range of equipment.
Product Specifics:
Manufacturer: Watchful Eye Designs
Product: O.P. SAK
Year of manufacture: 2006
URL: http://www.watchfuleyedesigns.com/
Listed Weight: Not listed
Measured weight (per O.P. Sak): Small - 14.19 gm (0.5 oz); Medium - 35.77 gm (1.26 oz);
Large - 77.57 (2.73 oz)
Listed Heat resistance: 165 F (74 C)
Listed
Rating: Biohazard safe container
Listed Pressure Tolerance: certified leak
proof to 7 atmospheres or 200 ft (60 m)
Sizes: Small: 9" x 10" (22.86 cm x 17.78 cm); Medium: 12.5" x 20" (31.75 cm
x 50.08 cm); Large: 28" x 20" (71.12 cm x 50.08 cm)
Measured Volume: Small: 2890 ml (97.7 fl oz; 0.76 gal); Medium: 12200 ml (412 fl oz; 3.2 gal); Large: Immeasurable (unable to seal when full)
Colour: Clear, with black seal strip and black printed product information and company information and instructions for use.
MSRP: Not available in singles. 3 pack of small - US$7.79; 3 pack of medium -
US$10.59; 2 pack of large - US$13.29
Product Description (exact words of Linda Kennedy, President):
"Great for preventing animal intrusions at the campsite because stored foods
can't be detected! Use as a cigar humidor, or for freezing foods. A special
non-permeable film in used to make these unique storage bags. Designed for
hazardous materials and biological waste, these bags have been proven in bear
country to be odor proof. They are also humidity proof, vapor proof and
certified 100% leak proof to 200 feet under water. They make excellent pilot and
hunter urinals or human waste containers. Ok to use inside other containers or
pouches. Boiling water can be added to bag."
Introduction:
In my previous two reports on these O.P. Saks, I stretched out my observations
and opinions to include as many details and relevant advice as possible.
In this report I will attempt to achieve the same result in less words. Since
my last report I have been on several hiking trips in the South West of Western
Australia, including Albany, Bunbury, Northcliffe, Pemberton and The Stirling
Ranges, among others. I will not go into details about my adventures, except to
say that conditions were rugged and found myself more reliant on my gear
than I am used to. I took the O.P. Saks with me and used them on most of my
treks, and have much to report.
Treatment Received:
So I'll jump right in,
I guess. I have found the seals of the O.P. Saks to be highly unreliable after
irregular use for this period of time. After sealing an O.P. Sak, then double
checking it, I found it to have become completely open, from end to end of the
seam, without my
noticing it open, less than 10 minutes later while sitting undisturbed in mild wind.
Similar results occurred when using other bags in comparable circumstances,
although with much less noticeable failures. The
underwater test still works for a while, but the seal breaks much earlier than
it did in the tests conducted at the beginning of the term (see I.R.). Also,
a quick feel test in an attempt to break the seal by rubbing the two layers of
polymer on each other leads me to deduce that the seams wear faster than the
polymer. Opening the bag this way was significantly easier than pinching the
flaps and separating, and similar circumstances could very easily be replicated
by accident while being stored in a bag with moving contents.
I
did a test of its odor proofing relative to the sensitive noses of Australian
marsupials, and while the test is inconclusive, it's not promising. As explained
in my I.R., I left a miniscule volume of food unprotected to bait the marsupial,
and left a small amount of food inside a sealed and washed O.P. Sak a reasonable
distance from the bait. The animal came, ate the bait, then pottered around
looking for more. This indicated it could not detect the food. When it got
closer to the bag, it grabbed the bag between its teeth and dragged it under the
hut. At this point it has made no attempt to get to the food, but by dragging it
across the ground, its teeth pierced the bag allowing the odor to escape, so I
aborted the test. The animal may have recognised the food visually, or may have simply been interested in the bag itself. I do not have the bag, but I took
a photo of the marsupial for reference purposes.
I strongly feel the sizing options need to be reconsidered. Firstly, a very
small bag, preferably short and wide, must be considered. The small bag I feel
is just the right shape and size for its functions. The medium size bag should
be reversed, from tall and narrow to short and wide. The size is just right
though, clearly designed for 1 or 2 fish. Likewise, the large bag should also be
reversed, from short and wide to tall and narrow. This would make it possible to
actually seal when close to capacity, which I found difficult, if not
impossible, on every attempt (depending on my choice of contents).
Test Questions and Answers:
Q: Are they really as good as the website indicates?
A: The website clearly mentions that the O.P. Saks have
a sort of expiration date. It seems from my usage that the system of expiration is variable relative to the treatment received and for how
long, however an unused bag still appears to be degrading when not stored in a
dark, dry, airtight container. All others seem to be degrading at different
rates, and some have reached unusable levels to date: namely the ones used first
and most often.
Q: Are they odor proof; or is
the barrier mostly effective?
A: All tests so far have indicated the
following: The seam is the weakest spot in the bag design, and this applies just
as much in terms of odor proofing. Based on my tests, I believe the film layer
on the polymer to be odor proof, however this is not an admission or guarantee
that the bag will or will not odor proof its contents.
Q: Can they safely accept such high pressures
without the seal breaking?
A: I have taken a bag snorkeling and found the
seal to break regularly and easily, however this was almost always due to the
movement of the layers and not the strength of the seal when
static/stationary.
Q: What actually happens when
too much pressure is applied to the bag when filled with air? Does it pop,
burst, disintegrate, or does the seal release before that is allowed, sort of
like a safety precaution allowing the bag to be reused after it has failed?
A:
All tests have indicated that the seal releases when too much pressure or
movement is applied.
Q: Are they durable enough to withstand tearing, thrashing and
pull tension attempts?
A: The bag seal is susceptible to any rubbing of the two sides
of the bag near the seal in a horizontal motion. Also, the bags are susceptible to large amounts
of pressure being applied suddenly, whereas if pressure is gradually increased it may well
reach 7 atmospheres of safe working load.
Q: How easy are they to open and close?
A:
Surprisingly easy. Extraordinarily easy. See below for details.
Q: How much
time is required to properly seal them for odor proofing?
A: Each bag size
has a different length of seal strip, so the bigger bags take longer to seal. I
estimate that it takes about 5 to 10 seconds to seal the small bag, 10 to 15
seconds to seal the medium size bag and 20 to 25 seconds to seal the large bag.
The instructions for use recommend following the sealing procedure twice to
ensure it is actually sealed, which means the most time reasonably spent sealing
any bag should be well under 1 minute.
Q: How quickly can
they be unsealed?
A: For the large size bag it shouldn't take more than 2
seconds. The smaller ones are easier and faster.
Q: How much odor impregnation occurs over prolonged periods of
food storage?
A: All tests to date indicate that a significant amount of odor
causing matter is able to impregnate in the polymer, although it seems unable to
pass through it. All attempts to wash out the impregnation with water alone have
been unsuccessful, and each time I attempt to wash it with a solvent, chemical
or soap I can't tell whether I have neutralised the source of the odor, or
merely covered it up with a different odor.
Q: Are the instructions for safe use applicable, informative
and relevant?
A: This was another significant surprise for me. The
instructions for general use, including how to open and close, are printed in
bold, simplified English on the front of every bag. In addition, its exact
length and width in inches and centimetres are also printed on every bag.
Q: How easy are they to operate in the dark, or with one
hand?
A: Very easy. Given that the design is Ziploc-like, and I am well accustomed to operating
Ziploc-like bags in the dark or with one hand, the difference to other brands of resealable plastic bags
is negligible.
Q: Can the bag be marked with a ballpoint pen?
A:
Yes. Normal pen ink will stick to the polymer similar to the way it sticks to
plastic.
Q: Can markings be
removed?
A: Yes. I tested writing a word on one of my bags and immediately
after writing it attempted to rub it off with my dry finger without success. Then I wet
my finger with saliva and after 1 minute of rubbing the opacity of the ink had
reduced by 50%. The ink did not smudge of streak at any time during the
test. After a little while longer the marking was completely gone.
Q: Will ink seep through the material over time?
A:
Probably not.
Q: Does the sealing mechanism jam or clog
up?
A: Only when foreign objects are wedged into the mechanism, such as
sand.
Q: Can the sealing mechanism be safely cleaned?
A:
Yes, by rinsing with water, or if the object is securely stuck a pin or needle can be
used to prick it out. Previous experience with this situation when using
Ziploc-like bags tells me never to use a cloth or sponge to pull it along the length of the
seal strip in the hopes it will come out along the way. My attempt to achieve
this in the last few weeks resulted in the object coming out, but damaging the
inner seal and making the bag worthless.
Q: How well does the sealing
mechanism wear over time?
A: Preliminary tests indicate that the seal
wears faster when used than when not used. The speed of wear is thus a
combination of age and use. Also, the seal will wear faster if substances such
as powder or granules are wedged in the seal, and faster still if those objects
are forced across the polymer like a knife.
Q: Does headlamp light reflect off the material at
close range to see its contents?
A: Somewhat. A significant amount passes
through the polymer, but if it is held at close range at just the right angle
the light reflecting off the polymer can be directed into the eyes which can be
blinding.
Q: Does headlamp light reflect off the
material at a distance to spot it?
A: Somewhat. See above. From a distance,
that same blinding reflection would work as an effective beacon. This would
reduce in effectiveness if the outer surface of the bag becomes dirty.
Q: How easily are they to see in the dark
from a distance?
A: Impossible. The material does not glow in the dark, or
create or emit its own light of any kind. It would be highly visible if
something inside the bag were emitting light though, such as a glow stick or
electronic device.
Q: How small can each bag be compressed when not in use?
A: Small
size: 4.5 cu cm (0.27 cu in); Medium size: 5.5 cu cm (0.33 cu in); 7.5 cu cm
(0.45 cu in) (give or take a cu cm or 1/16 cu in)
Q: How much volume can reasonably be fit into the bag?
A: On the Aloksak the exact
volume in cubic inches and cubic centimetres are printed on the bag above the
bag size. For some reason this has not been replicated on the O.P. Saks, much to
my disappointment. See product specifics above for volume details. I filled each of the bags with tap water
to the maximum I was able to with the bag fully sealed, then removed the water from the bag and measured it in a
beaker. This method was successful in both the small and medium sized bags, but with the large the length of the
seal strip makes it difficult to seal while full of liquid. I did manage to seal it eventually after losing
considerable amounts of liquid from the top, and therefore can only estimate the volume to be about 30 L
(1014 fl oz; 7.9 gal)
Q: How much does the general appearance of the bag change over time compared to the "new" look?
A: When new, the polymer material appears almost transparent,
with no blemishes or striations. After using them in the bath test before my
I.R., and drying
them on the clothes line, the appearance has changed significantly from smooth
and crisp to rough and creased. Since then, the appearance has remained the
same, not improving or degrading in translucency, reflectivity or colour with
one exception. One of the small bags I have used to contain my first aid
supplies while bushwalking, as a test to the durability of the polymer. It has
received almost 3 months of the harshest punishment any person would reasonably
place on a plastic bag. The polymer has begun to scar and the wrinkles are very
clearly noticeable, but the bag remains waterproof and airtight.
Maintenance:
If I want the O.P. Sak to actually be odor proof, I must first place
the contents in the bag, seal it, place it down, wash my hands thoroughly
with clean water and soap, then immediately wash the outside of the bag
thoroughly with clean water and soap, and place it in the place where I want
to keep it long term. If there are any odors in the air where I place it, I can expect the same odor to be on the outside of the O.P. Sak when
I leave
that area. If I touch anything after washing my hands, then touch the bag
for any reason, I can expect the bag to retain those new odors. The bags are
not dishwasher safe because, although they are capable of withstanding
temperatures of boiling water, steamy hot air makes the polymer shrink, wrinkle,
and eventually melt. Hot water can assist in neutralizing odor impregnation.
Summary:
After having spent 3 months testing these products and placing a great deal of
faith in them as excellent innovations in plastic products, I now believe that
more research needs to be conducted, especially on the design of the seal, and
altering the sizing options to suit the kinds of functions that the majority of
users require. The odor proof film seems effective, however the polymer is very
capable of being impregnated by odor causing matter, both inside and outside. I
find the use of an odor proof bag useless if I can't avoid getting some of the
odor causing material on the outside of the bag which renders it detectable,
particularly if I am unable to clean off the spill to the degree that it is no
longer causing odor. Special care must be taken with the bag from the moment it
is purchased to prevent odor impregnation, which I failed to realise when I
began this testing process. Caveat Emptor! Nevertheless, the bags are
otherwise effective in many applications. The strong, thick polymer is resistant
to just about everything. They are of high capacity to fit just about anything
in that I might want to carry (a sleeping bag, inflatable mattress and pillow
could fit in the large size, keeping it completely dry in all conditions,
protected from bugs, and separated from the rest of the contents of a pack for
contamination control purposes), and can be cleaned and washed easily.
Pros:
Easy to open and close.
Informative labeling
Airtight and watertight seal
Tolerant to high pressure
Appropriately sized for use in some situations
Durable, high tenacity material
Excellent reputation inspires confidence
Custom size bags available
Cons:
Seal unreliable due to degradation and/or use.
Heavy material makes me doubt the value of its durability
Extra small size needed, but I am not prepared to order in bulk to get one
There is no square shape, which could be a plus in some applications
Read more reviews of Watchful Eye Designs gear
Read more gear reviews by Karl Daniel Fuderer
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