The way these bags work: they are basically a giant zip lock bag and then have a "port" to hook the vacuum up and pull out the air.

I have used the space saver bags to send items. I filled them, sucked the air out and let them sit for 24 hours to see if they filled up with air again.  I only had 2 bags that did not seal properly the first time. What I found, in both instances, was that I had not gotten the zip lock portion completely sealed (closed). I resealed and sucked the air out again and the seals held. They made it to Iraq fine. Once they arrive, the soldiers only have to open the zip lock portion to reinflate. The items go back to normal on their own once the air is let back in the bag. I had never used the space saver bags before this but had no problems figuring out how to do it. (The bags are completely reusable so if you want to "play" with them or contents before you send them to see how they work, you can do that.)

Hope this helps.

Bonnie

Bonnie,

That sounds like a good idea to me to determine if you have gotten a "lemon" that won't hold a seal, you could do a trial run if you have the time to do it.  I suppose that we could get some and try them out before we need them to make sure?

Thanks for your input. I have never tried them.

Gran

Does anyone know of a place to buy them that has good prices?

Gran

Hi, Gran  

Our Sam's Club usually has them...I'll be in there a little later...I'll check.  Just checked on-line, and I don't see them.

I'd be sure to be ready to box them and tape up the boxes ASAP after you vac them because the last time I used them one out of four failed within 24 hrs!!  LOL  If you get 'em in the box quickly though, you should be fine...still have visions of pillows oozing out of a box in route.  LOL  So far, I've just rolled and tied 'em, but that's a fight the whole way doing it by yourself.  

Take care...hugs,  Brenda 

bonster:

(The bags are completely reusable

So I might be inclined to include a self-addressed bubble mailer and ask the soldier to return the bag to me if he doesn't have a use for it, so I could use it again to send more pillows to the troops.  These bags are not inexpensive and they may be a rare example of something that can be put to better use here than there.

This is assuming that the soldier would have to pay no or minimal postage to return the bag, of course.

Free...

Great idea...they are rather expensive for one-time use.  Since they would buy U.S. postage there, I assume, perhaps we could put postage on at this end.  Then they could just drop back in the mail.

Hugs,  Brenda 

Thanks, everyone, for your input.  I have two on the way to my contact.  Of course, I told him that if the box is delivered by MPs, then he is to deny knowing me.  I don't want to get arrested for sending "explosive" devices to our troops. 

As for the guys sending them back, they may like to keep them to pack stuff in when their deployment is over.  They can be used manually, especially by our big strong guys, and they really don't need the vacuum.  They may help the guys get stuff into their seabags when it's time to come home.  We've all been sending them extra t-shirts and PT clothes.

Anyway, will advise what my guy says when and if the box arrives.

Carole:

they may like to keep them to pack stuff in when their deployment is over

My guess is they would probably rather help another soldier get some pillows too.  It's also my impression that, if they have anything extra left at the end of their deployment, they are inclined to leave them with other soldiers who will need them, rather than taking them home.  Who was it that posted the other night about her soldier passing his sheets along to the next guy? Anyway, as I said, I would ask them to return one if they don't have a use for it, so that would be up to them to decide.

Soldiers only get free postage on letters and postcards.  They have to pay for any packages they send, so sending back these bags would cost them money.

I had bought 6 very full pillows to mail to soldiers.  If I didn't squish them, only 3 fit in the box.  I got someone to help me, we put 3 pillows in the box, stacked 3 more on top of the ones in the box and then pushed down on them as hard as we could to get the extra air out.  While my friend held them down, I quick like a bunny flipped shut the box flaps, with him pulling his arms out at the last minute.  It took a couple of tries but we got the box closed and taped shut.  I put a LOT of tape on that box.  Didn't want it popping open en route and leaving a trail of pillows behind.  My little medic buddy confirmed she got the box in good shape.  When she opened it, those pillows just puffed right up!  So if you have an extra set of hands or two, you can actually squish the air out of the pillows in the box and not need the spacesaver bag.

Lilly,

This made me smile...as I tried to do this alone!...didn't work.  I finally was able to squish out air, roll tightly, and then tie up with string in three places.  I was able to put a comforter, a fleece blanket, two pillows, and four pillowcases in a box 18X10.5X18.  You MUST have 2 people to accomplish the squish, flip and tape!!  Good job!!!  LOL

Thanks for sharing.

Hugs,  Brenda 

Lilly:

When she opened it, those pillows just puffed right up!

This made me smile, too, but for a different reason.  I got an image in my mind of lots of little puffy pillow critters leaping out of the box to give your medic buddy a big hug from you!

"quick like a bunny" is the part that pushed my laugh button! 

I can just see it--I'm glad you had some extra hands to help you, and didn't get your ears caught in the tape!  LOL

Just a heads up.........my nephew says going to the post office over there is somewhat of a nightmare.  Many times it is closed to military because of suspicious packages.  Also, they really don't have time to spend returning our items.  My other military contact says that mail TO Iraq is okay, but mail OUT of Iraq is a hit and a miss at best.  You might not get your items back.