Our state haz mat teams used to have these gigantic "portable" rubber bladder-tanks, which we carried on the trucks to reclaim the contaminated water following a mass-decon situation. As one could expect, these were not used routinely, and as such were stored in the highest, most inaccessible shelf in the back of the trucks...one of which I was manager for. About the year 2000, I had brought my piece in for an inventory, and it was after lunch, and the little chicklett (sorry for those I offend) who was going over the truck with me got back late. In the meantime I had pushed and pulled and grunted and swore at that stinkin' bladder, but got the case so that the serial number could be read from the ground level. Blondie shows up, all pissy and whatever (lousy lunch?), and wants the number. I read it to her. She says she needs it on the ground so she can read it. I protest some, saying you can see it right here..."Well, if we got some co-operation, we could get through this faster." I said "OK, stand right there" and proceeded to throw it at her on the ground. My aim was off, I missed. I didn't feel any better. And it cost me an inguinal hernia :crying:
A few years later, thankfully, these bladders were declared surplus and were taken off the trucks. In the meantime, I knew that the state Forest Fire Service was trying to phase out their ancient canvas portable water tanks...probably as heavy as these suckers...but had no other options. Told our Director where he could unload this great pile of things and they (the forest fire people) were ecstatic to be able to get them...a sort of sideways transfer from one agency to another. They kept calling them "blivets," and we didn't know where they were getting that term from...of course, the Vietnam Vets!
I saw a photograph at one point, so that most of you have a point of reference, these things nearly filled the back of a deuce and a half, and several were just used to make up surplus army trucks as 1000-gallon tankers with an added portable pump and hose. Not very elegant, but...
And yes, just like the definition, once out of the bag they were the devil to try and get back in!