TM 55-1680-317-23&P
Section Ill. GENERAL REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS
2.5.
REPAIR LIMITATIONS
Survival equipment not in the medical, avionics, or ordnance categories that has sustained damage or developed deficits
similar to those listed in table 2-1 will be repaired only to the extent which this publication prescribes. Damaged or
defective survival kits or kit components which exceed the capability for being returned to a serviceable condition, or for
which there are no specific repair procedures in this manual, will be considered unserviceable are replaced with a
serviceable item from stock according to individual survival kit authorization outlined in the repair parts listed in Appendix
C. Unserviceable survival equipment will be disposed of as stipulated in paragraph 2-2a.
2.6.
CLEANING
a.
Webbing and Cloth Items. Remove all dirt, dust, or mud from webbing and cloth duck items by dry brushing
with a soft-bristle brush. Grease or oil will be removed by spot cleaning with aromatic naphtha and by rubbing
with a soft-bristle brush or a clean cloth. Soiled survival kit containers will be cleaned by scrubbing with a hand
brush using a laundry soap and hot water solution which hos been allowed to cool down to worm prior to
application. When the scrubbing has been completed, rinse the scrubbed area with clear, lukewarm water. Wet
webbing and cloth duck shall be thoroughly dried before further used or storage. Drying shall be accomplished by
suspending or elevating wet webbing or cloth duck items in a well-ventilated room or in a heated drying room.
Drying time may be reduced by the use of fans. When heat is used, it should never exceed 200° F and must not
be applied for more than three consecutive hours.
b.
Metal Items. Remove ail grease, oil, rust, corrosion, or other foreign matter from metal items by wiping with a
cloth, by buffing with a fine emery cloth, or by use of compressed air from an air- hose. Remove all burrs or
sharp edges by filing with a metal file or by buffing with a crocus cloth.
2.7.
SEWING REPAIRS
a.
General. All sewing repairs shall be performed using the procedures specified in this chapter for the applicable
textile components. Table 2-2 specifies the sewing machines prescribed for per- forming sewing repairs of
survival kit components and provides a code symbol which is further used in table 2-3. Table 2-3 specifies the
type sewing machine required for repair of a particular item, the stitch range to be used when sewing, and the
type thread which is to be used. All original stitching that has been cut in order to perform a repair shall be
removed prior to performing any sewing. Upon completion of sewing, trim excess thread ends as close as
possible to the material being sewed.
b.
Stitching and Restitching. Stitching and restitching of survival kit components should be done with thread that
matches the color of the original stitching, when possible. All straight stitching should be locked by backstitching
each end by at least 1/2 inch. Restitching should be locked by overstitching each end 1/2 inch. Restitching
should be made directly over the original stitching, following the original stitch pattern as closely as possible.
Change 1
2-25
