| When filling a sandbag at least two people, ideally | | | | Place succeeding bags on top, offsetting by one-half |
| three should take part in the process. All people should | | | | filled length of the previous bag, and stamp into place |
| wear gloves to protect their hands as some sandbags | | | | to eliminate voids and to form a tight seal. Stagger the |
| are treated with chemicals to make them last longer. | | | | joint connections when stacking lots of sandbags on |
| One member of the team should place the empty bag | | | | top of each other. Stacking three high is the maximum |
| between or slightly in front of their widespread feet | | | | recommended for single file walls of sandbags, if you |
| with a flat back and arms extended. The opening of | | | | require a wall of sandbags higher than three sandbags, |
| the bag is folded to form a collar, and steadily held for | | | | the pyramid method is essential to build a foundation |
| the other person to shovel in the sand. Sandbags are | | | | large enough to support whole sandbag structure. |
| commonly filled completely with sand, this is incorrect. | | | | What Type of Sandbags to Use |
| The sand bags should be filled no more than two-thirds | | | | Hessian sandbags are the oldest and most common |
| full to allow effective shaping and wall building. | | | | sandbags, constructed from woven jute material in a |
| The person holding the bag should be standing with | | | | bag measuring approximately 13'' x 30''. Hessian has |
| bent legs and keeping their back straight to prevent | | | | been used and is still being used for its biodegradable |
| future back pains and keep their head as far away as | | | | qualities. Hessian sandbags will disappear naturally into |
| possible from the hovel to avoid the shovel missing the | | | | the ground over a short time period which is why they |
| sandbag and cutting the face of the bag holder. | | | | are used by many for their disappearing qualities. |
| If the bags of sand are filled with too much sand then | | | | Because hessian breaks down it is not advisable to |
| they could be too heavy to lift and can cause injuries | | | | use this type of sandbag for continual flood defense |
| after a prolonged exposure to sandbag work. Leaving | | | | surrounding a river as they will probably break down |
| room in the bags means that the sandbags can be | | | | before the flood comes. |
| maneuvered to form a tighter seal from the flood | | | | Polypropylene sandbags are more useful for a |
| water. | | | | permanent flood barrier as they do not degrade from |
| Ideally, to speed up the operation more people should | | | | the ground and weathering, however sunlight will break |
| be involved. Two people will be able to fill more | | | | down the plastic material. It has been known for a |
| sandbags if they have a third helper handing the bag | | | | polypropylene sandbag to completely disappear after |
| holder the empty sandbags from the bale of sandbags | | | | two weeks of extreme sunlight exposure. For this |
| and then taking the filled sandbags when they are | | | | reason is it advisable to build the wall using the |
| done. If the filling of the bags is being done near to | | | | polypropylene sandbags and then cover the wall with |
| where the flood is happening then a line of people can | | | | black sheeting to protect the sandbags from the |
| be formed and people can take the filled sandbags | | | | sunlight. |
| from one person and pass the filled sandbag to the | | | | Also, a heavy duty polypropylene sandbag does exist |
| next person and so on, forming a constant stream of | | | | which has a UV stabiliser added to the material to |
| sandbags on the wait to their destination. | | | | reflect the sunlight. This makes the bags last longer, but |
| Sandbag Placement | | | | does not make them invincible, it would still be |
| Before making a wall of sandbags, it is essential that | | | | recommended to cover the heavy duty polypropylene |
| any debris from the area if removed. Fold the open | | | | sandbags with black sheeting to protect the life and |
| end of the unfilled portion of the sandbag to form | | | | functionality of the sandbags and save you from |
| triangle. If tied sandbags are used, flatten or flare the | | | | having to replace them all. |
| tied end. | | | | |