18"x30" Heavy Duty Woven Polypropylene Sand Bags with Ties & UV Protection - 100 Pack for Flood Control, Construction, Erosion Prevention & Emergency Preparedness

My application required filling numerous "14x26 Woven Polypropylene Sand Bags with Ties & UV Protection". I chose to use Amazon's "The E-Z Bagger" which is an invaluable tool and works superbly in two ways. One way the E-Z Bagger works is as shown on its product page on Amazon: the E-Z Bagger product image shows the "square end" is in the sandbag, and the "rounded end" (which you can not see) is scooping the sand. This application works okay if you do NOT have a shovel or other tool with you, AND the sand bag opening is large enough to fit the bended E-Z Bagger into it.I found that my technique works better for the well-built 14x26 Woven Polypropylene Sand Bags with Ties & UV Protection. Using a mil-spec military style shovel (collapsable to fit in or on a backpack), I found that the best method for me was to REVERSE the position of the E-Z Bagger. For your convenience, safety and efficiency, here are my recommendations:First of all, get as comfortable as you can get for what could otherwise be a back-breaking event if you are not careful. Sandbagging is manual work and will bring back memories of scouting and the military for many of us. Depending on the season of the year, if you are allergic to the bites of creepy crawly things (sand flees, no-see-ums,etc), use a Deet-based insect repellant on your skin and clothes. Amazon sells the Deep Woods Off in excellent spray bottles that are backpackable (put one in your Go-Bag, too).Use a 50-caliber ammunition can to sit on because you must be in a very low position and be one-in-the-sand. Sitting this low also virtually removes strain on you back from constant bending over (We men must save our backs so our wives can contnue to call us "Sweet Back!").Have the above mentioned military shovel and plenty of empty sandbags within comfortable reach. If you are right handed, open the sandbag with the attached string-tie facing down. With the rounded part of the E-Z Bagger facing the opened sandbag, place the BOTTOM edge of the E-Z Bagger against your thigh and press down to bend it from the top (you are pressing the E-Z Bagger against your leg to bend it smaller to fit into the open sand bag.) Now slide the bottom end (string-tie end) onto the E-Z Bagger as far as you can (do no let the open end fold up on you), then slide the top end onto the E-Z Bagger. For the above referenced sized sandbags, slide the empty sandbag until it goes about one inch into the hand holds (cuttouts) of the E-Z Bagger. The E-Z Bagger is VERY flexible and tough, so you can bend it to easily slip the sand bag on it. When you release the bending pressure, the sandbag will hold onto the E-Z Bagger.With the bottom of the sandbag touching the ground, insert the thumb of your left hand through the E-Z Bagger cuttout out and hold both the Bagger and sandbag in place for the first few scoops of sand, gravel or whatever material you are filling it with to prevent the sandbag from slipping off.Use your right hand to scoop the filling material into the E-Z Bagger. Remember to only fill the sandbag 1/2 to 2/3 full. After filling, slightly bend the E-Z Bagger and pull it out the sandbag. Check that the sandbag's string-tie is secure on the sandbag, then, while the filled sandbag is in an UPRIGHT position (vertical), twist the top of the sandbag making sure that none of the edges have fallen inside, then use overhead knots (like you tie your shoes but without the bow) to tie and tighten. Reverse direction about three times using the same overhead knot, and double tying it on the last one.Use your legs to power yourself in picking up the sandbags--not your back. When turning while holding the sandbag do NOT twist your waist or back--place a foot in the direction you want to go first then turn your whole body.Hope this helps!Stay Safe,...Chappy