Mounted search and rescue

["Paul Kearney" <pakearney@hotmail.com>]

Probably didn't really clarify what we do and carry.  We cover the whole 
state of South Austrralia.  We are called upon by either police or other 
S.E.S. units to conduct the searches.  When we are turned out, it is a whole 
SES unit turnout, not just the mounted.  This means we will have up to 10 
riders and horses, plus another 10 plus people.  Their role is to support 
the horses and riders.  We always turrn out with a min. of 1 days feed per 
horse and 40 gallons of drinking water, no matter where the task is.  If 
required, the support crew organise extra feed and water for our horses, 
plus they do all the other logistics like ensure riders are fed, float extra 
horses in or out etc. etc.  Each rider of the horse team carries a "bum 
back" which contains there personal protection equipmet (gloves (plastic and 
leather) assprin, bandaids etc etc)  Each rider is required to carry two 
litres of drinking water for themselves as well.  In addition to this the 
"maps" rider will carry the appropraite topigraphicla map and compass.  The 
"coms" rider will carry radio and mobile telephone.  I carry woolen blankets 
to utilise for many and varied reasons.  These are carried in covers so they 
stay dry but are used to keep a client warm, use to lay on the ground to 
give a clear defined area if we require it and we can make shelters to offer 
shade in the summer if required  (we also carry lashings for this purpose.)  
I also carry the first aid equipment in saddle bags.  We also carry equine 
first aid kit in the field and have farrier equipment in the support 
vehicles.
When we locate a person, our job is to administer first aid (all riders have 
senior qulaifications, despit their age)  adn remain with them until an 
extraction party arrive.  This is normally an ambulance or may be winched by 
helicopter.  If this is not an option due to terrain or weather, then we 
will make a stretcher (hence the blanket and lashings again) and carry them 
out on foot whilst the horses are led by other riders.  This woul donly be 
done in a real emergency where evacutaion due to danger (fire flood and 
alike) was a high probablity.
I have checked your archives and got the inforamtion I was looking for.  
Thanks for that
Cheers
Paul


> From: Una Smith <una@lanl.gov>
> Reply-To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
> To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Subject: Re: [MSAR] Search equipment
> Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2003 11:09:50 -0600
>
> Paul Kearney wrote:
> >We are currently revamping our unit, and as such looking at what 
> equipment
> >we are going to carry with our horses in the field for a missing person
> >search.  I would be interested in hearing what you folk carry on your
> >horses when doing a search.  We currently turn out with horse first aid
> >kit, person first aid kit, maps, compass and radio.  I also tie a rolled
> >blanket to my own mount.
>
> What to pack has been discussed here several times;  search the
> archives:  https://lists.ibiblio.org/sympa/arc/msar-riders/
>
> Also, I think it would help if you review for us your local SAR
> environment:  who calls you out, when, in what terrain, for what
> typical length of time, at what time of day or night, in what
> weather, etc.  What exactly is in your first aid kits?  What is
> the purpose of your blanket?  Did you not mention other things,
> or do you really not carry them?  Such as water and food?  What
> is your medical training?  If you find a missing person, what are
> you expected to do then?  Call for help and do nothing else but
> wait for help to arrive?  Treat the person?  Get the person out?
>
>         Una Smith
>         Santa Fe County Sheriff's Posse, in New Mexico
>
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> MSAR-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
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