Mounted search and rescue

[<Jorene@CEOates.com>]

In case you're not familiar with this ... or know riders who may not be familiar with this ...

 

Riders should be familiar with water filtration methods and the potential for riders to wear hydration systems. Hydration is important. Many report to a call-out already partially dehydrated, then don't drink sufficient water and are vulnerable to dehydration-related health problems in both hot and cold weather.

 

Every team heading into the backcountry - or any area with questionable water refill sources - should carry a reliable method to filter water, and carrying your own means you don't need to rely on others. There are examples of water filtration methods that can be used to purify water found in the backcountry prior to drinking / refilling whatever is used for water storage on  

http://store.yahoo.com/fulfillmentadventures/watfilandcon.html Some are designed as a water bottle where you can fill the bottle and it is filtered as it is consumed. Other options may be easier for larger quantities of water if filtering is needed for livestock water.

 

Ground personnel commonly carry water bladders in their packs with a tube the person can drink out of simply by pulling the tube to their mouth. This is a viable option for riders - with the potential to carry larger quantities of water ready for consumption - and addresses the safety / survival issue of becoming separated from your horse ... with the canteen or water bottle still on the horse. The water storage bladder can be carried as backpacks, fanny packs, etc. Several examples are on the same web site - http://store.yahoo.com/fulfillmentadventures/hydrationpacks.html 

 

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Jorene Downs
Tulare Co, CA
SAR, MSAR, Swiftwater Rescue, US&R,
Technical Rescue, Cave Rescue,
Hasty Team, ICP
www.CEOates.com/sar
Tulare-Kings CERT Program Coordinator
www.tk-cert.org