Mounted search and rescue

[Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>]

Tomi` Finkle wrote:
>If you like this kind of product, please TRAIN WITH IT
>before using it on an injured person in the field.

I would expand the exhortation to TRAIN FIRST with ANY
gear you plan to use on a mission.  Chest harnesses for
radios and other essential gear are very popular with
SAR groundpounders in my area, and with some horsemen,
but not so popular with horse*women*.  Ditto those big
gear vests.  Stuff sticking out from our front tends to
get hung up on the saddle when we mount.  Especially
toward the end of a long day.

SAR rescue gear absolutely needs to be used in training
long before it gets used to evacuate an injured person.

        Una