Mounted search and rescue

["IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN" <ilichten1@verizon.net>]

What you carry depends on your level of training and your stat'e scope of
practice acts. Red Cross First Aid is one level, EMT is a level, and
Paramedic is another. In PA we also have pre-hospital healthcare
professionals (doctors and nurses who have gone to paramedic school).

Your materials should cover the basics-- airway, breathing, circulation. 
Unless you are close to a road and have lots of support CPR is generally a
lost cause but having a mask handy for breathing problems can prevent arrest
due to lack of breathing. You should have infection protection-- at least
heavy EMT style nitrile gloves, several pairs in your size or larger.

The circulation problems you have to be aware of are bleeding related. You
will need a selection of sterile dressings (4x4 and larger) and tape, Velcro
straps work well, as does Vet wrap.  Ace bandages are not recommended unless
you are going to be in a hospital fairly quickly-- they are good for short
term pressure bandages however. If you can get it the new clot stuff the
Army is using is supposed to work on people and horses equally well. If you
know how to use one an aneroid blood pressure kit is useful in monitoring
for shock and can be used as a pressure bandage itself in a pinch.
If you have room, and are allowed to use them, collars, splints are also
useful in extended response situations.  

I also carry sun block, bug spray, bite lotion, instant glucose, carrots,
lots of drinking water (tap water that has been frozen in squirt bottles)
and maybe some filtered bottled water.  

On the horse side I carry spare halter, neck rope, fence pliers, hoof picks
rain gear, rawhide laces for repairs, multi-blade knife, spare keys, a
whistle, and usually a plastic bag with phone, radio battery, business
cards, an a map. Useful are penlights, mini-mag, spare batteries, a life
vest strobe, and a high visibility vest.  And lastly, a garbage bag so you
can clean up afterward or make an emergency rain coat for a victim. 

Rare Cases: The freezer bags your stuff is packed in to stay dry or the
garbage bag are fine for sucking chest wounds or evisceration. You can use
your rolled up rain gear for a flair chest pad. And all this stuff works on
horses too. 

Irv Lichtenstein