Mounted search and rescue

["Trailriding-Texas" <trlrider2@trailriding-texas.us>]

The chemicals in the Glow sticks are non-toxic and will not harm clothing or animals (at least the ones that are used down here), and with some creativity can be used for multiple uses!  Off topic, we have cut them open, and used them to add glow effects on different surfaces and even our horses for Halloween spooks! Yes, I have used the activated material on my clothing and skin, as well as the coat of my horses, with no ill effects!  We have used them successfully in temperature ranges from 10 degrees Fahrenheit to 110 degrees Fahrenheit!  For night operations, we have safety tied them to breast collars and girths to provide sufficient light during night operations!

 

White light while on horseback is a recipe for disaster!

 

Louis Upton

----- Original Message -----

From: IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN

To: 'Mounted search and rescue'

Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2009 10:38 PM

Subject: Re: [MSAR] MSAR-Riders Digest, Vol 75, Issue 3 - colors/lighting/reflections

There are EMS and police jackets that have reflective material woven or sewn into them.  In some cases it is the lettering and in others it is horizontal and vertical lines.  During normal daylight the markings either don’t show or read non-reflective.  At night in headlights they glow in reflected light.  Scotchlight brand materials often look dull in daylight and become highly reflective in directed light at night.  The newest reflective material uses prismatic micro reflectors.  Glow sticks have chemicals in them and can cause problems if they leak or exceed shelf life, or get too cold.  

 

Most reflective material is designed for white light and will glow whenever some light hits it.  There are also fluorescent materials that convert UV into visible light or may require special glasses and the tritium based products which are actually radioactive.  I prefer the prismatic materials because they are brighter, usually have a clear coat so they can be cleaned, and are widely available.  

 

It all depends on whether you use your gear for all your riding or just some of it.  If you can afford to dedicate a set of tack for MSAR riding, (headstall, reins, saddlebags, saddle) then striping with reflective material makes sense.  If you can’t, or don’t, investing in a fluorescent orange helmet cover, a reflective vest, may have to suffice.  You must be comfortable while in the saddle and not worrying about what you are wearing or how it affects your ability to ride.  A uniform appearance is nice, especially for parades, but effectiveness in the real world is what counts. 

 

Irv Lichtenstein   

 

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From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Karen Nesbitt
Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2009 7:19 PM
To: msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [MSAR] MSAR-Riders Digest, Vol 75,Issue 3 - colors/lighting/reflections

 

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