Mounted search and rescue

["T'mi Finkle" <tfinkle@erols.com>]

Very good points to consider Jorene. 

 

MSAR teams must take into consideration the conditions for response within their response region.  Teams that are deployed under the AHJ/RA's OSHA oversight may want to review related government data: http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_4.html  

 

As an example, here on the East Coast, should MSAR teams deployed at temperatures of 118 degrees, we would have dead working animals and responders to deal with on a mission.   Humidity plays a key factor with the heat index and local response protocol need to be considered.as part of a team's safety plan.  MSAR teams need to be flexible in their response and (as I said earlier) learn to travel at night, search at night; and/or be ready to search in the early morning hours, prior to the heat of the day setting in. .  Another factor to consider is the air flow in your horse trailer, should you become stopped in traffic, do you have fans to keep the air moving (on your.horse).  Even stock trailer can become 20 degrees hotter inside if there is no air exchange, so it may be wise to return home later in the day when the sun is lower. 

 

I suggest that MSAR teams consider incorporating the "Black Flag WBGT Index" protocol that is used by your local Military.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet_Bulb_Globe_Temperature 

 

Ride safe,

 

 

T'mi

www.trotsar.org    

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From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Jorene Downs
Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2012 9:59 PM
To: 'Mounted search and rescue'
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Heat Index criteria for training/active searches

While having some kind of guideline sure helps, I hope MSAR units in different parts of the country take into consideration their own common weather. The horses live in that weather and are better adapted to it. The riders are also more adapted to that weather. That can make a huge difference.

 

For example, years ago we had a 3-day search down in the main valley for a toddler in extreme heat. The hottest day was 118F. (Not a typo.) Extreme heat had been going on for a couple of weeks. Blacktop was so soft at the ICP I left footprints when I walked on it, then it smoothed out behind me moments later. We had resources of all types there. MSAR was out searching from the saddle all morning, sent home at noon to avoid the more extreme afternoon heat. Water was transported regularly to horses and riders in the field. No riders reported any heat-related issues with their horses, and no riders had heat-related health problems.

 

The key was that those horses and riders were all accustomed to that heat, and many had even been out pleasure riding or moving livestock recently in similar pre-noon temps, which was probably closer to 115F maximum. They were accustomed to riding and even working in the heat in that terrain.

 

Other precautions included all of our riders were already accustomed to the regular addition of electrolytes for their mounts, but we made a point of reminding them at every call-out. We had an ambulance staged at the ICP. I also had on hand the emergency contact information for every vet / mobile large animal vet in the county as part of my ICP go bag.

 

If locally we applied 98F as a "cancel" temperature, the vast majority of the summer there would be no training or response. In effect, no MSAR during the most active part of the local SAR season. So I suggest adjusting any temperature-related criteria to consider what local horses and riders are accustomed to, then take common sense precautions by limiting field time and adjusting the time frame to reduce heat stress potential, ensure there is ample water readily available in the field even if you need to haul it to them, and include electrolytes as part of the MSAR routine. Adapt if heading into steeper terrain or higher elevation that might take a faster toll on the horses.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jorene Downs

SAR, CERT, Emergency Communications

Mounted SAR

http://www.ceoates.com/msar

KJ6JCD