Mounted search and rescue

[pennbo@verizon.net]

Thanks for the clarification. Turns out I was on the same wave length anyway. :-)

What do I carry in my fanny pack?
1. A pill bottle with a tight closing lid. Inside- waterproof matches, a few individually packaged analgesics and antihistamines; outside - wrapped around it- many yards of duct tape. (does this count as ONE or as THREE? lol)
2. Poncho with hood
3. Energy bars
4. flashlight with 2 spare batteries attached
5. 1 roll Vet wrap
6. compass with mirror
7.  Small baggie of electrolyte powder for the horse (or human in a pinch)

On my person?
8. GPS with spare batteries
9. Leatherman-type folding multi tool
10. Cell phone (For SAR work I use an older style not-so-smart phone that has very good battery life)

I don't carry water in either spot as water is readily available in our area. However after reading everyone's list I may rethink mine. I may end up with the same list - but I may not. I figure the duct tape and/or vet wrap plus the meds in the bottle are all the first aid I need. Duct tape and poncho= tent or sun protection. I have a fair amount of backcountry knowledge so I feel confident I could survive most weird situations. When I am headed out into real wilderness- as we are sometimes called to- the cell phone gets replaced with my ham handheld.

Interesting topic. I'll have to give some more thought to it. We have discussed this regularly in our group as to what should be carried ON your person and what can safely be relegated to the HORSE to carry- but we've never tried to whittle it down to 10 items. :-)

Chris

 

 

On 06/03/13, T'mi Finkle<tfinkle@erols.com> wrote:

 

After reading the response to Chris, it appears that some folks may not understand the primary purpose of the ten essentials list
(request).

This list of 10 is not about what you carry on the horse, or your normal SAR gear or individual specific items such as glasses and
meds while deployed. It is a basic (minimum) list (to be carried on a person) of resources to be draw from should a rider become
alone and without SAR Gear. It is also a list that an AHJ can reference and provide to spontaneous mounted volunteers that have
zero SAR training. How many times have you seen photos of someone mounted on horseback (during MSAR training or on a search) with
nothing more than a ball cap?


Most outdoor type groups have already developed a 10 essentials list and conduct research to update data;
http://equipped.outdoors.org/2013/06/how-many-hikers-carry-ten-essentials-in.html
<http://equipped.outdoors.org/2013/06/how-many-hikers-carry-ten-essentials-in.html> The original Ten Essentials list was assembled
in the 1930s by The Mountaineers <http://www.mountaineers.org/ScriptContent/default.cfm> , a Seattle-based organization for climbers
and outdoor adventurers. Please think of the 10 essentials list and not what's in your SAR/MSAR packs or vehicles.


Nowadays just about all MSAR teams deploy in a minimum of two riders per TAF tasking. The likelihood that your partner and mount get
struck by lightening or falls off a cliff and your horse runs away is very remote. If very basic safety planning of what should be
carried on a person when on horseback; if this is not an issue in your region than that is fine too. Some States (and local AHJ's)
already have an established of a minimum essentials list as well as SAR gear, many AHJ's simply leave it up to the teams.
Fortunately for MSAR responders, the TAF will tell the Planning Chief what area you should be in and what route you most likely took
to your task area, so assistance coming to your aid, should less than 24 hours away. It's a known fact the level of training and
field experience for MSAR teams runs from; below minimally trained or equipped to those holding an exceptional rating.



With regards to some of today's questions:


A poncho protects from rain, snow and wind. A space blanket protects from the cold, protects from the sun's heat and can also be
used as a reflective signaling device. A flashlight beam shining on a space blanket can turn a small beam of light into a 3 foot
oval. beacon.


Cellphones do not work in many wilderness areas and have a very short battery life in the field. Using a cell phone as a signaling
device will drain the battery in a very short time, compared to using a led flashlight.


Simple band aids from a first aid kit can do more than reduce bleeding, they can be used to attach a space blanket to a poncho for
making a water collection device.


Energy/nutrition bars by the ingredients are generally higher in calories, which aids in the body's endurance and the stability of a
person. It also provides a comfort source to help with keeping a person calm.


During a fall, a fixed blade knife has been known to cut through its sheath and lacerate the thigh. I have personally not heard of a
horse being cut in this manner, but I am guessing it's happened . Many EMT type folding knives have a thumb bar that is designed for
one hand opening.


A fire makes a great visual and scent attracting device. The use of a controlled campfire does not normally cause wildland fires
(discarded cigarettes and arson are the primary causes). It should be noted that some hikers have set wildland fires as a signaling
device (this occurred in 2009 by lost subject Ken Knight).


I thank everyone for sharing their comments, some great items were addressed!

T'mi
________________________________

From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of irvin lichtenstein
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 5:02 PM
To: 'Mounted search and rescue'
Subject: Re: [MSAR] MSAR Rider 10 Essentials List



You have to look at both sides—what will survive and not hurt you if do fall off, what do you use frequently enough to need in
reach? I carry a compass and a whistle on a neck piece, keys and Swiss Army knife in my jean pockets, under my chaps; radio(s) on
my belt, phone is a zippered pocket. Water bottles are on the pommel; spare lead rope, neck rope, halter, gloves, fence tool, 100
foot length of ¼ inch boat rope (for the creek), and sometimes more water, in a side bag; first aid stuff, plastic bags, spare
eyeglasses, batteries, on the other side; a set of cervical collars, an orange vest, spare raingear, a yellow blanket, a chain shank
and carrots, in the cantle bag. And I keep a huge carabineer clipped to a bag ring I am an EMT-B and qualified to use oxygen but
don’t carry it on horseback (there are 2 E cylinders in the truck) because of the weight and the danger associated with having 2200
PSI cylinders, even B bottles, in my bags.

I have gone off 3 or 4 times with my present mount, and once he fell on me. He doesn’t run off as some do, just looks at you with a
“what are doing down there” look. Having 9 foot reins also helps. It also helps that we never ride solo when working a search
task and the other riders know not to chase a loose horse.

Irv Lichtenstein

From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of pennbo@verizon.net
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 3:23 PM
To: msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [MSAR] MSAR Rider 10 Essentials List



Am I right in assuming this is a list of essentials that should be carried ON your person? Because things in a saddle bag don't
really count as essential considering how many times a rider is parted from their horse unwillingly!

Chris


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