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?
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!
You have to look at both sideswhat 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 dont 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 doesnt 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.
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!