Personal First-Aid Items carry with you :

Basic First Aid (Personal)

Plastic bag for kit, zip lock or similar............. (1)

Acetaminophen or aspirin tablets ................... (8)

Personal medications (3 days )........................ (1)

Antihistamine, 25 mg Benadryl ........................ (4)

Epi kit ( prescription ) ......................................... (1) * optional

Antacid tablets ..................................................... (4)

Vinyl gloves, exam quality .............................. (2)

Waterless hand sanitizer..................................... (1)

Antiseptic cleansing pads ................................ (4)

CPR face shield..................................................... (1)

First aid book (wilderness) ……………… (1)

Antiseptic ointment ............................................. (1)

Band-Aids, various sizes .................................. (6)

First Aide Tape 7 yards ..................................... (1 roll)

Gauze dressing Pads, 4 x 4 .............................. (2)

Gauge Roll 2” x 4.5 yards ................................. (1)

Cotton Swabs, non-sterile .................................. (3)

Roller bandage .................................................... (1)

Mole skin ............................................................... (2)

Splinter forceps or tweezers ............................. (1)

Razor, single edge .............................................. (1)

Scissors small........................................................ (1)

Safety Pins, Large ................................................ (4)

Insect repellent ..................................................... (1)

Sunscreen lotion .................................................. (1)

Lip balm, with sunscreen ................................... (1)

Space Blankets (small)........................................ (2)

Personal SAR Equipment carry with you:

Search tools:

SAR personal identification .............................. (1)

Compass, orienteering ...................................... (1)

Topographic map of search area ..................... (1)

Map case suggested type that “clips” (1) *optional

GPS........................................................................... (1) *optional

Small magnifying glass....................................... (1)

Vision assist glasses if needed........................ (1)

Flagging tape (bio degradable preferred) (1)

Small pad of paper and pencil (waterproof) (1)

Flashlights or light source (Tested)................. (2)

Extra batteries, flash light bulb (spare set) (1)

Watch ...................................................................... (1)

Measuring device, 24 inches minimum (1)

Knife, easily accessible for emergency (1) *** see notes

Pocket knife, multipurpose/tools......... (1)

Tracking “Stick” (telescopic antenna 48" ?) (1)

Weather kit (kestrel etc )..................................... (1) *optional

Radio / battery / High gain antenna............... (1) *optional

Binoculars compact.............................................. (1) *optional

Safety helmet if required locally...................... (1) *optional

Safety/sun glasses / goggles / eye protection (1)

Orange Safety Vest or similar (fluorescent) (1)

Whistle .................................................................... (1)

Pistol / ammunition (to local regulations) (1) **optional

Carabineers ........................................................... (2) ** optional

20 ft. length of 1 inch webbing ....................... (1) ** optional

Personal safety rope (50 foot)........................... (1) ** optional

Personal Harness.................................................. (1) ** optional

Personal Rappel gear........................................... (1) ** optional

Notes:

* Optional = items may or may not be needed according to mission, skills of user / local requirements / personal choice.

** Optional = Items specific to specialized discipline – only use when trained appropriately.

***Knife (sharp) usually on belt quick access in case horse or rider requires cutting loose from entanglement in emergency.

Welfare items:

Matches, waterproof (box).................................. (20)

Waterproof Matches Container Full................. (1)

Butane lighter/ fire starter................................... (1)

Stove / sterno /similar for cooking.................. (1)

Stove fuel (3 days ).............................................. (1)

Metal cup or pot ................................................... (1)

Food dried/suitable (3 days)............................ (1)

Snacks / energy bars (3 days).......................... (1)

Purification tablets / system / filter................. (1)

Small toilet kit........................................................ (1)

Bivy/Tent /Shelter Material, tarp 8 X 10 feet (1)

Sleeping bag / blanket to choice / suitable (1)

Sleeping pad / hammock to choice................ (1)

Small trail saw to choice.................................... (1) *optional

Candle, long burning .......................................... (1)

Leaf bags, ex-large .............................................. (2)

Signaling mirror with hole.................................. (1)

Nylon twine or small rope, 50 feet ................. (1)

Bags, various sizes, zip locked ....................... (4)

Tissue/toilet paper .............................................. (1)

Water containers, or bladder 100 oz.............. (2)

Wire, 5-10 ft., 14-gauge ..................................... (1)

Duct Tape 10 foot roll ........................................ (1)

Money, for phone calls etc................................. (1)

Pack or Packs, to suit........................................... (1)

Rain cover for pack(s) …………………. (1)

Basic layered clothing to local spec (worn) (1)

Hat / Helmet (to local regulations).................. (1)

Footwear, suitable for conditions (worn) (1)

Gloves, adequate for use/conditions ............ (1)

Rainwear, Shell / durable / waterproof (1)

Bandana, handkerchief (worn)........................... (1)

Clothing extras to choice especially socks (1 set)

Bag for clothing extras, waterproof ................ (1)

Watch cap / similar for heat retention. (1)

Gaiters...................................................................... (1) **optional

Equine Related SAR Equipment carry with / on equine:

Saddle, pad and suitable tack on horse (1)

Saddle / pommel / cantle bags to suit (1 set)

Ten foot lead line and halter............................ (1)

Water container (collapsible bucket)............. (1)

Hoof pick ............................................................. (1)

Fly spray................................................................ (1)

Brush / mitt grooming........................................ (1)

Equine First Aid kit ............................................ (1)

Vet wrap................................................................. (1)

Tube Bute (vet recommendations)................. (1)

Small straight Hemostat for vessel closures (1) *optional

Skin staples ……………………………................ (1) *optional

Banamine Paste ( to vet recommendation)….. (1) *optional

Snake bite kit ( as required ) ………………….. (1) *optional

Tools to pull a shoe............................................ (1)

Shoe replacement kit hammer/rasp/nails (1) *optional

Easy boot or similar / duct tape and pads (1) *optional

Duct tape – general purpose 20’ +................. (1)

Fencing pliers / wire cutter / similar............. (1)

Hobbles / High Line / Containment system (1)

Small bell if backcountry hobbled................. (1) *optional

Food as locally required 3 days ................... (1)

Additional Support Equipment (kept in trailer/truck):.

(some items may be spares or on the horse)

Tow vehicle road legal........................................ (1)

Road Map of Region ........................................... (1)

Sun glasses, 97% UV protection ...................... (1)

Vehicle emergency pack / tools...................... (1) *optional

Shovel ..................................................................... (1)

Chains in snow areas........................................... (1) *optional

Scale for weighing packs................................... (1)

Scissors/ similar , multi-purpose cutting (1)

Foam (closed cell) ground pad ....................... (1)

Water purification tablets .................................. (3)

Gaiters .................................................................... (1)

Spare clothing/ jackets/ camp clothes (1) *optional

Snacks, sealed bags or wrappers ................... (3)

Extra 10 gallons water ....................................... (1)

Food, non-perishable ......................................... (for 72 hours)

Bouillon cubes ..................................................... (2)

Sterno or similar fire source .............................. (1)

Extra leaf bags ...................................................... (1)

Sleeping bag ......................................................... (1)

Tent or Sleeping shelter ..................................... (1)

Lantern .................................................................... (1)

Camp Stove / Equipment.................................... (1) *optional

Equine Related SAR Equipment in Trailer

Trailer inc spare tire & tools............................. (1)

Chains for trailer in snow areas....................... (1) *option

12 volt power source ........................................ (1)

Water container (min 5 gal per horse)............ (1)

Hoof pick (spare)................................................ (1)

Fly spray (spare).................................................. (1)

Horse sheet or turnout blanket ....................... (1) *option

Feed suitable/local (kept in trailer)... (for 3 days minimum)

Water for equine (kept in trailer) ........ (for 3 days minimum)

Equine First Aid kit (extra/large)(1 with horse) (1) *suggested

Containment system for base camp .............. (1)

Rope 25 feet + (cotton)..................................... (1)

Leather punch....................................................... (1)

Spare latigos/leather for repairs...................... (1)

Halter (spare(s))................................................... (1)

Ten foot lead line (spare).................................. (1)

Pad and tack (spares)........................................ (1) *suggested

Equipment Recommendations :

Packs

As a Mounted Searcher the first priority must be our welfare and survival, therefore carrying of certain items “on” us and not the horse makes excellent sense.

a) Recommend backpack and water bladder to contain enough survival gear that if you and horse part company you can take care of your basic needs. (include small lightweight rain protection gear)

b) For those using radios nothing beats a chest harness when conducting mounted operations , experience suggests the type where the antenna points straight up work best, pouch as well accommodates candy, compass and note pad and pen/pencil.

c) Some people prefer a “Tactical Vest” in place of a chest harness and backpack .

These above items can carry enough, comfortably, to provide a level of security not otherwise available.

Pommel bags (2) are suggested for use with daily items, food, coffee and basic supplies .

Saddle bags (2) are suggested, one to contain mainly horse related items – hobbles,1^st aid kit, vet wrap, duct tape, highline etc maybe including trail saw and miscellaneous hardware items. The other to contain lightweight tent, sleeping bag and comfort items cooker, food, more coffee etc.

Behind the cantle bags – if you still need more space and your horse can carry it , bulky lightweight items can be transported in suitably balanced “cantle bags” (Sleeping bag / bulky warm jacket)

However you decide to approach the issue there is one vital issue – “balance”, each pommel bag / saddle bag should be weighed and you should adjust the contents until they are even. It has been found that it is possible to be fully equipped with 5lbs in each pommel bag and 10lbs in each saddle bag. !