New Packing List

They say that you can tell an EMTs experience by the amount of shit on his belt. The more shit there is, the less experience he/she has. I think the same can be said for SAR; except I carry everything in the back of my car. Now that its summer I can get rid of most of my winter gear (skis, avy gear, etc) and I took hard look at what I was carrying.

My goal was to have a pack that was ready for 90% of our missions pre-packed in my car. This includes food, water, etc. I use a Lowe Alpine Alpine Attack 50 for my SAR pack because it *can* be a load hauler when I end up with the 600 foot static line or I can compress it down if I'm in the HASTE team.

I was always amazed at the small size of the packs carried by experienced members on our team. Especially considering they ALWAYS had what they needed. Now, I understand why. Speed= safety (as long as you have the crapola you need). Here's what I'm keeping pre-packed:

1. Lowe Pack
1. Top Pouch

i. Map

ii. Compass/ Whistle

iii. Pro Bars (2)

iv. Pair of socks

v. Laser Pointer

vi. Safety glasses

vii. Headlamp

viii. Fire starter + matches

ix. Sunglasses

2. Main pouch

i. Team shell

ii. Team fleece jacket

iii. Team fleece vest

iv. Team fleece hat

v. OR waterproof gloves

vi. MH fleece gloves

vii. Helmet

1. headlamp attached

viii. Climbing bundle

1. 3 Omega Team Carabineers

2. 15’ webbing

3. 20’ webbing

4. Personal prussic cords (2)

5. Black Diamond Alpine Bod harness

6. Petzyl gloves + keeper carabineer

ix. Climbing harness

1. ATC + belay carabineer

2. Personal Purcell

x. One Nalgene (water)

xi. One Nalgene (gatorade)

3. Outside pocket (crampon pouch)

i. Team first aid kit

1. Trauma sheers

2. BVM

3. Gloves (Large)

4. Bio Bag

5. Kerlix Roll

6. 4 X 4 gauze (4)

7. 8X 10 Combine dressing

8. Cavet bandages (2)

9. Mole Skin

10. Triple antibiotic packages (2)

11. Antimicrobacterial wipes (3)

12. Ibuprophen (2)

13. Diphen (2)

14. Bandaids

15. Bug X towelette

16. Sunscreen

17. Sting relief

ii. Sam Splint

So that's about 1000 calories plus a combination of clothes that will keep me comforatable in a range of conditions. I'll drop my primary climbing harness before we set out if it doesn't look like we'll need it- its a super heavy (comfy) big wall harness but I'll keep my main climbing kit because a simple carryout can require belays very quickly.

Also, in the back of my car ready to go is my radio chest harness. Now, I'm not a huge fan of this thing. Its hot, heavy, and seems to get in the way. I'd rather toss my radio in my crampon pouch on my pack and run the lapel mic up to my shoulder strap. I'm still afraid to not have somethings attached to my body (space blanket, radio) so
for now it stays:

1. Radio Pack
1. 4 X 4 bandages (2)
2. Space Blanket
3. Sharpie
4. Pen
5. Notepad
6. Small flashlight
7. Team medical form
8. Two pair large medical gloves
9. One pair each: small and medium gloves
10. Medical reference card
11. Small gerber
12. 800 mHz Radio + Lapel mic
13. Medical tape
14. Ear plugs (helicopters)
    
15. AA/AAA batteries (3 each)

Finally, I have two small duffels I keep in the back of my trusty subaru. One is specifically for swift water rescues and the other has some snow/ice gear (there's still a lot at high altitudes) and my normal clothes/boots I wear on callouts.

1. Duffel
1. Tall leather boots (socks + gaitors inside)
2. Mountaineering boots
3. Crampons
4. Ice Screws (6)

i. 10cm (2)

ii. 15cm (2)

iii. 17cm (2)

5. DMM ice tools (2)
6. BD Ice Ax
7. MH winter gloves
8. MH prima loft jacket
9. Green team pants
10. Team short sleeve t-shirt
11. Synthetic boxers
12. Long sleeve synthetic shirt
13. AA/AAA extra batteries (10 each)
1. Swift water duffel
1. Swift water PFD

i. Whistle

ii. Knife

iii. Attendant line + locking carabineer (LOCKED)

2. Helmet
3. Neoprene gloves
4. Neoprene socks
5. Wetsuit
6. Old tennis shoes
7. Throw rope

That's still a ton of stuff, but I'm open to ideas of what I can get rid of....