Home › Bush Search and Rescue Victoria Manual › Chapter 7 - Equipment and Food

Day Searching Equipment

Wed, 16/02/2011 - 17:22 — Peter Campbell

As the majority of searches involve day searching, the items listed for day use should be packed into the day pack or set aside while packing at home, to be ready for a quick departure on arrival at search base.

When going out on a day search (planning to be back at base that night), take the following items described in the next section.  All items mandatory unless stated otherwise.

Day Searching - Personal Equipment
Large day pack (mm 40 litres) or weekend size pack A normal weekend size pack is recommended. Items not taken into the field can be stored at base in the storage bag.
Weatherproof clothing GoreTex® or equivalent material hooded jacket and over-trousers.
First aid kit & medication Refer to Chapter 11.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat  
Cordage  
Fire lighting items  
Coloured toilet paper, one roll For marking a search boundary.
Large plastic bags  
Food, scroggin For personal needs. Include more than normal to cater for the casualty and in case of an unplanned overnight out. For example, extra noodles, packet soups. fruit etc.
Water Two litres. Fill up before leaving home.
Notepad & pen Inside a plastic bag
Torch. spare battery & globe  
Warm clothes Be prepared for an unplanned night out. Take extra for the rescued person.
Compass and whistle  
Map A photocopy of the search area will usually be issued at base. Personal maps of the area brought from home, if available, should also be taken.
Scrub gloves  
Sleeping mat, closed cell foam For casualty management and personal use
Long trousers Shorts are NOT suitable for searching
Gaiters  
Eating utensils Optional. For feeding the rescued person and personal use, particularly if having to biwy out and eat emergency rations.
Optional
Scrambling rope & karabiners Optional.

Table 7.2 Day searching personal equipment list

BSAR pack covers and vests are usually issued to members on arrival at search base via the leader.

 

Updated 16 Feb 2011