Search & Rescue Dogs

I have been looking everywhere on the Forum for a KIt Checklist.

Is there such a list and if so could someone please inform me where I can find it.

Want to start getting my kit together and really want to know what I need to carry, will help in choosing which way I want to carry ie. bum bag, Viper vest or rucksack?

Thanks alot
Andrea

Hi Andrea,

Couple of answers for you below

Apavoni wrote:I have been looking everywhere on the Forum for a KIt Checklist.
Is there such a list and if so could someone please inform me where I can find it.

there is a list...you can find it here:

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=562&hilit=equipment+list

Apavoni wrote:Want to start getting my kit together and really want to know what I need to carry, will help in choosing which way I want to carry ie. bum bag, Viper vest or rucksack?

aha the age old question.......this is almost like asking what type of car to buy!!....it is a lot to do with personal taste !!!

Here is my 10p worth;

Viper vests, they carry a lot of kit and because of the pockets it is easy to find stuff on the move, I bought one and sold it again because didn't find it comfortable to wear and I prefer my kit in one sack.

Bum Bags, in theory, these are the best option, because they are light weight, and they don't obscure your hi viz which the other options do. I have been there and done this option, the main problem I found with the bum bag was space.

Rucksack, I use a 25l rucksack, IMHO it is the best method as all your kit is in one place, but it is harder to get hold f stuff if you are on the move and want a drink or a food bar.

There is also another option, which is the Viper Belt, this is the same as the police patrol belt, which can be configured with all sorts of pouches. These are also a good option and used by quite a few members... Again they are space limited but are perhaps a better alternative to the bum bag because you can configure them to suit you.

hope this helps.

Mark

Mark,

Thank you very much for your reply and advice, its much appreciated.

Really keen to get my kit together, will figure out whats the best option for me

Really exciting stuff!

Andrea

Andrea
I was going to grab some of the guys and gals on Sunday and get them to show me what they had in their kit.
What people take to training seems very different to a call out.
I know Ro, and Philip have been looking at this too and I'm sure some of the probationers will be interested.

From what I can see there seems to be some weird inverse law that the bigger your dog the less you carry

Roland,

That will be very useful! Good to see what different people use and what their kit is made up of.

Based on that law, I don't need to carry anything

There is far too many options

See you Sunday.

Andrea

Guys good topic.

You will find what works for you but always good to chat to others. I can assure you there are several in the team who could probably talk you half to death about what kit to carry and why!!

Personaly i stick to the if it dont fit in my pocket it aint coming with me rule!! Either that or i let my support carry it!

Obviously if you are working a dog there will be some extra things to carry than if you are out in a support role. (think water, bowl etc)

You will go through trial and error and find what works for you in the end.

lou wrote:Personaly i stick to the if it dont fit in my pocket it aint coming with me rule!! Either that or i let my support carry it!

Funny you should say that. I have a similar rule

If it won't fit in the handlers pocket, it won't fit in mine...

Now, now children.......


I will be there on sunday, and I am definately one of the people who will happily bore the hind legs off a donkey regarding kit.
it will take you a few callputs to get the method and types of kit you want, no one is going to pull you up on something if you cant get your scene of crime kit out of your bag quick enough or something like that.
Its just got to work for you and be comfortable and capable.

Hm supplies in camberly is a good place to start looking, or talk to Katrina Hobson in the team.

Lou....how big are your pockets???????

I used to carry a big bag full of all sorts of stuff that I might need - but probably only if war broke out. I soon learnt that 95% of the kit was a waste of effort and narrowed it down to very little. Lots of things can be used for more than one thing so try that appoach too.

Hi if it helps www.norlsar.org.uk have a kit list for foot team on their web site which you could add doggy stuff too. If you do manage to get a complete list would you mind posting so I can copy. Deborah