Equipment

Mountain Canine Corps (MCC) is a nonprofit search and rescue (SAR) organization that is composed of all volunteers. Unfortunately, we do not have adequate funding to equip our volunteers. Therefore, MCC team members purchase the necessary equipment for their activities with the team.

Disclaimer: The information below is provided as a guideline only for the most common items needed by MCC team members on search missions. This list is derived from an MCC team lecture called "What's in Mike's Pack?". This list is not exhaustive and does not cover all possible outdoor scenerios. Please carefully consider your planned activities, the weather (both the anticipated and the remotely possible conditions), the terrain, and plan your equipment accordingly. Some pieces of equipment are a personal preference. For example, some people prefer hydration systems/water bladders to water bottles. Finally, if you do search and rescue in New Mexico, there is a required minimal equipment list. Please refer to the "Gear and Clothing" section excerpted from the New Mexico Department of Public Safety's "Search and Rescue 'Field' Certification System" for further information.

Cold weather gear hint: Keep electronic items that need batteries in a pocket close to your body. This helps battery performance in cold conditions.

Non-physical equipment - Medical insurance / Medical liability insurance

Physical equipment - In the following list, cold weather specific items are preceded by a "C" in parentheses. Keep in mind that, because of the high altitudes one can encounter in New Mexico, cold weather gear can be appropriate gear during the middle of the summer.

1) Clothing to wear-

For clothing, the key in both cold and hot weather is to use wicking-type fabrics (polypropylene, silk, Coolmax, wool) close to the skin to help keep you dry and at a comfortable temperature. Cotton is not an acceptable fabric for search work in New Mexico. Also, layering of clothing is important as layering helps you regulate your temperature appropriately. The clothing you choose to wear will be highly dependent on your personal preferences and the conditions you expect to encounter.

Cold weather clothing-
- Base layer: polypro or similar synthetic wicking fabric
- Middle layer: insulating synthetic pants and shirt (such as fleece)
- Outer layer: windproof/waterproof layer that is "breathable" (such as Gore-Tex, Triple Point) and is treated as recommended for the fabric
- Mittens or gloves, glove liners, headband, hat, balaclava
- Synthetic material or wool-blend socks, sock liners
- Warm boots
- Traction for boots (such as STABILicers or YakTraxs)
- Gaitors (useful even during summer to keep out sand)
- Sunglasses, goggles
Warm weather clothing-
- Synthetic wicking fabric shirt and pants (shorts are not recommended as they offer no leg protection from the sun, critters, insects, or vegetation)
- Outer layer: lightweight windproof/waterproof layer (rain coat and pants)
- Hat
- Synthetic material socks
- Hiking boots
- Gaitors (useful during the summer to keep out sand)
- Sunglasses

2) Radio harness and easily accessible pockets with-

Identification and notification of any drug allergies
Pager and/or cell phone (in case there is reception and search is terminated)
HAM or Type-Accepted radio with speaker mike
Radio pocket reference guide (in case you need to change an obscure setting)
Topographic and, if available, aerial map of search area
Medical gloves
GPS with working batteries
GPS case
External GPS antennna
Spare fresh batteries for GPS, headlamp, flashlight, dog's collar, and anything else you might carry that requires batteries
Spare fully charged radio battery
Headlamp
(C) Hand warmers (such as Hot Hands)
Ziploc bags (work well for doggie cleanup, dog bowl, and scent articles)
Small notebook and pens, preferably waterproof type
Small wilderness medicine field guide
Flagging tape and flagging dispenser
Food
Flashlight with duct tape around handle (helpful for when you need to hold the flashlight in your mouth)
Space blanket
Fire starter
Compass
Team roster
Signal mirror (military spec)
Water purification kit/iodine
Little-bitty first aid kit (blister)
Ear plugs (for any helicopter you might end up riding)
Storm matches
Trash bag (almost infinite uses)
Small tape measure (helpful with foot prints)
UTM interpolator
High gain radio antenna
Tweezers for removing cactus spines
50 cents for using a payphone
Puffer bottle with chalk-type material
Zip ties
Whistle
Pocket knife/multi-purpose tool
Lip balm with SPF
Sunblock packages

3) Attached to backpack-

(C) Ski poles (adjustable and can use as avalanche probe) with duct tape wrap
(C) Snowshoes with reliable bindings
One-inch tubular webbing (15-20 feet recommended)
Helmet (wearing if needed)
Duct tape
Water holders with full water bottles and/or hydration system
(C) Hydration system insulation
(C) Sleeping bag (required if you'll be sleeping in warm or cold weather)

4) Backpack (light weight model) with-

In easily accessible compartment(s):
- Sufficient food for 24 hours
- Disposable camera or digital camera
- Leather work gloves
- AA strobe light
- Small binoculars
- Pellet fuel stove and pellets
- Insect repellant
- Sunblock
- Light sticks
- AA-battery pack for radio
- More spare batteries
- Reflective and/or SAR vest
- Shears
- Regular medications (you and, if you are a handler, any medications your dog takes)
- If you use corrective lenses, a pair of spare glasses
- Small weather station (wind, temp, relative humidity)
- Additional garbage bags and Ziploc bags
In main compartment:
- Water
- Thermarest or closed cell foam for warmth on the ground
- Food for subject and (C) tea/hot chocolate mix
- Extra whistle, light sticks, matches, and signal mirror
- Medical kit
- SAM splint(s)
- Ace bandage(s)
- Space blanket bag (heavier weight version)
- Fleece
- Extra hat, socks (in Ziploc)
- Second base layer (in Ziploc)
- Additional pair of waterproof pants
- Lightweight metal cup (usable on stove for heating liquids)
- More Ziploc bags
- Signal smoke
- Water filter
- (C) Stove with extra fuel
- (C) Avalanche transceiver
- (C) Shovel
- Airhorn
- Spare radio/spare antennas
- Pack cover to keep it dry (rainy weather)
- Packages of drink mix (with salt and electrolytes)
- Extra Lipbalm
- Extra Sunscreen

5) If you are a dog handler, also bring-

Healthy, well-trained dog
(C) Dog coat
"Search dog" vest
Lighted collar with working battery
Harness
Lead
Extra water for dog
Dog treats
Dog food
Dog clean-up bags (for those that prefer an opaque bag over a clear Ziploc bag)
If applicable, a long tracking lead
Dog specific first-aid materials (such as Vetwrap and dog booties)
Dog first-aid field guide
Collapsible dog bowl
Clip for making a spare lead out of webbing

6) In your vehicle-

Mobile radio
Maps
Any equipment manuals (radios, GPS, etc)
Shoes and change of clothes
Food
Water
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Jumpstarter

7) Additional items to consider-

Cable to connect GPS to a computer
Mapping software (such as Maptech's Terrain Navigator or National Geographic's TOPO! State Series)