Equipment Lists
What we provide
GSSD will provide the following items to Guests and Members at workouts and on missions:
Handheld Radio
Area Maps
Handheld GPS Device (Various Garmin Devices)**
Dog Tracking Device (Garmin Astro 430)**
Car Radio**
** Ready Searchers and high level Apprentices only, not available for Guests/Candidates
GUESTS
Guests are required to have some version of the 10 Essential Systems, plus a little extra for comfort during workouts. If you are missing gear, let us know in the New Member Survey or via email, and we may be able to let you borrow some stuff.
Older and/or more durable gear is ideal, your SAR gear will need to survive brambles (bad for rain gear), swamps, and other unpleasant situations.
DO NOT WEAR OR BRING COTTON CLOTHES. Cotton Kills. You will be sent home.
Required
Day pack
Flashlight and extra batteries
Knife/multi-tool
First Aid Kit
2L+ Water
Food
Compass
10x12ft Tarp (ideally green or brown, but blue or silver will do)
Pad and any other nice to haves on the trainee gear list
Appropriate footwear for the elements
Any medications you need (including scheduled ones in case we run late)
Appropriate gear/clothing for the elements (NO COTTON)
Extra clothing
Situational
NW Forest or America the Beautiful Pass
Discover Pass
High clearance vehicle w/ 4X4 or AWD
GPS or smartphone GPS application
Required capabilities
Place markers/waypoints
Record tracks
Offline maps
Displays most NWFS Roads
(Ideally) Support UTM
Examples:
Garmin GPS unit
Gaia or Caltopo
Avenza
Peakbagger or onX
BAD: Google Maps
Power Bank for your phone
CANDIDATES
Guests are expected to have gear needed for an on-trail hike. Candidates need to start acquiring the gear they would need for off-trail and back-country outings that they would need on a real search.
Required
Day Pack
Compass w/ declination set
10x12ft Waterproof Tarp
Plastic bag for maps, pens, paper
Insulated Pad
2L of Water
Synthetic or wool clothing
NO COTTON
Emergency Whistle
Rain Gear
Sturdy, high-ankle Hiking Boots
High clearance vehicle w/ 4x4 or AWD
Dedicated GPS or Smartphone App
Power Bank for your phone
Recommended
Redundant Essentials or Nice to Haves
Sun/Rain Hat
Insulated jacket/vest for layering
Insect Repellent
Secondary Fire Source
Extra Headlamp or Flashlight
Waterproof Backpacking Boots
High Ankle
All-Leather is more durable
Durable, knee-high Boot Gaiters
Leather Work Gloves
Clear Goggles or other eye protection
Pack liner or garbage bag for rain
Sealable plastic bags for extra clothes
Bathroom Kit
Hand Shovel
Pack out bags
Toilet Paper or Wipes
Hand Sanitizer
DOGS
You are the one carrying your dog's gear. Search Dogs do not wear packs as it interferes with their job.
Keep in mind that we sometimes have missions or workouts in environments with ticks.
Training/Workouts
Leash
Collar and/or Harness w/ tags
High Visibility Vest or Bandana (hunting season)
Food for ~24hr
Water
Water Bowl
First Aid Supplies
Bathroom Bags
Wind Directional Powder or Mist Sprayer (to check wind direction)
Tick Repellent or Treatment (recommended for areas we train in)
Winter Gear
Musher's Secret Wax (recommended for fluffy/sticky)
Winter Jacket (recommended if dog lacks double coat)
Winter Booties (depending on dog)
Summer Gear
Reflective Shade Cloth
Fans + Extra Batteries
Searches
SAR Vest
High Visibility
Nighttime Visibility:
Glow Sticks
Light Vest
Vest/Collar Lights
Reflective Patches/Collar
SEARCHERS
Gear is expensive and SAR work can be rough on certain pieces. Durability and Reliability are important. We recommend borrowing gear to try it out and then gradually buying your own instead of buying it all at once. When acquiring gear, check out out Thrift Stores, REI Garage Sales, Craigslist, or Costco.
Remember, you need to carry gear for you, your dog, and the subject(s) you are searching for.
This is still in progress, for now see the Pierce County ESAR Equipment List, but note that GSSD requirements are not identical.
FIRST AID
We have no hard requirements for first aid kit contents. You can either build your own or purchase a pre-made kit. Pre-made kits are fine, but you may need to supplement what is included and will need to gradually replace expired things yearly. The following are suggestions:
Dog
Dog First Aid Training Course
Bootie or Sock for pad injuries
Vet Wrap
Tick Remover (can stay in car)
Muzzle
Styptic Pencil
SEASONAL GEAR
Recommended seasonal items. Regardless of season NO COTTON CLOTHING.
Summer
Extra Water
Bandana/Buff
Sun Hat
Sun Screen
SPF Lip Balm
Water filter
Winter
Layering System
Insulated Jacket
Fleece vest/jacket
Synthetic Base Layer
Neck Gaiter or Balaclava
Foot/Hand/Body Warmers
Vaseline or wax for face
Map Bag
Microspikes
Snowshoes (depending on location)
