There are times when nothing seems to go according to plan. Hopefully, these moments don’t happen while you’re out hiking, backpacking, or climbing mountains. When something goes wrong, you may end up lost or stranded. Worse, you could be hurt and unable to reach safety and get medical help. During such unfortunate scenarios, you’d wish a search and rescue party was out looking for your sorry arse. On the other hand, if it was someone you know that went missing, you’d want to help out as much as you can. You will need the proper search and rescue tools in order to do your part. Of course, you’ll need proper training to do the job better and actually help with the SAR mission.
BioLite Ultra-Thin HeadLamp 330
You need bright lights to search for missing people in the dark, obviously. Headlamps are some of the search and rescue tools that let you see your surroundings while having free use of both hands, which is important when trying to maneuver through the rubble, scour through the woods, or climb steep ledges.
The BioLite Ultra-Thin HeadLamp 330 sports a rechargeable 900 mAh lithium-ion battery that provides 3.5 to 40 hours of white light. It has a floodlight feature that can illuminate an area up to 16 meters away. The spotlight, meanwhile, can reach a distance of 75 meters.
The BioLite 330 sports a 3D molded adjustable front while the electronics are integrated into the moisture-wicking fabric. The whole lighting tool weighs only 2.42 ounces, which should keep you from getting worn out if you have to use it for hours during the search.
XS Scuba LT360 1000 Lumens Wide Angle Dive Light
If you’re an avid diver, you probably own a dive light already. A dive light is not only for recreational use, it’s also one of the vital search and rescue tools where the victim may be underwater. If someone was thrown off a boat or was swept by rushing waters, a dive light will help a lot in finding that person and hopefully save them.
The XS Scuba LT360 is equipped with super bright LEDs that give off 1000 lumens of white light. With a beam angle of 20 degrees, the dive light can cover a wide area, which increases your chances of locating the victim underwater. The LT360 has a run time of two hours
Most dive lights are designed for underwater use only. These tools may overheat if used on land. There are a few, however, that can withstand being out of water. Make sure you use your dive light properly so it will last a long time.
Carson BlackWave Monocular
The Carson BlackWave Monocular is another item you can include in your collection of search and rescue tools. Measuring 4 x 1/4 x 1.4 inches and weighing just 4.4 ounces, it is one of the most portable of its kind. This makes it a great tool to bring when you go camping, hiking, hunting, or birdwatching. Of course, a monocular will come in handy when you need to look for someone.
The BlackWave monocular is built to withstand the rigors of the outdoors. It can withstand drops and abuse. It’s also 100% waterproof so you can use it while crossing a river, though that is not a bright idea. For chrissake cross the river first before using the monocular. You need to be focused while doing something potentially dangerous.
Anyway, the Carson BlackWave has a 10x magnification while its field of view is 273 feet wide at a distance of 1000 yards. The BlackWave comes with a carrying strap, a protective pouch, and a soft lens cloth.
Vortex OPMOD Diamondback HD 10×42 Binoculars DB-215-OP
No matter how huge your eyes are, you can’t see everything. The human eye is limited and if you’re conducting a search and rescue operation, you need to see further than what you are physically capable of. That’s where binoculars and similar tools come in.
The Vortex OPMOD Diamondback binoculars utilize an HD optical system that allows a field of view of 330 feet wide at a distance of 1000 yards with a wide enough angle of 6.3 degrees. It also boasts of anti-reflective and dielectric coatings along with an ArmorTek finish that all help to maximize light transmission while also providing more accurate colors. The coatings also protect the lenses from damage caused by scratches, dirt, and oil.
The 10x42mm binoculars are built for rough times. It comes with a roof prism system while the body has a tough construction that is waterproof and fog proof. Furthermore, the Vortex Diamondback is shockproof, a quality you’d want in your search and rescue tools. The exterior is covered in a rubber armor that protects the binoculars even more while the non-slip grip keeps you from accidentally dropping it.
Carson Aura Plus Digital Night Vision Monocular
Night vision goggles are not just for military use. They have other uses including search and rescue missions. In case the SAR operation extends into the night, lighting tools won’t be enough. Night vision equipment uses infrared or thermal imaging technology to see from afar, especially when it’s dark.
The Carson Aura Plus night vision monocular will help increase your chances of successfully locating your target in the dark. You can search areas up to 393 feet through its black and white LCD screen thanks to its infrared illuminator.
The Aura Plus is also capable of capturing images and videos. This will further help in the search as you can look back at the saved files to see if you missed something the first time around.
Even if you don’t join any search and rescue operations, the Carson Aura Plus Digital Night Vision Monocular will still be a useful tool. It can be used as a surveillance tool to see if there are wild animals or scrupulous fellows roaming around your property.
Frog & CO Zombinator™ Survival Hatchet Multi-Tool Axe
In case the subject of the rescue mission is trapped inside a building, you may need to break down the door or hack through wooden walls. A hatchet will come in handy in this instance.
The Zombinator is more than just a zombie weapon. The multi-tool hatchet also comes with a pry bar that you can use to, well, pry open stuck windows and jammed car doors. It also comes with a hammer, nail claw, seatbelt cutter, glass breaker, paratinder cord, and hex sockets which can also be used to rescue someone. The 120-decibel Scream Whistle that comes with the Zombinator may be used to tell the victim that you are nearby. Once they hear your whistle, the victim can make some noise so you can pinpoint their location better. At the same time, you can use the whistle to call out to other members of the search party in case you find the victim or you yourself need some assistance.
DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise
The earliest record of drones can be traced to the late 1840s when Austria sent unmanned balloons filled with explosives to wreak havoc and destruction in Venice. Drones have gone a long way from mere military playthings since then. They have since been utilized for filmmaking, deliveries, space exploration, and wildlife conservation.
Perhaps most importantly, drones play a huge role in the field of emergency rescue. A drone can give you a bird’s eye view of the area, which makes it easier to spot something amiss, like a lost person. It can also reach places that you can’t normally reach such as ravines and caves.
The DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise boasts of a dual-camera setup, which features a 4K camera and infrared shooter that effectively picks up heat signatures thus letting you see in the dark. The drone’s powerful 2x optical and 3x digital zoom functions should also prove useful during your search.
The easy-to-use DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise has a flight time of 31 minutes, which takes away the need to continuously land and change batteries. The drone also has a light beacon at the top, which helps in nighttime flights. The spotlight is, of course, pretty useful in lighting up dark spaces. The speaker attachment, meanwhile, allows the user to communicate with the victim.
Orion Safety 15-Minute Red Emergency Flares
Emergency flares have plenty of uses. Normally, you’d use a road flare to inform other vehicles that a car has stalled or if there was an accident. Red flares also act as maritime distress signals. Even those on land can use flares to call for help.
Flares can also be used as search and rescue tools. You can set off a flare to signify that you have found the victim. It will also show other members of the search party, especially the SAR helicopter, where you and the victim are.
Emergency Fire Blanket b Frog & CO.
In the event that fire is involved, you must be prepared to protect yourself and the missing person from a fiery death. But before you go rushing into a burning building or wildfire, you should know that this is something that is better off left to those with proper training.
Understandably, you will want to save a loved one when your home is in flames. That’s why you should have the proper gear at home to deal with fire. Aside from fire extinguishers, invest in fire blankets and keep them in strategic places around the house and in your emergency kits.
Cover yourself with a fire blanket before attempting to locate the other person. Make sure you bring another fire blanket for the victim to use.
USWE 3.0L Elite Hydration Bladder
One potential problem when you’re lost or stranded somewhere is that you might run out of food and water. If the ordeal extends for days, you could be in danger of suffering from hunger and dehydration.
Take more than enough drinking water with you when you join a search party. Bring a hydration pack so you can hydrate without having to stop and reach for your drink. You only have to sip from the straw that extends from inside your backpack where the hydration bladder is.
Bring a water bottle, too. This will be your backup drink in case you run out. More importantly, you’ll need the extra water to give to the victim in case they’re dying of thirst.
The USWE Elite is a 3-liter hydration bladder that comes with the patented wide slide top opening. The unique feature makes refilling a lot quicker and easier while also securing the seal tightly. This should let you proceed with the search faster.
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight Medical Kit Pro First Aid Kit
When a person goes missing in the wilderness, chances are they got hurt and in need of medical attention. Before heading out to join the search, you should take a first aid kit with you. Of course, you need basic first aid training so you can treat injuries and other medical issues properly.
The Medical Kit Pro by Adventure Medical Kits is packed with items you’ll need to treat wounds, sprains, fractures, and perform CPR or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. It also includes a guidebook that teaches about wilderness and travel medicine. This particular first aid kit was developed for use by Yosemite mountain guides so you know it’s well-equipped for search and rescue missions.
We’ve seen it in a number of movies: the whole town working together to find someone that has gone missing. You’ll see some of the townfolks lining up with flashlights and even dogs and then combing an area hoping to find clues on the whereabouts of the missing person. The search party will likely be more successful if everyone had the right search and rescue tools. Also, a bit of training will come in handy.
Visit Gentleman Pirate Club and read more about tips on how to stay safe when you’re out in the wild. Such vital bits of knowledge will help keep you from being the subject of a search and rescue operation.
