The I.T. Life

So I recently joined HRSAR (Halifax Regional Search and Rescue) and was out on a mock search last night. Last night was a Shoreline search, meaning we are looking for someone (possibly) in the water. For the first half of the search I was on the blueline (closest to the water) and this was the toughest position. I am always trying to stay as close as I can to the water, which means the hardest places to walk (rocks, swamp, etc) and trying my best not to fall. The other half I was on the far end was going through very very heavy brush. Once we heard over the radio that there was someone found in the water we sped up the pace and got over to the water. This is where we learned about water rescue, throw bags, and trying to keep drowning people calm. I learnt a lot, mostly because this was my first time doing a real physical search, however, I expect to learn tons each time I go. Here is a brief list:

- Water proof boots are different than “water proof boots”. The big difference is the latter keeps water in, the former keeps water out. I own the latter.
- The heavier the brush, the more I wish I wore a jacket. Not the bugs, but the trees. I am covered in cuts and scrapes from various physical attacks by mother nature.
- Water water water. They suggest a min of 2L of water, I assumed being a mock search that wasn’t required. By the time I got home I drank half the Britta water jug in the fridge. Also, the less you drink, the faster you get tired.
- Flashlights. A headlamp is the best invention ever. It lets you navigate through swamps and have both hands free. I don’t have one. Also, my small 100 lumen flashlight that uses a cr123 battery is not what I need. Too small, too uncommon batteries, and (this is my opinion here) not bright enough. I want something big, easy to hold, and BRIGHT, also that uses AA batteries cause they are easy to get.
- Backup everything. Why? Once you take your backpack off to go help in the water, or whatever, you then leave behind all your gear. And that sucks.
- Waterproof everything. My biggest fear was falling into the swamp and destroying my iPhone.
- Change of clothes, or 3. We got wet. I was wet past the ankles before we found the beach. By the time I was given a through bag and told to rescue somebody, I had to drop my backpack, and run into the water, I got knee deep. As I mentioned about my boots, I should of had extra boots in the Jeep, and extra socks and pants in my bag.
- Good backpacks are worth there cost. The weight on my back doen’t bother me, I carried 50+lbs through Montreal for almost a week. Very tiring but, comfortable. My current SAR backpack is a cheap bag from my basement I found that used to be for school. The straps are narrow and have no padding. It cuts in and hurts after 10min.
- Camo sucks. In the daylight its fine, but at night, camo gear becomes invisible. Meaning if you put your backpack in the brush to help on a water rescue and you get back to shore and its pitch black. You will have a very hard time finding your gear. I helped a few find there bag. This is where good flashlights come in.
- The more gear you have, the more you will use. Essentially each blueline or shoreline team is given 1 throw bag. This is not enough. If someone is drowning, you should have 3 bags going at them, incase the first 2 miss.
- Throwing and aiming. A throw bag is hard. Espically when you realize the person is drowning and seconds count. I managed to hit a guy in the head… In a real situation, I don’t think the victim would appreciate that injury.