Thats why I was trying to see what kind of electrical work. Do you use those Anderson Powerpoles on your 12v radios? Ideal has a pair of pliers that I found at lowes which works well to crimp those. I also have one of those crimpmaster tools which the interchangeable dies so you can crimp different kinds of cable.

Thanks for the input Matthew. And welcome. I knew there would be some rescue professionals offering better input. Good to know about the lighters and matches, I did not know about issues with those at airports (I don't fly). Any problems with the flint and steel? Could you include that with the regular kit if there is not any airport issues? The wind-up torch (That is a flashlight with a crank, right?) seems like a good idea - no extra batteries needed. But what if you have to work in the dark and need both hands? Like I said I am not a professional but this seems like it could be a likely scenario in a major catastrophe. A headlight could be a valuable addition to the kit. I am also trying to figure out how the kit items are to be stowed. Some of it seems to be large items (folding bucket, 4 t-shirts, life jacket, hat and such) that would not stow easily in pockets. I assume this is not intended to be a pocket sized personal kit. So does it all go in the Pelican case for travel, unpacked when you reach the site and place what will fit in the vest and other pockets? Stow the rest in the case and lock it up? Is it all loose and up to the individual to place where they want or are the smaller items (duct tape, twine, can opener, etc) in their own case (a kit if you will)? Is the universal bath plug useful for other than its intended purpose? Could you comment on some less obvious intended purposes of the items you list? For instance, the folding bucket, useful for a lot of different things but is it intended for a portable loo, carrying water, or something else? Maybe something medical? Vomit catcher or stowage for medical waste? I hope you and everyone else will forgive my ignorance.

Jerry, I looked at part of your original post.


I was just wondering if you are talking about a pocket-sized kit, or pack-sized? I would think both would probably be a good idea. A little redundancy never hurt anybody. Do you want just kit items or can we add personal items not neccessarily part of the kit to our list? For instance, I did not put a hat on my list because I figured someone would already be wearing one. For a pack-sized kit I would add some mosquito netting, maybe a hammock (I am thinking you would not want to sleep on the ground in Haiti - snakes, spiders, etc), shovel, tarps and so on. Sorry to ramble but it seems everyone has a different take as to what comprises a personal kit. Perhaps we should allow categories here for items on person (hat, sunglasses, gloves), items in pocket kit, and items in pack kit. I know the pros take this for granted but for the average joes like me it would be a big help. Carry on.

Second the fanny pack with critical gear - ID, cell phone, meds, sanitizer, flashlight, TP (mission critical). There are no 7-11's handy so triple spares of glasses, meds, disposables, sunscreen, personal FAK/ toiletries.

This is a guess from far away but I suspect that most people going to an event will be spending the nights in large camps with other rescuers. From that I would guess that there will much of some stuff and critical shortages of other stuff.

What I might pack for working "in camp."

wet wipes
unique looking bottle/ mug for water
flasks of non-water beverages
batteries, them more.
solar/ crank charger for whatever electronics you are carrying.
locks for your gear
cash
jumbo repair kit
music player
plastic bags/ boxes ( dust)

It is a hot dusty environment. expect to be outdoors/ semi outdoors for weeks

sunscreen
sunglasses (case) spares / wipes
hat
chapsticks


trade goods: ( for your team)
any chocolate that can take 95 degrees
pens
tiny snacks of any kind( powerded drink mixes)
earplugs ( box)
any sort of caffeine


Again, these are guesses - but might be a good place to start

TRO

I would certainly go with leather, with a gore lining if preferred. Colour doesn't matter, but leather doesn't absorb anything nasty as readily as fabric or suede.

Yep

http://www.thegallos.com/ppole.htm

The "optimization" of a tool (not neccessarily the electrical one in question, just as a general rule) should generally depend on the user. Electrical is good for electricians, but maybe not so much for medical personnel. They may do better with a more basic tool.

Golly, what a lot of questions while I was asleep. As the thread was personal equipment, that is all that I listed. Let me give you a fuller picture.

The IT&T ERU's (there only 5 in the world, one in the USA) task is to provide the office communications services so that the Red Cross can function independant of infrastructure. To that end we deploy with comprehensive tool kits, satellite terminals, HF, VHF, solar panels, generator, WiFi PCs and office periferals. Thus on arrival we need make no demands on local resources. In additon the IFRC has a standard list of equipment so that (in theory) we all arrive with compatible equipment. An informed decsision is made as to what is needed immediatley and what can be sent later if required. Where possible all the equipment travels as personal luggage so that we are fully equipped on arrival and it seems to cost no more than shipping freight.

The equipment for personal survival/working is packed in modules so that no more is carried than required, but some sort of meagre existance is possible should we misjudge what was needed.

The SOG has needle nosed pliers, wire strippers, scissors, knife, saw, awl, 1/4" drive for socket spanners and assorted screwdrivers. It is black and engraved to reduce the chance of it being picked up by "accident". It's main function is morale and team builing, they are issued when training is completed. Team members are expected to safely manage energy all the way from petrol in the can, through the generator to EM waves in the atmosphere.

The Personal Deployment pack contains all on the list below it (it is a bugger to make it all fit). The lifejacket looks like a fannypack on a waistbelt but does a proper job of keeping an unconscious body in the right attitude. The strobe and heliograph are tied to the lifejacket for obvious reasons.

The wind up flash light is the size of a postage stamp and is a last resort, individuals are expected to supply their own headlamps. The T shirts are really for trade/gifts, to say thankyou to your driver, that sort of thing. The bucket and/or bath plug, with the laundry liquid, enable you to keep your clothes fresh (don't forget we are there to work, not simply survive). I simply assume that the flint and steel will not be recognised by airport security staff.

Sorry, this is becoming a long post. Lastly let me tell you what I advise people to carry in their hand baggage on the plane, same philosphy as above but personal purchase not supplied by NZRC:

Water bladder
Lightweight poncho
Folding umbrella
Sun glasses
Sunhat
USB stick with operational information, images of passports and credit cards, reference library
Pen, pencil and notepad
Small flashlight
2 complete changes of clothes
laundry liquid (bottle smaller than 100ml)
Ipod with noise cancelling headphones
Book
body warmer
light weight rain jacket
Shoes (I wear my boots on the plane)
Wash kit
Sleeping kit
Pain killers
Headlamp
Hammock
Silk sheet sleeping bag
This all adds up to 11Kg, fortunately my hand baggage (backpack) is rarely weighed

I carry money, travel documents and passports on my person.

Phew, that's it, thank you for your patience

Matthew

Sorry to tax you like that Matthew. We (or at least I) are a curious bunch and will ask a lot of questions. The other pros in the forum probably less so. I would like to have been (and would still like to be) a rescue professional or volunteer in some capacity but personal responsibility with regard to my medical condition has kept me from persuing that route. What good would a diabetic having an insulin reaction be to a group of lost hikers? Or to someone trapped in a building? For the same reasons I could not pursue a career in police, fire, or ambulance services. I would have liked to serve in our nations military but they will not accept diabetics in the ranks either. No way to get a Commercial Drivers License or pilot license either. Fate is truly a fickle thing.
Sorry to ramble and run off course. Nice post BTW, appreciate the info and clarification.

Mark,

There are many roles you can fill despite your medical condition.

If your blood sugar is under control, there is no reason you could not become an EMT. I personally know several EMTs with diabetes both insulin and non-insulin dependant.

Every Volunteer Fire Company I know is always looking for logistical support, which does not require one to be in prime physical condition. Administrative roles for fund raising, bookkeeping, EMS billing, fire prevention education, CPR and First Aid instruction and general station duties. Operational roles could include: EMT, Fire Police, and manning Rehab and Logistical units.

Don’t sell yourself short; you can be a very valuable and productive member of any Fire/Rescue company. Now get busy, no more excuses !

Pete

Look up Ideal 35-1071 at lowes, under $10 and seems to be made for the powerpoles. I have a some and have made adapters from the automotive plug to them and back.