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#234420 - 10/25/11 03:33 PM Re: A simple kit for kids [Re: Denis]
clearwater Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 03/19/05
Posts: 1177
Loc: Channeled Scablands
I really like this. Especially the part where you reassure the
child adults won't be angry with them.

Searchers hate it when the subjects hide or travel due to embarrassment about being lost. Or fines.

This applies to adults too.
Perhaps some of these type instructions should be included on
training and reference material for adults.

(If my baby was getting bitten by a lot of skeeters and there was
West Nile in the area, I wouldn't fault a new mom for calling
for help from the middle of a corn maze.)

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#234422 - 10/25/11 04:10 PM Re: A simple kit for kids [Re: Denis]
LesSnyder Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 07/11/10
Posts: 1680
Loc: New Port Richey, Fla
Denis... nice job... a suggestion...include a piece of silvered mylar to the back of the laminated directions to act as a signal mirror, have the parents buy some Scotch reflective tape, and tape the edges of both sides of the card with reflective tape...add a hole to the corner, a small length of monofiliament line, and a snap swivel to the free end to hook to a low branch for a wind driven oscillating reflector when not actively using the mirror...

possibly a second bag for ground cloth, or lower bivvy bag

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#234423 - 10/25/11 04:15 PM Re: A simple kit for kids [Re: Denis]
Colourful Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 11/14/07
Posts: 87
Loc: Yukon
How about pictograms or symbols instead of written instructions?

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#234433 - 10/25/11 07:24 PM Re: A simple kit for kids [Re: Denis]
frediver Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 05/17/04
Posts: 215
Loc: N.Cal.
Great kit:
agree on the flashlight inst. but perhaps that could
be covered with a demonstration when you hand out the kit.

One item I would consider added or perhaps replacing is the
florescent tape, you need more of it.
Replace it with a survey roll 150ft in the kit.
If someone gets lost teach them to tie off one end of the roll
and unroll the entire 150ft. in a line across a terrain feature, trail, uphill, a line away from a creek etc.
then tie the end to there belt or tree they are hugging. By doing this
someone will be sure to cross the line during a search and follow it
to the "camper". Survey tape work 24/7 used in this manner.

You have no idea how often a searcher will come close and pass a target without seeing them. This happens for many reasons, a sleeper, fright, hidden in a shelter etc. etc. its easier than you think.


Edited by frediver (10/25/11 07:25 PM)

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#234435 - 10/25/11 08:31 PM Re: A simple kit for kids [Re: Denis]
sotto Offline
Addict

Registered: 06/04/03
Posts: 450
Very nice kit and note card.

I've been thinking of making up one of these for a little guy I know.

Me. ;-)

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#234446 - 10/25/11 10:49 PM Re: A simple kit for kids [Re: Denis]
Susan Offline
Geezer

Registered: 01/21/04
Posts: 5163
Loc: W. WA
Very nice, very well thought out!

It might not hurt to actually run the kids through a "practice session" in a park or private property, to actually have them think about, and go through, what they need to do for the real thing. Then, if they need to actually use the kit, they will have 'experience' to fall back on, so it's embedded, which may help to avoid panic.

Sue

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#234450 - 10/25/11 11:21 PM Re: A simple kit for kids [Re: Susan]
chaosmagnet Offline
Sheriff
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 12/03/09
Posts: 3819
Loc: USA
Originally Posted By: Susan
It might not hurt to actually run the kids through a "practice session" in a park or private property


We did that with the Brownie Troop, and I think it really got them thinking about what they need to do.

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#234469 - 10/26/11 02:52 AM Re: A simple kit for kids [Re: chaosmagnet]
jzmtl Offline
Addict

Registered: 03/18/10
Posts: 530
Loc: Montreal Canada
If you were to switch the turtle light for one from dealextreme it'll cut the cost of the kit by over 30%.

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#234474 - 10/26/11 04:51 AM Re: A simple kit for kids [Re: Denis]
Denis Offline
Addict

Registered: 01/09/09
Posts: 631
Loc: Calgary, AB
Thanks for the encouragement and feedback. There are definately some good things to consider if I do a v2 of the kit and/or training.

Originally Posted By: bws48
Perhaps under the "Make yourself seen" instruction, add something like "at night, turn on light to blink mode and keep it on outside your cloths or the bag if you are wearing it. Since there is no mirror in the kit, delete that instruction and use the light instruction instead. Proper use of a mirror to signal an aircraft/helicopter is probably too advanced for this level. The blinking light IMO is better.

Good call; I did cover this with the kids but it would make sense to be on the card. When I wrote the card I was still thinking I'd include a mirror, but it would've doubled the cost and we ultimately figured that for its usefulness given our goals it just wasn't worth the cost.

Originally Posted By: Colorama
How about pictograms or symbols instead of written instructions?

I really like this idea and agree this could be very useful. I just have no idea how I'd do this smile.

Originally Posted By: jzmtl
If you were to switch the turtle light for one from dealextreme it'll cut the cost of the kit by over 30%.

I definitely think there is room to improve the cost of this kit. I planned & put together these in a couple days so the costs are definitely last minute, found locally shopping costs smile.
_________________________
Victory awaits him who has everything in order — luck, people call it. Defeat is certain for him who has neglected to take the necessary precautions in time; this is called bad luck. Roald Amundsen

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#234486 - 10/26/11 01:18 PM Re: A simple kit for kids [Re: Denis]
bacpacjac Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 3601
Loc: Ontario, Canada
I like this kit Denis. The only thing I'd add, provided the budget magically appears, would a lanyard. Less chance of the kit falling out of a pocket that way. wink
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