WRT Equipment List for Overnight Rescue Operations

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Equipment List for Winter Overnight Rescue Operations

The following equipment list is a guide to help you prepare for overnight winter operations. It is important to note that more items are listed than you will actually need to give you an idea of some of the equipment possibilities. "Must-Have" items are listed in bold red and should be considered essential to winter overnight rescue operations. Some items of equipment may be shared between members (e.g. food, first-aid supplies, cooking equipment, radios, rescue supplies, etc.). The term "synthetic" found in the clothing list, below, refers to materials such as pile, polypropylene, fleece of all types, lycra, etc..

Wicking (First) Layer
	Light weight synthetic top & bottom	Synthetic sock liners
	Extra light weight synthetic top	Synthetic briefs
	Synthetic glove liners	Vapor barrier socks

Insulating (Second) Layer
	Mid weight synthetic top	Fleece jacket (200 weight or greater)
	Expedition weight synthetic top	Down or synthetic fill jacket
	Mid weight synthetic bottoms	Wool or pile socks (first pair)
	Expedition weight synthetic bottoms	Wool or pile socks (second pair)
	Fleece pants (pref. full side zip, 200/300 wt.)	Mittens/gloves, wool or pile (first pair)
	Fleece hat or balaclava (pref. windproof)	Mittens/gloves, wool or pile (second pair)
	Extra fleece hat (pref. wind proof)	Face mask (wind proof)
	Neck-up (fleece)

Protective (Outer) Layer
	Jacket, water/wind proof with hood	Pants, water/wind proof with full side zips
	Over mittens/over gloves, water/wind proof	Gaiters, water/wind proof
	Double boots	goggles/glacier glasses

Essentials
	Headlamp with extra batteries	Multi-purpose tool
	Matches, wind/water proof	Duct tape
	Fire starter/candle	Safety pins
	Compass	Heat packs
	Map of subject area	Spare parts for stove, ice axe, crampons, and ski/snowshoe bindings
	2 Water bottles (1 liter or quart size, wide mouth with insulated covers)	Sewing kit
	Snowshoes and/or skis	Skins
	Poles (with avalanche probe option preferred)	Ski wax
	Avalanche shovel (for general utility)	Avalanche transceiver
	Whistle	Wire

Personal Stuff
	Personal Medications	Watch
	First-aid kit (personal)	Toilet paper
	Sun/wind block & lip balm	Tooth brush and paste
	Glasses or contacts

Packs
	Pack (5000 cu. in. [82 liters] or greater	Climbing/alpine pack
	Compression stuff sack	miscellaneous stuff sacks

Sleeping
	Sleeping bag (adequate for season)	Sleeping pad (5/8" or two, 1/2" thick; full length)
	Bivouac sack, water/wind proof

Cooking
	Stove & wind screen	Cup & spoon
	Fuel bottle with pump	Food (see note below)
	Pot with lid & pot grabber	12" X 12" pad & foil for under stove

Personal Technical and SAR Equipment
	Helmet	Crampons
	Harness	Ice axe
	Rescue 8 & locking carabiner	One, 17 cm ice screw
	4 locking carabiners	Light stick (min. 12 hours)
	2 Prussiks (made of prussik cord)	Chest harness
	25' cordelette	Signal smoke
	two, 48" sewn web loops	Strobe light

Climbing Equipment - Winter
	Ice screws	Sewn web loops, various lengths
	Technical ice hammer	Load limiters
	Technical ice axe	Climbing rope(s)
	Locking carabiners	Ascenders
	Carabiners	Stoppers and/or friends
	Pitons	Dead-man
	Belay device	Snow picket

Team Equipment Depending on the nature of the call-out, members will be asked to carry equipment that is essential to the operation. Therefore, members should use a pack which has adequate space to accommodate items of equipment other than their own (e.g., ropes, radios, first-aid equipment, etc.). Such a winter/expedition pack is typically about 5,000 to 6,000 cubic inches (82 to 98 liters). Ultimately, the size of the pack you will need depends upon the volume of equipment you will carry. The weight of your pack should be kept to a minimum...go as light as possible. As a general rule, total pack weight should not exceed approximately 30% of your body weight.

Food Overnight operations in the winter require personnel to have lots of energy to function and stay warm. Periods of extreme activity may be followed by long periods of inactivity, immobility, and waiting. Members should bring a "more than adequate" quantity of food (approximately 2 - 3 lbs. dry weight per person per day) which is compact, offers lots of energy/calories, requires minimal preparation and heating, tastes good, and is easy to eat.

Water Water is lost through perspiration and respiration. It is necessary to consume lots of water to stay hydrated. Good hydration (a minimum of 4 to 6 liters per day) is essential for proper digestion and the generation of body heat and, therefore, winter survival. Have at least two, 1 liter water bottles accessible at all times and be prepared to melt snow or ice for water if necessary.

Shelter As activity decreases getting out of the wind and cold becomes essential for survival. When selecting a campsite be sure that:

you are not in avalanche areas and run-out zones,
you avoid low-lying areas where cold air will settle,
when using a tent, the tent is not set up under trees that are loaded with snow that could "unload" on you.

Snow shelters offer excellent protection and when used with a sleeping pad, bivouac sack, and sleeping bag can provide a safe and cozy night's sleep.

Stove Safety Stoves produce carbon monoxide. Every year people die of carbon monoxide poisoning from cooking inside their tent or shelter. Don't be one of them. Always plan to cook outside the tent or snow cave. Always fill fuel tanks outside in the open. Only use insulation under the base of the stove. Never wrap any part of the stove with insulation. White fuel freezes at a much lower temperature than water so it can exist as a liquid at very low temperatures. White fuel also evaporates very quickly even at low temperatures and can cause significant evaporative cooling. Because of this low freezing temperature and high evaporation rate, white fuel can easily and quickly cause frostbite if spilled on bare skin in cold weather.

NOTE: There is much more to consider regarding any of the above listed topics. You should do your own research and get as much knowledge as possible. The real key, however, is getting out and getting experience with your gear. Once you have knowledge and experience you will develop judgement and will be able to determine what gear selections are best for you. BE SAFE AND ENJOY!