I need some gear and general advise....

Hello, I am truly a new guy to the rappelling scene. I have been given an opportunity to become a search and rescue coordinator and will be doing some rope work (with lots of training) and short haul work from a helicopter. I have to supply my own gear and they supply the training and overtime....

I believe I need a Class III harness for the helicopter work and would probably prefer a full body any how. That being said I probably have to buy used gear because I am on a budget. I am a larger guy and will probably need a harness that falls in to the XL category. I have seen some "riggers" harnesses at great prices but am certain these are not intended for rappelling work. Any suggestions on where to look? I need all the help I can get. At this point I really have no idea what I am doing or have gotten in to.

Thanks
Travis

Travis,

Try asking on Supertopo.com forums

The person you seek is W(erner)Braun

Jim

Thank you! I will check them out!

Travis -
Look for an AMGA guide in your area. 1/2 a day spent with a guide (let them know what you want, they'll be happy to customize) will make a world of difference. Once you have that baseline knowledge, searching online forums will make a lot more sense.

amga.com/hire-a-guide/

My agency will be sending me to training as it becomes available. Hopefully the sooner the better. I will be hanging out with our SAR guys a bit also. Most of them are experienced rope workers and a wealth of knowledge. Fortunately I live in the middle of some great areas to train. As this develops I hope to make it not only work related but a hobby. I could stand to get back in to better shape (other than round which I currently am) and get back to spending some time outdoors.

I hope this does not come off the wrong way but who made the decision to put you in charge of rescue if you have no experience, gear or how to use the gear?

A search and rescue coordinator is not in charge of search and rescue. I work for the Sheriffs Office and will be on scene trying to ensure that all entities are working well together.... Search and Rescue does the obvious ( searching and rescuing), the Helicopter is Highway Patrols, any emergency medical or fire department will be coming from whatever jurisdiction we are in at the time, Mounted and Jeep Posse and well as the regular Sheriff Posse may also be involved. These are all separate groups with different leaders running them.

That being said, we have a belief that if I am on scene, I need to be able to jump in and help if needed.we are a very large county and have little manpower. Combine that with vast forest service lands, mountain terrain, help is at times a long ways out. I am not a person who will stand on the sidelines and watch when I could heave potentially helped when needed. I am being given the opportunity to obtain training that I would be unlikely to have participated in otherwise...

Should have been advice.... Typing from a phone with spell check creates interesting sentence structures and phrases at times.....

Should have been advice.... Typing from a phone with spell check creates interesting sentence structures and phrases at times.....