Possible Hurricane Deployment - Ideas??

A

ACMarina

Joined
Jun 27, 2004
Messages
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Got a call last night and I might be on my way to Florida to work some rescue ops for this hurricane Frances. Don't know many details except that they'll be flying us down to someplace and then hopping us on smaller planes to where we need to be.

Hopefully I'll get a list of stuff to pack, but I'm wanting other ideas of stuff to get. Obviously exclude stuff that'd be confisgated by TSA folks, so no massive fixed blades or anything like that. I'm going to be gone at least a week, so I'm thinking of a Surefire Aviator for the dual use of LED and bulb, maybe a multitool, but I need suggestions. As soon as I hear more on what I'm supposed to bring I'll let you all know. .
 
Ir depends on your role, but a good multitool with strong pliers and a wirebreaker will probably be used a LOT. Not to mention the screwdrivers and saw. Leatherman Wave or something similar. I just find a multitool is a godsend because of the things you have to do in that type of environment -- there are so many small but vital tasks they get used for. A small stout fixed blade that can pry as well as cut sent thru your checked luggage would a be an option as well, if you don;t want to carry a larger one.

Best,

~Brian.
 
You'll need to check your multitool anyway. Why not a small fixed blade, too? If not, get a strong folder, like a Buck/Strider. You'll even be able to do some light prying with it and a lot of cutting before that edge notices it.
 
ACMarina said:
Hopefully I'll get a list of stuff to pack, but I'm wanting other ideas of stuff to get. Obviously exclude stuff that'd be confisgated by TSA folks, so no massive fixed blades or anything like that. I'm going to be gone at least a week, so I'm thinking of a Surefire Aviator for the dual use of LED and bulb, maybe a multitool, but I need suggestions. As soon as I hear more on what I'm supposed to bring I'll let you all know. .
Click to expand...
personally, i wouldn't spend that load of money on the Surefire Aviator. you only get 1 hour of runtime on the xenon bulb and 50 hours of runtime on the LED's. that is not practical for a week of searching. especially when feeding it 123's that run you a dollar per battery, or more. and you WILL be using the xenon lamp 'cause i'm sure you'll find the LED's are not adequate for search and rescue. not to mention a replacement lamp for the Aviator costs almost a third of the price for the whole Petzl Myo 5. which leads me to my next question.

how about you look @ the Petzl Myo 5 instead?
- hands free use in case you have to dig someone out of rubble or pick up debris
- 4 hours of runtime on the main lamp vs. the Aviator's 1 hour (tho the Aviator's 1 hour is regulated)
- 100 hours of runtime on the LED's on high vs. the Aviator's 50 (Myo 5 also has 3 levels on the LED's - 100 hours on high, 110 hours on medium, 160 hours on low)
- is only slightly dimmer than that Aviator (by about 500 lux)
- runs on AA batteries
- you save $108.05 for other equipment

i'm not knocking the Aviator. it's super-tough with their HA3, got a great main beam that's regulated, 4 LED color options, and all the usual Surefire bells and whistles. i just don't think it's practical for hurricane search and rescue.

for a knives, i'd personally take my Spyderco Calypso Jr, Benchmade Nimravus 140, and see about sneaking in something like the Becker Tac Tool in case anything truly heavy duty came about. i can't comment on a multi-tool, 'cause i don't own any, but if i were going to spring for one i'd get Leatherman's Charge Ti. :D

Links -
Petzl Myo 5 - $76.95 + free shipping from Brightguy.com
Surefire Aviator - $185.00 + free shipping from Brightguy.com
PETLZ MYO 5 REVIEW - by Candlepowerforums.com member "Quickbeam"
SUREFIRE A2 REVIEW - by Candlepowerforums.com member "Quickbeam"

good luck down there, and try to stay dry ;)
 
BlindedByTheLite, here's the deal on flashlights. I've got all kinds of different stuff. I've got PT Matrix for diving, Aurora for dry, I've got hazardous location rated lights, LED-Converted Maglites, tactical lights, you name it. I recently got an Inova X5T, and I need something to use batteries so I can feed it. I don't have a Surefire yet, only because I never really had a reason to buy one. I'm figuring on this being the reason to buy that I've been looking for. I want a SF, if there's anything better than the Aviator let me know, but from the reviews I've seen it's the best thing going. I just don't know what color LEDs to get. .

I'm still crossing my fingers on being able to take military aircraft down there so knives won't be a problem. You guys have talked me into a fixed blade, though.

Folder - BM910
Fixed - Need ideas. Something strong, tough, not too custom as I'm gonna be using it. .
Multitool - What's best?
 
My Fehrman Last Chance, 5.5" blade, has performed wonders as a prybar AND a knife that really cuts. It is comfortable, has been abused, and it doesn't look any worse for wear (link to the site below). Don't know your budget, but another fixed blade choice in a cheaper range might be the TacTool from Camillus/Becker. I've used both in various environments from outdoors to tactical and they both serve many needs well. My choice of the two would be the Last Chance. Or, if you can carry a little larger, the First Strike is my ultimate all-around blade -- same design as the Last Chance, only 7.5". But in your environment, the 5.5" knife would probably be easier to carry. I posted some extensive comments in the "Chris Reeve or Ferhman for Survival" thread in the reviews section, if you care to learn details on how the knives have worked for me. Hope this helps, and God Bless you for dropping everything to go down and help in Florida.

http://www.fehrmanknives.com

Link to above mentioned thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=300298
 
ACMarina,
Water, Flashlight, Batteries, Multi-tool, Chainsaw. If I was you I would not be walking around Floirda with a large fixed bladed knife! Police and National Gaurd are eveywhere, and if your ID is not from the area you couls be hasseled

Ron Medise
Port Charlotte, Fl ( eye of Hurricane Charley )
 
Budget depends on how long I'm gone. For each week I'm gone I'm going to allot myself 400 dollars for stuff. Again, though, I'm gonna have to wait a little bit and see what travel arrangement are, because I'm not going to let some TSA guy take my knife away. Has anybody had any problem getting knives through checked luggage?? That's my biggest worry, once I get there I'd have no problems because I'd have a federal ID.

N2S, my bug spray is already packed :)
 
Hard to answer not knowing what you'll be doing???

Serving meals? Patrolling streets from looters?Shutting off gas/electric to damaged buildings?Search and rescue?

Who will you be working for /under? fire dept? Red cross etc. Will they provide real tools for the job?

That said i would take multi tool and a couple knives and a few lights.While i may bring my Surefire,I would plan on using maglights,leds etc.One hour will not get you far into the night.Lots of clothes and many socks as you'll be in water alot I guess?

Now I have found as a fireman in an urban area,that anything I can carry on my belt,in my pocket is a back up tool at best.If we go on a electrical problem someone will bring the "small tools" a large bag of full size tools.and everyone has a visegrip/channlelock plus screwdrivers in their bunker pockets.

I could not imagine doing any sort of 'rescue opps" with only a folder and multi tool.So if you won't be given any full sized tools I would bring them.

Well good luck and thanks for helping out. :)
 
ACMarina said:
BlindedByTheLite, here's the deal on flashlights. I've got all kinds of different stuff. I've got PT Matrix for diving, Aurora for dry, I've got hazardous location rated lights, LED-Converted Maglites, tactical lights, you name it. I recently got an Inova X5T, and I need something to use batteries so I can feed it. I don't have a Surefire yet, only because I never really had a reason to buy one. I'm figuring on this being the reason to buy that I've been looking for. I want a SF, if there's anything better than the Aviator let me know, but from the reviews I've seen it's the best thing going. I just don't know what color LEDs to get. .
Click to expand...
the Aviator is a very fine flashlight. i'd reccomend it with the white LED's tho, 'cause you pretty much can't go wrong with them.

i don't know if it's a good idea that we get into a Surefire discussion tho. just about all of their lights are amazing and would serve you as well as the next.

if faced with getting a Surefire, i would personally get the E2E and then get a KL4 luxeon attachment to swap off when i need a flood of light. but, that will run you about $30-something more expensive than the Aviator.

but, y'know what you should really do? you should get the 10X Dominator! haha, too bad it's $400-$500. :(

but yeah... you pretty much can't go wrong with any Surefire... i think the two most versatile options would be the Aviator you already have your eyes on (with white LED's), or the E2E/KL4 combination for $30-something more.

Links -
you've already got a link to the Aviator and Quickbeam's review, right?
Surefire E2E - $95.00/Surefire KL4 head - $125.00 + free shipping from Meridian Tactical.com
Surefire E2E review by CPF member "Quickbeam"
Surefire L4 review by CPF member "Quickbeam"
Surefire 10X Dominator - $500 from Meridian Tactical.com
Surefire 10X Dominator review by CPF member "Quickbeam"
(yeah i know it's a doubtful purchase, it's just fun to look @ tho, ain't it?)

Edit:
but i'm telling you man, you should take a Petlz Myo 5 or something. a Surefire is not ideal for a week-long search and rescue outing. not trying to be a pain in the ass. just trying to make your "vacation" easier on you.
 
not2sharp said:
Make sure to pack plenty of bug spray.

n2s
Click to expand...

Ditto that! The skeeters and no see ums down here think DEET is an after dinner drink so be sure and bring plenty.

How about a Swamp Rat Howling Rat or Bandicoot for a fixed? Not too big (~5" blade) and not so expensive that if it got lost it would hurt like a custom. Tuff as nails also.

Only multi tool I have is the Leatherman SuperTool. I like it, but have nothing to compare it to.

Hang around a bit, looks like Ivan is headed this way too.

Rob
 
Lone Hunter, I'll be under FEMA. From what I understand there's a ton of Red Cross action taking care of all of the food & shelter stuff. We'd probably be doing vital document recovery, damage assessments, utility control and stuff like that. I'm hoping for some situationally dependant tools like we've been given on other deployments, but I'm not holding my breath. We'll see.

Blinded, I'm already taking both of my headlamps. I'm also taking AAA LED, AA LED, C-Cell, D-Cell LED, and a 123-Cell LED. I just gots to have a SF :)

Jim, now that's what I wanted to hear!

Rob, I'd forgotten all about the no-see-ums. .crud. .

Well, I'm gonna buy a SF Aviator. Just because.
Fixed Blade is probably gonna be a Howling Rat. It's nice to support a local company. .
Multi-tool - I'm gonna go over to their forum and ask them. They'll just eat this up.

Thank for the help, guys!!
 
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