In response to SuperstitionGuy:
Cool. I will try to get out there for the meeting this month. I wasn't sure if they did all of their training in-house or what.

Hi SuperstitionGuy, I'm wondering how someone would go about joining SSAR. Their site says that you just need to show up for the meeting and then pass a background check to start training. Will I need to have the SAR skillset under my belt before applying? I'm an EMT currently, though I don't work a...

That sounds awesome! I may have to pick that up. I'm thinking of joining the Superstition SAR group.

I carry a beefed-up WEMT bag. It's really there for my own sense of security than for anything more, but you never know what kind of severely dehydrated yahoo might stumble your way... I have been looking to get some WEMT training. I'm currently an EMT-B, so everything I was taught is designed to k...

I recently got a Serpa CQC "sportser" holster. This is kind of a paddle holster but the paddle has hooks that hook on to your belt/pants when you wear it normally. I have a backpack with a waistbelt that is molle capable. I found that the bottom hook on the paddle holster fits perfectly on...

I have basically all of the BLS stuff I've been able to get my hands on, aside from CPR equipment.

My kit=
a couple rolls of tape
a bunch of alcohol preps
nitrile gloves
gauze rolls
EMT shears
4x4 gauze pads
medicine: aleve, excedrin, tylenol
various bandaid sizes
neosporin
paracord
a sharpie

I've taken to bringing my ka-bar on hikes, either in my pack, on my pack, or on my belt. All the trails around here are completely new to me, so I don't know what I might be getting into in terms of large predators/creepy people. I also have my CRKT M16, that never leaves my side, even in the city. ...

So, you see, I let some underdressed, uneducated teenagers influence my thinking more than all my wilderness experience combined. I tend to feel a bit overdressed too when I'm out on the trails. But I carry more gear than I need for a reason opposite to yours. I know that I'm inexperienced in the d...