Flashlights,
several ! Don’t have just one
Headlamp
(i.e. Streamlight headlamp)
Handheld
flashlight: Pelican, waterproof
Streamlight - $100 or Scorpion ($70) (Best!)
Maglights – big ones OK
Know how long your battery lasts
Have spare bulb and batteries
Don’t use all the time, pulse light
Scan ahead of you, turn off
Saves batteries, saves vision
Cup light with hand to block part of beam
Night
vision
Rods & Cones in retina
Cones, in central part, Fovea / Macula
Color,
fine detail, need a lot of light
Rods, not in Macula
Low
light, movement, not good with color
Do
not respond to red light
Desensitized (very quickly) by light
Takes
20-30 min to fully re-sensitize (dark adapt)
Takes several minutes to acclimate to low light conditions (30 fully)
Objects you stare at disappear, keep your eyes scanning
Look for shapes, shadows, contrast and movement
Don’t shine light into other searchers eyes, even from far away
Red lenses on lights help preserve night vision
If using white light, use dim setting or block beam 95% when reading
a map
Red reflex, tapedal reflex, Bott’s dots,
You can see animals looking at you. Hold flashlight on your nose
Use binoculars at night, work great
Urban
Go slowly
Beware of backyards at night, any neighborhood
Home owners with shotguns protecting their family
Dogs loose or in yards
Don’t stand in front of windows
Don’t be backlit – always be aware of where you are and who can
see you.
City Streets
Dog on 25’ lead. People
can't see much at night
No cowbells
Use a patrol car to follow you on streets
Wilderness
Go slowly
Snakes other animals come out at night to eat.
You? Your dog?
Hazards not as easily visible Cactus, gopher holes, etc.
Landmarks not easily visible, easy to get disoriented
Use high - distant references
Realize stars / constellations move East to West
Want
to hide?
If you use a light to see, others can easily see you from long
distances
Smokers: Lighters / matches easily seen
Don’t look at people you are hiding from – red reflex
You can hide in plain site. Look
for others’ stupidity
Take
advantage of when people use white light or light a cigarette
Cyalume
Sticks
American Cyanamid company
Inside
vial: Dilute H2O2 in a phthalic ester solvent
Outside:
phenyl oxalate ester + dye
Reaction:
H202 oxalate ester – Chemical Luminescence
Time: 1, 4, 12 hours. Green
/ white are best. Red, low light
Buy at Halloween sales and keep in fridge
Heat degrades chemicals, short life span in car or pack
Great for trail marking
Mantracks, evidence, campsite
Great dog illuminator
Know which direction dog is working
Know if dog looking at you
Wintergreen Certs work also
Dog
– Your dog can see much better
than you (prob 10x)
Tapedal membrane on retina
Watch your dog’s head and ears for clues
Down your dog and watch for a response
Don’t flashblind your dog with your light
Illuminate your dog to read them when they’re not looking at you
Shabrac – Yes or
no, Depends on who you're looking for
Cyalume
light stick- yes or no, same as Shabrac
What
are you searching for?
Criminal – wear dark clothing
Missing hiker – wear orange or white
Dehydration
Don’t be lulled into thinking that since the sun’s not out,
you don’t need as much water.
Perspiration, evaporation, exercise. Know humidity. Drink!
Hypothermia
Easy at night.
Sweat when you work, cold when you stop for a rest.
Wind a great factor.
Go Slow, keep your eyes and other senses wide open, be safe and find ‘em
Click on the logo for more SAR educational materials
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