Gear - LONG ISLAND GROUP

Most -if not all- of the items on the gear list can be found affordably and locally at the following stores:

If you're dead set on going the military gear route check out one of these recommended vendors:

The Hock Shop

Army-Navy Superstores

Cheaper Than Dirt

Blackhawk Industries

Eagle Industries

Brigade Quartermasters

And of course there's Ebay

Please read the FAQs below before making any gear purchasing considerations.

LINKS OR REFERENCES TO INDIVIDUALS OR COMPANIES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ENDORSEMENT OF ANY INFORMATION, PRODUCT OR SERVICE YOU MAY RECEIVE FROM SUCH SOURCES.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Gear

Please visit this page for Gear FAQ's, if you can't find an answer to a question you have just ask.

Trainees attending the Advanced Academy or higher pay close attention.

Q: Map case do I really need all that stuff in the map case?

A: Yes, yes, yes! And don't forget your compass.

Trainees attending the Expert Academy or higher this pertains to you!

Q: Do I need to bring a laptop?

A: Laptops aren't as appropriate in the field as they are in the classroom portion. Just make sure you have copies of all forms pertinent to GT operations such as ground interrogation forms, GT clearance forms, any SAR related manual or reading you may want. Print plenty out before hand, but also bring a flash drive with the files themselves because we may or may not have a printer.

Q: Extra batteries for the DF?

A: We won't have them so you'd better.

Q: Digital Camera?

A: The NTSB loves pictures, so does mission base. Oh, and also the LIGSAR website needs new ones don't you think? However, we don't advise you bring your prized $500 camera.

Packing your gear:

The most important thing to consider while packing your gear is compact functionality. In other words, only pack items that are as small as possible with the highest level of usefulness. Try to fit all the gear you can into as few packs or bags as possible without having to carry any leftover items. This will help you move fluidly through varying terrain without your poorly packed gear getting caught every 20 meters (slowing you and your team down.) Periodically practice packing and unpacking your gear by pulling out all the items including your sleeping bag (unroll this completely), and repack everything back up into a tight package. Evaluate which items give you trouble, and then take measures to streamline this process until you can locate items in your pack quickly and in the dark. You will have to do this multiple times throughout the academy, and there's little time to waste.

We will update this as more questions are asked of the staff. But as always feel free to ask any questions you may think of via email, or through the forums on LIGSAR.org where students past and present will be more than happy to help you out. The Academy Staff looks forward to see you again, or meet you for the first time.

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