Guide for ES Gear (Purchasing, Prep, etc.)

[JC004]

Other than the limited gear guidance for ground team member (and UDF) equipment, does anyone know of a CAP guide to purchasing considerations and otherwise preparing your gear?

I used to teach a well-developed UDF individual equipment class and a decent Ground Team Member equipment class, so I'd like to update these classes and prepare a handout for each.

If there isn't already a guide out there from a squadron or wing that locally produced something, would folks be interested such a guide?  I'd be happy to share it, if I have to write my own.

I'd like to include tips like what to consider when purchasing (material, features, color, etc.), and packing/prep (like using glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls, packing gear securely, waterproofing, or adding a nametape to your pack).

What tips would you include?  Any special product you like?  (I like S-Biners from Nite Ize, for example).

[arajca]

My I suggest making two lists. One for "Entry Level" or "seeing if UDF/GTM is right for me" and another for "I'm into this. How can I get better?" We all, I think, have seen those members (cadet AND senior) who go out and dump a bunch of money on high end, super fancy gear only to find they don't enjoy the UDF/GTM job then complain about how much they wasted. The "Entry Level" should list good quality but inexpensive gear. Also note which gear would be frequently used, i.e. compass, and which would be seldom used, i.e. mylar/emergency blanket, to provide guidance on the most effective expenditure of funds for equipment.

[jeders]

+1 to what arajca said. When you're getting started, school back packs, bottled water, and inexpensive gear is important when starting out. It allows you to get going without wasting a bunch of money, especially since not everything on the gear list is required to get qualified. When I started, I got the $40 or so survival kit from Wal-Mart and a $10-$15 Sylva compass that handled most of what I needed. In fact, I still have and use some of that Wal-Mart gear as well as the compass.

The other thing that I would say is that, while military surplus gear is cheap and readily available, if you are going to spend a bunch of money on gear just to look Tacti-Kewl, don't. Take that money and use it to buy good functional Hi-Viz gear.

...like using glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls...

I've never heard that one, but I would like to try it. I don't suppose you have a source for them.

[JC004]

My I suggest making two lists. One for "Entry Level" or "seeing if UDF/GTM is right for me" and another for "I'm into this. How can I get better?" We all, I think, have seen those members (cadet AND senior) who go out and dump a bunch of money on high end, super fancy gear only to find they don't enjoy the UDF/GTM job then complain about how much they wasted. The "Entry Level" should list good quality but inexpensive gear. Also note which gear would be frequently used, i.e. compass, and which would be seldom used, i.e. mylar/emergency blanket, to provide guidance on the most effective expenditure of funds for equipment.

I was thinking of including some different price level information, but a second list might be a good option if there's too much info.  Definitely a good thought.

...

...like using glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls...

I've never heard that one, but I would like to try it. I don't suppose you have a source for them.

I've never seen someone in CAP do it, but the idea came to me after fumbling with stuff, and I looked up some options.  I also recommend attaching one to your flashlight.

You have a few options.

These are made for tents rather than bags, but hey...
http://www.campsaver.com/msr-night-glow-zipper-pulls?gclid=COWMn7-vgMICFYUF7AodfCkAuA

There's also:
http://www.arrowhead-equipment.com/store/p353/Glow_Mini_Zipper_Pull.html
http://www.countycomm.com/cordlock.html
https://www.etsy.com/listing/91397428/4-paracord-zipper-pulls-nexus-glow-in

These Canadians do glow-in-the-dark nametapes that work well on gear:
http://www.patchpanel.ca/