Clothing Standards

Searches can occur in good weather, but we are often called out because poor weather conditions threaten the missing person. Temperature, precipitation and wind can threaten not only their lives, but also yours, so be sure you are prepared for the conditions at the search, whatever they may be.

Principles:

• Wicking: Having moisture next to your skin can cause blisters, and in cold weather make you cold and miserable. Materials like polypropelene conduct moisture away from your skin, as a wick conducts wax to the flame of a candle, keeping you dry. Cotton retains moisture like a sponge, (that's why it is used to make towels) making it a poor choice for socks or clothing in wet or sweaty conditions.
• Warm When Wet: Most clothing insulates by retaining pockets of air. The air does the work, while the clothing acts to keep the pockets intact. Down jackets, comforters, and thick quilts work this way. However, when these materials get wet, they cannot keep you warm.
  Warm when wet materials, like polyester fleece and wool, can keep you warm even when soaking wet. Sopping wet wool has been found to be warmer than even dry cotton.
• Layering: Multiple thin layers will keep you warmer than a single thick layer, as heat has to pass through each layer to leave your body. By dressing in layers, you can also adjust your clothing to keep comfortable. Conditions can quickly change during a search. For instance, members of PVRG went on a hike along the Appalachian Trail a few years ago. It started out very cold, with snow on the ground but as time passed, the sun came out and the temperature rose to 60 degrees. If you wear a single sweatshirt, you can only roll up your sleeves or remove the shirt, which will probably leave you either sweating or freezing. If you wear multiple layers, you can take off or add a layer as needed. It is best to arrange layers so that you only have to add or remove to the outermost layer, and aren't juggling shirts on the trail. Also, layering insures that you always have enough clothing around. In an emergency, a spare shirt could be used as a sling, cut into strips and used as cord, burned, as a flag, etc.
• Dressing Cold: In cold weather it's not good to break a sweat. When you stop hiking, the sweat will cool you down rapidly, and you'll be wet to boot. In some cases, it's a good idea to "dress cold", or wear just enough clothing to stay warm when you're burning calories by being active on the search. When you stop to take a break, you will cool off, but not as much as you would if you were soaked with sweat. Extra clothing can go in your pack, or be left with the rest of your stuff at base.
• Durablity and Utility: It's a good idea to get clothing that can stand up to thorns, mud, climbing over rocks, etc. Also good to have pockets, zippers, hoods, anything to maximize the usefulness of the clothing.

Minimum Clothing Standards:

• Wind/Rain Protection
• Layers to keep you dry and comfortable for the conditions
• Good, broken-in boots or shoes

Rain Gear

• Plastic Poncho: Good for heavy rains and warm summer storms
  • Pros: Cheap, compact, easy to find or make from garbage bags, one size fits all, totally waterproof, disposable, covers backpack as well, and can be used for shelter
  • Cons: Not durable, leads to sweat condensation, not very good in windy or cold conditions, sides are open to elements
• Nylon poncho or jacket: Good for light rains, from spring to fall.
  • Pros: More breathable than plastic poncho, more durable. Jacket offers more coverage than poncho and is better in the wind, some have pockets or zippers. Poncho can cover backpack and be used as shelter.
  • Cons: Not totally wind or waterproof, poncho has open sides
• Rain Coat
  • Pros: good in wind
  • Cons: Can't cover backpack, be used as shelter, not as compact as other options
• Waterproofed Winter Coat
  • Some winter coats are made of Gore-tex or similar materials, and are waterproof as well as warm. Many coats can be made waterproof using special chemicals in the washing machine, which allows the coat to still breathe. These are good for winter operations. Insulation and waterproofing in one layer.
  • Cons: can't cover backpack or be used as shelter, too warm in any other season, not very compact.

Pants

• Jeans: the worst of all pants in the rain, jeans have a tight weave and will keep you wet and cold for hours.
• Cotton pants: hold water, keep you wet, lose insulation power, a bad idea if there's even the chance of rain. Cotton/synthetic blends slightly better
• BDU's: recommended by the ASRC and other groups, surplus Battle Dress Uniform pants are made of special synthetics, and will keep you warm when wet. Excellent choice year round when combined with other layers, like long underwear.
• Rain pants: good choice when combined with other layers.

Layers To Keep You Comfortable

• Not cotton, if possible. This includes denim and T-shirts.
• Blue BDUs are recommended, as they don't rip, are durable, and stay warm when wet. They have buttoning pockets, a button fly, drawstrings at the ankles, and will work without a belt. Excellent pants all around.
• Try to use wicking materials close to your skin, with layers of warm when wet clothing on top.
• A good winter jacket/parka is a good idea in winter, as are long underwear
• Shorts aren't a very good idea, even in summer. Long pants will keep thorns, nettles, and ticks from making you miserable.

Sturdy Shoes or Boots

Something you can walk over rocks, trails, through wet fields, snow without hurting your ankles or soaking your feet. Should be sturdy and preferably water resistant or waterproof.

• Sneakers/Tennis Shoes: can work with good socks and changes of them, ie wool or polypro socks.
• Trail Shoes: even better.
• Hiking Boots: best choice, ankle protection, some are waterproof or resistant.
• Combat Boots: good choice if you're used to them, ankle protect

Suggested other things:

• Gloves: to keep your hands warm, but leather gloves are also handy in that they protect you from thorns, abrasions from ropes, and in handling the litter
• An extra pair of socks: It's always nice to have a nice clean dry pair of socks to change into.
• Hat: Keep your head dry and comfortable, and keep the sun out of your eyes.
  • Broad Brimmed: sun, rain protection, not very good insulation.
  • Wool/watch cap: good insulation, not good sun or rain.
  • Baseball Cap: good sun, ok rain not good insulation, good with a hooded coat.
• Sunglasses: good for reducing glare, yellow filters help pick out details in woods, but may make colors more difficult to interpret
• Sunscreen: to protect your skin, even in winter
• Bug repellent: to keep from getting bitten
• Lip Balm: Protect your lips
• Gaiters: keeps leaves and moisture from getting into the tops of your boots