What’s In My Cruise Vest?
September 14, 2018 2:38 pm Leave your thoughts
A forester’s cruise vest carries all the gear needed for the day. Here are the essentials that you can always find in mine:
- First aid kit/Survival kit – These are definitely essential. You can never be sure that things will go safely when you’re in the field; with a first aid and survival kit on your person, you’re marginally more prepared to respond to a situation.
- WATER – My general rule with water is that once you think you have enough water with you, pack another liter. Dehydration can quickly cause a beautiful sunny day to become a day of heat exhaustion and misery.
- Snacks – Being hungry in the field is a horrible feeling. Keeping a few granola bars in your cruise vest could prevent you from becoming “hangry.”
- Flagging tape – There is nothing you can’t fix with a roll of flagging tape and a couple strips of duct tape! Seriously – if one of the Three Little Pigs had made a house using sticks and flagging tape, the wolf’s lungs would have given out trying to blow it down.
- InReach – This incredible little device allows me to communicate with the outside world when I am out of cell-service range. When I work alone, I use it to send my supervisor a text every three or four hours to let her know that I am fine and to give her my location. There’s also a handy SOS button (that I’m terrified I will accidentally push) that will dispatch immediate help to my transmitted location if I find myself in an absolute emergency!
- Tablet – My tablet is what I use to input all the inspections that I complete on roads and water crossings. I also use it as my navigation guide and reference book for Millar Western’s forest management area. Without it, I would probably be lost.
- Leatherman – I always have some form of multi-tool on me. You never know when a pair of pliers, a screwdriver, or a knife may come in handy!
- Compass – I keep my compass on me in case my tablet and phone die. As long as I know what direction my truck is in and can follow a bearing, I can get myself back to safety.
- Bear spray – This is pretty essential for anyone working in forestry. I’ve never had to dispense any spray, but having it easily accessible makes me more comfortable when I’m working alone. It doesn’t guarantee total protection from bears, but it can be helpful to buy you some time and distance to make it to safety!
- Extra layer – It may look like a beautiful day outside, but the weather can turn quickly! Bringing an additional layer may keep you warm from any cold Alberta winds.
- Measuring tape – I like to bring a measuring tape with me because I like to take thorough notes about features I see. When it comes to taking pictures and writing field notes, it’s nice to have a frame of reference for size.
- Bungee cord or ratchet strap – If I find anything neat in the field (I’m talking antlers or skulls here), I like to have an extra strap to secure it to my quad.
- Allergy medication – I, like many foresters, suffer from dreaded pollen allergies. Having medication handy allows me to continue work without feeling like my sinuses are trying to jump out of my face.
- Gloves – Always have a pair of gloves with you! They come in handy when quadding or when walking through the bush. Many foresters have fallen victim to grabbing onto devil’s club with bare hands when falling… Gloves at least put a layer between your hands and mean thorns!
Get outside and have a safe week, friends!