“Packing for a Deployment”

By: Richard S. Weisman, Pharm.D., ABAT

            Packing for a deployment is a critical step and could easily determine the success or failure of a deployment.  Prior planning for a deployment will determine if you arrive with everything you need, or if you will have to spend time and effort trying to find the things you forgot.   If we are not prepared to confront the challenges we may face, we can become part of the problem instead of part of the solution.  It could impact on our effectiveness as health care providers and the overall effectiveness of FL-5/IMSuRT-South.               

We are likely to be deploying to an area where stores have been destroyed or are temporarily closed.  On a previous deployment to Georgia for a hurricane, I was surprised to find that the convenience stores at truck-stops along the Interstate were all closed.  You really need to assume that you need to bring everything that you are going to need for the first 72 hours with you. 

I like to keep my pack in a ready-to-go mode, because I don’t want to spend any time before deploying, running around either trying to find or buy items I will need.  In the hours before the previous deployments, I have had to deal with some critical issues that can allow me to be away from my job and my family for up to 14 days.  I would not have had time to pack at the last minute.

            With each deployment I have learned a few little tricks (often the hard way) that subsequently make the next deployment easier.   I am certain that with my next deployment I will also learn more that will also need to be incorporated into my plan. You will generally find that the longer you are an active DMAT/IMSuRT member and the more deployments you go on, the more complete your pack will become.  Each year I have added a few items.  Every time I go into a sporting goods store, I find little things of interest. 

            The first step is purchasing the back-packs from a sporting goods store.   You will need a backpack with 24 hours worth of supplies, clothing and personal items and a larger pack for 7-14 days worth of supplies.   Several manufacturers such as HydraStorm®, Mountain Sport® and Columbia® make an array of different backpacks and large packs.  The leaders of the IMSuRT have decided that for uniformity, that the HydraStorm Tactician® will be the backpack of choice for IMSuRT deployments.  They have purchased about 40 of these backpacks and the current plan is that you will show up with the items you want to take and pack the HydraStorm Tactician® before you deploy.  I personally don’t think this is a great idea, because it really takes some time and thought to pack the backpack, to take full advantage of its compression packing system, and to get all of your “stuff” into the bag.  For just over $100.00, I bought my own HydraStorm Tactician®, and I will show up and not worry about packing.   You will have to figure out what works best for you. 

When you select equipment to purchase, look for durability (large zippers), lots of side pockets, a dark color, low weight,  and an appropriate size that balances allowing you to pack all that you need, physically carry all that you pack, and complies with the military (C-130), per person pack max. weight requirement of 66 lbs.            

The presence of wheels on the larger pack is controversial.   Military regulations require that every effort be made to maximize the stability of all pallets that are loaded on aircraft.  This means that the Aircraft Load Master may prohibit the loading on any object that could shift in flight.  If however, the pack can be placed on its back or side so that the wheels do not touch the ground it will not shift in flight.  I have heard that some Load Masters can be really strict so that you will have to decide how you want to approach this issue.  The pack that I purchased has wheels (that I think are very helpful) that when the pack is in the horizontal position, the wheels do not touch the ground.  The wheels also only stick-out about ¾” and could be easily covered with duct tape in a pinch.  When I deployed to Puerto Rico on a C-5, the Load Master didn’t care about the packs because the pallet was secured with pallet netting preventing any movement of the load.

BASIC CLOTHING (Zip-Lock) PACK:

I have found that packing unit-dose style is the easiest.   I start with a 2 gallon size zip-lock bag and place all of the clothing I will need for 24 hours in the bag.  The zip-lock bag serves 3 purposes: It keeps everything organized and easy to grab, and it seals your clothing against water and bugs.  When I first joined DMAT, I purchased 3 sets of clothing and then have added a new set each year.

1 – BDU Pants and Shirt

1- FL-5 DMAT/IMSuRT shirt

1- underwear

1- pair of socks

DEPLOYMENT Backpack:

            The backpack will stay with you at all times while you are in transit.  It should contain everything that you might need during the first 24 hours.  There may be a considerable delay before you are re-united with your larger bag so that all of you will need to have all essential items in your backpack.  I have found that I can maximize space, organization, and deter bugs and rain from damaging my gear by using “zip-lock” bags for all items of clothing.  I purchased both 1 and 2 gallon size bags.  I use these bags to build a basic “clothing pack”.  The contents are described below under clothing pack.

1-clothing zip-lock pack (see above)

1- Bath towel & wash cloth (in a zip-lock bag)

1-pair gym shorts/swim suit (to bathe in)

1- pair of scrubs [nightwear] (in a zip-lock bag)

1- small toiletry kit (all liquids in screw-top caps)

1-small flashlight

1-pair of work gloves

1- rain gear (small)

1-1oz bottle of Insect Repellent

1-3oz bottle of SunBlock (PF-30)

3-Small packs of facial tissue (A.K.A. toilet paper)

1-Letterman (multi-function tool kit)*

1-Sunglasses

1-Contact lens solution, mirror, case

1-Bic disposable cigarette lighter*

1-disposible plastic knife, fork spoon

3- 16oz Bottle Water

1-Small Tupperware container filled with snack food#

1- MRE (meal ready-to-eat)

1- Mosquito netting

1- 100 ft spool of nylon cord (small)

1-Disposable Mylar thermal blanket

1-small hiking compass

1-Inflatable pillow

1-small pack of fishing hooks

1-set of ear plugs

1-eye protection (goggles)

1-N-95 Respirator mask

1-stethoscope

1-pair of disposable surgical gloves

1-book to read

1-deck of cards

1-48hr supply of medications #

1-small camera

*May need to remove if taking Military Aircraft

DEPLOYMENT BAG (Large):

5-7 Clothing Zip-Lock Packs  (see above)

1- M65 Jacket (in 2 gallon zip-lock)

2- long sleeve,  grey Team Shirts (1 gallon zip-lock)

1- pair of sneakers

1- pair of scrubs (in 1 gallon zip-lock)

1-pair of “flip-flops” for shower, pool

5-extra pairs of socks (in 1gallon zip-lock)

5-extra pair of underwear (in 1 gallon zip-lock)

1-liner for M65 (in 2 gallon zip-lock)

1-pair of blue-jeans & two civilian shirts (in 2 gallon zip)

2-MRE’s

1-Larger Toiletry Bag (liquids in screw-top plastic bottles)

1- 14 day supply of medications #

Don’t forget to leave one pair of BDU’s hanging in your closet along with your boots, belt, and an FL-5 or IMSuRT shirt to wear “out the door”.

LAST MINUTE ITEMS/ISSUES:

1. Things to pack:

            Glasses (prescription and sun)

            Passport

            Immunization Card

            # Medications in both bags

            #Snack food in Tupperware

            Cell phone charger

            Credit Card

2. Get about $200.00 cash
3. Place DMAT  Base Op’s  Number on Refrigerator (954)-392-0883 for significant other(s).
4. Notify employer about the deployment (it should not be a surprise for your boss).
5. Make final plans for you to be away for 14 days.
6. Check batteries in flashlight and camera.

When you leave home for the deployment, knowing that you have everything you need will be very reassuring.  The only way that you can accomplish this is to have these bags packed and ready to go when you need them.