The One Piece of Gear a Search-and-Rescue K9 Handler Won’t Leave Home Without

One day, he’s flying deep into remote mountains, searching for missing hikers. The next, he’s called in for something as small as a lost set of car keys.

As a seasoned dog handler with Colorado Search and Rescue Association (CSAR), Jay Christianson and his canine partner, Saxby, simply go wherever they’re needed.

Adventure’s Best Friend: This article is part of a series of stories and gear reviews about adventuring with dogs. Want more? Check out the complete collection.

Every piece of gear Christianson carries serves a critical purpose. From high-tech GPS trackers to rugged harnesses designed for rappelling to a simple Leatherman, nothing in his kit is arbitrary.

But there’s one piece of gear he simply won’t head into the field without, and it’s probably the answer you’d expect.

“It’s my chest pack,” Christianson says. “I’d be all thumbs without it.”

Ray Allen Manufacturing

In a rescue scenario, where every second counts, quick and efficient access to essential tools isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. “Part of the value of that chest rig is that it gives you the ability to not have to stop, take off your pack and dig through it to find what you want,” Christianson says.

While the CSAR doesn’t officially endorse products, Christianson likes the Ray Allen Dog Trainer Fanny Pack (DTFP), worn as a chest rig, for personal use.

Ray Allen Manufacturing

In many ways, it functions as a mobile command center, holding his phone, maps, GPS, radio and other mission-critical essentials. Instead of fumbling through a backpack or searching his pockets, everything is right where he needs it.

The DTFP’s intuitive layout and accessible compartments make it invaluable. “ We are literally first responders. When you call 911, we go out and find you,” he explains. “ So I have a whole list that I carry around.”

Though each piece of gear is undeniably crucial, the DTFP remains the piece that holds it all together with secure interior pockets and industrial Velcro on the exterior for quick access.

It’s not the flashiest piece of gear, Christianson admits. But it can save your butt if things go sideways. It also proves just as valuable during training, which makes up the bulk of a SAR handler’s time.

“It’s at least eight hours a month in any discipline your dog is certified in,” said Christianson. During that time he and Saxby only have the gear on their back (or chest) to aid them.

Ray Allen Manufacturing

Consider, for instance, that missions and training protocols often unfold in unpredictable environments — dense forests, rugged mountains, even urban disaster zones. “We’re trudging around in the woods with a dog and gear and weather all over the map,” he said.

In these situations, with a 70-pound Saxby tethered to him, eagerly trying to find whoever or whatever is lost, being hands free with your tools at the ready isn’t only convenient but paramount to safety.

“ I’ve been pulled down in deadfall,” Christianson says. “And had I been carrying anything, it would have broken in the fall. Or I may have even broken my hands themselves.”

In other words, the DTFP is his secret weapon in staying ready for anything.

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