First Year CARDA Expenses

These are estimates of typical first year costs to handlers. As CARDA is 100% volunteer, there will be no reimbursement from the organization for any of these expenses. These expenses include neither the approximately 10 hours a week that you'll spend with your training group, nor the daily obedience training at home.

These expenses assume that this equipment will need to be purchased, if not previously owned. There are varying costs of products and we have tried to come up with an average pricing structure. Listed at the end of this section is optional equipment that some handlers choose to have, but may not need to be purchased in the first year.

Estimated Expenses

Fees:
Pre-Apprentice registration fee	$20
Apprentice application fee	$10
Packet fee	$15
Annual dues	$45
Subtotal:	$90

 

Car:
Mileage (about 5,000 at $0.25 a mile)	$1,250
Extra car service	$275
Subtotal:	$1,525

 

Required Equipment

Day Search Pack

Handler Survival Kit:
Compass with protractor	$50
Signal mirror (may be with compass)
Whistle	$5
Multipurpose knife	$50
Flashlight with extra batteries & bulb	$30
Candle or fire starter
Matches in a waterproof container	$5
Space blanket or equivalent	$5
High calorie snack food	$10
First aid kit (see below)	$25
Wool or synthetic hat	$15
Sturdy boots (consistent with weather and terrain)	$150
2 large leaf bags
2 quart or liter water bottles	$15
Water purification	$15
Subtotal:	$375

 

First Aid Kit:

Bandaids, various sizes

Antiseptic pads

Tweezers

Roller gauze or equivalent

Assorted sterile gauze pads

Aspirin or equivalent

Triangular bandage

Chemical head pack

Antihistamines

Protective gloves (latex or equivalent)

 

Handler SAR Equipment:
Flagging tape	$5
Notebook and pen/pencil	$5
Tissues or toilet paper
Goggles	$5
Pack	$200
Duct tape, 5-10 ft.
Nylon cord, 50 ft.	$4
Leather gloves	$5
Tubular webbing, 1 inch X 25 ft.	$8
Two locking carabiners	$30
Assorted plastic bags, some zip-locked
Bandana	$2
Clothing suited for weather and terrain	$60
Extra clothing with waterproof bag	$30
Extra socks	$15
Insect repellent	$5
Rain wear (Gortex recommended, but not required)	$250
Metal cup or pot	$8
Watch	$60
Subtotal:	$692

 

Dog Equipment:
Collar, leash	$30
Shabrack	$35
Harness	$20
Chemical light stick or equivalent	$15
One food ration
Additional water as required	$15
Subtotal:	$115

 

Flight Pack / Rescue Backpack

Handler flight pack:
Sleeping bag (appropriate to conditions)	$200
Insulating pad (appropriate to conditions)	$20
Ground cloth	$5
One man tent or equivalent shelter (bivy bag or tarp)	$200
Stove and fuel	$55
Mess kit	$12
Food for 3 days for handler	$45
Food for 3 days for dog	$5
Dog dish	$15
Extra clothing and socks for weather	$140
Large backpack or duffel to hold equipment	$25
Subtotal:	$722

 

Grand Total:

$3,519

 

Optional Equipment

Warning: Some equipment CARDA considers optional may be required by your local agency, if you work with one.

Folding shovel

Helmet/hard hat

Seat harness

50 feet of 9 mm rope (static)

Altimeter

GPS Receiver

Toiletries

Sun screen and lip balm

Camera and film

Extra eye glasses / sun glasses

Prescription drugs

Chemical cold pack

Sam splint or equivalent material

Insect bite treatment

Anti-acid

Anti-diarrheal

Sun burn cream

Dog harness and long line

Dog boots

Dog sling

Bringsel

Dog medications

Dog treats