August Ustare of Hydrologica Environmental (above) was an early adopter of our tablet computer chest packs. His feedback has been an important part of our product development process. We have always appreciated his comments regarding how well Tablet-EX-Gear packs suit his needs; as a Hydrometric Technician, he works in some pretty challenging environments throughout British Columbia.
An important part of our product development process is understanding the work that is performed, the gear that needs to be available to get the job done, and what is needed to ensure worker safety. August needs to carry more gear than many of our customers, and what needs to be carried changes depending on the season and the work to be performed. Consequently, he has really pushed the limits of our packs and accessories.
In a nutshell, a Hydrometric Technician assesses the availability of water for a variety of uses e.g. power generation, drinking water, farming, fisheries, etc. This often puts him in streams and rivers, but has also taken him to glaciers, mountain lakes, and other spectacular – though sometimes inhospitable – places.
August performing measurements of water flow
To get the work done, and keep himself safe, he will carry gear that I would normally expect anyone working in the backcountry to have readily accessible. However, you might be surprised by some of the items on August’s gear list:
- Tape Measure
- Flagging Tape
- Tools – including a multi-bit screwdriver and wrenches
- Notebook with waterproof paper
- Tablet computer
- Laptop – this is carried in a backpack
- Satellite phone
- Handheld two-way radio
- Food – enough for a couple of days when in remote locations
- Water
- Change of clothing – important when working in streams
- Mylar blanket – often referred to as a “Space Blanket”
- Knife
- Leatherman or other multi-tool
- Spot Satellite Messenger
- Flashlight
- Whistle
- Sidearm
- Shotgun with slugs
- Bear Mace
If you would like to learn more about the work August performs and the gear he carries, please watch this video. You can also find it (along with other customer stories) on the “EX-Gear Pro’s Pack Media” YouTube channel.