Equipment and weapons
Standard weapons carried by most infantrymen were unsuitable for use in such tight confines. Owing to the need for a flashlight, it was essential that soldiers could aim and fire their weapon with one hand. This meant naturally handguns were most commonly chosen. Lots of tunnel rats used the standard-issue colt. 45 calibers with a seven-round magazine as they were readily available. In 1966, the Army issued six tunnel-exploration tester kits. This kit included a S&W .38-calibre special model 10 revolver with both a silencer and aiming light. However, they were not popular among tunnel rats as the light was unnecessary, and the silencers were too long and did not function well.
A light tunnel exploration kit may also include items such as powdered CS, colored-smoke grenades, insect repellent, protective masks, a field telephone, a compass to plot the route, a telephone wire spool, probing rods, bayonets, a flashlight, entrenching tools to reveal and widen entrances, and a .22-calibre HD or MK I pistol. A heavier tunnel-exploration kit may also include nylon rope, body-armor vests, grappling hooks, work gloves, kneepads, and earplugs. Remote-controlled explosive charges and small smoke grenades kits were primarily to signal exit locations to fellow comrades.
Clothing-wise, it was a good idea to wear tight waterproof items to stop clothing from snagging on obstructions, leather gloves, and, if possible as mentioned knee pads to assist with crawling around. When it comes to headgear, some soldiers wore a helmet or a visored cap along with a microphone and/ or transistor radio attached. One of the other problems soldiers faced is the deafening sound of gunshots echoing through the tunnels. While tunnel rats often wanted to wear hearing protection to help lessen the consequences of this noise and avoid damage to their eardrums, they risked not being able to hear the enemy approaching. As a result, many tunnel rats often avoided using hearing protection while underground.