Before you set yourself up with the Vallon and begin sweeping, it is worth taking a moment to visually plan your route, check the ground that you intend to walk along with binoculars as you may spot potential IEDs, and then have an idea of where you can take cover in case you take fire while sweeping. Once you start, your view will be severely restricted as your focus should be on sweeping the ground in front of you. As a result, it is best to have an idea of your surroundings ahead of time.
Also important is the spray paint. If you do find an IED, mark it up, and move back. You should not attempt to diffuse it until you have called it up to the rest of your section. You should wait until given the order to defuse it, allowing the SL to call the IED in to troop, mark it on the map, and get the rest of the section to take cover. There may be an argument against defusing at that time and a new route around may be the ultimate decision rather than risking an explosion. On a couple of occasions I've seen the engineer start creeping up to defuse while the rest of the section is still moving up behind him. Not good.
"Never turn down an ale, who knows if it may be your last."
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