An equipment carrier comprises one or more support members, an equipment holder, and an extensible tether. The equipment holder receives and retains an equipment item. The support members support the equipment holder against a wearer's torso or limb. The extensible tether is attached to the carrier is attached to the equipment item. The extensible tether is under tension and elongated when the equipment item retained by the equipment holder, and is under negligible tension and not elongated the equipment item held by the wearer at the wearer's face or head.