I lean more toward this thinking with my packs; self-sufficent, mobile and can help a victim. Slightly different from a GHB or a hiking set-up

SAR packing list

2nd list

Both lists look like the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR) List shown here:

http://www.nasar.org/page/61/Pack-List-and-FAQ

As a choice for everywhere and all the time, I think they are good. Remembering that these lists are only required for taking the certification test (by NASAR) they should be modified by the group or individual for the situation at hand. In my opinion NASAR depends too much on "planning to improvise". Being able to improvise is an important skill (maybe second only to Mindset) but for SAR I like to plan to have the equipment I am likely to need.

Respectfully,

Jerry

... Like a PLB?

Yes, Russ, like a PLB. Though not always. When I have an SAR radio, an aircraft band radio, a cell phone, and sometimes a sat phone the PLB sometimes stays at home.

The wilderness experience is not part of SAR.
Respectfully,

Jerry

These lists are good for quite a few chuckles as well as a few groans. They are slightly out of date, being more appropriate for 1980 than the present, although there are good general principles listed.

Maintaining a SAR pack requires attention to your personal capabilities and level of training, the upcoming weather, improving technology (in the LED era, you don't have to worry about spare bulbs for your lights), and feedback from your SAR experiences.

I was continually tweaking my SAR outfit. There was always something lighter, more versatile,or more capable to incorporate into the mix.

The lists are helpful, in a general principle sort of way. My BOB has always been more of a kit to aid others in addition to myself, as I have always been in a position to have responsibility for the safety of others. As Hikermor states, it is always improving, and I am always trying to make it lighter. Of course this just allows me to add more lightweight things to keep it at about the same weight.

I do always carry a PLB though, and keep it in a place where it can be accessed and employed with either hand. Just being prepared for the worst case scenario. As I said, I am never just alone and only responsible for my own well being.

As we discussed in my Wilderness First Aid course, if you get into a FA situation in the backcountry and have no cellphone coverage, it may be a long hike to where a 9-1-1 call is possible... or you can just activate your PLB. I don't carry mine for just me either.

Yes the rules about 'exactly what you must have' to pass the test are silly; the lists are good starting points.