Since I have big images in my post, i've chosen to start a different thread. Please refer to the previous "SAR 24hour Pack" thread for the original poster's questions and gear images (great kit mate!)

I've decided to post my SAR gear too. Here goes :

Osprey Switch 40+5 backpack
Atlas 1030 snowshoes (for winter SAR, not shown)
Source C-2 100 oz hydration bladder
Thermarest Z-Seat
MSR Packtowl
Orange flagging tape
Emergency stove (cardboard+parafin)
Silva compass
Carabiners
Soap bar, sunblock lotion, lip balm, Off! spray
Rite-in-the-rain tactical notepad
Clear safety goggles, sunglasses
Hat, bug net for the head
TP, tissues
IronClad heavy utility gloves, leather workgloves
Extra pair of socks
Buff bandana
Lightstick
Mini-Mag w/Nite Ize LED mod
Midland LXT310 GMRS radio w/headphones
Petzl Tikka XP headlamp
Spare batteries
Vic OHT, LM Fuse, Vic Huntsman, Spyderco Delica 4 (okay, i'll need to chose only one here!)
Fenix L0P+Fox 40 Micro+Vic Manager on keyring
Canon A75 digital camera

Overall view :


Here is a close-up of the food and first-aid part of my gear :

Food : Sardine cans, apple, tea, insulated bottle for hot drink

First-aid : Steri-strips, misc bandages, gauze, tape, medication, triangular bandage, mirror, Hypafix... stuffed in a small Deuter bike pouch

Pic :


Here is the PSK part, stored in a medium Eazy Zipper Ziploc freezer bag :

Orange trashbag
Paracord
Photon Freedom Micro+Fox 40 micro on lanyard
2 spare 2016 batteries for the Freedom Micro
Misc bandages, Hypafix
Coffee filter (lots of uses)
Zip ties
Candle wrapped with nylon thread
Spark-lite
Bic lighter+duck tape
Misc meds, iodine tabs
Fishing kit
Heat factory pads
Emergency blanket
LM Micra
Razor blade, safety pins
Steel wire
Index card w/pencil

Pic :


The first-aid kit and PSK are modular. The first-aid kit comes to work with me in the messenger bag. My PSK is wilderness oriented and pretty much stays in the Osprey pack all the time.

Comments and questions are very welcome!

Bee <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I only have one concern with your load out, Bee.

Please tell me that is a fresh apple each time you head out the door. Otherwise, we'll be able to find you easily enough- just follow the fermeenting apple smell. :P

Bee,

Great collection of stuff! I love my Petzl Tikka XP headlamp!

Fire:
Do you have a fixed blade knife to split wood when it is wet?

First-Aid:
My wife vacuum packed some meds for me.

Navigation:
The Silva baseplate compass is great!

Shelter:
Can you describe how you create a shelter from the rain or snow?

Signal:
Have you tried the Fisher Space Pen on the Rite-in-the-Rain paper? It works really well!

Water:
Do you have some way to treat water? Something to boil the water in?

Tools:
I think the Leatherman and a fixed blade knife is a good combo. The Gerber Sportsman’s Saw is also good and lightweight.

It's not an apple, it's a.... weapon, for self-defense. Bears love apples! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


<just kidding...>

Hello Craig!

I purchased the Tikka XP (1 Watt LED) as an upgrade to my previous Tactikka headlamp (4 x 5mm LEDs). To be honest, I don't see that much of a difference that would warrant this upgrade. The boost feature of the Tikka XP is a nice touch, but if I had known, I would've lived very well with my Tactikka.

As for the fixed-blade, i'm waiting for my SOG Seal Pup to make it here (bought off eBay). I hope it wasn't seized by canadian customs. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I'm not sure I will really be wearing this in SAR operations, it definately looks like a mean knife to the general public. I will bring it in the pack, probably carrying the LM Fuse on the belt as you suggested as my main tool.

As for shelter, I didn't specify it in my post but you might have observed that all my gear was spread out on a deluxe, two-sided tarp (reflective/blue) with grommets all around it. I would probably create a small lean-to between trees using the steel wire, paracord or zip ties. Trash bag and emergency blanket could also be used but I would begin with the tarp lean-to, then build a fire, then go for the "comfort tweaks".

I haven't tried the Fisher space pen. Actually, I have an orange Cross ION expandable pen lying around... Do you know these? I might try it with the Rite-in-the-rain notepad. It even comes with a tiny cap and lanyard, why not wear this around my neck when heading out the door?

I have iodine tabs to treat water, but I don't have a sturdy container to boil water in, this is why I was looking for a GI canteen alternative in a recent thread. I have an insulated bottle, but I doubt this will get water to boil....I might purchase a Trangia mess tin, this seems like a great solution. Some models even come with handles. If I go that route, I will put my PSK items in this mess tin.

I think i'm pretty much set for the time being with my SAR gear, first-aid kit and PSK. Thanks for your comments Craig! I appreciate it.

Bomber pack Bee, it's what I'm shooting for, light, simple, but complete. It's very helpful to see what other folks carry. Thanks for sharing your pack!

You mentioned looking for some sort of camp cup. I saw one of these a while ago. They are pretty spendy, but I really like mine and use it all the time.

Thanks again!!

Kevin

Hi Hailstone! Glad you appreciate my effort.

That MSR cooking kit is neat, I think it was designed so their Pocket Rocket stove fits right in it.

Thanks for proposing another option!

Overall, a pretty good looking kit. Only thing that jumps out is that big can of Off bug repellent. You can get Off bug repellent wipes in little foil tear packs. Save a LOT of room. I carry several in my FAK.

Around here, we get the summer days where the gnats get so bad you can hardly work outside without going crazy. I keep a head sized bug net folded up under my hat when working outside in the summer. If its needed, I always know where it is.

Thanks. You're the first one that brought that up, and I totally agree with you. Although I don't really like those wipes, I will probably try to get those smaller bottles that are not pressurized, but liquid with a small pump.

This is pretty much the only item that can be sized down, other than the insulated bottle that could be left out if my pack is full for a reason.

I have been using a cream by 3M called Ultrathon. It comes in 2 oz. sqeeze tube that packs great and it lasts a long time, and no nasty smells.

Ready

Bee,

Nice setup. It's good to see that someone else has discovered the Fenix L0P AAA flashlight. I've been carrying this incredible light on my keychain for months and I'm still using the original battery.

Steve

SARDINES....I just don't get it. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Take a look at at mountainhouse food.

Adam

Bee,

What is great about Rite-in-the-Rain paper and a Fisher Space Pen is that you can have the paper underwater and it will still write a clear line with no smearing. If you use a pencil the message could be very faint and hard to read. The pencil marks could smear and become impossible to read if it gets wet.

Dear rescuer,

I have gone NE to the small pond in the distance. You can find me there.

Thanks!

If the "NE" and "pond" are a smear the note will not be helpful.

They make great snacks and take little time or water to prepare. I've never seen the lime or honey sauce one's though. Might have to try em. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

If you have ever tried to live on freeze dried meals and MRES for more than 3 or 4 days, something like sardines, smoked oysters, jerkey, fruit, gum, etc can be a lifesaver. Comfort foods like that can be a huge moral booster. I usually try to keep some oysters and tabasco sauce in my fire line gear and in my pack-out-box at work. SAR isnt so bad for me since we are usually only out for a day or two.

Mountainhouse is pretty good you should try them. As far as the sardine's I just can't justify the weight to calorie intake that you can get with other food, plus you now have to pack out the tin. Not to mention the fact if the the pull tab breaks on the tin, well a simple snack gets more complicated.

Your choice not mine. But I still find it an odd choice.

Adam

another advantage of sardines' cans : the older, the better ! They are supposed to improve with time....
No time limit ; no stock rotation... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

This is the reason why I chose sardines in the first place! :-)

I'm open to recommendations though, but I need something that can be bought at the grocery store. I don't want expensive MREs or kinds of special backpacking food.

Give it a shot Alain, you like sardines too don't you... <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

yes, but I usually don't carry sardines' cans during hikes..., just because you have to take the empty can back..... messy ...

Dehydrated soup base, ramen noodles, home made jerky .... easy to get or make. No empties to bring back.

It's also easy to buy raisins, peanuts and cashew nuts.... I could live a few days on those alone.... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
(OK, that's not survival, but greediness.... <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

If you get sufficently lost, use the empties and a bit of string to make scent markers. House cats will find you in a few hours. :P

Yeah, cool <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
another goooood reason to take a few sardines' cans for a hike !

But, since when do SAR units include cats as searching "dogs" ??? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Just in case there is a Starbucks lost in the middle of the woods? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Other than lighting it on fire (real tinder seems better), and filtering out sediment from your drinking water (bandana could also do this), what would you use these for?

Note paper?

Pot holder (so that you do not burn your hand)?

Cut and laid flat, how about a viking's compass?

Back up TP?