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