SAR 24hour Pack

I'm in the process of repacking my SAR pack, so I snapped a couple of pics. I'm mainly trying to make it smaller and lighter, but if there is anything important that I'm missing let me know.


Contents:
North Face 40liter pack

Warmth & Shelter:
Fox all weather jacket
Fleece vest
Pair of hiking socks
Wool Hat
Bandana
Leather Gloves
Kelty Lightyear +20 sleeping bag
AMK Thermolite bivy
Tube Tent
Survival Blanket
4 heavy nails for stakes
Black garbage sack
Clear garbage sack
4 heat packs

Medical:
Aerie Level 1 FAK
Heavy duty shears
Wire Splint
SAM Splint
Sun screen
Bug repellant
Earplugs
Contact lenses
Contact lense case
Eye drops
Chapstick
2 MRE TP's
2 Hand wipes

Fire & Signalling
Orion 12ga flaregun
6 Flares
Military glass signal mirror
SDU-5/E Strobe w/ battery adaptor
2 Fusees
Snap Light
Mini-maglite
Tikka headlight
Brunton Crux Stove & fuel canister
2 Bic lighters
Box of Storm matches
Fire starter stick
Candle
Flagging roll

Food & Water
2 32oz Nalgenes
Camp Cup
CammelBak 72oz StowAway
2 Freeze Dry meals
MRE
3 Clif Bars
3 Granola Bars
4 Coffee singles
2 Gatorade mixes
10 MicroPur tabs
1 Pack of gum

Tools and Other
Shrade folding knife
eTrex GPS
Brunton Compass
Acme Whistle
Brunton Quadtool
3' Measuring tape
Local Forest Service map
SAR OPS Guide
Technical Rescue Field Guide
Pencil
Rite-in-the-Rain Pen
Rite-in-the-Rain Notepad
2 Quarters (NASAR packlist ??)
50' p-cord
2 Gear Biners
2 Climbing Carabiners
2 Prusik cords
15' Tubular webbing
AMK UltraLight Gear Repair Kit
Krazy Glue
5' Wire
Motorola Talkabout FRS Radio

Batteries
Bendix King Clamshell loaded w/9 AA's
16 AA's
8 AAA's
2 CR123's for strobe

The SAM splint is probably going to go, and hopefully the flaregun will be replaced with a .44mag. I did put the sun screen in a smaller bottle (BTW Coppertone Sport Gel burns like hand sanitizer). Other than that I'm open to suggestion.
Thanks!

Kevin

NASAR Packlist

Looks pretty impressive! I don't see a fixed blade knife and I think I would upgrade the folding knife to a better quality one. All I can think of at the moment.

You have a lot of stuff. Might need a bigger pack so all that gear doesn't
dangle and get snagged on things.

Here is a link to a gear list for winter SAR for the hasty teams in the Sierra
Nevada. Take less, move faster and find that person quick.
This list was put together a an ER Doc who has been a backcountry ranger
as well.

click on the gear list
http://www.tahoenordicsar.com/Training/training.php

More water purification tablets, and maybe a second cup on the other nalgene.

First Off, what is the approx. weight?

2nd, What area and/or terrain will you be using it in?

Looks good! I try to get my crews to go through their packs completly twice a year and then after every exersize/mission. Taking pictures and making checklists help refit quicker <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As other's have said I would upgrade your folding knife.

I'd keep the SAM Splint, they are light enough.

I'd loose the mini-mag light, your headlamp is brighter and more useful. You may want to replace it with something brighter for when you need the longer reach than the Tikka can give you. A Surefire would be nice, but there are cheaper alternatives out there!

I'd also add some type of fire starter besides match or lighter. Something that works in any weather. I typically carry a lighter, lifeboat matches, and a magnesium fire starter.

Have you looked into penflares in place of your flare gun? Orion 16.5mm Flare Launcher. Lighter and more compact than the flare gun and they work as well.

What is your use for the Fusees? If you don't need full sized Fusees, there are much lighter and smaller non-aerial signal flare avalible, Mk13 Mod 0 Signal Flare/Smoke work awesome... but if you need the burn time of the Fusees, there is really no subsitue readily avaible.

If you don't already have one in you kit, add the programing button for the Bendix King radio...

Oh yeah, I also agree that you have way to much hanging from the outside. I have had more people lose gear that they were sure was teathered securely! Bigger pack or less stuff... I aim for 30 lbs. complete with water...

And... do you use treking poles? They are worth there weight in gold on a long search especially on rough terrain!

First look I woul remove
wire splint
and books (OPS Guide)
maybe off load fusees to team equipment

I would add
a folding saw
water purify tabs or (more water treatment) maybe MIOX
some type of sleep pad

My guess is it weighs around 45lbs w/ water.

I use it both for SAR and hiking daytrips. It is always in my truck. I live in south western Montana, so we have mostly mountainous terrain. Alot of our searches are on or near National Forest Land. I also strap the pack to my fourwheeler when we do ATV searches.

45 lbs. isn't too bad, especially given the Bendix King brick <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> clothing and books. I typically don't carry a sleeping pad, but they can be really nice to have.

I think you are pretty well covered, maybe titanium cookware, saves a little weight.

If you travel in teams,,,,,,,,,,, we always had team gear that we would divide up to share the burden, that way we didn't have 5 of everything like sam splints etc.

I'm looking to upgrade knives, the Shrade was a freebe. Any recomendations on a good knife for SAR use?

I just put a rolled wire splint into the FAK to take the place of the SAM. Not as good but a whole lot smaller. Also if it is a known medical call I have a more comprehensive FAK that fits under the pack lid, more weight though.

I agree, a LED light would be better, but the mini-mag is cheap and counts for a second light source on the NASAR pack list.

The fusees are the wildland fire fighting backfiring tourches. They are my all weather fire starter. Alot of the SAR members are also volunteer fire fighters, so they are in alot of packs around here. They do have some signalling capabilities, but they only burn for about 5-10 minutes and drip alot of flaming material.

I'm thinking about not having any aerial flares in the pack. I bought the flaregun with the thought that it would be a good attractant during searches, but after some extensive testing on New Year's Eve, I'm not too impressed. (they do make excellent fire starters though <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />)
I guess has anyone had any experiences using aerial flares during searches?

As far as the BK radio goes I use the Leatherman programming method <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Gotta love them Bendix Kings, put a 17" whip antenna on them and they are perfect for searches.

Thanks for the great advice!!!

Kevin

I don't recomend the leathman programing method, but I sue it too (although we call it the paper clip method)! Bendix King radios are awesome...

I have used aerial flares on a number of occasions.
A few years ago we were in wash with a patient waiting for a helicopter. Radio communications were scratcy at best and they were having a hard time locating us. One of those 16.5mm flares was launched... we heard "O-K that was cool... we got you" ove r the radio. Worked like a champ. We played with them for signalling from team to team and they worked OK, but for signalling air assets at night they work great!

Fusses are great for backburning and signalling on the road but they are big and clumbsy. I'd loose them for a magnesium fire starter or some other firestarter.

You may grab a Doug Ritter Proton Micro Freedom LED light as your second light source... brighter than a mini-mag and much much lighter!

I have become a big fan of the new leatheman knives, especially the k503x.

Don't have any advice for SAR kit, just wanted to say I'm still salivating. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Any idea on cost for putting something like that together? And just out of curiousity, do you folks in SAR have to buy your own kit or is all/some of it provided?

Nice pics. One thing I guess I was surprised isn't on the list is some duct tape (like the orange variety) and maybe a hand chain saw.

Also, do you have the clothing rolled in one of those waterproof bags that you roll up to get all the air out? Seems like that has to be a big part of the bulk and the jacket/fleece/socks could get wet if dunked.

Most SAR members buy their own kits. Most team supply radios, medical gear, and some tech gear, however many SAR guys like to have their own stuff.

A converstaion with Doug the other day made me question how much I have invested in my 24 Hour Kit; not including ALS medical gear, but including radio and I was looking at almost $3500 (retail)! I know many of my crews have built kits costing significantly less.

I started to build up a quality 24 Hour Kit as cheap as I could as an example for initial training a few years ago, need to finish that project.

[color:"red"] Here is my 24 Hour Search Kit contents! [/color]

Costwise:
North Face Pack $70
Fox Jacket $90
Fleece Vest $30
Kelty Sleeping Bag $120
AMK Bivy $20
FAK $40
Food $30
Flaregun & Flares $40
Tikka Headlight $30
Brunton Stove $80
Garmin GPS $100
Brunton Compass $40
2 Climbing Carabiners $20
AMK Gear Repair Kit $20
Total $730
(thats not counting the BK radio that is worth more than my fourwheeler <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />)

I pay for it all out of my own pocket, but keep in mind I also use this equipment for much more than just SAR.

Thanks for bringing up duct tape. It's lacking in that department with only a small roll in the repair kit. I'm gonna look for stuff that I can wrap a few feet around. Where can one find orange duct tape?

Handsaw is on the want list along with a new knife.

I keep the socks, bandana, and gloves in a ziplock bag, but the jacket and vest pack much better loose. The sleeping bag is also kept in a dry bag.

Thanks again for the duct tape reminder!!!

Kevin

I just bought a roll the other day at Wal-Mart in Orange. They had quite a selection actually, but I still didn't see the Gorilla Tape that D.R. recommends for his aviation kit (I didn't have great luck with the glue, but I want to at least give the tape a try). The Gorilla stuff only comes in black as far as I've read. The regular old duct tape in Orange seems decent enough. You're welcome... I was just running over the list and I didn't realize there was any in the repair kit.

$730, not bad for such a compact survival kit. Really, it has a lot of good BOB qualities, maybe with a bit more water and food, it's better than most! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I found the Gorilla Tape at my local Home Depot.

20

WallyMart carries Duck brand duct tape in quite a few colors (great for that "factory" look when repairing the ranch truck vinyl seats), including dayglo orange and yellow. Tearing off 1"x2" strips and folding over twigs and weeds would be a good way to mark trails or directions. Could also write notes on tape and leave on eye level branches for others.

You'll find it in the paint section.

Ah, the Bendix King - nice radio - I'm a GE/Ericsson/MaCom kinda guy, but....

Only think I could think of - A smoke grenade

Very nice set up. Personally, I would keep the SAM splint and ditch the wire splint. SAMs are very versatile and more comfortable for the patient.

Pete

Only one half liter bottle? Is there a bladder or other nalgenes I missed?

Its a very good kit, but I have my concernes about that flare-gun. I thought that those flares are not designed for save over land use?
Maybe you should replace it with Winderness XLT or a laser-flare?
You should also add a flint&steel or blastmatch and some waterproof tinder ( those firesticks are not easy to lite with a spark)

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

I own several (each size) of the Greatland laser rescue flares and have had the opportunity to use them in training with the Maryland State Police Medivac Helicopters. One limitation we found is the user must be in line of sight with the helicopter, unlike a conventional aerial flare that can be used through the tree line to catch the attention of the crew.

The current models, while sending out a line pattern of laser light that appears to be a line from the users advantage point, is only seen as a point of laser light by the "attractee" (helicopter). In a few of our test runs, we the ground crew could not clearly identify the actual/relative location of the helicopter and therefore did not know where to aim the laser.

I know the green lasers were not perused for retail sales, which would have provided more options. I have seen their prototype green laser set up in a large hand held flashlight configuration and was quite impressed with the intensity of the line, but the cost and general weight of the light makes it prohibitive for most.

Still great products.

Pete

I would recommend the Spyderco Delica 4 folding knife. If you prefer a Swiss Army knife, I would go with the One-handed Trekker which has a blade, a saw, and screwdrivers (those always come in handy when you work with ATVs and other pieces of machinery).

I feel a fixed-blade might add too much weight and be cumbersome in SAR operations. Honestly, any knife that will cut through thick rope and clothes is fine (which is why I recommended the Spyderco Delica in the first place).

do you have a link for that Fox Jacket? I have not heard of that particular line.
thanks

FOX Racing Jacket

The kit looks very impressive.
How about water? When you get thirsty, do you think you will have time to stop to find some water and then purify it?
And what about food?
I also made my kit about hald a year ago, but the main reason was to store everthing important in one place. So, I have plenty of water in my kit (at least 9 litres, yes, it is heavy), many military rations (I read a book where auther recommended buying food for camping in bulk for at least half a year, so I decided to follow the advice), fixed blade Muela knife, extra meths for the burner, batteries, filter, compass, some warm clothing I do not use, tablets, etc.
But my main kit is in another smaller bag which I carry for hiking. It is actually assembled rucksack which has everything for 1 day hike so when I have some free time I take the rucksack and head out to countryside. When I come back, I remove waste, refill water bottle, add rations, meths, clean etc., i.e. make it ready for the next time. This way it is always ready.
Actually, it is quite handy because I do not waste time collecting things just before I leave, so I can walk longer on countryside.

Some thoughts from a beginner;

2nd, lightwieght knife

Replace flarge gun with a strobe ( like a kayaker uses)

Replace one naglene with a filter bottle

Add reflective patches to the pack/ clothing

Add flagging tapesunglasses, nylon ballcap, perm marker

What do you wear/ carry in your pockets with this kit?

TRO?

Keep in mind the main purpose of a 24hr SAR pack is somewhat different then a hiking/camping pack or BOB. Its role is primarily to a get rescuer/searcher through a 24hr (+) period of time in a self-sufficient manner, to be able to take care of him or herself remotely for the first 24hrs(+) of a SAR mission, possibly provide basic life support for a victim and in some cases technical rescue equipment. Hopefully, the Searcher/Rescuer does not become lost/isolated or a victim himself or herself. Most teams work in groups, where they can pool resources and often have re-supply somewhere in the operation.

Each team/jurisdiction will have parameters, generally similar in nature, for the search/rescue personnel in terms of how often they must return to a staging area for rehabilitation and re-supply. Of course current environment and weather conditions will play an important role in how much to pack, but loading one’s pack with a lot of extras can reduce one’s effectiveness in conducting a search and possible rescue operation. Think light and efficient.

Just my 2 cents-
Pete

Well said Paramedicpete......

Actually yes, I have a 1-2 3L Bladders depending on the season, which seem to have escaped from my check list <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

At our WM, the orange duct tape comes in a flat roll and is in with the hunting supplies, not with the rest of the duct tape.