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