Basic gear for SAR?

BenchmadeBoy

BenchmadeBoy

Joined
Sep 4, 2005
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I know we have many members here involved in Search and Rescue. Shortly I will be moving to another province for school and part of that schooling involves joining the local SAR unit. What would be recommended as basic gear for SAR work? Please bear in mind that I am an active outdoors-man with a range of typical outdoor gear. Good boots, knives, stoves, compass etc. When hiking or bushbashing I always have my daypack with emergency equipment. The SAR unit in question is a volunteer local group that while very well trained is not a "high-speed" group. They work with local police to find people lost in the bush. So no rappelling out of helicopters.:D Location will be Northwest Ontario. I am willing to listen to any advice and as always it is appreciated.
 
will there be rope work involved? It might be prudent to take a basic ropes course and sock away a rescue harness, victim harness, bunch of slings, steel triple locking biners, pulleys, and static rope in your kit.

as for individual loadout:

- a well stocked FAK
- LED head lamp
- LED flashlight hi output
(match the headlamp with the flashlight so the battery type is the same)
- spare batts
- chemlights hi vis 12 hour 10 pack
- heavy duty rescue tarp x 2
- paracord
- thermos with hot sweet liquid to rewarm victim
- sleeping bag for victim rewarming
- sleeping bag for SARtech operator
- ground pads
- energy dense foods
- comm equipment
- whistle (STORM or FOX40) Carry several
- HI VIS jacket or vest with reflective SOLAS patches
- rain gear (can be above jacket) plus pants
- spare clothes for victim to get them out of wet clothes if needed (fleece is great, then stuff em into the sleeping bag
- chem handwarmers 10 - 20. INVALUABLE for warming the MAJOR heat loss points QUICKLY (armpits, groin, etc)
- maps, compass, pencils, sharpies (red + black 2 each)
- GPS
- flagging tape orange 3 rolls
- duct tape 1 roll
- hiking stick
- HI VIS orange paracord.

i could go on.......

everyone should have same or similar kit and pack it the same way, for operation ease of use.
 
I used to support BV234 chinook helicopter SAR fleet in Formosa back to 2003-2007, they do mountain, maritime, and forest fire operation.

These were what I seen


1. helmet(fireman or navyseal type) with goggles and some with head light.
2. Jump suit.
3. boots.
4. multi-tool (Gerber for operator, swiss tool for aircrew,weave for maintenance crew). some will carry fixed blade knife also.
5. flashlight.

above are the basic items they carry daily, others depend on mission.
 
Yep, this is what I need. Keep it coming. I will get more info once I am actually in my new town. I just wanted to get a bit of a jump on potential gear/advice. I have EMR training and have worked in remote locations. SAR is something that has always interested me and I am excited for the (fingers crossed) opportunity.
 
I kinda wish Skammer was here, he has an EXCELLENT load out list for small to large SAR units and individual kits
 
You should get a list of required and recommended gear to carry in a 24- or 48- hour pack when you go through their training.


Not counting things like lights and raingear, I've found that what I reach for most often on an evac is the extra rope and webbing I carry. We just don't keep enough with our litters and always end up needing more -- even on non-technical rescues.
 
Find a ranger or park service guy......even a game warden, and shoot the chit with them.
Those guys live outside and know good gear from junk.
 
What exactly are you doing with this SAR group?
Do they work in Uniform?

Basically, if your a ground pounder, the basics for you. If your not the team Med, and if your not into rope rescue, or swift water you wont have to worry about that gear.

When planning your kit, look at what you need for a 24 hour kit, fire, shelter, signal/navigation, Water and your personal first aid kit.

Work around water is going to be an option for you, so a wet suit if you can spring for one, if not a life vest, something from kokatat, or stohlquist.

I currently work with Military SAR, and civilian in our local city, swift water, high angle and heli work are my fields, let me know what you need to know.

Thanks for you help as well, you will meet some amazing people, plus you'll get good with local law enforcement.
 
One other thing, your going to learn fast when you start working with them, after you complete your SAR basic's it will make alot more sense, but you wont have to carry everything your team is going to need. If local Emergency covers the rescue of victims your not going to need to carry high angle, and an IFAK.

Keep what you need for YOU, some extras are nice, a couple Sam splints, AMK heat sheets, And a teddie bear.

The teddy is for the kids, and you if you want.... ;):D
 
I would suggest contacting the team you are thinking of joining. They'll have lists with what you will be required to have. Also hold off buying too much gear ahead of time. I have a friend who joined a SAR team and a large part of the gear he had already was not on the approved list so he ended up having to buy a bunch of new gear.
 
Bill Siegle said:
I would suggest contacting the team you are thinking of joining. They'll have lists with what you will be required to have. Also hold off buying too much gear ahead of time. I have a friend who joined a SAR team and a large part of the gear he had already was not on the approved list so he ended up having to buy a bunch of new gear.
Click to expand...

This is probably the best advice out there. I am looking to join our local SAR and was wondering the same thing, actually. It is much easier to just wait until you have your specific duties and a gear list from your team to gear up. that way, you have the same gear and, as bushman5 said, you pack it all the same. This is essential. The military does it that way for a reason. It is important that your team members be able to grab your gear when needed as well. At least that is the word with the two SAR team members I have spoken with.
 
Good quality, appropriate gear is important - and there are any number of lists out there (ours here).

Please don't forget the importance of individual skills! Things like navigation MUST be second nature; day or night (even without a GPS).

Also never underestimate the importance of teamwork; all you do should further the goal of team effectiveness. Team excellence requires individual excellence.

Always take training seriously, and do your homework. Practice your skills. Practice. Practice. Practice!

Good on you, and Good Luck!!

Best,
8
 
Again, thank you for all your replies. It is not a go yet, but something I am looking forward to. I will not jump the gun but wait and get advice from my SAR group if and when I join. This really helped the thought process though:thumbup:
 
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