Need some help from the SAR Guys, What gear are you using?

F

Fonly

Joined
Sep 24, 2006
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Hey guys,

I need some help from not only the SAR guys, but every one else. Im looking for some help regarding gear that you use. Here is goes. :D

1. Do you prefer A vest of essential gear, radior, lights, gps and first aid?
2. Do you pack for more than 24 hours?
3. What do you like for boots?
4. What type of pack do you prefer? Maxpdition, Condor, 5.11? Just need some durable names to choose from.
5. When you pack, do you go light? what are the benifits you see of doing this?
6. What do you carry for gear? lights, tools, gps systems, radios, boots, all the stuff you can think of.


Well, I think thats probably enough, Im obviously getting coached from my Seargent, but I would like to know what you guys use. And as most of you know you dont get money for purchasing these things, but where im in the canadian Rangers some things I need will be provided, but also being in the civilian SAR I need some gear that is of my own that I can take when needed, were not allowed to show up in Ranger uniform when were not notified and called, so coats, packs things like that are going to have to be bought on my terms.

Thanks guys, I know its alot, but some help would be great.
 
When I was helping out with SAR the guys were mostly firemen and police so equipment was pretty random.

The yellow and green hat was about the only thing we all had.
 
shotgunner11 said:
When I was helping out with SAR the guys were mostly firemen and police so equipment was pretty random.

The yellow and green hat was about the only thing we all had.
Click to expand...

Yeah, and see the last time the Fire department and RCMP came out they had to go back, the FD had too much crap, and the RCMP wernt dressed properly, where the Canadian Rangers, though are military, still provide some stuff and are really designed specificly for that. yet the SAR civilians are done by Western Saftey and something, cant remember it now, but you get the idea.
 
Fonly check this link out
http://www.nasar.org/nasar/downloads/NASAR_SARTECHTM_II_MINIMUM_PERSONAL_EQUIPMENT_LIST_11_2004.pdf

For the vest, if you go to your local work wear or safety shop they should have traffic vests that have lots of pockets to hold radios and other essentials you dont want to keep in your pack. The one I use is surveyor's vest from Acklands, part number NONTV98CYG/O/2XL. The picture isnt the vest I use but it will give you an idea
AAA4610_Survey_Vest.jpg
 
When I worked as a medic for a children's camp, we had about 300 acres, and I'd guess about 15% of that was accessible by horseback or the little side by side 4x4. I carried a pretty hefty kit in a MEC Wave butt pack, and was able to carry enough stuff to support myself and someone else overnight (myself healthy, them injured) Not that I ever needed it, but it was always there.
I have a Cobra GMRS radio, with the full 3 watt transmitter, but in the hills you'd need something quite a bit bigger to get good signal. If I was able to gear up before going out, and could reasonably guess the weather, as if that ever happens around calgary, I'd feel comfortable going 24 hours without resupply, or longer assuming having a base to work from.

Although I've tried to do the "rapid access" thing with gear, I find that for most stuff, getting it all set where I can reach it takes a long time, and mostly requires stopping to use, so besides knife and compass and radio, I'm fine with everything in the pack. of course some fire method goes in the pocket as well on the off chance of loosing the pack.

For boots I prefer a softer sole like the SWAT boots to a heavy sole, but that's my preference, I feel I get better footing, and lighter boots are less fatiguing.

I'm still trying to figure out how to carry water, I've used an army surplus LBV, similar to the south african style but with a large pouch along the back, but found it was hot, and while there were in theory enough pockets for everything, it was hard to access things. The wave pack worked well for carry every day all day, but the max water load was 1.5 L in two 750ml bottles, not alot for sure. I've used a water bladder in my back pack, and while it works, its still not perfect, as there is not really a good place for it. (mec Brio 40) Maybe if I had the funds, a camelback / butt pack combo would work, personal stuff on the back, with medical in the waist pack, as it's fairly easy to swing it around in front to work from.
I wish I lived in one place long enough to go SAR, maybe next year (said that last year though....)
 
If you can find Macpac backpacks your way they are very good, a bladder for water so you can drink on the go helps but you need to be able to carry a water bottle for any people you may resue, if you can attatch a module type thing to the side of it that will store your stove and cooker/fuel in it then when you board a chopter you can detatch and hand to the crew (requirement in NZ SAR).
You want a couple of torches/flashlights - if you can get LED type then you never need to worry about breaking a bulb, have a headlight and a hand light. Carry extra batteries. A small wool hat and some wool gloves which will give you warmth, even when wet. A pair of leather gardening gloves and and a pair of garden shears/snips (small ones) also useful.
 
I've only done military and volunteer SAR so my list may be different than real SAR professionals, but I'm also not limited to a fixed packing list or uniform like some pro SAR teams.

Your packing list will likely be dictated by the situation, weather and your particular role. For example, I'm a former mountain guide so if I'm in the mountains I carry a rack and rescue gear, so need a larger and heavier duty backpack. If it's winter I carry a sleeping bag, down jacket, etc. so again need a larger pack. If I'm on a hasty team I want a a lighweight pack with minimal gear so that I can move quickly.

I typically carry a backpack with removable hydration system (in case I need to drop my pack). Any of the good backpacking companies will do (Arcteryx, The North Face, Dana Designs, Mystery Ranch, Gregory, etc.). The military packs tend to be much heavier, due to 1000D cordura, reinforcements, etc., but whatever floats your boat.

I also usually carry a military chest rig (I'm former military) with pockets for a small trauma kit, small survival kit (with signal mirror), energy bars, ham radio, 2-way radio, GPS, compass, map, pencils, LED headlamp, powerful LED flashlight (for looking into dark or far places) and spare lithium batteries. Gloves were also clipped to this rig with a carabiner and a SOLAS/Coast Guard approved whistle is dummy corded to it, too. This seemed to be constantly evolving as I tweaked the system. I can drop my pack, strap on my Camelbak and be ready to move with this if I need to.

In winter I wear boots, the rest of the year I wear trail runners. I have strong ankles and do ultralight backpacking and this has never been a problem for me. The old military addage of one pound on the feet equals three on the back rings true. For some people this could be dangerous. Gaiters are usually a good idea to keep rain, dew, dirt and scree out of your footwear.

I prefer soft shell jackets, unless you expect heavy rain. Soft shells tend to be much tougher than hard shells, are much more breathable and provide some insulation. If it's rainy I wear eVent shells.

In my pack I carry all of my excess gear. I carry a poncho liner, gloves, spare wool socks and a wool hat year around, and these just live in my pack. I carry a larger trauma kit and more energy bars and gels (for myself, the person I'm searching for or my fellow searchers). I carry a couple of MRE entree packets, endurance drink mix, an ultralight stove and fuel (sometimes a butane/propane stove, sometimes an alcohol stove) and a water filter. I also carry a multi-tool, spare LED headlamp, AMK Heatsheets bivy sack, a contractors bag, disposable heaters, reflective and blaze orange surveyors tape and a supplemental survival kit.

On my belt is a good stainless steel fixed blade in a drop sheath and there's a good pocket knife in my pocket.

I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot of stuff, but this gives you a general idea.

Good luck with it and keep us posted.
 
Wow, thanks for the help guys. Right now im still working with the lunada, and a Vest I picked up a little while ago. But im going to need to get a new packs, the whole slinger set-up from maxpedition is just not made for work like this.

When I get a chance Ill put of a list, and pictures of stuff I have going right now. what do you guys find is a good amount of FAK gear, I've wanted to pick up a few israeli bandages and EMT shears.
 
Our team doesn't have a required 'inventory' list, rather leaves it up to members to dress and equip
themselves for up to 24 hours of field operations.

There is a document that provides guidance for a 24 Hour SAR Pack.

Many on our team have gone to the True North Aero-Vest, and throw a pack over it.

I consider many bits of gear essential, including 50' of 1" tubular webbing, with a steel carabiner (for
lobbing about) in a stuff sack. Useful for a hasty rappel, patient packaging, shelter construction, etc.

This can be a HUGE subject, I look forward to hearing more...!!

Cheers,
8
 
Nice, thanks river 8.

For a bit now I've been looking for a new pack, There is a Tactical tailor three day pack that I wouldn't fill for three days, but it would certainly be nice to have the room, Ill try and find some pics.

What do you guys use with light, I noticed most of the guys in with have fairly large light, the 1 million candle power style, but they havent gone to led lights yet. I was telling about the TK10 that my brother is sending my, they were intrested to say the least. :D
 
Fonly said:
... What do you guys use with light
Click to expand...

Fonly,

Most of us use LED's both for headlamps and primary search light(s).
The 1 to 3 watt LED's are plenty bright for bush-shaking...
Generally the headlamp is for getting around, and the handheld is for searching.

8
 
River-8 said:
Fonly,

Most of us use LED's both for headlamps and primary search light(s).
The 1 to 3 watt LED's are plenty bright for bush-shaking...
Generally the headlamp is for getting around, and the handheld is for searching.

8
Click to expand...

yeah, there is only one guy I work with thats really into LED's he felt 60 lumens was enough on dark nights.

I know any night Navagation I've ever done was done fine with a 40 lumen light, when your out there with little to no light say from the moon, or street lights, even 40 lumens goes ALONG way.:thumbup:
 
I am actually in the process of joining TCSAR and am looking real hard at True North Gear. Somewhere on here we have a thread about it, but this is crunch time for school so I am not going to look right now. Check them out too.
 
Fonly said:
yeah, there is only one guy I work with thats really into LED's he felt 60 lumens was enough on dark nights.

I know any night Navagation I've ever done was done fine with a 40 lumen light, when your out there with little to no light say from the moon, or street lights, even 40 lumens goes ALONG way.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Just a comment Fonly, you are not just navigating you are searching so the way I see it and others I know, unless its daytime there will never be enough light.

Power output vs battery burn time vs weight vs battery type and availability are the variables we struggle with.

My 2 cents.

Skam
 
skammer said:
Just a comment Fonly, you are not just navigating you are searching so the way I see it and others I know, unless its daytime there will never be enough light.

Power output vs battery burn time vs weight vs battery type and availability are the variables we struggle with.

My 2 cents.

Skam
Click to expand...

I understand completely.:thumbup:

Personally have never been on a search yet, I know it will happen in the near future, I just feel an overwhelming urge to have things ready now, and its almost too much.

Right now, I would be ok with a search. Most of my gear is going to be supplied, the essentials anyways because im with the forces. But, there are still going to be the times when Im not able to take my duty gear, and thats where I run into problems.

Lucily though, I get paid for my searchs unless, the Rangers arnt contacted. But for the most part they are.
 
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