Backpack (optional)

We prefer Osprey packs for their superior comfort, quality and features, including convenient gear accessibility.

Click here for sizing information.
(Take measurements, then scroll down to Kestrel series sizing.) Kestrels come in two sizes: S/M and M/L

Osprey Kestrel 38

This is the ultimate "go anywhere, do anything" day pack, also great for light overnighters.  Two torso sizes and an adjustable harness provide a custom fit, while the Airscape backpanel and a peripheral steel spring rod frame give superb comfort.
The Kestrel 38 has a 2200ci (S/M) to 2300ci (M/L) capacity.

Features include:

• Unique Stow-On-The-Go™ trekking pole attachment
• Stretch lycra mesh front and side pockets
• Hip belt pockets
• Integrated raincover (stowed in outside lower pocket)
• Hydration compatible
• Front daisies with bungee tie offs

Osprey Kestrel 28

The Kestrel 28 is a streamlined pack with an attractive all-around feature set.  A fixed top pocket with top loading design keeps gear organized efficiently.  Two torso sizes and an adjustable harness provide custom fit.
The Kestrel 28 has a 1600ci (S/M) to 1700ci (M/L) capacity. 

 Features include:

• Unique Stow-On-The-Go™ trekking pole attachment
• Stretch lycra mesh front and side pockets
• Hip belt pockets
• Integrated raincover (stowed in outside lower pocket)
• Hydration compatible
• Front daisies with bungee tie offs

 GPS (optional)

Garmin is the preferred GPS brand of NASAR, the National Association for Search & Rescue .

Please take out the user guide and practice, especially setting waypoints and doing Go-To's before hitting the trail. Don't be an out-of-the-box user in the backcountry.

Garmin e-Trex Legend

The e-Trex Legend comes loaded with a full basemap of North and South America, with position accuracy to less than three meters.  The basemap contains lakes, rivers, cities, interstates, national and state highways, railroads and coastlines.

Garmin e-Trex H

The E-Trex H is a dependable, easy-to-use GPS unit without a bunch of unnecessary bells and whistles.  The improved e-Trex now offers better accuracy in heavy cover or deep canyons with its new high-sensitivity receiver. 

 Compass

We include the same model in both packs, preferring a compass with adjustable declination and a sighting mirror that can double as a signal mirror.

Click here to look up an area's current declination.

Suunto MC-2DLIN Navigator with Mirror

This top quality mirror lid compass features:

Suunto MC-2DLIN Navigator with Mirror  

This top quality mirror lid compass features:

Multi-tool 

All Leatherman multi-tools come with a 25-year manufacturer's warranty.
Click here for more information.

Leatherman Blast

The 6.9 oz., 4-inch Blast is equipped with locking blades and Zytel contoured handle inserts for comfort.

Features include:

• Needlenose pliers
• Regular pliers
• Wire cutters
• Hard-wire cutters
• Clip-point knife
• Scizzors
• Wood/metal file
• Saw
• Large and small screwdrivers
• Phillips screwdriver
• 8-inch ruler
• Lanyard attachment

Leatherman Squirt P4

The 2 oz, 2.25-inch Squirt P4 is ultra-compact and protected by anodized aluminum handles.

Features include:

• Needlenose pliers
• Straight knife
• Wire cutters
• 3 Screwdrivers
• File
• Opener
• Awl
• Lanyard attachment

 Headlamp

While SAR personnel often find themselves on night missions, requiring a long-lasting, bright beam, recreational day-hikers usually plan to be home before dark. We chose a SARpack headlamp with frequent use in mind, while the PREpack includes a light one can rely on even if it hasn't been used in years.

Petzl Myo XP

This headlamp can be adapted to your lighting needs. And SAR personnel almost always need reliable light for extended periods of time.

Features include:

• 3 lighting levels for adapting the light's brightness to the activity 
• Wide Angle lens allows for quickly switching from flood beam proximity lighting to focused long-distance lighting in a single movement
• Boost mode increases power if needed, while optimizing energy consumption and weight (175 g including batteries)
• Perfect for endurance-oriented activities: 180 hours of light duration at the "economic" level
• Light body is tiltable to direct the light beam where needed

Click here for more information.

Petzl e+Lite

Emergency lighting should be part of any preparedness kit. The light should be compact, lightweight, dependable and high performance. In addition, it should be ready for use today, tomorrow or next year. You may never need it, but it's good to know that it's there.

This light is the exception to our general rule that all gadgetry should take the same battery type, for interchangeability and convenience. Why the exception? Because dayhikers generally don't intend to be out past dark. Given the long shelf-life of the e+Lite's CR2032 lithium batteries, it'll work when needed unexpectedly or on that rare night-hike.

• Headlamp can be used in all conditions and can be stored with batteries for up to 10 years and still be operational
• Shines up to 19 meters
• Practical and easy to use

Click here for more information and to watch a video about the e+Lite.

 Flashlight

Because one light source isn't enough in our book, we've included a hand-held in both packs. For SAR, we've included a more substantial flashlight for help with tracking, for instance.

Princeton-Tec Impact XL

With a burn time of 50+ hours, this flashlight has an innovative rubber molded grip that ensures you'll be able to securely hold the light under demanding circumstances.  Like the GPS, the Impact XL runs on AA batteries, which means you'll need to carry just one battery type and can interchange them if necessary. 

Gerber Infinity Utra Task

The Ultra's patented Diode Step-up Regulator technology provides superior luminosity, a bright 30-foot beam, and up to 100 hours of burn time on just one AA battery. The flashlight comes with a lanyard and clip for hands-free use.

Other features include:

• Waterproof to 10 feet
• Size: 3.25 inches
• Weight: 2 oz.

 Medical supplies

We've included a somewhat more extensive first aid kit in the Search & Rescue pack, but just enough to treat fairly minor injuries. We'll leave it to the medical professional to add more supplies as deemed necessary.

Atwater Carey "Backpacker"
Medical Kit
& 18" Sam splint

Contents of the 10.1 oz. medical kit include:

• Zippered case
• Backcountry First Aid Book
• Emergency action card
• 2 3"x5" Plastic bags
• Nitrite gloves, 1 pr.
• 2 safety pins
• Tweezer in vial
• 6 antiseptic towelettes
• Iodine ointment
• Antibiotic ointment
• 12cc irrigation syringe
• 5 sterile butterfly wound closures
• Sting relief pad
• Tincture of benzoin
• Adhesive tape, 10 yards
• Pressure wrap
• Trauma pad, 5"x9"
• 6 Fabric bandages, 1"x3"
• 4 Sterile gauze pads, 3"x3"
• Moleskin pad, 2"x3"
• 2 Knuckle bandages
• Telfa non-adherent pad, 2"x3"
• Antihistamine tablets
• 4 Ibuprofin tablets

Atwater Carey Personal first aid kit 

Contents of the 2.7 oz. medical kit include:

• Zippered case
• First aid instructions
• "Ask the Expert" free membership
• Splinter grabber forceps
• Iodine ointment
• Antibiotic ointment
• 2 sterile butterfly wound closures
• Sting relief pad
• Tincture of benzoin
• Adhesive tape, 1/2" x 2-1/2 yards
• Conforming gauze, 2" x 4 yards
• 5 adhesive strips, 3/8" x 1-1/2"
• 4 sterile gauze pads, 3"x3"
• 2 telfa non-adherent pads, 2"x3"
• Acetaminophen tablets
• Antihistamine tablets
• Ibuprofen tablets

Whistle 

Since SAR often has to blow, that kit gets the lanyard so the whistle can be worn around the neck for easy access.
For day-hikers, the emergency whistle is in the pack in case it's needed.

Windstorm whistle with lanyard 

Windstorm whistles are twice as loud as most popular whistles and capable of being heard above howling wind or competing sounds. It even works underwater.

Windstorm whistle

Windstorm whistles are twice as loud as most popular whistles and capable of being heard above howling wind or competing sounds. It even works underwater.

Map case

Since you should never leave home without a map...

Map case
with All-in-One Map Tool

The zippered, waterproof pouch has self-binding loops on all four corners, with two additional microcord loops. The case is constructed of soft vinyl and 1.1 oz. silicone impregnated ripstop nylon.

Included with your map case is an All-in-One Map tool with all scales for topo maps in North America, UK, Japan, New Zealand and Europe. 

Other All-in-One Map Tool features include:

• UTM readers for all above-referenced scales
• Slope indexes
• Compass Rose and cardinal directions plotting lines
• Compact 4"x7" pocket-size
• Accurate within 1%
• Illustrated instructions for each element included

Map case

The zippered, waterproof pouch has self-binding loops on all four corners, with two additional microcord loops. The case is constructed of soft vinyl and 1.1 oz. silicone impregnated ripstop nylon.

Emergency Bivvy  

Since SAR personnel are often out all night, we've included a heavier-duty bivvy in that kit, but both bivvies are better than nothin' in a pinch. Combine with the All-Weather Blanket (below) for added warmth and protection from cold, wet ground.

Thermo-Lite 2 Bivvy

An ideal survival/emergency bag with an improved Thermo-lite 2 material on the bottom to withstand rocky ground and hard snow pack.  This bag is easily repaired in the field with duct tape.  The design allows you to open the side, bottom and top for moisture and heat to escape.
Weight: 6.5 oz. 

Heatsheets Emergency Bivvy

Ideal for the rare occasion you take a wrong turn and are forced to spend the night, this emergency bivvy is made of reusable, repairable polyethelyne bright orange material and reflects up to 90% of your radiated body heat.
Weight: 3.5 oz.

Space blanket 

A multi-purpose piece of gear

All-Weather Blanket

This amazingly tough laminate of fiber scrim and aluminized plastic reflects back up to 80% of body heat and can be used as a ground cover or a shelter, as well as to prevent hypothermia. There are grommets in all four corners, so you can use your nylon cord to rig the blanket up as a tarp, then use your emergency bivvy (above) to keep the cold out.
Weight: 12 oz.

All-Weather Blanket 

This amazingly tough laminate of fiber scrim and aluminized plastic reflects back up to 80% of body heat and can be used as a ground cover or a shelter, as well as to prevent hypothermia. There are grommets in all four corners, so you can use your nylon cord to rig the blanket up as a tarp, then use your emergency bivvy (above) to keep the cold out.
Weight: 12 oz.

Ground pad 

We feel this is a must for any SAR member, not only for yourself but possibly for your patient, so we've included it in that kit. We do, however, recommend day-hikers add at least a section of pad to their own packs.

Small Z-rest pad

This accordian-like, closed-cell foam pad may not be as cushy as a blow-up mattress, but its purpose really is to provide insulation between the cold and/or wet ground and you (or your patient). This pad is light-weight and easy to clean. No need to worry about getting it wet or springing an air leak either. (We suggest strapping the pad to the bottom of the backpack.)

*Not included but at least a section of closed-cell foam is recommended*

Fire-starting supplies 

Due to the fact that lighters are fully regulated, hazardous items, the cost of including one in each of our packs is prohibitive. We suggest adding a flint or other type of lighter to your kit as another means of starting a warming campfire.

Waterproof matches, 1 box
Match case with striker
Candles (2)

Waterproof matches, 1 box
Match case with striker
Candles (2) 

 Water bottles

Nalgene Silo
(2) 48-oz. bottles
These bottles, with 63-mm Loop-Top caps, fit into the standard packs and backpack side pockets. The neck configuration works with most major water purifiers and filters.

Nalgene Silo
(2) 48-oz. bottles 
These bottles, with 63-mm Loop-Top caps, fit into the standard packs and backpack side pockets. The neck configuration works with most major water purifiers and filters.

 Water purification product

Because Giardia and other waterbourne nasties are nothin' nice....

Aquamira Water Purifier tablets

12-pack of chlorine dioxide tablets for emergency water purification
Each tablet purifies 1 liter.

Aquamira Water Purifier tablets

12-pack of chlorine dioxide tablets for emergency water purification
Each tablet purifies 1 liter.

Stuff sack 

For keeping your stuff and extra clothing organized and dry.

Outdoor Designs Drysack

Each pack comes with one large, waterproof stuff sack made of neoprene-coated nylon with fully sealed seams.

Outdoor Designs Window Drysack

Each pack comes with one large, waterproof stuff sack made of neoprene-coated nylon with fully sealed seams.

 Toilet items

So you don't have to dig a cat hole with your heel or hiking pole ... or use leaves.

Trowel
Bio-Wipe Toilet tissue
Hand sanitizer

Trowel
Bio-Wipe Toilet tissue
Hand sanitizer

Nylon cord 

Why nylon cord?
Here's a sampling of possible uses:

• Emergency boot or shoe lace replacement and other repairs
• Rigging your All-Weather blanket (see above) as a shelter
• Lowering or raising your pack
• Useful in making an improvised splint
• To hang a "bear bag" if spending the night

Equinox Nylon paracord
50 feet

Equinox Nylon paracord
50 feet 

 Miscellaneous

including note-taking supplies, glow sticks for marking one's route or location (and, for SAR, a helo landing zone), a multi-use trash bag, and more

Pen, pencil and notepad
Heatmax Hothands (2)
Heatmax Foot Warm-ups (2)
Omniglow, 12-hour yellow Glow Sticks (4)
Extra AA batteries (6)
Sunblock
Storage Baggies
Heavy-duty Garbage Bag
 

Pencil and notepad
Heatmax Hothands (2)
Heatmax Foot Warm-ups (2)
Omniglow, 12-hour yellow Glow Sticks (2)
Extra AA batteries (6)
Sunblock
Storage Baggies
Heavy-duty Garbage Bag

Tracking and Marking Supplies 

Measuring tape
Flagging tape, 1 roll
Sharpie permanent marker

For measuring prints and flagging tracks, clues and other important points

*Not included*

More Details 

Need additional information about the contents of these kits? Read articles, with images, about both.

The SARpack

SAR members can use this kit as the foundation for their 24-hour pack, but any hiker can choose SARpack as an upgraded version of the PREpack.

Or Build Your Own Pack from these itmes. Pick and choose one or more.

The PREpack

More than just a survival kit, it's a preparedness pack for backcountry hikers.

Or Build Your Own Pack from these items. Pick and choose one or more.