Equipment

The Ready Pack is the most essential piece of equipment a SAR member will carry. The ready pack is carried with a searcher at all times while out on a searc. It can save your life and the life of the potential survivor you are searching for.

The ready pack contains enough equipment to keep you searching comfortably for periods of 4 to 6 hours at a time. But it also contains the proper equipment to keep you alive for 24 hours while out alone. The equipment carried in a ready pack will vary according to the indiviuals training and needs, the type of search (urban or rural), and the weather. Remember!! Dress for the worst because it WILL be cold, it WILL be hot, it WILL rain, it WILL snow, and it WILL be windy!

Below is a basic list of equipment to include in your ready pack. Items may be added and subtracted as you see necessary. Keep in mind that you may need to carry it for a long time. In addition, the fanciest gadget is useless if you don't know how to use it. To download this list hold SHIFT and left-click here.

Map of area
Compass with sight
Matches
Lighter
Candle
Firestarter
Headlamp and spare batteries
Flashlight (2 minimum) and spare batteries
Pen, Pencil, and notepad
Repair kit - wire, duct tape, fishing line, etc.
Knife
Whistle (FOX 40)
Binoculars
Water bottle (2 Litres)
Emergency blanket
Emergency food - power bars, candy, trail mix
Weather gear - clothing for rain, snow, heat, cold, wind
Zip lock baggies (large)
Latex gloves
First Aid kit
Extra socks
Surveyors ribbon