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Recommended Gear
As a member of our team, you are required to have all gear necessary for a "48-hour pack" to take on missions. You can get all of these items however you choose, but if you want some recommendations for items that other members often use, you can find them here. TCWESAR may gain a commission if you buy these items from the links provided here, which will further support our unit's mission.
Note that this is not an exhaustive list of all gear required for Search and Rescue. Refer to our official Equipment List.
Clothing/Etc.
Not strictly a requirement for your SAR kit, but many team members wear one of these so they have easy access to their radio and other small equipment. Made by a Washington based small business.
Fleece lined, non slip
Neck/face warmth without the bulkiness of a scarf.
Keeps socks dry and protects pants when walking through grass or foliage.
Useful for taking subject vital signs. Water resistant.
Air activated, small, disposable.
For applying waterproofing to clothes and for safely cleaning waterproof clothing.
Helpful for counting steps if you are measuring distance for a grid or for whistle and voice calls.
Food/Cooking/Personal
Pick your preferred color/utensil
750mL, can hold enough water for many freeze dried meals.
Small and lightweight. Does not include fuel.
Useful for walking through brush or protecting a subject during transport.
Back country personal hygeine.
Shelter / Sleeping Gear
Essential for making shelters or protecting patients. Link has options for both 5x7 and 10x12 sizes, one each of which are needed for a full pack.
Different sizes available.
Different sizes available. Another tarp option which comes with stakes and ropes, good for top part of a shelter.
Essential for stringing up a shelter and many other uses. Recommend picking your favorite visible color.
Also useful for supporting a patient during care and transport.
Additional warmth to supplement your sleeping bag.
For tightening down cord or ropes with tents or tarp shelters.
To assist shelter construction. Only 13oz.
Navigation
A former TCWESAR team member actually worked with SUUNTU to help make sure their compasses were as accurate as possible.
A simple protractor for checking bearings and angles on a map, used in our training classes.
A simple ruler for drawing bearings and measuring distances to scale, used in our training classes.
Waterproof paper you can write on with pen or pencil. Essential for taking notes on rainy missions.
Textured grip to prevent slipping.
Plastic ribbon used to mark search areas.
Plastic ribbon used to mark search areas.
Basic Survival Gear
Small, lightweight emergency shelter.
Scissors, screwdriver, pliers, etc. (No knife on this model)
Multiple sizes of waterproof stuff sacks to keep sleeping bag, extra clothing, other gear dry.
10k mAh, will keep your phone charged for at least a few days.
First Aid
Your team medical lead will have a first aid kit provided by the unit, but it's recommended you have your own personal kit with small items. This is a solid, light, waterproof option.
Blue nitrile gloves are the standard for first aid. With a 100 pack of your size gloves you can tuck a few pairs in your pack when you go out.