by Greg Reed

Backpacking Checklist - The Ten Essentials

Last month in PackaCheck we gave you a list of the Ten Essentials that should be included in every hikers pack. This month we have included an additional list of pack items that are either essential or recommended for SAR members. ( Items marked with a “*“ are essential).

1. *Durable work style all season gloves. Good for rope hauls, tough hikes through rocks and brush, helping to carry the litter.

2. *Latex or Nitrile throwaway gloves to protect you from coming in contact with a subject’s blood or body fluids

3. Goggles or eye protection for the same reasons as above.

4. Various sizes of Ziploc bags. Useful for waterproof storage either to keep things dry inside or to put wet things in to keep them from dampening your pack. Also good for collecting evidence, packing out trash or putting used latex gloves into so as not to contaminate your pack. Just a very useful item that can be adapted to many different situations. Pack them; you’ll be glad you did.

5. *GPS You will need this to find your way back to the command center. Command will also ask you to give coordinates of where a lost subject is found or from where you are transporting an injured subject. You may be given coordinates for an area to search or a location to meet up with other SAR members or where evidence or tracks have been found. This essential piece of equipment will get you out to where you are needed and get you back when you are done. But, it is nothing but useless dead weight if you do not know how to use it. Also, know that your GPS does not take the place of having a compass in your pack and knowing how to use it too.

6. *Note pad and pencil Great for writing down those coordinates that command just gave you. Also good for leaving a note at a specified location for other SAR members or just to keep track of information you might need to refer back to on a mission.

7. Insect repellant. Some kinds also double as sun screen and some liquid kinds make an excellent fire starter. Some do all three thus saving space and weight in your pack.

8. *Small signal mirror. Useful for signaling a helicopter or other SAR members as to your location on the ground. Great for emergency signaling if you get lost or hurt. Also useful for illuminating a track when tracking a subject. A very useful little tool that doesn’t take up much space or weight.

9. Tissue paper or baby wipes. Really makes life much nicer when nature calls.

10. 20 feet of 1” wide webbing and/or 50 foot of paracord. Very handy stuff to have around. You can use it to make all sorts of things including but not limited to slings, splints, emergency shelters, rescue devices, etc., etc., etc. MacGyver would never be without it and neither should you. They pack into any small space and weight practically nothing.

11. Duct tape. Same as above. This stuff will really get you out of a jamb. If you can dream it up, you can probably make it out of webbing and duct tape…don’t leave home without it.

12. Small measuring tape. This is handy when command asks you how big the track is that you just found.

13. Roll of flagging tape. Commonly used in tracking to identify a track or object of interest. Used for letting others know which way you have gone. Also used to flag evidence or show what area has been covered by a search team.

14. *SAR radio. Used to communicate with command and/or coordinate with other SAR members. These things tend to be expensive and not everyone has one, but NO GROUP OF SAR MEMBERS OR A SAR TEAM SHOULD BE WITHOUT AT LEAST ONE SAR RADIO.

15. Tracking stick. Used in tracking to mark track and stride measurements. Also used to mark trackers path and reduce track contamination. Helpful to maintain balance on rocky terrain or fording streams. Makes an excellent tent pole for an emergency shelter.

16. Bandanna. Wet it down and put it around your neck to help keep you cool. Good flagging/signaling device. If you get one big enough you can use it as a cravat to sling a broken arm. Use it for origami to entertain the subject you are carrying out of a canyon - OK, I was just checking to see if you were still paying attention.

16. Two locking carabiners. Handy devices for quickly attaching rope or webbing to something else. Can be used to help make an emergency harness. To be safe, make sure they are load rated climbing biners so you know that they will hold your weight without breaking.

17. A few plastic Zip-ties. Again handy little items to attach light weight things to your pack, attach your emergency shelter to a tree, etc. etc. Remember these are onetime usage only and when you want to get them off you will have to use your pocket knife to cut them off.

18. *Sheriff’s Volunteer SAR Identification. Helps to let people know that you really are a member of TRSAR.

There are probably other things that you might want to include in your pack that would help you while you are out on a mission but remember that everything you include adds bulk and weight. Beyond a certain point the liability of the extra weight outweighs the benefit of having it with you on a mission. Remember the items above marked with a * are absolutely essential for members to carry with them, the rest is recommended but up to your personal preference and ability to carry the load. From time to time this list may be amended to meet current TRSAR board guidelines. When this happens I will try to update the list and get it sent out.

In future installments of Pack Check and after consultation of expert SAR members and other outdoors personnel I would like to go into more detail on the items listed above such as What makes up a good first aid kit; How to keep track of your batteries; Etc. Also I will add recommendations for an “Extended stay pack” or a “Winter pack list” or other helpful pack, clothing and equipment ideas.