Packs

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A 24-hour pack is a critical component for any search and rescue operation, designed to sustain a responder for a day while providing necessary tools for the mission.

In the demanding world of search and rescue (SAR), readiness can mean the difference between life and death for both rescuers and those they aid. A well-equipped 24-hour search and rescue kit should be a carefully curated collection of gear and supplies, balancing weight with functionality, designed to sustain you during extended operations in unpredictable conditions.

As a member of the Graham County Search and Rescue team you are expected to be able to stay on a mission for 24 hours. This pack is personal and should be adjusted to meet your needs.

This section relies heavily on the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) Consolidated Pack Guide with modifications and additions for the southeast Arizona environment. The complete pack guide can be found on the NASAR website: https://nasar.org/

The Pack Itself

The foundation of your kit is the pack. Priorities in choosing a pack are:

  • Comfort underload: a real suspension system, supportive hip belt, and load lifters matter more than extra pockets.
  • Fast access: medical gear, navigation tools, gloves, headlamp, radio, and shelter items must be reachable without unpacking everything.
  • Durability: high-denier nylon/Cordura, reinforced stitching, weather resistance, drainage, and abrasion tolerance are important in brush, rock, snow, and wet environments.
  • Organization without clutter: enough compartments to separate medical, technical, and survival gear—but not so many that the pack becomes confusing.
  • Modularity: external attachment points or modular pouches can be very useful, especially for changing mission profiles.

Select the right size for the mission:

  • 10-20L: Light, fast hasty search.
  • 21-30L: 24-hour pack.
  • 31-50L: Multi-day mission.
  • 50L and above: Extended mission.

The best SAR pack is mission specific. A fast hasty search pack is not the same as a technical rescue or overnight pack

Rapid response / hasty search packs

These are best when your mission is speed, mobility, and essential gear only—often for short searches.

Ideal traits:

  • Usually lower to mid volume
  • Close-to-body carry
  • Minimal snag points
  • Quick-access outer pockets
  • Easy radio/hydration integration

Best for:

  • Hasty teams
  • Fast-moving wilderness searchers
All-day general wilderness SAR packs

This is the “sweet spot” for many team members: enough capacity for a serious 24-hour field load plus some team gear, without becoming a huge expedition pack.

Ideal traits:

  • Strong frame/suspension
  • Comfortable all-day carry
  • Enough volume for layers, food, water, navigation, first aid, emergency bivy, and some shared equipment
  • Reasonable external carry options

Best for:

  • Most wilderness SAR field teams
  • Day-long or 24-hour self-sufficient missions
  • Searchers carrying a moderate medical or communications load

For many wilderness teams, this is the best overall choice. If someone says, “I want one pack to do most SAR missions reasonably well,” this category is usually the answer.

Common mistakes when buying a SAR pack
  • Buying too small because it feels good empty in a store.
  • Buying too big for your actual role, making you slower and disorganized.
  • Overvaluing modular webbing and undervaluing fit and suspension.
  • Ignoring access speed, you should be able to reach critical items under stress.
  • Not test-loading it with your actual SAR gear before deciding.

There is no perfect pack for everyone, and the right answer depends on your role, terrain, and expected self-sufficiency. For efficiency, it is recommended that items selected for your 24-hour pack have multiple uses. Items that have more than one use help lighten your pack. The composition of your pack is a tradeoff between weight and function. A lighter pack keeps you in the field longer, but you still must carry need equipment. Only experience will let you know if you have the right mix of equipment. Many veteran SAR personnel will reorganize their pack after each mission looking for that ideal composition.

Pack Inventory

Mission Equipment

These items are required to be able to execute mission assignments. While most of the categories below contain items necessary to accomplish a mission these items are specific to SAR needs.

  • Notebook and Pen: For recording coordinates, clues, or incident notes.
  • Tracking Stick
  • Cell Phone
  • Flagging Tape
  • Binoculars

Optional:

  • Chemical Light Sticks: Useful for marking locations or providing emergency illumination.

Personal and Hygiene

  • Personal Medications
  • Spare Prescription Eyeglasses / Contact Lenses
  • Toilet Paper
  • Sunscreen
  • Hand Towel
  • Soap / Sanitizer

Food and Hydration

Sustenance for a full 24 hours is vital; choose items that are lightweight, compact, and high in calories.

  • Water bottles, canteen. or hydration bladder
  • Water purification: filter or tablets
  • Energy bars, trail mix, jerky, and ready-to-eat meals
  • Electrolyte tablets, drinks, or mix

Light Sources

Operations frequently extend into darkness, so reliable lighting is non-negotiable.

  • Headlamp: With adjustable brightness and spare batteries.
  • Flashlight: Durable, waterproof, and with extra batteries.

Navigation

Even in familiar terrain, reliable navigation tools help prevent the rescue team from becoming lost or disoriented.

  • Compass: Preferably a quality baseplate compass with luminous markings for night use.
  • Cell Phone: The cell phone has become the go-to mapping/navigation system. With applications like SAR Topo and built in GPS.

Optional

  • Topographic Maps: Water-resistant and up-to-date maps of the search area.
  • GPS Device: Portable and rugged, loaded with regional maps and extra batteries.

Communication Equipment

Maintaining contact is critical for coordination and safety.

  • Cell Phone: Fully charged
  • Whistle: For signaling across distance or in low-visibility conditions.
  • Signal Mirror: Compact, for visual signaling in daylight.
  • Personal or supplied by the squad.
  • Two-way Radio: Compatible with the team’s communication system, with a backup battery and waterproof case.

Optional

  • Portable power bank.

Clothing and Protection

Layering is key for comfort and adaptation to changing weather. Choose moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and insulating materials.

  • Base layer: synthetic or merino wool shirt and undergarments
  • Mid layer: fleece or insulated jacket
  • Outer layer: waterproof and windproof shell
  • Gloves
  • Socks
  • Hat: summer hat and winter beanie

Stop the Bleed Kit

A Stop the Bleed kit is a portable medical kit specifically designed to provide the essential equipment needed to control major bleeding. Unlike standard first aid kits, which focus on minor wounds, a Stop the Bleed kit is tailored for rapid response to severe hemorrhage and includes items selected for efficiency, reliability, and ease of use under stress.

Note: if you have not had extensive Stop the Bleed training do not carry a Tourniquet. It will only get you in trouble.

  • Tourniquets: Typically, the kit includes one or more high-quality, windlass-style tourniquets (such as the CAT or SOFTT-W) designed for fast, one-handed use.
  • Trauma Shears: Sturdy, blunt-tipped scissors for cutting away clothing or gear to access injuries quickly and safely.
  • Compressed Gauze: Sterile, compact gauze used for wound packing or direct pressure. They are lightweight yet absorbent, rolls and pads
  • Gloves: Nitrile or latex gloves to protect both rescuer and subject from bloodborne pathogens
  • Marker: For noting the time of tourniquet application directly on the device or the patient

Optional

  • Hemostatic Dressings: Gauze impregnated with agents that accelerate blood clotting (e.g., QuikClot, Celox). These are crucial for packing deep or irregular wounds.
  • Emergency Blanket: Compact space blankets to help prevent or treat shock by keeping the injured person warm.
  • Instructions/Reference Card: A waterproof quick guide outlining steps for hemorrhage control, especially useful for less experienced responders or bystanders.
  • Chest Seals: For SAR teams operating in environments with a risk of penetrating chest trauma, vented chest seals can be crucial additions.

First Aid Kit

A compact, comprehensive first aid kit should be tailored to your needs for both minor injuries and non-trauma scenarios. Some suggestions:

  • Acetaminophen / Aspirin Tablets/ Ibuprofen
  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Tablets
  • Antiseptic Cleansing Pads
  • Antiseptic Ointment/Cream
  • Band-Aids, Various Sizes
  • Cotton Swabs, Non-Sterile
  • Gauze Bandage, Roll
  • Safety Pins
  • Splinter Forceps, Tweezers
  • EMT Type Scissors
  • Sterile Dressings (3 or 4, 4″ squares)

Survival

Be prepared for the unexpected, adverse weather, or emergency overnight stays. Murphy is always happy to make a SAR mission interesting. Adaptability is essential. These tools serve multiple purposes in SAR scenarios.

  • Duct Tape
  • Fire Starter
  • Space Blanket / Emergency Sleeping Bag
  • Para-Cord / Cordage (50′)
  • Water Purification Capability
  • Shelter
  • Knife and Multi-Tool

Packing Strategies

While this list may seem extensive, the key to successful SAR readiness is balance, take only what you truly need, pack with intention, and routinely review and update your kit based on operational experience. Practice packing and unpacking your gear, ensure all electronics are charged, and verify expiration dates on medications and food.

The 24-hour search and rescue pack is not just a collection of equipment; it is a statement of preparedness and respect for both the mission and the lives at stake. With thoughtful preparation, you will be ready to face the unknown, serve with excellence, and return home safely.