What’s in my 24 hour Search and Rescue Bag?

Be sure to check out the Wayward Stories Podcast anywhere you find Podcasts!
Currently locked down in Indiana due to Covid19 and want for things to do, I set about going through my gear. Then I remembered that I’ve been asked multiple times about the gear I carry and why. Thus, this video. Please SUSCRIBE!!! 😬😬😬
For blogs and photo galleries of my adventures, in addition to links to my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook visit www.waywardstories.com

[@Obesimusillegitimus]

Just getting started in SAR, please, PLEASE, keep the 101 level content coming.

[@WaywardStories]

I have a few in mind I intend to make when I get a little more time. I’ll do my best, and welcome to the family!

[@davidnobles162]

Thanks for sharing! I'll be putting my own SAR pack together soon, so this is super helpful. You covered a lot of things I hadn't thought of.

[@WaywardStories]

Thanks so much for watching! Best of luck and feel free to ask any questions. If I have knowledge that’s helpful I’m more than happy to share.

[@zacharyrosser9916]

Great content

[@pepepepert]

Great set up. I would keep the tarp in there full time not only for you but also for the subject. You can build a wind shelter etc. I have moved from the back pack (though there is one in my car for subject recovery with more tools in it. I use a molle vest now in blaze orange. Is your team also volunteer? I'm out in atlantic Canada and our area is full of bogs and crazy cliffs. Keep up the good work.

[@WaywardStories]

We are indeed volunteer. And I’m inclined to agree. My kit has evolved a lot in the last couple of years. It’s essentially modular. I have everything I need in a footlocker in my ride, so I can grab and interchange as the situation dictates. I use my Eno rain fly in lieu of a tarp because it’s lighter and packs smaller. But serves a similar purpose. Can be a shelter, a litter, rainwater collected etc etc We have a lot of cliffs here as well. Lots of big waterfalls. Not so much in bogs but we have a tone of mountainous terrain.

[@pepepepert]

@@WaywardStories My wife and I are both members so it is great come birthday or Christmas. I got a nice helmet this year. Now shopping for her for Christmas gifts. Stay safe out there

[@WaywardStories]

You and yours as well my friend…hoping that if I ever decide to settle down again I can luck into a partner who’s into public service as well…it’s be nice to get stuff for birthdays again 😂😂

[@firefawnakl]

Great video! Were fairly new to SAR so we appreciate the shared knowledge!

[@WaywardStories]

Thank you so much! And welcome to SAR. I know I speak for everyone when I say we’re glad to have you!

[@James-ke5sx]

I saw you last year and here we are this year still stuck with covid. Hope you made it through.

[@WaywardStories]

I have survived. Life didn’t really change much for me as a delivery driver. I just worked straight through it. Had Covid during the peak of it (April 2020) but didn’t have serious symptoms. Where did I run into you at? Glad to see you here and watching the vids!

[@James-ke5sx]

@@WaywardStories I ran into you here on KZbin when I was looking for ideas to make a survival kit. I was looking again today as a refresher course. Have to check medical kits this week and check 1st aid videos again.

[@WaywardStories]

@@James-ke5sx I gotcha! Awesome, I’m glad you checked back in my friend.

[@Save-A-DogAps]

I also have a Seek Thermal Reveal Pro Scanner And a FLIR k1 situational awareness camera As well as Bushnell Nightvision with monitor As well as a Search drone All Easy to carry

[@bill_thesciguy]

Very useful

[@rykerprime184]

I came across your video today and had an issue with a few of the things you said. I want you to know that I have zero civilian SAR experience but did experience survival school while in the Army. If you will, I'm going to provide a few critiques… First, never use a bag that has a camo pattern! This defeats the purpose of SAR. Bright, Light, and Sight! Wear Bright clothing/equipment, have bright Lights (lumens), and find locations that offers the best Sight to all assets (aerial, ground, etc.) Next, your theory of 24 to 48 hours is flawed. NEVER assume length of time, but plan on distance. If you are true to SAR, you SHOULD know the appropriate water intake and the appropriate caloric intake depending on the mission DISTANCE and not the time on site. (Vertical distance also applies). Gloves (I wouldn’t use those to repel), safety glasses, and a hiking stick; all good things! Check the ratings! Ranger beads….beads are a back-up! They should ONLY be used if YOU get lost! Get a damn GPS Garmin handheld or watch! Also, pick up a few maps of all the areas where you want to work and study them like your life depends on it; this should be a part of your basic gear. Radio; get the BIGGEST/LONGEST whip you can find for whatever transmitter you think is appropriate. Do your research on which radio is best for you. On a similar note, if you are a solo SAR person or are a part of an amateur team that doesn’t have great communication gear, get a satellite phone! Yes, it is expensive, deal with it (pay it off with taxes)! WAIT, WAIT, WAIT; you use a chem light to provide you ambient/”sustained” light to start a fire? Have you used a chem light before? If you’re at the point you need to use a chem light to provide light to start a fire, you’re way behind! Phew, at least you got a compass! I 100% agree you need one of these; trust me, this one thing can save your life! Whoa wait, what the hell is a “grid reader"? You mean a protractor? Dude, this is survival 101 (and elementary school math)! There are only THREE things you should ALWAYS have with you while in the sticks…a compass, protractor, and a map. All the other crap is dead weight!.....laminate your fucking ruler for the love of God! Might be obvious, but I’m gonna have to disagree with your military buddy here; Aquaphor Healing Ointment can assist in the relief of Ball/Thigh Rubbage, also known as chafing (not sponsored). All the other stuff is great! But I have one problem; why isn’t anything dirty? Even your “grid reader” is still in its' package! I hope these critiques help you save the lives of the people that look upon you with a desire to live.

[@WaywardStories]

I appreciate your input. I sincerely mean that, even though it was delivered in a very patronizing way backed by plenty of testosterone. Everything I presented was from the civilian SAR perspective, and just as it’s taught and tested by NASAR guidelines. My grid reader is a- the quickest and easiest way to read national grid precisely (which is the standard for search and rescue and all other agencies other than aeronautical) and B)- its in its case because they scuff easily and are impossible to read at night under flashlight when they’re scuffed. The bag…I agree. I’m not for the camo bag either. It’s what I owned at the time. Now I have a 5.11 24 bag I like much more. Bought it when I could afford it. I don’t disagree at all about calories and water intake. But that’s not how civilian SAR works. We don’t go on survival missions into the back country un-aided for days at a time. That’s extremely rare. Water is our primary concern bar-none. We always have incident command, logistics, etc within a 15-30 minute drive if not directly on site (if possible). Your circumstance in military survival school aren’t anything like what civilian SAR operations are like. Circumstances dictate necessity and application. It’s ever evolving. I also agree to have a GPS. All SAR personnel have it in some form. And it’s what we use. But ranger beads and knowledge of how to use them are required kit to pass SARTech certifications. I also think they’re stupid and hate them. Like I’m supposed to be clue and track aware at night in underbrush at the same time as keeping my step count in my head and maintaining my assigned lane? It’s dumb. I also agree on radio. I’m a ham radio guy. The issue is that ham isn’t utilized in SAR. I keep my handheld as a possible last ditch comm if we need help and the AWIINS system is out of range. That’s the other thing, civilian SAR is on the same truncated system as police fire and EMS. The county issues our comms and we’re barred from altering them in anyway. Including antennas. Again. I really genuinely mean it when I say thanks for the input and your perspective. But I’m remiss if I don’t say something to the effect of: it would be better received by myself and most people who read it if you offered it in an “here’s some things to consider from my unique experiences” and less of an “you’re an idiot…gaze upon my majesty” perspective.

[@serpensphile]

What kind of pack are you using? Thanks!

[@WaywardStories]

The pack in the video is a US military surplus tactical 3-day assault bag. The pack I’m using now and much prefer is seen in another video of mine here: 5.11 RUSH24 Backpack Review and Demo

[@serpensphile]

@@WaywardStories Thanks! I'll check it out!

[@warlantactical]

Need a rescue laser . ,flares or smoke , signal panel get rid of the life straw they suck and extra pac of snivel gear for the injured

[@archiemacgowan5652]

Could I get the name and model of your knife? I just joined a SAR group in ontario . Thanks for the video

[@WaywardStories]

Welcome to the family my friend. It’s Gerber, that I recall for sure. I’ll check tomorrow after work for model cause I gotta dig it out of it’s hidey-hole in my pack. Will let you know

[@tacticalstrategist3842]

Gerber Strongarm

[@1l0r1a3c]

Great video mate! I’m putting together a personal kit for callouts. Clearly some serious thought put into each item that’s in your pack. I like the Fire Gel Idea. Keep it up 👍

[@WaywardStories]

Thank you my friend! Hope the video helped with your pack and good luck!

[@LKS-1976]

You were not stuck anywhere. You just resist that tyrannical processes. Nice set up.