Because a team may find the search subject(s) late in the day with bad weather closing in, it is expected that a team be able to keep itself and the injured search subjects alive through the night, providing first aid as needed.

A 40-70 litre capacity backpack lets you carry sufficient food, water, shelter, and clothing without being too heavy. Since FSAR takes a team approach, don't feel that you have to be fully equipped before joining FSAR. For example, one team member might not have a first aid kit, but has expertise in navigation and communications and carries extra maps, compasses, GPS, radios, etc., while another team member who is trained in wilderness first aid carries a more complete first aid kit. And a team shouldn't need four stoves!

Since in southern Alberta night-time temperatures can drop below zero any time of year, there is no division between summer and winter gear. Also, no mention is made of equipment that those trained in wilderness first aid, swiftwater rescue, or rope rescue should or might carry.

So, bearing all the above in mind, here are some items that are suggested, recommended, or should be considered. Take into account your own physical condition and load-carrying ability. The categories below overlap, so some items are mentioned more than once. Also, especially in clothing and food, several possible alternatives are listed. Don't even think of carring all this stuff; after all, you shouldn't need four hats and four pairs of pants! You'll have to pick and choose what to carry and what to leave in the car at search base, depending on the season and situation.

A tired searcher is not an effective searcher. No one else will carry your pack for you, and the more you carry, the faster you will get tired.
Search equipment

• compass with mirror
• note pad and pencils
• Sharpie-type marker
• watch
• measuring tape
• paper or plastic bags for evidence
• FSAR jacket
• FSAR T-shirt
• FSAR fluorescent baseball cap
• flagging tape
• headlamp or flashlight, extra batteries, spare bulb
• eye protection
• tracking and/or walking stick(s)
• sunscreen and/or insect repellant
• whistle
• nylon rope (6 metres of 7mm)

• compass with mirror
• notepad and pencils
• ruler
• map(s)
• large transparent bag for map(s)
• pacing beads
• GPS with extra batteries
• for night navigation add: – eye protection
• red bicycle flasher
• flashlight(s)
• lots of extra batteries

• toilet paper in ziploc
• whistle
• multitool (e.g., Leatherman)
• good sheath knife or hatchet
• waterproof matches
• fire starter (paraffin-soaked sawdust or dryer lint works)
• water purification tablets
• space blanket
• candles
• bear spray and/or bear bangers
• flares
• duct tape
• safety pins
• large orange garbage bag
• 35 cents for phone call

• water bottles (about 2L capacity)
• Sport drink (e.g., Gatorade)
• trail mix
• instant porridge
• energy bars
• prepared meals (e.g., IMPs, MREs or Hotpacks, so a stove isn't necessary)
• soup mix, dehydrated meals
• stove and fuel
• cooking pot
• knife, fork & spoon
• powdered drink
• fruit leather

• tarpaulin, tube tent, or space blanket
• large orange garbage bag
• sleeping bag or bivouac sac
• thermorest or ensolite pad
• parachute cord (10-20 metres)
• spare stuff sacks

• Laminated quick reference cards
• First aid report forms
• Tylenol
• antiseptic cleansing pads
• sterile 4"x4" pads
• safety pins
• lip balm
• gauze pads
• moleskin for blisters
• roller bandages
• triangular bandages
• latex or vinyl gloves
• tweezers
• tick removal tool
• insect repellant
• sunscreen
• ear plugs
• band-aids
• CPR face mask
• note pad and pencil
• space blanket

• personal medication; tell team members about relevant medical conditions!
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• waterless hand cleaner
• hand sanitizer
• hairbrush or comb
• razor
• deodorant
• tampons or sanitary pads (with ziplocs for packing out used ones)

• FSAR fluorescent baseball cap
• warm toque
• balaclava
• Tilley-type hat for protection against rain and sun
• bug hat
• sunglasses
• spare eyeglasses
• ski goggles
• scarf
• long-sleeve shirt
• yellow FSAR T-shirt
• fleece sweater
• fleece jacket
• FSAR jacket
• rain jacket
• winter coat
• thin leather gloves (especially for rope team members)
• fleece gloves or mitts
• heavy winter overmitts
• underwear
• long underwear
• rad or cargo pants
• fleece pants
• rain pants
• ** jeans are strongly discouraged because they absorb so much water
• socks, thin and thick (at least 2 sets)
• gaiters
• waterproof hiking boots
• Winter pack-type boots

If you aren't physically in excellent shape, don't go out with a dog team.

Expect very few breaks, your pace will be set by the dog. On a recent search we had one 10 minute break in 7 hours!

Don't overdress, as you can expect to run or jog while the dog is on a scent.

Rely on the regular teams to support you with extra food, water, clothing, etc., as you cannot carry this and keep up with the dog.

Don't worry too much about taking notes as, believe me, you won't have time. Instead, radio the information back to search base and remind them to be your notepad.

Your small pack (no more than 7 kg) should include:

• water
• small survival kit
• small first aid kit
• coat or other warm clothing
• energy bars for you, dog handler & dog
• map and compass
• GPS
• flagging tape
• lots and lots of batteries for flashlights. Only powerful police-type flashlights are effective for tracking in sporadic snow. During the winter you will need 14 hours of battery power.
• lots of batteries (at least 3) for radio.

Make sure you can run with your pack. Consider using a military-style load-bearing harness instead. Fishing vests are probably too loose and bounce too much.

Based on the hasty nature of a dog search, consideration could be given to having a quad, or SAR members with extra stuff, food, etc., in proximity to the dog team, or at least prepared to assist your "light" team. Remind the search managers of this need.

Talk to the dog handler before leaving base about where he or she wants you in relation to the dog and the handler. Probably you will be asked to stay off the track and slightly behind. You have to prepare the dog for calling out the lost person's name as this can disrupt the concentration of the dog.