MCSOSAR REQUIRED PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
REMINDER: Please label EVERYTHING with your name — much of the gear you have, other people have — and it can easily be lost or misplaced.
ITEM | DETAILS | EST. PRICE | REQUIRED AT 1ST OUTING | EQUIPMENT LOCATION |
CLOTHING | ||||
Basic Covid Face Mask | Several basic Covid face masks. Doesn’t need to be N95. These break and get wet in the field so several are nice. | $1-15 | x | On Person |
Boots | Good ankle support, waterproof (Gore-Tex), half-shank (preferably fiberglass), NO steel toe, snow capable. Be cautious of boots with ‘mesh’ on the toes – they aren’t waterproof | $100-300 | x | On Person |
Rain Gear | Top and bottom, rubberized nylon or Gore-Tex. Poncho doesn’t count as rain gear. Recommended: Black colored pants | $30-200 | x | On Person |
Shirt | MCSOSAR Orange Shirt | Provided by MCSOSAR | x | On Person |
Base Layer | Top and bottom – two pairs (one to wear and one to pack), synthetic material or silk or wool, NOT cotton; (e.g. Under Armour or thermals). | $20 - $60 per piece | x | On Person |
Mid Layer | Includes two of each of the following- NOT cotton (one to wear and one to pack):
| $10 - $50 per piece | x | On Person |
Socks | Three pairs (one to wear, two to pack). NOT cotton. | x | On Person and in Search Pack | |
Winter Hat | Ski cap, stocking hat, balaclava, etc. | x | On Person or Search Pack (weather dependent) | |
Warm Gloves | Wool or fleece | x | On Person or Search Pack (weather dependent) | |
Waterproof Gloves | Snow gloves or waterproof shells | On Person or Search Pack (weather dependent) | ||
Leather Gloves | Actual leather. | x | On Person | |
Warm Jacket | x | On Person or Search Pack (weather dependent) | ||
CLOTHING - OPTIONAL | ||||
Gaiters | Gore-Tex is highly recommended. | On Person | ||
Change of Clothes | For after mission/outing. Keep in car or bring in ‘extra pack’ | Ready Bag | ||
GENERAL EQUIPMENT | ||||
Small Pack | School bag size or smaller, with pockets. | x | ||
Search Pack | 50-65 liters (3,050 – 4,000 cubic inches) must be able to hold all required gear, internal frame, load lifters; NOT ultra-light. | |||
Water Bladder | Two liters minimum, three liters recommended, with hose AND shut-off valve. When packing and transporting your pack make sure the shut-off valve is OFF. | Search Pack | ||
Water Bottle | Shatter resistant, 1 liter, wide-mouth, plastic (to accommodate team water filters), recommended brand: Nalgene. | $7-10 | x | Search Pack |
Knife/Multi-Tool | Sturdy knife with locking blade required. Recommended multi-tool; Not fixed blade knife | $15-40 | On Person | |
Whistle | Plastic, NOT metal, without a ball (whistle on your pack clip is not appropriate) Recommended: Fox40 | $3-5 | On Person | |
Head Lamp | Minimum 60 meter beam distance on high setting. Recommended: LED with multiple brightness levels | $30-50 | x | Search Pack |
Backup Light Source | Flashlight or extra headlamp (your backup can be generic) – NOT glow sticks | $10-30 | x | Search Pack |
Extra Batteries | Enough for your headlamp to burn 24 hours. Enough for all other electronic devices to function for 48 hours. | $6-15 | x | Search Pack |
Water Purification | Iodine tablets or comparable chemical purification required (additional pump or pen optional). | $8-12 | Search Pack | |
Duct Tape | 20 feet minimum (do not pack an entire roll) | $4-8 | Search Pack | |
Parachute Cord | 50 feet of 550 cord Recommended: the real 7-strand core | $4-8 | Search Pack | |
Cooking Pot | Large enough to boil 16 oz (2 cups) of water over an open fire. Recommended: Pot with a lid and handle | $18-40 | Search Pack | |
Tarp | 8 feet by 10 feet minimum. Blue, silver or bright colored – NOT camo, green or brown. Recommended: 10 feet x 12 feet size - don’t go too big! | $6-10 | Search Pack | |
Emergency Blanket | Heavy-duty, one side is typically red or blue tarp and the other reflective; NOT thin foil-like mylar emergency blankets. Look for the kind mounted onto a tarp. | $10-20 | Search Pack | |
Sleeping Pad | Closed cell, full length (inflatable pad NOT recommended). | $10-40 | x | Search Pack |
Note Taking Kit | Kit must include:
| $6-16 | Search Pack | |
Fire Building Kit | Kit should include:
| $3-15 | Search Pack | |
Compass | Marked 2° increments, mirror, square base, oil filled. | Provided by MCSOSAR | Search Pack | |
First Aid Kit | For personal use will include:
| 1st kit provided by MCSO SAR Please note that you are responsible for replacing these items when they are used out of your pack. | Search Pack | |
Wool or Synthetic Blanket | Fleece sleeping bag liner or blanket (6 feet by 6 feet) – Recommended NOT dark green, camo or brown. | $6-12 | Search Pack | |
Sleeping Bag | Not to be carried in search pack. Recommended: Synthetic fill, 15° or cooler rating | $45-200 | x | Ready Bag |
Watch | Waterproof, with a seconds-hand; or waterproof digital. | $15-50 | On Person | |
Ready Bag | Sturdy bag to carry extra gear, and clothing for training/search that isn’t required to be carried in pack. Pack your extra gear in a plastic bag. | $15-50 | ||
Trash Bags | Heavy-duty 30-50 gal trash bag. | $1-3 | x | Search Pack |
Hand Sanitizer | Small bottle (at least 1 oz.) | $1-2 | x | Search Pack |
Toiletries | Please bring and use these:
| $6-15 | x | Search Pack |
Meals | 48 hours worth – 4 freeze-dried or heat-able meals Recommended: Mountain House, MRE, etc. | $24-36 | Search Pack | |
Snacks | 48 hours worth – High protein, high carbohydrates (e.g. bars, trail mix, jerky, etc.) | $8-16 | x | Search Pack |
Stove & Fuel | Safe stove and appropriate fuel storage | Free-$100 | Search Pack | |
GENERAL EQUIPMENT - OPTIONAL | ||||
Saw or Hatchet | Not recommended: Axe | $10-50 | Search Pack | |
Sunglasses | Attachment to existing glasses is acceptable. Recommended: Non-glass lens | $10-100 | Search Pack | |
Clear Safety Glasses | Non-glass, clear, highly recommended. | $5-50 | Search Pack | |
Pack Cover | Pack cover should be large or extra-large in size. | $20-40 | Search Pack |
Searchers must have weather appropriate equipment to operate safely in the field. While our demands on equipment are high, we understand that budgets are a concern, and have designed our pack list to accommodate. The following are some suggestions handed down from searchers for where they found field worthy items of gear. In addition, it is important to remember to improvise and use one item for more than one use.
Places to Buy