This list is compiled from equipment lists of 14 SAR organizations from across the United States.
Only those lists identified as basic, 24 hour, hasty or similar were reviewed.  Technical, cold weather, etc. lists were not included.
Many lists had items listed for extended missions or in base.  Of these, generic items such as "spare clothes"  are not included.
Items were scored three different ways. 
a. One point for each list on which the item appeared.
b. 2 points for being required on a list, 1 point for being optional or recommended.
c. 2.5 points if required on the 24 hr or basic list; 2 points if required on the extended or base camp list;  1.5 points if
     optional or recommended on the 24 hr/basic list; 1 point if optional or recommended on the base camp/extended list.
The maximum total of the three scoring methods is 77.
No list contained all 89 items.  No list contained all the suggested first aid kit items.
(*) Items which were on more extended lists than basic lists.
(**) Items listed as optional more often than required.
Sorted by total score Sorted alphabetically
Sorted by  general score (method b) Sorted by number of lists (method a) Sorted by score (basic/extended) (method c) maximum possible 28 14 35 77 100 maximum possible 28 14 35 77 100
Item score lists % of max Item lists score % of max Item score lists % of max Item score lists score b/e total % of max Item score lists score b/e total % of max Suggested personal first aid kit items Personal items for base or extended missions
1 compass 28 14 100 1 compass 14 14 100 1 compass 35 14 100 1 compass 28 14 35 77 100 1 altimeter 1 1 1 3 4 alcohol swabs clothes bag
2 first aid kit, personal 28 14 100 2 first aid kit, personal 14 14 100 2 first aid kit, personal 35 14 100 2 first aid kit, personal 28 14 35 77 100 2 aluminum foil 5 3 6.5 14.5 19 antacid tablets, otc clothes, spare
3 flashlight or headlamp 28 14 100 3 flashlight or headlamp 14 14 100 3 flashlight or headlamp 35 14 100 3 flashlight or headlamp 28 14 35 77 100 3 ascender 1 1 1.5 3.5 5 antihistamine, otc comb
4 knife, multipurpose 28 14 100 4 food, 1 day's worth 14 14 100 4 knife, multipurpose 35 14 100 4 knife, multipurpose 28 14 35 77 100 4 can opener (**) 6 4 8 18 23 anti-itch cream deodorant
5 water, 2 quarts or liters minimum 28 14 100 5 knife, multipurpose 14 14 100 5 water, 2 quarts or liters minimum 35 14 100 5 water, 2 quarts or liters minimum 28 14 35 77 100 5 candle, long burning 13 7 16.5 36.5 47 antiseptic ointment nail clippers
6 whistle 28 14 100 6 rainwear or poncho 14 14 100 6 whistle 35 14 100 6 whistle 28 14 35 77 100 6 carabiners, 2 minimum 9 5 11.5 25.5 33 antiseptic pads other personal items
7 rainwear or poncho 27 14 96 7 water, 2 quarts or liters minimum 14 14 100 7 rainwear or poncho 34 14 97 7 rainwear or poncho 27 14 34 75 97 7 chem-light 4 2 5 11 14 Band-Aids other toilet articles
8 matches 26 13 93 8 whistle 14 14 100 8 food, 1 day's worth 33 14 94 8 food, 1 day's worth 26 14 33 73 95 8 compass 28 14 35 77 100 bloodborne pathogen protection equipment (kit) shaving kit
9 food, 1 day's worth 26 14 93 9 matches 13 13 93 9 matches 32 13 91 9 matches 26 13 32 71 92 9 condom, non lubricated 2 1 2.5 5.5 7 butterfly closures soap
10 notepad with pencil or pen 24 12 86 10 mirror, signal 13 13 93 10 notepad with pencil or pen 30 12 86 10 mirror, signal 24 13 30 67 87 10 cook kit (*) 12 8 15 35 45 compresses/sanitary napkins toothbrush and paste
11 spare batteries for light 24 12 86 11 cup, metal 12 12 86 11 spare batteries for light 30 12 86 11 notepad with pencil or pen 24 12 30 66 86 11 cook kit utensils (spoon) (*) 10 6 12 28 36 cotton swabs towel
12 mirror, signal 24 13 86 12 gloves, leather 12 12 86 12 mirror, signal 30 13 86 12 spare batteries for light 24 12 30 66 86 12 cup, metal 19 12 24.5 55.5 72 CPR  mask washcloth
13 gloves, leather 22 12 79 13 notepad with pencil or pen 12 12 86 13 gloves, leather 27.5 12 79 13 gloves, leather 22 12 27.5 61.5 80 13 descender 5 3 6.5 14.5 19 eye wash
14 shelter material, 8ft x10ft 21 11 75 14 spare batteries for light 12 12 86 14 shelter material, 8ft x10ft 26 11 74 14 shelter material, 8ft x10ft 21 11 26 58 75 14 ear plugs 2 1 2.5 5.5 7 gauze pads
15 spare bulb for light 20 10 71 15 leaf bag, large; 1 or more 11 11 79 15 spare bulb for light 25 10 71 15 nylon cord, 50ft minimum 20 11 24.5 55.5 72 15 entrenching tool (**) 7 5 10 22 29 gloves, latex or rubber
16 nylon cord, 50ft minimum 20 11 71 16 nylon cord, 50ft minimum 11 11 79 16 nylon cord, 50ft minimum 24.5 11 70 16 cup, metal 19 12 24.5 55.5 72 16 fire starter 19 10 23.5 52.5 68 moleskin
17 fire starter 19 10 68 17 shelter material, 8ft x10ft 11 11 79 17 cup, metal 24.5 12 70 17 spare bulb for light 20 10 25 55 71 17 first aid kit, personal 28 14 35 77 100 needle
18 cup, metal 19 12 68 18 sleeping bag (*) 11 11 79 18 fire starter 23.5 10 67 18 fire starter 19 10 23.5 52.5 68 18 flashlight or headlamp 28 14 35 77 100 pain relief, otc
19 leaf bag, large; 1 or more 18 11 64 19 fire starter 10 10 71 19 leaf bag, large, 1 or more 23.5 11 67 19 leaf bag, large; 1 or more 18 11 23.5 52.5 68 19 flashlight, backup (**) 9 6 12 27 35 personal medications
20 sunglasses 17 9 61 20 insect repellent 10 10 71 20 sunglasses 21.5 9 61 20 sunglasses 17 9 21.5 47.5 62 20 food, 1 day's worth 26 14 33 73 95 roller bandages
21 socks, spare 17 10 61 21 socks, spare 10 10 71 21 tissue paper 21 10 60 21 socks, spare 17 10 20.5 47.5 62 21 food, extra (*) 8 5 8.5 21.5 28 salt tablets
22 sleeping bag (*) 17 11 61 22 spare bulb for light 10 10 71 22 socks, spare 20.5 10 59 22 sleeping bag (*) 17 11 19.5 47.5 62 22 gaiters (**) 5 5 7.5 17.5 23 tape, first aid
23 insect repellent 16 10 57 23 tissue paper 10 10 71 23 insect repellent 19.5 10 56 23 tissue paper 16 10 21 47 61 23 gloves, leather 22 12 27.5 61.5 80 tincture of benzoin swabs
24 tissue paper 16 10 57 24 sleeping pad (*) 9 9 64 24 sleeping bag (*) 19.5 11 56 24 insect repellent 16 10 19.5 45.5 59 24 goggles 14 8 17 39 51 triangular bandages
25 tape, flagging 15 8 54 25 sunglasses 9 9 64 25 tape, flagging 19 8 54 25 tape, flagging 15 8 19 42 55 25 GPS 1 1 1 3 4 tweezers
26 sleeping pad (*) 15 9 54 26 cook kit (*) 8 8 57 26 nylon rope, 50ft, 9mm 18 8 51 26 sleeping pad (*) 15 9 17.5 41.5 54 26 ground sheet 6 3 7.5 16.5 21
27 goggles 14 8 50 27 goggles 8 8 57 27 water purification tablets 17.5 8 50 27 nylon rope, 50ft, 9mm 14 8 18 40 52 27 handkerchief or bandana 7 4 9 20 26 otc= over the counter (non-prescription)
28 nylon rope, 50ft, 9mm 14 8 50 28 nylon rope, 50ft, 9mm 8 8 57 28 sleeping pad (*) 17.5 9 50 28 water purification tablets 14 8 17.5 39.5 51 28 harness, seat 6 3 7.5 16.5 21
29 water purification tablets 14 8 50 29 tape, flagging 8 8 57 29 goggles 17 8 49 29 goggles 14 8 17 39 51 29 headgear, cap 10 6 13 29 38
30 candle, long burning 13 7 46 30 water purification tablets 8 8 57 30 candle, long burning 16.5 7 47 30 candle, long burning 13 7 16.5 36.5 47 30 helmet 13 7 16.5 36.5 47
31 helmet 13 7 46 31 candle, long burning 7 7 50 31 helmet 16.5 7 47 31 helmet 13 7 16.5 36.5 47 31 ID 10 5 12.5 27.5 36
32 orange vest 12 6 43 32 helmet 7 7 50 32 watch 15.5 7 44 32 cook kit (*) 12 8 15 35 45 32 insect repellent 16 10 19.5 45.5 59
33 lip balm 12 7 43 33 lip balm 7 7 50 33 orange vest 15 6 43 33 watch 12 7 15.5 34.5 45 33 knife, multipurpose 28 14 35 77 100
34 sunscreen 12 7 43 34 stove (*) 7 7 50 34 lip balm 15 7 43 34 lip balm 12 7 15 34 44 34 leaf bag, large; 1 or more 18 11 23.5 52.5 68
35 watch 12 7 43 35 sunscreen 7 7 50 35 sunscreen 15 7 43 35 sunscreen 12 7 15 34 44 35 lighter (**) 6 4 8 18 23
36 cook kit (*) 12 8 43 36 watch 7 7 50 36 cook kit (*) 15 8 43 36 orange vest 12 6 15 33 43 36 lip balm 12 7 15 34 44
37 ID 10 5 36 37 cook kit utensils (spoon) (*) 6 6 43 37 headgear, cap 13 6 37 37 headgear, cap 10 6 13 29 38 37 map 2 1 2.5 5.5 7
38 cook kit utensils (spoon) (*) 10 6 36 38 flashlight, backup (**) 6 6 43 38 ID 12.5 5 36 38 cook kit utensils (spoon) (*) 10 6 12 28 36 38 matches 26 13 32 71 92
39 headgear, cap 10 6 36 39 headgear, cap 6 6 43 39 cook kit utensils (spoon) (*) 12 6 34 39 ID 10 5 12.5 27.5 36 39 measuring device, 18" minimum 6 3 7.5 16.5 21
40 carabiners, 2 minimum 9 5 32 40 orange vest 6 6 43 40 flashlight, backup (**) 12 6 34 40 stove (*) 9 7 11.5 27.5 36 40 mirror, signal 24 13 30 67 87
41 safety pins, large, 2 9 5 32 41 carabiners, 2 minimum 5 5 36 41 carabiners, 2 minimum 11.5 5 33 41 flashlight, backup (**) 9 6 12 27 35 41 mosquito netting 1 1 1.5 3.5 5
42 flashlight, backup (**) 9 6 32 42 entrenching tool (**) 5 5 36 42 safety pins, large, 2 11.5 5 33 42 carabiners, 2 minimum 9 5 11.5 25.5 33 42 notepad with pencil or pen 24 12 30 66 86
43 stove (*) 9 7 32 43 food, extra (*) 5 5 36 43 stove (*) 11.5 7 33 43 safety pins, large, 2 9 5 11.5 25.5 33 43 nylon cord, 50ft minimum 20 11 24.5 55.5 72
44 quarters, 2 minimum 8 4 29 44 gaiters (**) 5 5 36 44 razor blade, single edge 10 4 29 44 razor blade, single edge 8 4 10 22 29 44 nylon rope, 50ft, 9mm 14 8 18 40 52
45 razor blade, single edge 8 4 29 45 ID 5 5 36 45 scissors 10 4 29 45 scissors 8 4 10 22 29 45 orange vest 12 6 15 33 43
46 scissors 8 4 29 46 safety pins, large, 2 5 5 36 46 entrenching tool (**) 10 5 29 46 entrenching tool (**) 7 5 10 22 29 46 pack cover 2 2 3 7 9
47 food, extra (*) 8 5 29 47 tent (*) 5 5 36 47 handkerchief or bandana 9 4 26 47 tent (*) 8 5 9 22 29 47 plastic bag(s), ziplock, qt 6 3 7.5 16.5 21
48 tent (*) 8 5 29 48 water container, extra (**) 5 5 36 48 tent (*) 9 5 26 48 food, extra (*) 8 5 8.5 21.5 28 48 prussiks 5 3 6.5 14.5 19
49 handkerchief or bandana 7 4 25 49 can opener (**) 4 4 29 49 quarters, 2 minimum 8.5 4 24 49 quarters, 2 minimum 8 4 8.5 20.5 27 49 quarters, 2 minimum 8 4 8.5 20.5 27
50 sewing kit (*) 7 4 25 50 handkerchief or bandana 4 4 29 50 food, extra (*) 8.5 5 24 50 handkerchief or bandana 7 4 9 20 26 50 rainwear or poncho 27 14 34 75 97
51 entrenching tool (**) 7 5 25 51 lighter (**) 4 4 29 51 can opener (**) 8 4 23 51 sewing kit (*) 7 4 8 19 25 51 razor blade, single edge 8 4 10 22 29
52 ground sheet 6 3 21 52 quarters, 2 minimum 4 4 29 52 lighter (**) 8 4 23 52 can opener (**) 6 4 8 18 23 52 safety pins, large, 2 9 5 11.5 25.5 33
53 harness, seat 6 3 21 53 razor blade, single edge 4 4 29 53 sewing kit (*) 8 4 23 53 lighter (**) 6 4 8 18 23 53 saw, folding (**) 5 4 7 16 21
54 measuring device, 18" minimum 6 3 21 54 saw, folding (**) 4 4 29 54 ground sheet 7.5 3 21 54 gaiters (**) 5 5 7.5 17.5 23 54 scent bag 1 1 1 3 4
55 plastic bag(s), ziplock, qt 6 3 21 55 scissors 4 4 29 55 harness, seat 7.5 3 21 55 ground sheet 6 3 7.5 16.5 21 55 scissors 8 4 10 22 29
56 tape, duct, 5 to 10ft 6 3 21 56 sewing kit (*) 4 4 29 56 measuring device, 18" minimum 7.5 3 21 56 harness, seat 6 3 7.5 16.5 21 56 sewing kit (*) 7 4 8 19 25
57 towelette, clean 6 3 21 57 aluminum foil 3 3 21 57 plastic bag(s), ziplock, qt 7.5 3 21 57 measuring device, 18" minimum 6 3 7.5 16.5 21 57 shelter material, 8ft x10ft 21 11 26 58 75
58 wire, 5-10 ft, 14 ga 6 3 21 58 descender 3 3 21 58 tape, duct, 5 to 10ft 7.5 3 21 58 plastic bag(s), ziplock, qt 6 3 7.5 16.5 21 58 signal panel 1 1 1.5 3.5 5
59 can opener (**) 6 4 21 59 ground sheet 3 3 21 59 towelette, clean 7.5 3 21 59 tape, duct, 5 to 10ft 6 3 7.5 16.5 21 59 sleeping bag (*) 17 11 19.5 47.5 62
60 lighter (**) 6 4 21 60 harness, seat 3 3 21 60 wire, 5-10 ft, 14 ga 7.5 3 21 60 towelette, clean 6 3 7.5 16.5 21 60 sleeping pad (*) 15 9 17.5 41.5 54
61 aluminum foil 5 3 18 61 measuring device, 18" minimum 3 3 21 61 gaiters (**) 7.5 5 21 61 wire, 5-10 ft, 14 ga 6 3 7.5 16.5 21 61 slings, nylon 5 3 7 15 19
62 descender 5 3 18 62 plastic bag(s), ziplock, qt 3 3 21 62 slings, nylon 7 3 20 62 saw, folding (**) 5 4 7 16 21 62 smoke, signal 2 2 3 7 9
63 prussiks 5 3 18 63 prussiks 3 3 21 63 saw, folding (**) 7 4 20 63 water container, extra (**) 5 5 5.5 15.5 20 63 socks, spare 17 10 20.5 47.5 62
64 slings, nylon 5 3 18 64 slings, nylon 3 3 21 64 aluminum foil 6.5 3 19 64 slings, nylon 5 3 7 15 19 64 space blanket 2 2 2.5 6.5 8
65 spare boot laces 5 3 18 65 spare boot laces 3 3 21 65 descender 6.5 3 19 65 aluminum foil 5 3 6.5 14.5 19 65 spare batteries for light 24 12 30 66