Being a search and rescue (SAR) volunteer can be as demanding (physically and mentally) as it is rewarding, but having quality equipment designed to help you out in that role can certainly make it easier. In the wilderness, it’s imperative that you have easy access to your most important tools and equipment across preparedness domains to reduce the chances that you become a casualty yourself while you’re helping others. A good chest rig excels in keeping your most critical gear in your workspace while keeping your hands free as needed. One very fine option, and my personal favorite is the Hill People Gear SARv2 Kit Bag.
Above: The Hill People Gear SARv2 gear bag is laid out with search and rescue responders in mind.
The SARv2 Bag
The SARv2 is constructed from 500d Cordura nylon, with an internal volume of 215.63 cubic inches. It is largely based off the original HPG full-size kit bag, with some touches that make it well suited to the specific needs of search and rescue.
Two key features are external PALS/Molle webbing in two places — along the bottom of the bag, as well as diagonally across the front — and hook-and-loop on the outside. The hook-and-loop allows the attachment of identifiers such as name tags or unit patches, while the PALS webbing allows for adding expansion attachments or other items. I use the diagonal PALS webbing to hold my communications equipment, while the bottom webbing is used to secure a MOLLE tourniquet holder from North American Rescue (NAR).
Internally, the bag is split into three compartments, two of which zipper from the top, and one of which zippers on the front.
The compartment closest to the body is intended to hold your personal protection, being large enough to carry a full-size handgun. It features a loop for a trigger guard tie-down and a strip of loop, which would allow you to attach a hook-and-loop holster or magazine pouch.
The main compartment does, however, include laser-cut MOLLE, as well as two internal divider sleeves.
The harness itself is comfortable and adjustable, with a well-ventilated mesh back piece. It can be removed in order to integrate with the Hill People Gear Recce Harness, which allows for direct attachment to the wearer’s back. Unfortunately, the Recce Harness is very often sold out, which is why I haven’t had the opportunity to acquire one yet.
Above: The included harness has a mesh backing panel. If extra attachments are needed, the HPG Recce Harness is compatible with all HPG chest rigs.
The SARv2 Contents
Personal Protection:
- I will generally carry my “main squeeze” handgun here — a Glock 45 MOS with a Trijicon RMR, backup suppressor-height night sites, and a Streamlight TLR-VIR II weapon light + IR flood and designator. I use a TriggerSafe trigger guard tied down with 550 cord. A spare magazine is held in a 5.11 single magazine pouch.
Admin:
- I primarily use the admin compartment for navigational and documentation aids and their accessories.
The permanent contents include:
- Suunto MC-2 compass
- MapTools coordinate scale and protractor
- Rite in the Rain pencil and pen (both in Coast Guard orange)
- Rite in the Rain general-purpose notebook (either orange or yellow)
- Rite in the Rain EMS patient information notebook
- Streamlight PolyTac in high-vis yellow
- Waterproof battery case with extra lithium CR123 and AAA batteries
- USB battery bank
Paper maps as well as my Android phone running SARTopo/CalTopo also move in and out of this compartment. SARTopo is a common operating picture (COP) overlay service on the CalTopo GPS navigational program, which is my SAR team’s primary method of navigation. However, analog (map and compass) navigation skills and tools are always carried as well.
Above: Admin equipment I carry includes spare batteries, Rite in the Rain notepads, pen, and pencil, and a Streamlight PolyTac handheld flashlight. For land nav, I carry a Suunto MC-2 compass and a grid protractor.
Sustainment:
- The sustainment pouch in front contains my personal first-aid items.
- high-value sustainment items.
Contents include:
- Windstorm safety whistle
- Adventure Medical Kits personal first-aid and survival kit
- Snake bite kit
- TP kit
- Assorted electrolyte drink mixes
- Jerky and nuts (rotated)
Above: The bottom of the rig has PALS webbing suitable for attaching a NAR tourniquet holder.
External Attachments:
- I use the external MOLLE to attach my communications equipment and personal-use tourniquet.
- The radio is a Radioddity GS-5B, in a high-vis orange. It is a software-unlockable ham radio that can also function on GMRS/FRS and MURS bands, allowing me to integrate into the team radio nets easily, as well as being useful for general communications purposes.
- The tourniquet on board is a NAR CAT gen 7, in a NAR tourniquet holder with a matching red color.
Above: The admin compartment features a hook-and-loop, laser-cut MOLLE panel as well as two internal dividers.
SARv2 Shortcomings
Honestly, I only have one real negative regarding the design of the SARv2, and that is the lack of laser-cut MOLLE in the handgun compartment. Personally, I could live without the MOLLE in the admin compartment. The single strip of female-side hook-and-loop, while handy for sticking a holster, doesn’t offer a good solution for securing most pistol magazine pouches.
In my area of operations in Central Texas, the natural threats from feral hogs and snakes, to say nothing of any potential human threats I might encounter when on a search, make this use case one of particular interest to me. The same layout is present in other HPG chest rigs, so it isn’t just a failing with the SARv2.
A magazine pouch could be attached inside the admin compartment, but this is suboptimal in the situation where the wearer needs to draw a gun and address a threat. If you are on a SAR team for a sheriff’s department or other LEO and are allowed to open carry, this isn’t an issue at all — you can use this compartment for something else.
Above: I keep a CAT 7 tourniquet on the rig for quick access in a SAR emergency.
Final Thoughts
Would I recommend the SARv2? Absolutely. I spent my own money on it and sing its praises to my SAR team all the time. I take it with me and my family on state and national park outings as well, not just when on duty with the SAR team.
For the lack of MOLLE in the handgun compartment, I can’t say that it is perfect. For search-and-rescue and other public safety workers and volunteers, however, this chest rig is definitely fit for purpose and won’t disappoint.
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