Frequently asked question

Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.

Frequently asked question

Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.

Frequently asked question

Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.

SAR & Wilderness Bags

These backpacks and bags specifically engineered for Search and Rescue (SAR), ski patrol, wilderness medics, or other back country missions.

Search and Rescue Gear for Every Mission

SAR operations demand gear that holds up when the terrain gets serious and conditions can be unpredictable. At Rescue Essentials, we carry a range of products from brands including Conterra, Rescue Essentials, and more; packs purpose-built for mountain rescue, wilderness response, ski patrol, backcountry medical calls, and more. Every rescue pack in this collection is designed around the demands of the rescue professional, built to carry what your team needs and survive whatever the rescue mission throws at it.

Shop Now

Choose the Right Pack

Mountain Rescue Packs

Large-capacity packs built for alpine and wilderness environments, capable of carrying a full medical gear load plus additional equipment for an extended mission.

Best For: SAR teams, mountain rescue, wilderness medics
Size / Format: Large frame backpacks, 3,700+ ci
Focus: Extended backcountry response
Carry Method: Carries a complete rescue kit over rugged terrain

Choose the Right Pack

Rapid Response Packs

Lightweight, slim-profile packs for shorter SAR missions and ski patrol roles that demand speed and mobility.

Best For: Ski patrol, hasty SAR, mountain bike patrol
Size / Format: Mid-size backpacks, streamlined profile
Focus: Fast response with essential medical gear
Carry Method: Backpack with torso-hugging fit

Choose the Right Pack

Aero-Medical Packs

Packs engineered specifically for flight crews and aeromedical teams with organization built around airway management and rapid access.

Best For: Flight crews, aeromedical teams, HEMS
Size / Format: Medium backpacks with modular access
Focus: Airway, advanced life support, aero operations
Carry Method: Backpack or sling configuration
Benefit: Purpose-built for aeromedical rescue operations

Choose the Right Pack

Aid Belt Packs

Waist-worn packs that keep medical gear accessible without a full backpack for patrol responders covering terrain on foot, by bike, or on skis.

Best For: Ski patrol, SAR volunteers, EMS trail response
Size / Format: Belt-mounted packs, 3–5 zippered pockets
Focus: Hands-free carry with fast access to first aid
Carry Method: Worn on waist or as a sling pack

Choose the Right Pack

Pack Accessories

Add-on pockets and expansion panels that extend the capacity and organization of your existing rescue pack.

Best For: Any SAR team member expanding kit capacity
Size / Format: Modular pockets and expansion panels
Increasing storage and organization: Carry Method
Attaches directly to compatible rescue packs: Benefit
Expand your rescue pack without replacing it:

This has quickly become my favorite 'go' pack for SAR missions. I have taken it on 3 missions so far and have been pleased with its compartmentalization features and versatility.
— Marc

This is my second Conterra Crossbow. My first one I purchased in 2001. I love the improvements from the previous model. This pack fits great for a women's body. It is also perfect for a snowboarder and gives more freedom of movement in turns. I almost forget I'm riding with it.
— Ski Patrol Val

I purchased this pack recently to use it as my SAR hasty pack. I really like the ample room for personal gear and, as my co-SAR member said, my 'mobile OR.' I really appreciate the design features and the flexibility in design and use of this pack.
— Unknown

Be Prepared for It All

Rescue Essentials has spent nearly two decades sourcing gear that first responders and rescue professionals depend on in the field. Our SAR and wilderness packs come from trusted brands like Conterra, which has nearly 30 years of rescue pack development behind it. These are not generic outdoor gear bags. They are purpose-built search and rescue gear systems designed around what a working rescue team actually needs.

FAQs

How do I choose the right rescue pack for my role?

Start with your mission profile and your personal level of training. If you are on a SAR team performing a hasty search and covering technical terrain quickly, a rapid response pack like the CrossBow II gives you the mobility you need. If you are a prehospital healthcare provider carrying a full ALS gear load on extended SAR operations in alpine environments, a large frame pack like the Longbow Ranger or ALS Extreme is the right call. Aid belt packs work well when you need medical gear on your body without a full backpack. Contact our team if you want help matching a pack to your specific rescue call type, or if you are buying in bulk for your whole team or agency.

Are these packs compatible with Conterra MOS organizer pockets?

Yes. Most Conterra packs in this collection are lined with hook-and-loop compatible fabric and are designed to accept Conterra M.O.S. compatible organizational pockets and IDM pockets sold separately. This lets each team member configure their personal gear load without modifying the pack itself. It is also a practical system for new recruit onboarding, since organizers can be transferred between packs within the same rescue team.

Can these packs handle inclement weather and sub-zero temperatures?

Conterra builds their rescue packs from Cordura nylon and diamond plate ripstop pack cloth, materials chosen specifically for durability in demanding field conditions. Several packs in this collection feature waterproof zippers. For protection from wet backcountry environments, the Granite Gear Ultra Light Roll Top Drysack provides an additional waterproof storage option. Packs used in sub-zero temperatures should be checked regularly for zipper function, and gear stored inside should follow your agency's cold weather equipment protocols.

Do these packs come filled with medical gear?

No. The packs in this collection are sold as empty bags only and do not include medical equipment or first aid kit supplies. This is standard for professional rescue gear because every SAR team, agency and rescue professional has different protocols, supply preferences, and gear lists. We carry the components you need to fill your rescue kit separately. If you need help building a gear list or want a quote for a custom kit for your agency, our team can help through our Contract Sales program.

Are these packs appropriate for rescue volunteers as well as paid teams?

Yes. The packs in this collection are used by both paid rescue professionals and unpaid volunteers serving on local SAR squads, ski patrols and community response teams across the United States. Every pack in this collection is built to a professional standard that works equally well for an organized SAR team and an independent rescue volunteer. We also support agencies and departments with volume pricing, professional discounts and custom kit builds through our Contract Sales and quote request programs.

Need Training?

Rescue Essentials is proud to partner with accredited Stop the Bleed trainers throughout the U.S.

find a trainer