Anyone do volunteer Search & Rescue?

[Doc8404]

Since everyone on this forum seems to be an outdoor enthusiast and knife/gear addict this seems like the natural place to ask this question. I was wondering if any of you are a member of a volunteer search and rescue organization? If so, what has been your experience? I am considering joining a local one and just wanted to hear others experiences?

If you are a part of one, what blades/gear do you typically carry?

 

[Shotgun]

Since everyone on this forum seems to be an outdoor enthusiast and knife/gear addict this seems like the natural place to ask this question. I was wondering if any of you are a member of a volunteer search and rescue organization? If so, what has been your experience? I am considering joining a local one and just wanted to hear others experiences?

If you are a part of one, what blades/gear do you typically carry?

I was in my teens. Beyond proper clothing(the most important gear you'll have) I think I had some plastic garbage bags, a compass, small fak and a few other odds and ends. Didn't carry a knife or a blade of any kind. Be sure to head over to the wilderness forum. Couple of guys over there are current members IIRC.

 

[JTR357]

I was in my teens. Beyond proper clothing(the most important gear you'll have) I think I had some plastic garbage bags, a compass, small fak and a few other odds and ends. Didn't carry a knife or a blade of any kind. Be sure to head over to the wilderness forum. Couple of guys over there are current members IIRC.

 

[SHKnives]

Just got back from the NSARA Academy. NSARA= (National Search and Rescue Academy). Spent 2 weeks at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in California, unfortunatly it was suppose to be a 6 week academy but the government shutdown screwed that up so we will finish it this spring but SAR is a great thing to get into, career wise with the National Park Service (this is what I do) or just as a volunteer. As for knives I usually carry different ones.

 

[programmergeek]

Yup I do it the training is fun and worth it. Not a big call for it out here I just get more general EMT stuff but none the less the guys that do it are all generally pretty fun people and people you want to know. Go for it, there are worst things you can do in life.

 

[thefotog]

I am on SAR as well as structure crew. Unfortunately our budget is 1/10 the size of the average waist size on this department. The members of this department have been through two high angle classes and this rock climber is still teaching classes. I'm the only one in the department putting 60+ miles down a week with a 30-60 lbs pack. My Blue can spends more time on cadavers then our local digger...
Ya it's a volunteer department for me and Kamier since every one else in the department is pushing 250 smokes and wants to talk town gossip rather then train.

Not that I mind, I'd rather be the first one in, only one down, last to go home, and most importantly the one who gave it all.

 

[Thunder47]

Back in the early 70s, I was a volunteer fireman in Western NC. We would occasionally have to go up the Blue Ridge Parkway and look for downed small engine aircraft and the occasional lost hippie trying to find their own karma or what ever they were looking for. Always had a pocket knife, flash light, whistle, sheath knife, gloves and good boots.

 

[olybears57]

I am a volunteer for thurston county SAR and have been for the past 3 years. Great and very rewarding experience! Do it!

 

[River-8]

Been a volunteer with Wind River SAR for just over twenty years...
Mostly a back-country/wilderness "Bush-Shaker," but also low/high angle ropes rescue and some SAR Air Ops.

Finally landed on a modified Busse Heavy Heart as my go-to SAR Knife:

Here with the Siegle SAR-4:

As difficult and rewarding as anything else I've ever done...!

Cheers,
8

 

[neeman]

I served 12 years as a senior sergent in a reserve SAR unit in the Israeli Army
I carried a Buck 112 bucklite and a pair of small water pump pliers