S.A.R. Personnel (input needed)

[cuphead]

I'll be attending a recruitment session this week-end for S.C.R. which is a volunteer based Search and Rescue (NGO) in my area and hoping to be part of. This is something I've been seriously thinking about for some time now and feel like I'm ready, of course training will be provided to meet the organization's standards. There are however a couple roles I think my experience could really shine in; Response team, telecoms, PR.

I would like to hear from current volunteers or full-time personnel about their experiences on the job, Best/Worst moments, training, attitude, People you work with, feel free to share skills, tips and tidbits, Your current gear loadout, how SAR impacted your life, are you 7 days on 7 days off schedule? and how you fit it into your everyday life and anything else you think might be good to know for a perhaps future volunteer.

http://www.scr.ca/index.php

Thank you.

 

[ChadHahn]

When I did SAR it was strictly a volunteer duty. You got a text and if it was near you and you wanted to go you did. If you were busy or it was too far you didn't go.

Chad

 

[SARBlade]

I used to be more involved with SAR (hence the name) about 5-7 years ago. It was also all-volunteer when I did it. I enjoyed the training, although we had two teams local; one was primarily dog related (you weren't given the same consideration if you didn't have a search dog). The other team was an ultra-strict paramilitary rope rescue team. I'm all about safety, but when a portion of meetings were devoted to uniform inspection and knife "patdowns", I lost interest. Already did my military time and didn't need to relive it. The final nail in the SAR coffin for me was that both teams required multiple times a month meetings. I was working for the FD and didn't have the flexibility to make enough meetings to stay current.
I was interested in building my woods skills, tracking, and HAM radio skills when I started down the SAR path, it's too bad that the local teams weren't up on the same skillsets.
Tracking classes, fieldcraft with minimal gear, some medical training beyond basic first aid, and some radio knowledge would be good areas to study.

 

[redhiker]

I used to be more involved with SAR (hence the name) about 5-7 years ago. It was also all-volunteer when I did it. I enjoyed the training, although we had two teams local; one was primarily dog related (you weren't given the same consideration if you didn't have a search dog). The other team was an ultra-strict paramilitary rope rescue team. I'm all about safety, but when a portion of meetings were devoted to uniform inspection and knife "patdowns", I lost interest. Already did my military time and didn't need to relive it. The final nail in the SAR coffin for me was that both teams required multiple times a month meetings. I was working for the FD and didn't have the flexibility to make enough meetings to stay current.
I was interested in building my woods skills, tracking, and HAM radio skills when I started down the SAR path, it's too bad that the local teams weren't up on the same skillsets.
Tracking classes, fieldcraft with minimal gear, some medical training beyond basic first aid, and some radio knowledge would be good areas to study.

SARBlade had an unfortunate experience; mine was much better in a more "civilian" unit. We were a collection of hikers,climbers,cavers,responding to a variety of situations in the back country and wilderness around Tucson, AZ. "Civilian" does not connote slackness or inattention to procedures. We did a fair amount of technical,high angle rescue as well as cave rescue,swift water and whatever the situation required. We did eschew uniform inspections and the like. You were expected to report for an operation appropriately dressed and equipped. We had no attendance requirements

Of all the things I have done in my life, I am proudest of what I accomplished in SAR. There, for one thing, I experienced true teamwork, outstanding competence, and cooperation. I hope that you can find the same. Pay attention to the culture and attitudes of the group you associate with.