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msar-riders - [MSAR] Expanding MSAR potential / Conferences, etc.

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: "Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>
  • To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [MSAR] Expanding MSAR potential / Conferences, etc.
  • Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 17:15:26 -0700

MSAR conference training is definitely valuable, but I believe MSAR riders
shouldn't limit themselves to SAR conferences with MSAR content, or focus
exclusively on the MSAR classes at a conference. I encourage all MSAR riders
to seek knowledge outside the traditional MSAR training to take the teams
beyond basic MSAR skills and increase your versatility in SAR.

Keep in mind that the horse is primarily your transportation, with potential
to assist in packing and tracking, but the rider is / should be a well
qualified SAR responder. There is always more to learn about SAR, and there
is excellent education at SAR conferences that is *very* beneficial to the
rider in the non-MSAR-specific classes.

I strongly recommend cross training for all SAR personnel, including MSAR.
Also consider training with other teams, not limited to MSAR. For example,
all MSAR riders should have at least basic Technical Rescue rope skills, but
also train with the local Technical Rescue team to learn their equipment and
typical mechanical advantage systems. Then when there is a call-out for
remote Technical Rescue, assuming safe mounted access, you'd be invaluable
with a pack animal hauling the heavy ropes and hardware at least part of the
distance, and a trained and valuable asset during the actual rescue. Anyone
can be part of the "pull on the rope" team, and "pack mules" of the 2 or
4-legged variety are a huge help, but trained top side personnel are
particularly welcome because you can get the rope system rigged and
functioning more quickly. The more you know, the greater assistance you can
be.

I sometimes hear "Why wasn't MSAR called out?" and the answer is that
resources are selected according to their skills and potential contribution
appropriate to that incident. Perhaps the IC doesn't really understand how
that MSAR team can contribute, which is a communication problem. But perhaps
the limitations are a team training or equipment issue. Some MSAR teams have
very narrow scope in their training and capabilities, which greatly reduces
their viability as a resource.

For example, some MSAR teams focus on the Search and have limited training /
capability for Rescue ... so you're not called for a rescue. When there is a
specific need for Trackers, can they call you? Are you prepared to dismount
and do some hiking / climbing with a SAR pack? Can you load and go within an
hour for Hasty Team response? Does the team train at night? If someone in
the backcountry has a broken leg and the chopper can't fly, do you know how
to package, load and pack that person out on a horse? And if your livestock
can pack a loaded litter, that is even more advantageous. With the right
partnering and training you can even pack along some ground pounders/
specialists, and even pack SAR Dogs.

(If you don't have qualified packers on your team as instructors, find a
qualified professional to train your team - another good source is a local
unit of Backcountry Horsemen.
http://www.backcountryhorse.com/organizations.htm And remember that BCH is
a great recruiting source for expanding MSAR teams! You could also bring
local backcountry riding organizations and professional packers in as
associate members to supplement with more pack strings if there is a local
need for that resource.)

I recommend riders expanding capabilities as *SAR* personnel, and also
identify local potential and train your MSAR team for various kinds of
packing to support ground teams or as stand-alone response. Share with the
person who performs the callouts in your region that you have / are training
for additional potential and discuss some possible SAR scenarios for
application so that person is well aware of the team capabilities. If you're
interested in travel, go a step further and ask that Mutual Aid be notified.
Increased versatility as a resource will add your team to a lot of call-outs
where local MSAR currently isn't considered.

The right training and capabilities can also get MSAR teams on the county's
list of resources to respond to a major emergency / disaster, or even as
Mounted USAR teams. Your best first step toward that status would be through
the local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) free training. Also
consider the potential for your team to be a Mounted volunteer asset in the
VIPS program, assisting local law enforcement with a mounted presence at
various events. http://www.citizencorps.gov/programs/

In some situations MSAR teams could do double-duty as a mobile Mounted First
Response Medical team ... if you have the more advanced training and
equipment. If you're hauling water to grid-locked vehicles in a mass
evacuation, are you also prepared to provide medical assistance beyond basic
First Aid?

Step outside the box. MSAR has a lot of unexplored opportunities "that
others may live ..." ;)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
Tulare Co, CA
SAR, MSAR, Swiftwater Rescue, US&R,
Technical Rescue, Cave Rescue,
Hasty Team, ICP
www.CEOates.com/sar
Tulare-Kings CERT Program Coordinator






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