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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Mounted SAR to include ATV?

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: "irvin lichtenstein" <ilichten1@verizon.net>
  • To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Mounted SAR to include ATV?
  • Date: Sun, 04 Sep 2005 15:20:14 -0400


ATV's are motor vehicles and horsemanship would probably not be applicable.
The primary problem in attempting to integrate several methods into one
organization is that they must be integrated. There is no reason a well
rounded SAR resource should not have every manner of transport and search
included and integrated into its response plan. This standards effort is
directed at mounted (horses and other equine). Presumably F32 will at some
point develop an ATV skills set standard.

On the ATV subject there are difficulties using motor vehicles in wilderness
search. The first is that in many areas of the country you cannot ride an
off road vehicle legally. In Pennsylvania all ATV's must be titled, insured,
registered and display plates, the operator must have photo id, proof of
insurance, registration, and written permission of the landowner to ride.
Even vehicles used solely on the owner's property must be compliant. You
cannot ride on the street, bike paths, horse trails, or the sidewalk. ATV's
are banned from all public parks except for about 188 miles of trail in one
state forest. Failure to obey the law results in impoundment of the ATV and
arrest of the operator. Given these restrictions there are few if any places
to train with the vehicle and lack of training leads to unsafe operation.
By the way bicycles are banned from unpaved surfaces in state parks here as
well.

Irv Lichtenstein




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