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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Subject: Re: :* HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING - Whatwouldyoudoif

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  • From: "David Leadbetter" <dleadbetter1@aapt.net.au>
  • To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Subject: Re: :* HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING - Whatwouldyoudoif
  • Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:11:13 +0900

 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 5:15 AM
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Subject: Re: :* HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING - Whatwouldyoudoif

Yes, management should know better ... I wouldn't call it gross negligence, but would certainly suggest those management personnel have a refresher course in incident fundamentals that are common in every emergency / disaster response.
 
1. Personal safety.
2. Team safety.
3. Other person's safety.
 
Also remember the SEARCHER - in this case the rider - also has the personal responsibility to say no if the mission assignment doesn't appear to address normal safety concerns. So the individual also has personal responsibility to speak up.You want to be part of the solution, not create a possible new problem.
 
A pretty common rule of thumb in SAR is a team of 2 if close to other support, team of 3 if a bit more distant. Team of 4-6 if far from other resources ... but add more personnel if a distance litter carry is anticipated. (Locally we use minimum 12 - preferably more - ground personnel for a backcountry litter carry.) 
 
Commonly MSAR teams are 2-4 riders. Teams of 4 MSAR are particularly valuable if those riders are trained to perform a carry-out in the saddle - assuming appropriate medical circumstances - so having this training is advantageous since it is notably less labor intensive than the normal distance litter carry and a valuable management resource. Riders can also move more quickly on the horses than the normal walking ground searchers, which reduces the time frame.
 
~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
SAR & CERT
Mounted SAR
www.ceoates.com/msar
----- Original Message -----
I agree entirely with Jorene.If the situation under discussion ever happened it would in my opinion be gross negligence on someones part...incident controller,team leader?
 
cheers
Linda
SES MSAR Western Australia
Sorry, I disagree. Size of the MSAR unit isn't an issue. The scenario you described - a searcher out in the field alone, separated from the horse - is a situation that suggests poor management of resources. Sending out a searcher alone off-road is not considered appropriate, regardless of the resource type. Minimum teams of 2, and increase that number as the personnel are farther from support. (For example, in deep backcountry we use teams of 4 riders.) Safety of the searchers is a primary issue. [...]
 


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