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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Mounted search on White Sands National Monument

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>
  • To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Mounted search on White Sands National Monument
  • Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:41:55 -0700

Emily, have you ever been out in a snow field at night under a clear sky
and good moonlight? There is more than enough natural light to see by.
These white sands are just as bright as snow.

Even when the moonlight is not good mounted resources can be especially
valuable at night because horses have excellent night vision, and because
the rider can focus on search tasks while the horse looks where it puts
its feet. The rider can even be looking for sign or following tracks.

Unfortunately, not all mounted resources are usable at night. Many MSAR
teams never train at night, nor do they ever ride at night for work or
pleasure. These are daylight-only resources and are not appropriate to
use for searches at night.

Web search terms "teen search white sands" will generate links to many
newspaper stories about this search. There is a YouTube video of a TV
news report making heroes of the helicopter crew who just happened to
be the one of many that found the teen. The TV reporter implies they
succeeded where others failed; of course we know that when it comes to
SAR success and failure are collective. Every responder contributed to
this success. The TV anchor says the subject walked 6 miles (10km) but
in fact he was found 6 miles from his point last seen (PLS). Searchers
estimate he walked 35 miles (56km).

Una Smith
New Mexico




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