Mounted search and rescue

["Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>]

Good summary, Una. All I'd add is the issue of training for appropriate use
of any weapon carried.

Carrying a weapon and knowing how to physically use it doesn't appropriately
prepare that user for "What do you do if?" decisions ... including how
actions are perceived from the local legal perspective. And what may be
consider legal and appropriate in one jurisdiction may not be legal or
appropriate in another.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
Tulare Co, CA
SAR, MSAR, Swiftwater Rescue, US&R,
Hasty Team, ICP
www.CEOates.com/sar

----- Original Message -----
From: "Una Smith" <una@lanl.gov>
> In reading this thread so far, I think the issues surrounding guns
> in SAR may be greatly clarified if the following distinctions are
> made:
>
> Issues specific to MSAR:  the possible need to put down a horse in
> the field, the desensitization of the horse, where to pack or carry
> a gun safely while riding, what is a suitable gun for this purpose,
> what are the alternatives, how great is the need.
> vs
> Issues pertaining to all SAR:  personal safety and security in a
> field environment where you may be threatend by hostile persons
> (those with or without guns), probability of such threat, level
> of such threat.
>
> and
>
> Issues of personal choice.
> vs
> Issues of proper authority.
>
> I am sure we would be interested to hear what more units think of
> all this.
>
> Una Smith
> Santa Fe County Sheriff's Posse, in New Mexico