Mounted search and rescue

[bonnie elster <elster530@yahoo.com>]

In Nevada County, all SAR members must attend the
academy which covers basics & other training events.
Mounted, dog, ATV etc are in addition to being a
'groundpounder'. We are fortunate to have an annual
mounted SAREX sponsored by 1 of the 4 participating
counties. It's good to hear we're on the right track.

--- Jorene@CEOates.com wrote:
> From: pennbo@bbv.net 
>   I have been thinking about this issue in regards
> to future training events like SAR CITY. It would be
> nice if the mounted tracks were as diverse and
> detailed as the dog tracks- and I don't see why they
> couldn't be. It will take participation by MSAR
> teams in the events to show there is enough interest
> to offer these classes but what better place to
> receive cross training then in a place where experts
> in these other technical areas are already gathered
> to teach!! Chris Pennington  
> I've long been a proponent of MSAR personnel
> attending a lot of training WITHOUT their horse. ;)
> 
> For the record the Search Dog Tracks at conferences
> tend to keep the handlers focused on the dog issues,
> not necessarily on handler knowledge regarding SAR.
> Sound familiar? Except Search Dog standards
> generally require the handler to also have SAR
> knowledge. And handlers have the option to attend
> any classroom training they choose to at a
> conference.
> 
> Most MSAR standards I've seen make no reference to
> the rider being trained in SAR, and pretty much only
> address rider-equine skills and equipment. Yet that
> rider should be qualified in AT LEAST basic ground
> SAR, and hopefully will add some cross-training to
> be versatile with other skills. (The NASAR MSAR
> Standards-to-be will require a SARTECH II level of
> training for the general MSAR rider, if anyone wants
> to plan ahead and seek appropriate training. Since
> NASAR training isn't readily available to all, at
> least work with the same standards and come up with
> a "SARTECH II equivalent" status in your local
> training program.)
> 
> The problem at many SAR conferences for MSAR is
> distance. Odds are the location for Mounted training
> isn't conveniently at the same location. Traveling
> between the arena/field and the classroom becomes an
> issue. Plus the typical MSAR conference instructor
> relates to riding issues, and would prefer to have
> the entire group of riders for the entire day -
> essentially a riding clinic - in order to have a
> good chance at improving rider skills. (Those same
> riders would likely benefit from taking riding
> lessons or holding team riding clinics at home,
> particularly from a well qualified Trail trainer.
> Rider control is a huge issue, and many MSAR riders
> would benefit from professional instruction to
> improve their skills and increase the training level
> of their mount.)
> 
> What I believe would be a better solution is to have
> "Mounted Only" training weekends where several teams
> regionally bring in a professional instructor. Then
> leave the horse at home and attend the "normal" SAR
> conference to get ground SAR training. But you won't
> find all of the necessary ground training at
> conferences. And since not all MSAR riders attend
> the conferences, the general team still needs a
> method to get educated. And once again it may be
> necessary to bring in an outside instructor to
> provide training for that team. Anyone interested in
> cross training should make arrangements to attend
> training jointly with the other teams. After all,
> training with the people you'd be responding with
> puts you all on the same page. ;)
> 
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
> 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
> www.tk-cert.org >
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