Mounted search and rescue

[<Jorene@CEOates.com>]

Sorry for the confusion. I referred to SARTECH II as being the "general" standard for NASAR MSAR, not the "basic" standard. This is a requirement made by NASAR for the committee developing their MSAR standards. In the NASAR MSAR Standards-in-progress we are addressing an entry level for MSAR that would correspond with SARTECH III, general level that would correspond with SARTECH II, and higher level that would correspond with SARTECH I. Using that foundation of rider training in SAR, we're adding requirements - per level - that are specific to Mounted SAR.

 

So while SARTECH II will be the "general" standard for the MSAR rider, there will be an entry level and higher level in the core MSAR standards that will hopefully provide a foundation for additional areas of training. For example, many MSAR teams have no need of Wilderness MSAR training, so the core training would be used to provide a foundation requirement ... then Wilderness MSAR would be an additional training level - more of a specialty - for those who have a need to go there.

 

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Jorene Downs, Committee Chair
NASAR MSAR Standards Committee
visit NASAR on www.nasar.org 

----- Original Message -----

From: tm-fi

I read the comment about requiring MSAR handlers to be SAR Tech-II certified as the "standards-to-be" and totally disagree with that as being a "basic standard" for the National MSAR standard!  I believe that would be a great requirement for a higher level MSAR ratings.  As with NASAR dog teams, we need a parallel progressive set requirements and skill levels specific to the expertise of MSAR personnel!  Levels such as MSAR III, II and I, need to be implemented rather than making the basic requirements to high, which restricts advancement obtaining higher skill levels.  [...]

Tomï Finkle

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.)    Jorene Downs