Mounted search and rescue

[Slybarbara@aol.com]

1) Can you give an example of the type of written test you would use?  If a rider and horse passes the physical test, I can't imagine a written test would stand in the way of their being considered competent. 

 

2) If I read the document correctly, it appears you advocate having mounted team members  fully trained before the mounted test. Is this classroom training only? 

 

My unit, Northwest Horseback SAR, in King Co WA, tests riders and horses first, before allowing an applicant to continue with classroom training in map & compass, 1st Aid, CPR, crime scene, SAR techniques and SAR survival.  The objective is to weed out those who have unmanageable mounts or poor riding skills before we waste their (and our time) in training.  Our trainees log approx. 125 hours in field and classroom training, so this is a considerable investment on both sides.

 

What are the benefits of testing horses and riders late in training?  If the objective is to have people trained and available as ground searchers, they still need to practice the classroom training in the field, in teams.  I imagine it is difficult to deal with someone who has gone through extensive training only to fail to demonstrate adequate skills - or to prove their horse worthy of being a SAR mount. 

 

Our (NWHSAR) program holds a horse & rider evaluation first, followed by classroom training and finally three weekends of field exercises.  One is a 2 day wilderness nav. course where trainees learn to use the radio, work in a team environment and practice navigation both on & off their horse.  The other two weekends are overnight mock search/rescues with teams camping out.  This gives us a good opportunity to scrutinize the personalities of both riders & horses: we have failed a couple of prospects. 

 

3) How many other mounted teams do all the training first as opposed to rider/horse evaluation first...could we take a survey?  If a significant number of MSAR units test riders/horses first, then the language of the draft should reflect this.

 

Barbara Sly

NWHSAR Vice-President, OL