Mounted search and rescue

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

From: sue
I have not been able to download the standards from the ASTM web site. Could 
someone send them to me please? sue@wpl.lib.in.us thanks
===========
ASTM standards are copyrighted material. Copies of standards are free to 
members, or can be purchased online - not intended for folks to share on 
email. Regardless, there isn't an ASTM standard yet for MSAR. ;)

None of the MSAR drafts going through the ASTM process have reached the 
status of "standard" yet. All are "under development" as a Work Item, so are 
not found when searching on ASTM for those documents as standards.

MSAR proposed standards in progress are regarding the Mounted Searcher, 
related Horsemanship, and Mounted Rescue. (Mounted Rescue is currently being 
rewritten.) Pending development is a document to address Typing / 
classification of MSAR for mutual aid. And I'm sure there will be more going 
forward. ;)

Drafts are now being developed in workgroups, which appears to greatly 
expedite the progress. Once the workgroup is close to consensus, the draft 
will be shared with an online task group for public review. To join the MSAR 
task group's public discussion group and provide input on proposed ASTM MSAR 
standards, visit http://lists.ibiblio.org:80/mailman/listinfo/msar-astm  and 
check the recent archives.

After public input through the task group, the draft goes back to the TPOC 
(Technical Point of Contact) and workgroup to address any suggested changes. 
After revisions as needed, the draft goes to ballot within ASTM.

Actual voting on the proposed ASTM international standards for MSAR is done 
by ASTM voting members in the F32 Search and Rescue Committee. There is 
structure within ASTM to take a proposed standard through the entire 
process, with ballots at every level. Once a proposed standard has completed 
the ASTM process, it becomes a voluntary national / international standard, 
created by consensus process, and is published on the ASTM web site, etc.

To become a voting member for MSAR standards - and other SAR-related 
standards - join ASTM on www.astm.org  as a voting member and indicate 
voting in the committee on Search and Rescue. As an ASTM member you'll also 
be eligible for a free copy of the final MSAR product when it becomes a 
standard, as well as free access to other ASTM standards related to SAR.

~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
SAR & CERT
Mounted SAR
www.ceoates.com/msar