Mounted search and rescue

["Joan Pottinger" <j.pottinger@insightbb.com>]

Thanks. This is really good information.  The part about the safety officer 
is very helpful.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pennbo's" <pennbo@verizon.net>
To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 12:16 AM
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Training


> >
> > What type of conditions will you not ride in?
> Every mission you go on your group should choose a safety officer whose
> job it is to decide if the conditions etc are too dangerous. We are
> still struggling with this. We have ridden in rain, snow, ice (with
> appropriate shoeing)- but the worst has been searing sun with no shade.
> We've also gotten stuck in some VERY dangerous terrain that we should've
> backed out of immediately. Picking a strong personality who is cognizant
> of the capabilities of everyone in your group is a great safety measure!!!
>
> > > > How far do you go for a rescue?
> We've trailed as far as 200 miles. Our county is huge and we can be
> called anywhere - we are also called for searches in neighboring
> counties. Since we live on the top of a mountain everything that is off
> the mountain is a minimum of an hour away. However some of the
> wilderness locations (dirt roads) in our area are an hour or more away -
> while closer in distance.
>
> > > > Do you search rural, urban, city?
> Yes. All of the above. Some of our group will search without mounts and
> some won't. I do it all. Add wilderness to that list as well. I want to
> be of use to the search so I will do just about anything I'm asked. The
> Sheriff's Department is usually in charge of searches in this area and
> so generally you must present authorization in order to work. I am
> learning as much as I can about command post duties so that I can help
> there when horseless.
>
> > > > If a person is lost in the city would you join in the search?
> Yes - have done so. We have also used our horses in the city- drainages,
> parks, empty fields, etc. Anywhere that a higher vantage point could
> help. I've also foot searched and vehicle searched. It's not my favorite
> because some of the areas we are called to are rather rough and we are
> unarmed. We backed out of one neighborhood quickly after hearing gun
> shots. We are not prepped for that type of incident!!
>
> Good luck with everything!
> Chris Pennington
> _______________________________________________
> MSAR-Riders mailing list
> MSAR-Riders@lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/msar-riders