Mounted search and rescue

[una.smith@att.net]

New Mexico's Field Certification program is voluntary, but contributes to a 
field team typing scheme.  Less qualified field teams are not likely to be 
called first nor called outside of their local area.  The program has been in 
use since 1995, and the Field Certification Study Guide was first published 
in 1996.

I mention the new Field Certification Study Guide for two reasons:

1. It is written in the context of all kinds of field team now active in New 
Mexico, including numerous MSAR teams, and it specifically discusses a few 
issues relevant to MSAR.  Namely boots, packs, and helmets.

2. It is a *training document*, explaining the essentials of SAR for a novice 
SAR responder in New Mexico.  Apart from some items of state or regional 
scope (eg, protection against puncture by cactus spines), most of the 
material will be of value to SAR responders everywhere on land.

That URL again is http://www.nmesc.org/certification.htm :-)

  Una