Mounted search and rescue

[Jonah Libsack <jonahlibsack@hotmail.com>]

Una,
That sounds like a great approach to new member introduction.  Are you willing to share the training book and exam? 

Thanks,
Jonah

> Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:03:17 -0700
> From: una.smith@att.net
> To: msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
> Subject: Re: [MSAR] New member requirements
>
> How to separate the wheat from the chaff...
>
> I wish we could use the bad weather method, but our weather almost
> always is fine.
>
> Many unitw hold horse and rider tryouts / arena tests / evaluation
> rides. Those are useful for identifying riders with insufficient
> riding skills and horses that are too young, too poorly trained, or
> too spoiled to work out. But, on the other hand those events draw
> people seeking riding experiences, not necessarily SAR, and do not
> reflect what SAR is all about. Riding evaluations are informative,
> and in many cases they are all the unit can do, but for me the most
> useful method is to focus on the heart of the matter: interest in
> and ability/willingness to do SAR.
>
> New Mexico has a short training book and a certification exam. It
> has been my experience that the applicants who won't read the book
> and take the exam do not ever work out as SAR responders. Some do
> not pass on the first try, and that is okay. Some will need months
> to get ready for the exam, and that is okay too. Many people upon
> leaving school figure they have taken their last exam, and it can
> be hard for them emotionally to face taking another one. But, SAR
> is a test of courage and committment, and someone who cannot muster
> enough "mustard" to face an easy exam likely does not have what it
> takes to face a SAR mission.
>
> New Mexico's training book and details about the exam, everything
> but the exam itself, is on http://www.nmesc.org/certification.htm
>
> Una Smith
> New Mexico
> _______________________________________________
> MSAR-Riders mailing list
> MSAR-Riders@lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/msar-riders

---

Windows Live™: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways to connect. Check it out.