Mounted search and rescue

[Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>]

Short summaries of SAR missions in New Mexico are on the web, here:
http://www.nmesc.org/missions.htm

I particularly like the snowboarder who used his Ipod to wave down a
SAR helicopter.  Note also the search for a mom and 3yo lost in the 
mountains on foot, which upon interviewing a 3rd party turned out to
involve 2 other people in a vehicle.  Note also the Eddy County dirt
bike rider.  That one did not go right:  911 dispatch connected the
reporting party to the wrong agency, a county sheriff's office.  SO
delayed 2 nights (!) before contacting State Police for SAR.  Luckily
the rider was only lost, not ill, injured or trapped, and he managed
to find himself and return home on his own.

A lot of the calls go to the county sheriff's office.  This happens
more in counties where SAR missions are infrequent.  Many people in
New Mexico know this and some reporting parties call State Police
directly rather than go through 911.

        Una Smith
        New Mexico